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Commissioner Kathy Holian is on the steering committee for the update of the Jemez y Sangre Regional Water Plan. This region includes the part of Santa Fe County that extends from the Galisteo Basin northwards. It also includes Los Alamos County, Española, and the part of Rio Arriba County south of Velarde.

A letter from Commissioner Holian –

Dear residents of Santa Fe County,

Regional water planning is important for our future. It is quite likely that there will be times in the coming years when we are in drought. And there is even a possibility of severe drought due to climate change. Our population has increased significantly in the last 30 years, so it is vital that we be prepared.

The Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) is leading an effort now to update the water plans for the 16 regions in New Mexico. The overall goal is to address the question of how each of the regions will close the demand-supply gap that is forecast for those regions. The plans all are looking forward to the year 2060. But what is important now is to consider what kind of a deficit we might have in the future if we do nothing and to plan for projects and policies that will help our water supply to be more secure.

The ISC has produced the part of the plan which includes updated projections for population and demand, as well as the current legal framework for water use in the state. 

Another important aspect to updating the plan is that those projects that are listed in the plan will meet an important criterion (and therefore will be more eligible) for Water Trust Board funding. It will also help entities and municipalities better understand the needs in their region, thus enabling them to create partnerships and seek additional funding sources that will help address major water issues in our region.

The steering committee now is to write the section of the plan that addresses projects, programs, and policies for our area. (This is known as Section 8.) We have already produced a first draft of Section 8. 

The projects, programs, and policies used to address the gap are in five general categories:

            - protecting existing supplies and the environment,

            - improving system efficiency,

            - addressing drought,

            - reducing projected demand, and

            - increasing water supply.

Now we would very much like to get public feedback on what has been proposed. Specifically, we are interested in hearing comments on several of the ways that have been suggested to close the demand-supply gap. One proposal that has been put forward is to encourage more regionalization in order to make more efficient use of existing infrastructure and water supplies. Another proposal is to transfer water rights that are currently meant for agriculture to municipal water utilities. 

Also, it is important to note that stormwater management — especially in our urban areas — will become ever more important as we continue to experience heavy rainfall events. If we manage stormwater wisely, we can also help to contribute another source of water to our depleting aquifers.

View the draft plan and the draft Section 8 http://www.ose.state.nm.us/Planning/RWP/region_03.php

Please send your comments to Tina Salazar tsalazar@santafecountynm.gov. The comments will be compiled into various categories.