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Commission approves letter supporting Pecos Watershed Protection Act; adds outreach to Texas lawmakers
Summary
Santa Fe County approved sending a letter to its congressional delegation supporting the Pecos Watershed Protection Act and directed staff to extend outreach to lawmakers in Texas whose districts include downstream sections of the Pecos River.
Santa Fe County — The Board of County Commissioners on June 10 approved a letter urging the county’s congressional delegation to support the Pecos Watershed Protection Act and asked staff to include members of the Texas congressional delegation that represent downstream portions of the Pecos River.
Commissioner Adam Johnson described the bill as an important measure to protect waterways that run through Santa Fe County and to guard against mining and other extraction that could degrade water quality. “We need to protect our watersheds. We know that water is extremely precious in Northern New Mexico,” Johnson said.
Commissioner Justin Green proposed a friendly amendment to address congressional members in Texas because the Pecos River flows into that state; commissioners agreed to add the additional recipients. The board then approved the amended letter. A motion to approve the letter was made and passed without recorded opposition.
Why it matters: The Pecos River flows through multiple counties and states. The letter reflects county interest in federal protections for watershed health and water quality. Including Texas lawmakers is intended to strengthen a regional advocacy effort and encourage cross‑jurisdictional support for the bill.
