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Water Planning

50 Year Water Plan50 Year Water Plan

Smart Water Management - Sustainability - Equity

The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) is leading a collaborative effort to develop the 50-Year Water Plan. When Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham took office, she tasked the NMISC to produce a 50-Year Water Plan for the state. The Governor has long talked about the importance of water to the arid state.  As outlined by the Governor, the pillars of the 50-Year Water Plan are stewardship, equity and sustainability.
It is critical that the state starts charting a course that will allow for more flexibility in managing water supplies and infrastructure in the face of weather extremes brought on by a changing climate.

"Planning ahead to secure New Mexico's water future" - Lucia Sanchez

Phases for 50-Year Plan Development Dates

Phase 1: Planning Approach and Coordination

  • 50-Year Water Plan Launch, partnered with NM Water Dialogue for Kickoff
  • New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) coordinates to form Water Climate Advisory Team
  • United States Army Corps of Engineers, Planning Assistance to States (USACE PAS) agreement proposed and agreed on
  • New Mexico Indian Affairs Department NM (IAD) and OSE/ISC Tribal Liaison collaboration/education work to build outreach/coordination with Tribal engagement plan

Project Start –
February 28, 2021
(Completed)

Phase 2: Leap Ahead Analysis (assessment of current and future water resource conditions and risk)

March 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021
(Completed)

Phase 3: Outreach, Resilience Assessment(s) and Creation of Strategies to Achieve Resilience

  • Interagency Collaboration (OSE/ISC/NMED-New Mexico Environment department/EMNRD - Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Department/IAD)
  • Stakeholder outreach through events such as:
    • Tribal Water Summit
    • Tribal Workshop
    • 66th Annual Water Conference by NM WRRI
    • NM Dialogue events
  • USACE helps produce Federal connections for outreach and begin the strategy to Achieve Resilience while producing own USACE report

July 1, 2021 – November 30, 2021
(Completed)

Phase 4: Produce, Review and Finalize Plan

  • Executive level summary report/plan by NMISC staff/contractors
    • Summary of predicted climate change impacts
    • Summary of input gathered and submitted
    • Metrics and strategies to improve resilience to reduced water availability
    • Recommendations and strategies to improve resilience and prepare for a future with less water
  • Supporting reports and documentation including:
    • The Climate and Water Science Advisory Panel Report, Climate Change in New Mexico Over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resources aka the Leap Ahead Analysis, published by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources in late 2021.
    • Input gathered and submitted to inform the 50 Year Water Plan including surveys, webinars, prepared papers from individuals and organizations, and directed outreach to tribal entities and governmental water management agencies.
    • A Resilience Assessment to evaluate the resilience of water users in various sectors based on factors identified through collaboration with stakeholders
  • NMBGMR Water Matter Report-Advisory Team Leap Ahead Framed in National Academy of Sciences report format
  • USACE PAS Study Report
  • Web Materials from Lead Ahead Analysis-GIS layers for current temp, anticipated changes, etc.
  • Present and Discuss Results at 2022 Annual Meeting of the Water Dialogue

December 1, 2021 – July 1, 2022
(In Progress)