Several of New Mexico ’s rivers and tributaries have experienced significant impairment due to soil erosion, which may result from a variety of natural and other activities such as grazing, recreation, stream bank modification, removal of riparian vegetation, silviculture, road construction and maintenance, and channel widening.  In some areas, urbanization and development are also contributing to pollution of rivers and streams.  

In support of measures to reduce pollution from non-point sources, the Meridian Institute was hired by the State of New Mexico Environment Department to assess interest in and facilitate development of community-based watershed groups.

Participants include a broad cross section of local stakeholders, including: water users; private landowners; local, state, and federal government officials; environmental group representatives; Pueblos; businesspeople; ranchers and farmers; hunters and anglers; teachers; and students.  The collaborative watershed projects are funded by the New Mexico Environment Department and the Andrus Family Fund.

Collaborative watershed groups have been or are being formed in the Chama, Cimarron , Conejos, Jemez, Mimbres, Red River , San Juan , and Upper Rio Grande watersheds.  Watershed Restoration Action Strategies (WRAS) have been developed collaboratively by these groups.  Stakeholders use the WRAS as an organizing framework to work together to resolve water quality issues and take control of water quality management through projects aimed at restoring rivers and streams and reducing the impacts of certain land uses. 

Community members in the Cimarron watershed have formed the Cimarron Watershed Alliance (CWA). CWA has received a federal grant of $648,000 to carry out the restoration work it outlined in its WRAS. 

Members of the Red River Watershed group have received grants to address two issues identified in their WRAS: ATV (all terrain vehicle) impacts and fire danger.

Other watershed groups will be submitting project proposals and seeking funding to carry out projects identified in their WRAS documents.

Additional information about two of these collaborative efforts can be found on websites developed by the individual watershed groups.

The Cimarron Watershed Alliance - http://cimarronwatershed.org/

The Red River Watershed Group - http://redriverwatershedgroup.org/

Additional information about Meridian ’s efforts in these watersheds is available at www.merid.org.