Soil-and-Water district seeks $1 million for rainfall enhancement, highlights 700,000+ shade balls distributed

Mike Cone, representing the Roosevelt County Soil and Water Conservation District, told the Commission the district has distributed "more than 700,000 shade balls" to reduce evaporation and described a cost-share program and a carbon-sequestration project with New Mexico Tech. He said remaining rainfall-enhancement work is scheduled to run April through September 2025 and that the district is lobbying in Santa Fe for funding.

Cone said the district is seeking an appropriation of $1,000,000 for the rainfall enhancement program, including summer cloud-seeding operations, and that it has secured joint-powers agreements with other eastern New Mexico soil-and-water districts and is working with consultant George Bomar on improved, more precise technology. "We are currently lobbying in Santa Fe for additional funds," Cone said.

Commissioners asked about timing and environmental impact. Commissioner Malin Parker asked whether cloud-seeding was already underway; Cone replied it was not and "would not start again until April." Commissioner Tina Dixon said she had received constituent concerns; Cone provided studies the district says show the process is not harmful to people or the environment.

Why it matters: the district's request would direct state or other appropriated funds toward active weather-modification efforts in Roosevelt County and neighboring districts. If funded, the program would represent a multi-jurisdictional, multi-season effort that the district says could affect local water availability and agricultural operations.

Next steps: Cone said the district will continue legislative outreach in Santa Fe. The district and county staff did not present a specific local funding request to the Commission at this meeting; Commissioners did not vote on county-level funding or formal endorsement during the Feb. 18 session.