The New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission voted unanimously to protect 250 miles of rivers and streams, including parts of the Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Cimarron, Pecos, and Jemez watersheds.
These segments are now designated as Outstanding National Resource Waters, ensuring strong protections against pollution, heavy metals, temperature changes, and clouding. Many of these areas were already recognized for their value to wildlife and recreation, and some were designated Wild and Scenic rivers or part of national parks.
This new designation prevents further degradation of water quality, requiring it to remain the same or improve. The protection is especially significant following the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reduced federal water safeguards, leaving much of New Mexico’s waters vulnerable to pollution. While the new protections are state-level, they help mitigate risks introduced by the federal decision.
Since 2005, over 1,700 miles of streams and 8,300 acres of wetlands in New Mexico have been protected under this designation, highlighting the state’s efforts to safeguard water quality despite federal rollbacks.
