SOCORRO, N.M. – The N.M. Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources at NMT has issued a formative report on the future of water resources in New Mexico. The report, titled “Climate Change in New Mexico over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resources,” was written by a team of New Mexico scientists assembled by the Bureau, at the request of the Interstate Stream Commission.

This report details the current state of knowledge on how climate change and water resources may vary in New Mexico over the next 50 years. Also referred to as the “Leap Ahead Analysis Assessment,” this report will inform the development of the New Mexico 50-Year Water Plan, in preparation by the Interstate Stream Commission. The report will be open for a public comment period until October 15, 2021. Click here to access the full PDF report https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/ClimatePanel/report/

In addition to synthesizing the state of knowledge on how climate change may impact water resources, the report identifies significant data and modeling gaps and uncertainties, and suggests research directions to strengthen our understanding of climate and water resource changes. The team focused only on summarizing the state of knowledge of projected climate and water resource variation, and did not carry out new research, propose ways to mitigate projected changes, or define potential infrastructure initiatives that could optimize the use of a diminishing resource.

When Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham took office, she tasked the Interstate Stream Commission to produce a 50-Year Water Plan for the state. The Governor has long recognized the importance of water to the arid state.  As outlined by the Governor, the pillars of the 50-Year Water Plan are stewardship, equity, and sustainability. The guiding principle is that the state charts a course that will allow for more flexibility in managing water supplies and infrastructure in the face of weather extremes brought on by a changing climate.

The authors of the report are Nelia W. Dunbar, State Geologist and Director of the Bureau of Geology, David S. Gutzler (UNM), Fred M. Phillips (NMT), Craig D. Allen (UNM), David DuBois (NMSU), J. Phillip King (NMSU), Leslie D. McFadden (UNM), Bruce M. Thomson (UNM), and Anne C. Tillery (USGS).

Public involvement is particularly important in this project. The Bureau of Geology and the Interstate Stream Commission are soliciting concerns and suggestions from the public related to the scientific analysis in this report. Comments and questions on any topic relevant to this report can be submitted via the online public comment form at https://nmose.isc.commentinput.com/?id=dZPsW. The deadline for public comments is October 15, 2021.

Pending review of, and response to, public comments, the report will be published as a N.M. Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources Bulletin, and will be made freely available in PDF format.

– NMT –