New Mexico Faces Challenge of Climate Change Impact on Water Availability
One of the most pressing challenges for New Mexico in the coming years is addressing how climate change affects water availability in the state. This issue was discussed at a panel hosted by NM Political Report, featuring speakers Daniel Timmons from Wild Earth Guardians and Page Pegram from the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission.
Timmons emphasized the need to reduce water usage in irrigated agriculture and find low-water-use crops for farmers. Pegram suggested managing reservoirs differently and storing water underground to mitigate evaporation.
The state is committed to working with stakeholders to reduce water use, even considering water shortage agreements. However, federal involvement, particularly in the Rio Grande Compact with Colorado and Texas, has complicated matters. Texas filed a lawsuit against New Mexico over groundwater pumping, leading to Supreme Court involvement.
Currently, New Mexico is in debt to Texas in terms of water allocation, with the debt continuing to grow. The state is urged to better manage water rights enforcement in the middle Rio Grande.
The panel also discussed other issues like the Rio Grande running dry, sedimentation’s impact on the ecosystem, and the importance of snowpack and monsoons in water availability.
Moving forward, New Mexico will need to implement smart and equitable solutions to address climate change impacts on water availability in the state.
Source
Photo credit nmpoliticalreport.com
