This interactive workshop had a panel of three former members of the 2022 State Engineer’s Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force, Phil King, Ladona Clayton, and Norm Gaume. The panelists are working together currently as NM Water Ambassadors. The Water Ambassadors joint purpose is to advocate for all the water task force recommendations. The panelists each presented their highest priorities for water funding and policy, and why. The joint funding requests to the 2024 Legislature of Dr. Ladona Clayton, Executive Director, Ogallala Land and Water Conservancy, and Norm Gaume, P.E. (ret), President, Water Advocates, are available here.
New Mexico’s water crisis is accelerating, yet the Senate Finance Committee reduced funding for the very institutions responsible for managing it. The Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission requested resources to enforce water rights, comply with interstate obligations, implement settlements, and plan for declining supplies. The House-approved budget already fell far short; […]