New Mexico Protected Over 250 Miles of Outstanding Waters
New Mexico’s Water Quality Control Commission’s (WQCC) unanimously decided to protect over 250 miles in the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Cimmaron, Pecos, and Jemez watersheds as Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRWs) under the Clean Water Act.
NEW MEXICO’S OUTSTANDING
RESOURCE WATERS
Our New Mexico rivers, streams, and wetlands are our heritage, culture, playgrounds, classrooms, and livelihoods. We need to protect them so they can continue to provide for us and future generations.
Learn More About New Mexico’s New Outstanding National Resource Waters
Thank you to the over 1,500 community members who submitted comments in support of protecting these Outstanding waters, Gov. Lujan Grisham and her administration, the New Mexico Environment Department, and the Water Quality Control Commission. New Mexico now benefits from 1,729 miles of streams and 8,300 acres of wetlands protected as Outstanding National Resource Waters across the state.
Protecting the Pecos River
The Pecos River is an iconic New Mexico waterway that sustains the local agricultural community, provides exceptional recreational opportunities, and has many rich and diverse ecological values. Outstanding Waters (ONRW) protections will ensure that clean water in the Pecos is available for future generations.
Protecting water quality for outdoor recreation
Protecting water quality in the Rio Grande, Rio Hondo, and Jemez River watersheds will benefit all New Mexicans, including those who live nearby, hunt and fish in the area, work in the outdoor industry, & explore these waters.
Protecting Outstanding Rivers for New Mexico’s People, Trout, and Wildlife
An ONRW designation for these rivers will protect traditional community water uses, and safeguard waterways from degradation from mining, development and transportation, waste disposal, recreational overuse, and the impacts of climate change, which is why there is such broad and wide ranging support across the state for Outstanding Waters protection.
What is the process for Outstanding Waters designation?
The Clean Water Act provides for the designation of Outstanding Waters. However, it is through state-level action that specific waters — like rivers, lakes, and creeks, for example– are designated and protected. Any entity or person in New Mexico can nominate any water with outstanding ecological and or recreational values for designation.
Our New Mexico Waters
Watch to learn more about Our New Mexico Waters, why they matter, and how to protect them.
I made the pledge to protect New Mexico’s best rivers and wetlands! You should too. #DefendCleanWater #ONRW
#DefendCleanWater by pledging to protect New Mexico’s rivers and wetlands!
Agua es vida, and the waters of New Mexico’s Upper Pecos Watershed sustain and enrich the lives and livelihoods of all who live, work, and recreate there.#DefendCleanWater by taking the pledge!