New Mexico’s Water Quality Control Commission has approved a petition to protect 250 miles of stream and river segments under the state’s strongest water quality protections. The designated areas include portions of the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Cimmaron, Pecos and Jemez river watersheds in the northern part of the state, now classified as Outstanding National Resource Waters. These protections aim to prevent degradation from pollution, heavy metals, increased temperature, or clouding.
Advocates highlight the significance of these protections, especially in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA ruling, which removed federal water protections for intermittent rivers, streams, and wetlands without surface water connections. This decision has put 93% of New Mexico waters at risk of pollution.
The approval of the petition comes after the New Mexico Environment Department and conservation nonprofits worked to raise public support. The state has designated over 1,700 miles of streams and 8,300 acres of wetlands as Outstanding National Resource Waters since 2005. These increased protections demonstrate New Mexico’s commitment to addressing water quality following the loss of federal protections.
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