Improving Water Law and Policy Focus of NM WRRI Report

Improving Water Law and Policy Focus of NM WRRI Report by Catherine Ortega Klett Utton Transboundary Resources Center Director Adrian Oglesby received a grant from the NM WRRI to provide water law and policy options for New Mexico lawmakers that could be implemented in New Mexico to promote water conservation and efficiency. The effort began with the Utton Center convening over forty experienced water managers, lawyers, scientists, engineers, academics, and students to explore water law and policy options for New Mexico. The conference took place in October 2014. To encourage imaginative and courageous thinking, conference participants abided by the Chatham House Rule, which allows participants to use any information provided at the conference, but prohibits participants from revealing the identity or affiliation of the person who provides that information, nor that of any other participant. Liberated from fear of possible repercussions, the group freely proposed changes to New Mexico water law and policy to help New Mexico incorporate the concept of resilience into its water management objectives and avoid future conflicts over water. In preparation for the conference, the Utton Center reviewed numerous reports from recent years that proposed ideas that might make New Mexico more water resilient. The final report, Water Resilience in a Time of Uncertainty - How Can Our Water Laws and Policies Better Support Water Resilience? documents the discussions and recommendations developed during that two-day conference and a subsequent presentation on water banking. Included in the report are chapters on water management; water planning; water rights administration; water banking; water storage; water preservation of agricultural uses; and water for the environment, recreation and tourism. To view the report click here