What Has Happened So Far:
The first phase of implementing WSPA focused on public engagement. In 2024, NMISC collected feedback from more than 2,300 New Mexicans at a series of 16 in-person open house meetings across the state, including a virtual option. The public engagement process resulted in more than 25,000 individual feedback points which were organized, coded, analyzed and compiled into reports (available on mainstreamnm.org/data-and-reports/).
Along with the public engagement, NMISC coordinated with New Mexico Indian Affairs Department to form the Water Security Tribal Advisory Council (WSTAC). This group, required by WSPA, was formalized in late 2024 and has continued meeting through the current phase.
The public engagement reports, along with recommendations from WSTAC, informed the proposed regional boundaries as well as the Discussion Draft of the Rule and Guidelines, a document that provided New Mexicans a chance to comment before the official promulgation, or rule-making, process began.
NMISC received over 100 responses on the Discussion Draft Rule and Guidelines and took the time to read and consider all the feedback that was provided as part of this process. This resulted in numerous substantive and structural changes to the Proposed Rule to make it as informed and useful as possible going forward.
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: https://www.ose.nm.gov/RulesRegs/rulemaking.php. 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.
The first phase of implementing WSPA focused on public engagement. In 2024, NMISC collected feedback from more than 2,300 New Mexicans at a series of 16 in-person open house meetings across the state, including a virtual option. The public engagement process resulted in more than 25,000 individual feedback points which were organized, coded, analyzed and compiled into reports (available on mainstreamnm.org/data-and-reports/).
Along with the public engagement, NMISC coordinated with New Mexico Indian Affairs Department to form the Water Security Tribal Advisory Council (WSTAC). This group, required by WSPA, was formalized in late 2024 and has continued meeting through the current phase.
The public engagement reports, along with recommendations from WSTAC, informed the proposed regional boundaries as well as the Discussion Draft of the Rule and Guidelines, a document that provided New Mexicans a chance to comment before the official promulgation, or rule-making, process began.
NMISC received over 100 responses on the Discussion Draft Rule and Guidelines and took the time to read and consider all the feedback that was provided as part of this process. This resulted in numerous substantive and structural changes to the Proposed Rule to make it as informed and useful as possible going forward.
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.
