New Mexico鈥檚 next legislative session is just around the corner, with lawmakers setting their eyes on the state鈥檚 budgetary needs and wants in January.
In a letter to lawmakers and state agencies like the departments of Energy Minerals and Natural Resources and Agriculture, some 16 different conservation organizations are highlighting the dire need for adequate staff funding to ensure current and future state investments in water conservation are utilized to their full potential.
Zoe Barker is the lands and water advocate for . Specifically, she wants to see the state start to modernize its water policies.
鈥淏ecause most of it was built in the 20th century, and we haven't had continuous funding to move us into the 21st century, and for them to get adequate and professional staff that can do that,鈥� she said.
Though, Barker acknowledged that this isn鈥檛 a unique problem.
鈥淭his is not just specific to water,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his is specific to a lot of state agencies, when they don't have the staff to actually put that money on the ground, they don't use it.鈥�
Other than taking aim at staffing, conservationists also want state lawmakers to by the newly formed New Mexico Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force to address the lack of programs, technology, and resources in state water agencies.
With estimated state revenues for the 2024 fiscal year, the letter also asks the state to reinvest that cash into recurring appropriations to fund water initiatives and infrastructure, rather than the common .
