New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez celebrated a win for public access when a federal district court judge dismissed a lawsuit by private landowners seeking to prevent access to rivers and streams that cross their land. The landowners, represented by Pacific Legal Foundation, argued that the public’s right to fish and recreate on these waterways violated their private property rights. However, the state Supreme Court had previously affirmed the public’s right to access these waterways without trespassing on private land. Torrez hailed the court’s decision as a victory for the public’s constitutional right to access these natural resources, highlighting the state’s commitment to upholding these rights. The court’s ruling sends a strong message that attempts to restrict public access to rivers and streams are unlawful and are not in line with state and federal law. Torrez praised his legal team for their dedication to defending these rights and ensuring that the law is upheld. The court’s dismissal of the landowners’ case reaffirms the public’s right to enjoy these natural resources while respecting private property boundaries.
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Photo credit nmpoliticalreport.com
State wins public access rights battle
