Solutions

While New Mexico’s water situation is dire, there are viable solutions to our water challenges. Growing public awareness, hard-working and innovative state agency staff, and fledgling official actions point to the adaptation we need in the face of much less water resulting from our hotter climate. While productive steps are being taken, far more must be done. Significant funding is needed to accelerate the state government fulfilling its water management and governance roles. 

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Water Planning: Shadows of our Future Ancestors

shadows standing at shore of Rio Grande

by Laurie McCann “From its first rock in the sky to its last embrace by the estuary at the sea, the river has been surrounded by forces and elements constantly moving and dynamic, interacting to produce its life and character. It has taken ocean and sky; the bearing of winds and the vagary of temperature;…

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Reminding Reclamation about a Key Issue and an Essential Resource

Reclamation listed key issues and important resources it will consider in its Environmental Impact Statement evaluation of reducing the waste of water caused by its 1950s failed river infrastructure.  Surprisingly, Reclamation did not list the limited Rio Grande Compact water apportionment to New Mexico, for depletion within the Middle Rio Grande, as a resource that should be protected. Compliance with the compact delivery requirements is a key issue the EIS must fully consider. 

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Argentine Fulbright Scholars Recommendations for New Mexico’s Water Future

20 Argentine Fulbright Scholars evaluated and made recommendations for the Middle Rio Grande’s and New Mexico’s water future. Their insightful policy recommendations focused on sustainability, inclusion, equity, research, alliances, water governance reform, and public education and incentives. They characterized New Mexico’s water problems as community problems that require community-driven solutions through collective action.

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Announcement – Basin Study – December All Partners Meeting

It looks like Friday, December 4th at 9:30 am works for the most number of people. We hope then to have the official start of the program’s three-year clock. Expect a draft Plan of Study about next Wednesday (Nov. 4) for your review. Bureau of Reclamation will be asking that you submit your comments and…

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Report – All Partners Meeting September 2020

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s Rio Grande New Mexico Basin Study conducted a webinar meeting on September 10, 2020 for all of the program partners (as of that date). The meeting agenda topics included a status report on the program, a presentation on the Ten Tribes Partnership involvement in the Colorado River Basin Study, and…

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Healthy Soil Is a Reservoir

Maintaining healthy soil aids our water supply! Healthy soil is not compacted but is absorbent. Organic matter in the soil, microbes and plant material, is made of carbon. That, along with the minerals present, creates an aerated structure for the soil. The dead matter is food for the plants and structurally acts like a sponge.…

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