Call to Action: River Mile 163 Project

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Our friends at Valencia Water Watchers are asking for help to get the word out about destruction that is happening along a stretch of the Rio Grande Bosque near Los Lunas. This destruction is resulting from work being done for the River Mile 163 Project.
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Mature cottonwoods have already been cut, and the access road looks like a moonscape with all trees and vegetation completely ripped out.

We are asking for your help to pause the destruction.

The scope of the original project has been exceeded, and an Environmental Impact Statement is needed before any more work is done on this project.

The local residents want the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to pause the tree cutting and start removing and/or mulching the downed trees and vegetation to reduce the risk of a catastrophic fire in the area.

Background on River Mile 163 Maintenance Project

The BOR has started chopping mature cottonwoods and clear-cutting access roads in the Bosque toward the river.

Despite many concerns, no Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed. Residents gave extensive feedback, and BOR reassured property owners that they would minimize cottonwood removal. However, significant tree removal has already started, raising concerns about the ecological impact and fire risk from all downed trees and slash.

Concerns

  • The sandbars provide a critical habitat for migratory birds and many species

  • Mature cottonwoods are being taken down

  • Fire risk from slash that has not been cleaned up from the project

How to Take Action to Pause Project Mile 163 ASAP

  1. Call Bureau of Reclamation: 505-462-3540

  2. Call MRGCD 505-247-0234  or email: https://www.mrgcd.com/contact-us/

  3. Attend the MRGCD meeting on March 10th, 3pm
    at MRGCD Headquarters (1931 2nd St SW, Albuquerque) OR Join the MRGCD Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/2765069278?pwd=V2d0SWppTkxGTTFMb0g5RFhmeERjZz09

Talking Points

Pause the project to allow for the following:

  • Clean up the slash that has already been cut to minimize the fire risk created by the damage to and destruction of vegetation;

  • Prepare the Environmental Impact Statement and publish for comment. This statement should correctly disclose the amount of area to be affected by the project using actual data instead of the inaccurate estimates contained in the environmental assessment.

  • Keep intact a healthy Bosque ecosystem (don’t moonscape it)

  • Abide by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act – nesting season is about to begin. The MBTA protects hundreds of species of birds with fluctuating migrations, not just birds that winter in the Bosque.

Here are links to more information about this “Los Lunas RM 163 River Maintenance Project”

Senate Conservation Committee to Hear Key Initiative on Tuesday, Jan 28

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New Mexico Legislature Faces Urgent Calls to Further Address Climate Change in 2025 Session

Pro Tem Mimi Stewart’s Suite of Bills Seek to Address Extreme Weather Now and For Future Generations

[Santa Fe, NM] – Today, a coalition of environmental, social justice, and conservation advocates from 25 organizations across New Mexico expressed their strong support for Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart’s suite of bills that will take action on climate change: the Clear Horizons Act, the Community Benefits Fund, and the Innovation in Government Act. The Clear Horizons Act will be heard in the Senate Conservation Committee on Tuesday, January 28.

“The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund, and Innovation in Government Act reflect the bold and moral leadership New Mexico needs. We all have a sacred responsibility to protect this place and the promise it holds for all generations to come. Let us lean into this moment and lead from a place of courage and hope with legislation for a livable, healthy, just, and flourishing future for all our many diverse communities – a future we have, in equal measures, the right and the responsibility to protect.”  –Rev. Clara Sims, Assistant Executive Director of New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light. 

The 2024 Conservation in the West poll found that 59% of New Mexicans consider climate change a very or extremely serious issue. This is unsurprising given the various ways climate change impacts New Mexicans, including more severe wildfires and floods, extended droughts that limit water supplies, and more extreme weather events and heat. In fact, 183 out of 221 – 83% – of Governor Lujan Grisham’s 2024 executive orders were related to emergency funding to address the impacts of climate change. In addition, Governor Lujan Grisham called on the legislature to codify in state law the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 this session in her State of the State speech on the opening day of the legislature.

“Right now, we’re helping to lead a national energy transition. We’re cleaning up our communities, reducing our carbon footprint, and making good on our commitment to reduce emissions. In fact, let’s make this the session in which the goal of net zero emissions by 2050 becomes the law of the land,” Governor Lujan Grisham said.

The Clear Horizons Act, Senate Bill 4, would create a regulatory framework that aligns state and industry pollution goals, paving the way for New Mexico to build a more innovative and sustainable economy. Greenhouse gas emission reduction targets exist in Governor Lujan Grisham’s executive order 2019-003 and will serve New Mexico in the long-term when codified in law.

The Community Benefits Fund, Senate Bills 48 and 49, would invest $340 million in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by climate change, providing resources for renewable energy projects, energy efficiency upgrades, and other projects that reduce carbon pollution.

The Innovation in Government Fund, Senate Bill 83, would provide $10 million in funding to state agencies to support efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

“Pro Tem Stewart’s bills are bold and necessary steps forward in addressing the climate crisis and the direct impacts, such as more severe wildfires, extreme heat and drought, that communities are already experiencing,” says Ona Porter, MA, Founder Emerita and Clean Energy Leader, Prosperity Works. “We are already paying for the impacts of climate change. These bills ensure that we address the root causes of climate change while simultaneously investing in a cleaner, healthier future for all New Mexicans.”

“New Mexicans want to keep our state beautiful, protect our cherished ways of life, and create new opportunities statewide for our families now and in the future. The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund, and Innovation in Government Act will help our environment, our economy, and our communities for generations to come, and I urge my fellow legislators to join me in supporting these bills.” says Senate Pro-Tem Mimi Stewart.

The coalition of advocates from 25 organizations supporting Pro Tem Stewart’s bills include: 350 New Mexico, Center for Civic Policy, Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy, Coalition of Sustainable Communities New Mexico, Conservation Voters New Mexico, E2 – Environmental Entrepreneurs, Earthworks, Environmental Defense Fund, GreenLatinos, GRID Alternatives, Healthy Climate New Mexico, Moms Clean Air Force New Mexico chapter, Natural Resources Defense Council, New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light, NM Native Vote, NMVC Action Fund, ProgressNow New Mexico, Prosperity Works, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, Sovereign Energy, SWEEP (Southwest Energy Efficiency Project), the Semilla Project, Western Environmental Law Center, Western Leaders Network, and Western Resource Advocates.

Learn more about why advocates are supporting these critical bills below:

“The New Mexico oil and gas industry routinely touts their achievements in reducing emissions, producing ever cleaner barrels of oil and being environmentally responsible. The Clear Horizons Act provides NM oil and gas producers with a perfect opportunity to codify the efforts they highlight with enforceable standards for ever cleaner and more responsible production. 350 New Mexico looks forward to the enthusiastic support of the oil and gas industry and their legislative allies for this important legislation,” says Tom Solomon, co-coordinator, 350 New Mexico.

“Our families and communities deserve to be treated with respect and care, especially by companies and industries that can afford to do more to reduce pollution and create a healthier environment. With a regulatory framework and critical investments in long-term resiliency, we can create more good jobs and training programs for a diversified economy,” says Michael Leon Guerrero, Sustainable Economy Policy Advisor for the Center for Civic Policy. “We are proud to support the Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefits Fund, and Innovation in Government Act because we know that together, these bills will bring new economic opportunities, investments, and help meet urgent climate goals for the future of New Mexico.”

”We want to thank Senate Pro Tem Stewart for bringing these bills forward,” says Charles de Saillan, attorney representing Coalition for Clean Affordable Energy. “The Clear Horizons Act will codify the greenhouse gas reduction targets of the Governor’s executive order and the Paris Climate Accords. More importantly, the bill will require State regulators to adopt enforceable rules to require reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in New Mexico to help meet those targets. You could say that the reduction targets are the soul of the bill, while the rulemaking requirements are its heart. This legislation is essential if we are to avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis.”

“The suite of bills sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart have come at a critical moment, when federal policies and programs dealing with climate change are being shredded and states must step up”, says Demis Foster, CEO for Conservation Voters New Mexico. “The Clear Horizons Act, the Community Benefit Fund and the Innovation in Government Act are a comprehensive response to climate change and the extreme events it helps create and amplify in New Mexico: fires, floods and long-term drought. The bills will make necessary investments in the energy transition and protect communities and New Mexico’s air, land, water, and wildlife.”

“At this crucial juncture, it is more important than ever to take meaningful action to reduce emissions and fight climate change,” says Andrew Forkes-Gudmundson of Earthworks. “This suite of bills will help New Mexico actually meet its emission reduction goals and hit its climate targets. Passing these bills is a necessary step towards our energy transition and to preserve New Mexico’s clean air and healthy environment.”

“The Clear Horizons Act provides the critical framework, tools and resources New Mexico needs to hold polluters accountable and protect communities from the worst impacts of climate change.” says Michael Bueno, Senior Manager, State Climate Policy and Strategy at EDF Action. “New Mexicans are looking to state leaders to drive local solutions that put community needs first, protect precious water resources, and deliver clean air and good-paying jobs they and their kids can rely on. Passing the Clear Horizons Act is a foundational next step in the state’s climate leadership that will promote a thriving, transformative economy that protects New Mexicans for generations to come. We thank Senate Pro Tem Stewart for her leadership.”

“New Mexico has been considered a ‘sacrifice zone’ in order to benefit extractive industries. Our people are deserving of protection from the damage to our beautiful environment that these industries bring in order to create more shareholder value and profit for the wealthy. We are grateful to Senate Pro Tem Stewart for supporting the right to clean air, pure water, and healthy soil for our families, our neighbors, and our future generations. The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefits Fund, and The Innovations in Government Act will all move us towards a better life for ourselves and our descendants,” says Carlos Matutes, New Mexico Community Advocate with GreenLatinos.

“As health professionals, we know firsthand how extreme weather and climate change events are harming our patients and communities. No community is immune. These bold proposals will help protect the well-being of all New Mexicans, especially our most vulnerable populations. Grateful to all who are working to reduce climate pollution and invest in solutions to save lives now and for the future,” says Shelley Mann-Lev, MPH, Executive Director of Healthy Climate New Mexico.

“As moms, we know that clean air is essential for the health and future of our kids. The Clear Horizons Act provides New Mexico with the tools to reduce harmful pollution, address the climate crisis, and build a sustainable future”, says Giovanna Rossi with Moms Clean Air Force, New Mexico chapter. “We thank Senate Pro Tem Stewart for her leadership in protecting our kids and communities from the devastating impacts of climate change.”

“The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund, and Innovation in Government Act reflect the bold and moral leadership New Mexico needs,” says Rev. Clara Sims, Assistant Executive Director of New Mexico & El Paso Interfaith Power and Light. “We all have a sacred responsibility to protect this place and the promise it holds for all generations to come. Let us lean into this moment and lead from a place of courage and hope with legislation for a livable, healthy, just, and flourishing future for all our many diverse communities – a future we have, in equal measures, the right and the responsibility to protect.”

“Our indigenous communities are experiencing the most drastic effects of climate change. Our lands are hotter than ever. The continual drought impacts our farmers while extractive developments built near us put our community health at risk. It’s time to pass legislation to require industry to take the next steps to reduce their climate pollution so this and next generations have a chance to thrive,” says Ahtza Dawn Chavez, Executive Director of NM Native Vote.

“The Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund, and Innovation in Government Act clear the path forward for thriving communities, a robust economy, and sustainable growth in New Mexico,” says Alexis Mena, New Mexico Policy Director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). “Now it’s up to the legislature to pass this critical suite and safeguard the future of our state for generations to come.”

“When we talk about ‘energy’ in New Mexico it’s so much more than just an industry or tangible resources. It’s also the feeling about what New Mexico is and who our people are. The Clear Horizons Act and supporting bills create a level playing field for industry while ensuring that we’re protecting the things that give NM its energy,” says Lucas Herndon, Energy Policy Director at ProgressNow New Mexico.’

“While we most often think of extreme climate events as fires and floods, think now about those suffering with huge energy bills that they are unlikely to be able to pay as we endure the deepest and longest extreme cold that we have seen in decades,” says Ona Porter, Founder Emerita and Clean Energy Leader at Prosperity Works. “With the Community Benefits Fund we will be able to more fully fund the Community Energy Efficiency Block Grant (CEED) that provides deep energy efficiency retrofits in the homes of our most vulnerable residents’ homes. Thank you, Senator Stewart!”

“At The Semilla Project, we firmly believe that the suite of bills introduced by Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart are a pivotal step towards our shared goals for a sustainable future,” says Jared Berenice Estrada, Advocacy and Programs Director for The Semilla Project. These bills resonate with our commitment at The Semilla Project to engage and prepare young people for leadership in a green economy. We stand with this effort to transform our state into a leader in climate action, ensuring our youth inherit a healthier, more resilient New Mexico.”

“New Mexico has the workforce, the innovation and the leadership to protect our people from the devastating impacts of fires, floods, drought and extreme heat. With the federal attempts to roll back the urgent work we need to do to slow down the outsized impacts of global warming on New Mexico, our state is going to have to do more than ever,” says Camilla Feibelman, Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter Director.

“These bills exemplify Pro Tem Stewart’s bold leadership on climate and clean energy policy,” says Alex Eubanks, New Mexico Representative for SWEEP. “By prioritizing clean energy, innovation, and community benefits, these measures will help reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and strengthen New Mexico’s economy. We encourage the Legislature to pass them and solidify New Mexico’s role as a climate leader.”

“We applaud Senate Pro Tem Stewart and her team for crafting such a thoughtful approach to climate and just transition action in New Mexico,” says Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Executive Director at the Western Environmental Law Center. “These bills position New Mexico to open new doors to a thriving, resilient future where our state is a leader in the fight against the climate crisis, better protects its rich natural heritage, and actively builds a strong, diversified economy powered by renewable energy.”

“As elected officials and their communities contend with the impacts of climate change, the Clear Horizons Act, Community Benefit Fund and Innovation in Government Act meet the moment by promising a more resilient climate future for all New Mexicans,” says Jessica Pace, Interim Executive Director at Western Leaders Network. “These bills would put New Mexico on track to reach state climate goals, hold polluters accountable, invest in the clean energy transition and protect our air, waters and lands. We commend Senate Pro Tem Stewart for her commitment to climate action by sponsoring these critical bills and urge the legislature to support them.”

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that states take the initiative and craft strong policies to address climate change,” says Cydney Beadles, senior attorney and New Mexico Clean Energy Manager at Western Resource Advocates (WRA). “With these bills, our state leaders are sending a powerful message that the right of all New Mexicans to clean air and healthy communities is a priority worth fighting for. This is the kind of action that will advance the clean energy transition in New Mexico.”

Advocacy in the 2025 NM Legislature: Lifting Up Our Sacred Waters

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By Rev. Clara Sims
Assistant Executive Director
IPL New Mexico & El Paso

As the legislative session begins this week, we are highlighting several opportunities to advocate for a more responsible and just relationship to water — water who is among our most precious sibling and a sacred caretaker of all Creation.

The political landscape of water in New Mexico is multifaceted and complex. We extend great gratitude to organizations such as Amigos Bravos and NM Water Advocates for providing guidance and leadership for the 2025 session.

Here’s what we are paying attention to –

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is proposing $75 million for the Strategic Water Supply which would fund unproven and risky processes of produced water reuse from oil and gas operations, brackish water extraction, and desalinization.

Along with the undersigned 53 organizations, New Mexico & El Paso IPL shares deep concern for the implications of the Strategic Water Supply. We understand it to be a risk to public health and our already scarce freshwater resources, as well as a publicly funded subsidy for the oil and gas industry’s waste disposal problem.

Instead, we join others in asking our leaders to focus on a responsible and just path in water management through the following key areas.

Focus on funding good legislation that has already passed, like the 2023 Water Security Planning Act! In this spirit, New Mexico Water Advocates and the state appointed Water Task Force reccomend $62 million in one time appropriations in HB2 (the overarching funding bill) for the following:

Water Security Planning Act Implementation

Allocate $30 million over three years to fund the 2023 Water Security Planning Act which passed unanimously. This would fund regional water planning that is robust and based on reliable data. It would include funding grants to regions to coordinate and conduct community-driven planning to address water scarcity and prepare for reduced aquifer recharge and streamflow by identifying, vetting, and prioritizing programs, policies, and projects to improve water supply security for current and future generations of New Mexicans. This would include establishing regional water planning entities, providing grants to stand up entities, preparing work plans, and doing the work by finding dedicated staff and expert(s) help for each region.

Water Agency Modernization

Allocate $30 million over three years for the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) and the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) to modernize their equipment, software and processes so these two offices can do their jobs more effectively, fulfilling the data-related mandate of the 2019 Water Data Act and the 2023 Water Security Planning Act outlined above.

Active Water Resource Management (AWRM)

Allocate $2 million over two years to prepare for Active Water Resource Management (AWRM) to the Middle and Lower Rio Grande for water rights enforcement — promulgate rules to implement priority administration with water banks in the Lower and Middle Rio Grande

That’s a lot of information! How can you advocate for all these moving pieces?

Start with New Mexico Water Advocates guide, which includes a pre-written letter that you can edit and send to your legislator(s) via email. If you do so, remember how powerful it is to uplift that you are writing as a person of faith and conscience!

To learn more, you can also check out NM Water Advocates speaker series focusing on these three areas of legislative action.

And wait, there’s more…

Responding to the loss in federal protections for New Mexico waterways

There are two very important bills that would create much needed state regulatory protection of our waters given our recent loss in federal protections. After the Sackett supreme court decision in 2023, over 96% of New Mexico waterways lack protection under the EPA’s Water Quality Act. Because of this decision, the group American Rivers named ALL of New Mexico’s rivers as the most endangered rivers of 2024.

Given this, we need strong state-level protections of our rivers, tributaries, wetlands, including and especially those that flow only seasonally.

The following two pieces of legislation are intended to be passed in tandem.

Water Quality Act Changes (SB 22)

Sponsored by Senator Wirth and Rep. Ortez, this first bill proposes amendments to the Water Quality Act that will enable the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to build a state surface water permitting program for waters no longer federally protected.

NMPDES Primacy Bill (SB 21)

Sponsored by Senator Wirth and Rep. Duhigg, this second bill will enable NMED to take primacy from EPA of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System surface water discharge permits. In other words, it will give the state authority to take over permitting from the EPA — thereby creating a more streamlined process and ensuring NM’s waters are managed by local experts.

To learn more, you can also check out Amigos Bravos educational fact sheet focusing on these two related bills, as well as their press release.

If you want to be kept up to date more regularly on committee hearings and additional opportunities to raise your voice for our sacred waters and more, we can add you to our advocacy list. To be added, please contact our advocacy chair Ruth Striegel (ruthstriegel@gmail.com) and our assistant director Clara Sims (clara@nm-ipl.org).