Key Bill to Restore Clean Water Protections Advances to House Floor

A critical bill aimed at protecting New Mexico’s waters has cleared its final committee hurdle and is now headed for a decisive vote on the House floor. The House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee voted 5-4 in favor of SB 21, legislation designed to restore essential clean water safeguards and establish state-level oversight of water permitting.

In recent years, federal rollbacks to Clean Water Act protections have left up to 95% of New Mexico’s streams vulnerable to pollution and degradation. Without a state-level permitting system in place, the state’s waterways were ranked as the most endangered in the nation by American Rivers in its 2024 Most Endangered Rivers report.

SB 21 aims to fill the gap by reinstating long-standing clean water protections at the state level. Additionally, it grants New Mexico the authority to take over permitting responsibilities from the federal government for waters still under federal jurisdiction. This shift would streamline regulatory processes and ensure that oversight remains in the hands of local officials who understand the state’s unique water challenges.

Originally introduced as two separate bills—SB 22 and SB 21—by Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, Senator Bobby Gonzales, and Representative Kristina Ortez, the legislation has since been consolidated under SB 21. This combined effort creates a framework for a comprehensive state water permitting program, ensuring stronger, locally driven protection for New Mexico’s rivers and streams.

With the bill now set for a vote on the House floor, its passage would mark a major step forward in safeguarding New Mexico’s water resources for generations to come.

“Valuing water and valuing life are one and the same. In the absence of federal protections, our state leaders have an urgent and sacred responsibility to protect our precious waterways of New Mexico for the thriving of all our communities of life, human and beyond, for all generations to come.” – Rev. Clara Sims, Assistant Executive Director, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light