Protecting New Mexico’s Waterways: A Call for Immediate Action by Ralph Vigil
View Op-Ed in Albuquerque Journal
Ralph Vigil is a 12th generation Nuevo Mexicano from Pecos. He is the Chairman of the New Mexico Acequia Commission, owner of Molino de la Isla Organics, and Northern NM Organizer for NM Wild. Molino de la Isla Organics is a small organic farm that grows healthy, acequia grown food for his community and helps educate the public about acequia culture and its contribution to the environment that sustains them.
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA overturned decades of clean water protections and placed New Mexico’s waterways in grave danger. For almost 50 years, federal safeguards ensured that our rivers, streams, wetlands, and lakes were protected from pollution and development. But today, with those protections stripped away from so many of our waters, New Mexico’s most precious resource is under threat.
This is not just an environmental issue—it’s a matter of public health, economic stability, and cultural heritage. As a state deeply dependent on agriculture, outdoor recreation, and natural resources, we cannot afford to leave our waterways at risk. Without swift action, New Mexico’s water quality will deteriorate, and our economy and communities will suffer.
The recent Supreme Court decision has eliminated federal protections for the vast majority of New Mexico’s rivers, lakes, and wetlands, leaving them vulnerable to pollution from chemicals, sewage, and runoff from industrial sites. Streams that only flow seasonally or during periods of rain are especially at risk. These waterways are vital to our farms, ranches, and communities, yet they now face greater threats than ever before. In addition, wetlands—which play a critical role in water filtration, flood control, and wildlife preservation—are increasingly susceptible to damage from development and pollution.
The stakes could not be higher. The loss of federal safeguards not only puts our ecosystems at risk but also threatens our economy. New Mexicans depend on our waterways for clean drinking water. The agriculture industry—spanning acequias, multi-generational family farms, and ranches—relies heavily on healthy streams and rivers. Wetlands and water sources help absorb excess water, reducing flooding risks, while maintaining consistent water flow during dry periods. The absence of water protections endangers all of us.
Fortunately, there is hope. In February 2024, New Mexico lawmakers took a vital step by securing $7.6 million to begin developing a state surface water permitting program. But we must now build on that foundation. In the 2025 legislative session, New Mexico has the opportunity to pass two critical bills that will fill the gaps left by the Supreme Court’s decision and ensure long-term protections for our waters.
The first bill will establish a permitting program to safeguard those waters that are no longer federally protected. The second bill will grant New Mexico the authority to take over permitting from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the remaining federally protected waters, streamlining the process and providing a more efficient regulatory framework. Together, these measures will restore essential safeguards to our waterways, ensuring that clean water in New Mexico is not left to chance. Notably, these measures include exemptions for traditional farming and ranching activities.
We are at a crossroads. The recent Supreme Court decision has exposed the vulnerabilities in our water systems, but it also presents a unique opportunity for New Mexico to safeguard our most precious natural resources. By passing these bills, we can secure the health of our waterways, protect our agricultural economy, and preserve our cultural heritage.
Our farmers, – like myself – ranchers, and communities depend on the water that flows through New Mexico. We must act now to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from these vital resources. The time to restore protections is now.
