Learn from NM watershed advocates how riparian, wetland and upland forest/landscape restoration improve overall watershed function. Natural water shortage is an indicators of overall watershed functionality with important implications for human water use. In our time of increasing aridification watershed restoration is a key element in statewide water management and use. Healthy watersheds are critical not only for clean water for human consumption but also provide essential habitat for wildlife by creating a diverse ecosystem.
While the rules about them are extremely complicated, “water rights” are simply your permission slip from the State to use water, if you can find it (often a big “if”). ll too often people conflate paper water and wet water. The results can be seriously misleading or worse.