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Plan. Conserve. Thrive.

Like many of our neighbors, New Mexico has a challenge ahead. But our desert climate is nothing new. Over our history, we have and will continue finding ways to adapt and sustain in the face of water shortages. Now is the time to put our knowledge into action, reducing use and planning ahead. It is a big task — and one that requires all of us.

Rulemaking

As part of the rulemaking process, NMISC is accepting public comments for the official record through September 27, 2025. To view the proposed rule, submit a comment, and access the docketed materials visit: here. A public hearing will begin on October 15 at 9:00 a.m. in Santa Fe. Following the hearing, the commission will deliberate and adopt, amend, or reject the proposed rule. Once finalized, NMISC will begin convening regional water security planning councils across the state.
Rulemaking to guide regional water planning across New Mexico is in process through the Water Security Planning Act. The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission concluded its three-day public hearing on the Water Security Planning Act proposed rule on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025 with the commission now set to review testimony and public comments before deciding whether to adopt, amend, or reject the rule.
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Events

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What happens next:

Open Houses

April-August 2024

Initial Reports

November 2024

Discussion Draft

Spring and Summer 2025

Rule Promulgation

Fall 2025

Guidelines Adoption

Early 2026

    What we’ve done so far:

    Open Houses - 2024
    From April through August 2024 we heard from you at statewide and online Open Houses. 710 New Mexicans attended in-person open houses across New Mexico's 16 water regions and over 1000 people shared their voices online.
      Initial Reports - November 2024
      We published reports on what we heard, taking us one step closer to New Mexico’s roadmap for our water future. Read the reports on our Data and Reports page here.
        Discussion Draft - Summer 2025
        The Discussion Draft of the Rule and Guidelines provided New Mexicans a chance to comment before the official promulgation, or rulemaking, process began. We received over 100 responses which resulted in numerous substantive and structural changes to the Proposed Rule to make it as informed and useful as possible going forward.
          Public Hearing - October 2025
          NMISC held a public hearing which concluded on Friday, Oct 17, 2025. The hearing brought together a broad range of voices from across the state — both in person and online — ensuring that perspectives from individuals and communities across New Mexico were entered into the official record, including tribal officials, acequia members, farmers, ranchers, rural water users, and environmental groups.
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            The Future of Fly Fishing in New Mexico

            Oct / 2025
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            New Mexico Water Stories:

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            The Future of Fly Fishing in New Mexico

            The Future of Fly Fishing in New Mexico Conservation at the Confluence of Science, Sport, and Culture Oct / 2025…
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            Water Belongs to All of Us

            Water Belongs to All of Us Working Together to Secure Its Future Aug / 2025 In our unique desert climate,…
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            New Mexico’s Water Data: Now an Interactive Journey

            New Mexico’s Water Data: Now an Interactive Journey May / 2025 Data is at its best when it reveals hidden…
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            Water Conservation 101: Simple Hacks for a Water-Wise Home

            Water Conservation 101: Simple Hacks for a Water-Wise Home Apr / 2025 Every day, it seems, headlines warn of hotter…
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            How Data Can Inspire Action: A Closer Look at the Water Use by Categories Report

            How Data Can Inspire Action: A Closer Look at the Water Use by Categories Report Mar / 2025 A wise…
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            From ‘Just a Bill’ to a Law, Fully Enacted

            From ‘Just a Bill’ to a Law, Fully Enacted Here’s What’s New in New Mexico’s Regional Water Planning Process Feb…
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            Trusted Water Resources

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            Get the Facts

            Find expert information about New Mexico’s water realities.
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            Get Inspired

            Discover on-the-ground stories sharing regional insights and solutions from across New Mexico.
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            Water runs through everything, and right now, water is one of the biggest challenges we face in New Mexico. It is our time to find solutions together.

            Your trusted New Mexico water resource

            Main Stream New Mexico is your guide to revitalized regional water planning under New Mexico’s Water Security Planning Act of 2023. It is a campaign of the Interstate Stream Commission Water Planning Program.