Blog: Protection for the Pecos River

Written by Janice Varela
HCLC Member and San Miguel County Commissioner, District 2

The New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) approved Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW) designation for the Pecos River and its tributaries from Dalton to the headwaters.

More than 300 miles of rivers and streams in New Mexico will now have the state’s highest water quality protections. The protection designations for sections of the Rio Grande, Rio Hondo, Jemez River, San Antonito Creek and Redondo Creek will prohibit new activities and projects from degrading water quality.

Petitioners were San Miguel County, Molino de la Isla Organics LLC, The New Mexico Acequia Commission, and the Upper Pecos Watershed Association. This effort drew more than 1,600 public comments and the WQCC Commission unanimously approved it.

Water is the lifeblood of our community and protecting it will provide quality water for drinking, agriculture, recreation and tourism. This will help ensure a sustainable future where our river, wildlife and community can thrive. Our local economy is dependent on the health of the river. This will help us thrive now and into the future.

I would like to thank the petitioners, the WQCC, and my fellow San Miguel County Commissioners for supporting quality waters.