**Cowritten by Audubon Southwest Director of Freshwater Conservation Paul Tashjian and Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico Board Member George Perry**

Over the last two years, New Mexico has seen an unprecedented level attention given to our beleaguered water resources. Starting with the publishing of the 2022 report “Climate Change in New Mexico Over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resources,” commonly referred to as “The Leap Ahead Report," and followed by the Water Task Force’s  “Facing New Mexico’s 21st Century Water Challenges Report” and the Governor’s  “50 Year Water Action Plan”, our moisture-challenged State is finally receiving the focus on our water future it demands. In 2023, the New Mexico Governor signed the Water Security Planning Act, a critical step in regionalizing water planning and reshaping how we effectively balance water resources in the face of climate change.

The Water Security Planning Act provides a unique opportunity for your input. Like all western states, New Mexico Water Resources has historically evolved around consumptive use- often at the impairment of our water ways and associated ecosystems. Rivers have been treated as pipelines for water delivery and, until the Endangered Species Act, have had no standing within our water management priorities. The Water Security Planning Act provides an opportunity to reshape our priorities and ensure that our rivers are kept whole alongside farms, cities and interstate compact demands.

The Water Security Planning Act, through both in-person meetings and a virtual survey, is asking for why, where, who what, how and when water planning happens. From their website, it asks:

Why: Why are we here today, and what do you consider the most important things to consider in regional water planning?

Where: What are the water planning regions, and do they need to change?

Who: Who should be involved in regional water planning, and how?

What: What should be included in regional water plans, what should implementation look like, and how can we measure progress?

How: What should detailed procedures for regional water planning look like?

When: How frequently should regional water plans be updated and are there any other process considerations?

If you want to see a better future for birds and people please add your voice to these opportunities for public engagement. The good people in New Mexico’s water agencies are eager to hear from you through in-person meetings or virtually through an interactive survey.

• Learn more Information about in-person opportunities. 
• Virtual participation can be accessed here.
  
  This article is also published in the Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico August 2024 newsletter.