About Us
We seek to be a catalyst that will transform statewide water governance policy
enabling New Mexico’s successful adaptation to increasing aridity and water scarcity.
Vision
We envision a balanced water future for New Mexico in which we equitably adapt to climate change and are stewards of our water, thereby preserving our diverse cultures, economy, food production, and natural ecosystems.
Mission
The Water Advocates mission is to advocate for a balanced, equitable, and resilient water future for all of New Mexico through public education and engagement and civic participation, with urgent insistence on initiating and accelerating the transformative change necessary for New Mexico’s successful adaptation to increasing water scarcity.
Strategy for Intervention/Theory of Change
We bring transformative change to water resources governance by:
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- Convening or participating in problem-solving, multi-stakeholder discussions and structured processes,
- civic engagement with the legislature, state agencies and local governments to identify problems and recommend solutions,
- creating broader public awareness and knowledge of water-related facts, problems, and solutions,
- creating and building momentum for transformative change through our actions and civic participation with others,
- incorporating facts, fairness, equity, stewardship, inclusion, and the urgency of our water crisis in everything we do.
By-Laws
Amended and restated by-laws were adopted by a unanimous vote of the Board of Directors on August 28, 2024.
Officers & Board of Directors
OFFICERS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rip Anderson
John Brown
Ladona Clayton
Marcia Fernandez
Brittany Gaume
Norm Gaume
Gillian Gonda
Carolyn Kennedy
Sarah Knopp
Aidan Manning
Mike Marcus
Ann McCartney
Lynn Montgomery
Bob Wessely
Ralph Wrons
History
The Water Advocates is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization incorporated in 1998.
- Provide Reliable Data: Accelerate implementation of the 2019 Water Data Act and the 2012 Aquifer Mapping Program. Reliable, science-based data is essential for effective planning and management. State agencies face a substantial workload to achieve compliance with the 2019 Act and to compile and report complete, timely water use data.
- Support Regional Water Planning: Fund the 2023 Water Security Planning Act with $30 million for regional grants. These grants will enable regions to develop climate-driven resilience strategies grounded in their unique hydrologic and community realities.
- Modernize State Water Agencies: Equip the Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission with skilled staff, modernized procedures, and upgraded data systems. These investments are crucial for providing the public with the compiled data and models needed for informed decision-making.
- Enforce Water Rights: Fully implement the 2003 Active Water Resource Management (AWRM) program by funding basin-specific rules and enforcement. This is critical to ensuring compliance with interstate agreements and addressing illegal water use. It will also prevent a threatened Rio Grande Compact violation caused by chronic overuse in the Middle Rio Grande and reduce groundwater pumping in the Lower Rio Grande in accordance with a Rio Grande Compact litigation settlement agreement between New Mexico and Texas.
These current work initiatives all fit within the overall Water Security Road Map as depicted below:
