Last year, New Mexico took a critical step forward by passing Senate Bill 21 to establish a state surface water permitting program to protect rivers, streams, wetlands, and other surface waters threatened by pollution. But without strong implementation rules, these protections will fall short.
Federal rollbacks have already stripped Clean Water Act protections from up to 95% of New Mexico’s streams and 88% of its wetlands. Without decisive state action to implement strong protections, these waters, and the communities that depend on them, remain at risk.
Clean water is essential to public health, agriculture, Tribal sovereignty, ecosystems, and New Mexico’s economy. Weak rules would leave our water resources vulnerable to industrial pollution for generations.
The Commission will hold hearings on SB 21 surface water permitting implementation rules from June 8–18, and we need you to make your voice heard by providing a public comment in person or virtually.
Please sign up here to provide public comment.
NOTE: it is not necessary to sign up here to give a public comment, but we strongly request you do so because then we can ensure that commenters are spread across the 10 days of hearings. We will send you a reminder with the meeting details closer to the date of hearing. If you don’t sign up you can always just join or show up when you are available to comment using details below.
A public comment can be given in person or virtually:
Public comment will be heard every day of the hearing, June 8-18, at 1pm.
In person: New Mexico State Capitol Building, 490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM – Room 309
Virtually: Webex Meeting Link
If you have trouble joining, or the link isn’t working for you, please go to the state Events Calendar for more information.
Sample language and talking points can be found here.
In addition to public comments, a petition will be submitted to the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission, which will be holding public hearings in Santa Fe from June 8th – 18th, 2026 to determine how effective these rules will be for protecting our water. Signing the petition will send a clear message to the Commission: New Mexicans want strong water protections!
Signing this petition is important, but submitting a public comment can have an even greater impact.
Sign the petition here.
Because Water Matters. Dismiss
