All State Policies: New Mexico
Who’s Responsible?
Below are short descriptions of relevant state agencies/departments by policy topic, followed by more information on specific policies.
Open Water Data: New Mexico’s integrated Water Data Service initiative is convened by the directing agencies outlined in the Water Data Act, including NM Interstream Commission (ISC), NM Office of the State Engineer (OSE), NM Environment Department (NMED), and NM Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), as convened by the Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR).
Policies
Drinking Water
Senate Bill 1
3/13/2023
The Regional Water System Resiliency Act creates a clear pathway for public utilities providing water or wastewater services (entities) to regionalize with another utility in New Mexico. It requires that founding or joining entities hold at least two public hearings and allow the public to give comments. If an entity is joining the regional authority, then it must not encroach upon the service area of a non-joining entity. The act lists out the rights a regional authority has, as well as the requirements of a board of directors.
Environmental Justice
Healthy Rivers
Open Water Data
New Mexico Water Data Act (NMSA 1978, § 72-4B)
6/14/2019
The Water Data Act (NMSA 1978, § 72-4B) marks the first time in New Mexico’s history that a law has been enacted to identify and integrate key water data. In response to this 2019 legislation, the directing agencies including New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NM ISC), New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (NM OSE), New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), and the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), as convened by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR), are developing an integrated Water Data Service for New Mexico. Multiple working groups have been convened, working to ensure that the data and useful information about the data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and usable for those seeking water information for decision making related to water management and planning – the primary goal of the legislation. The initial data platform can be found at newmexicowaterdata.org as a first data inventory step for this multi-year project.
Scope of Water Data Act
“By January 1, 2020, the agencies, as convened by the bureau of geology and mineral resources of the New Mexico institute of mining and technology, shall:
- identify key water data, information and tools needed to support water management and planning;
- develop common water data standards for data collection;
- develop an integrated water data and information platform; and
- identify available and unavailable water data.”
The Act developed a Water Data Account to receive legislative appropriations and gifts.
