Concerns are rising among New Mexico legislators regarding the proposed settlement with Texas over the Rio Grande's water management. While the agreement aims to resolve a long-standing dispute, some lawmakers question the long-term viability of fallowing farmland as a primary solution to ensure Texas receives its allocated share.

During a recent Legislative Finance Committee meeting in Las Cruces, water managers briefed lawmakers on the history of the water-sharing conflict and the formation of a task force dedicated to implementing the proposed agreement. Hannah Riseley-White, interim director of the Interstate Stream Commission, emphasized the state's readiness to address the challenges, outlining a plan encompassing various strategies, including incentivizing farmers to reduce groundwater pumping, leasing surface water, fallowing farmland, and enhancing water infrastructure.

The proposed settlement, involving New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado, awaits judicial approval and ultimate confirmation by the U.S. Supreme Court. However, some lawmakers, including State Sen. Joseph Cervantes, express reservations about the agreement's finality and the potential disproportionate burden on southern New Mexico farmers.

The core issue revolves around groundwater pumping, which Texas claims has diminished its water allotment under a long-standing compact. Fallowing land along the Rio Grande is proposed to mitigate both river diversions and groundwater extraction. However, alternative perspectives emphasize infrastructure enhancements for more efficient water utilization, including capturing and managing stormwater runoff to replenish aquifers.

Specific proposals involve constructing secondary ponds at two dams along the Rio Grande to store runoff for later release, preventing water loss across state lines during surges. Phil King, an engineering consultant with Elephant Butte Irrigation District, stresses the necessity of such infrastructure adaptations while acknowledging the need for changes in water administration. He points out that current farming practices along the lower Rio Grande consume no more water than they did decades ago, while municipal and industrial usage has dramatically increased.

King questions the wisdom of fallowing productive farmland, suggesting that prioritizing infrastructure improvements could minimize the need for reduced water consumption. Conversely, Sen. Cervantes anticipates potential conflicts between water users in northern and southern New Mexico if the settlement is approved, predicting reluctance among farmers to sell their land at the prices offered through fallowing programs.

Sen. George Munoz, chair of the Legislative Finance Committee, advocates for directing state and federal funds towards infrastructure improvements rather than land fallowing. He also cautions that water scarcity issues may eventually extend to the Middle Rio Grande region.