During a Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing, U. S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) addressed the long-term drought challenges New Mexico faces, and called for improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of water management across the state. He suggested that locally driven and science-based solutions are key to tackling the impacts of drought and ensuring our communities have access to clean water. The committee considered legislation Senator Heinrich is cosponsoring, the New Mexico Drought Preparedness Act of 2015, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.).
Senator Heinrich highlighted a successful collaborative effort by federal, state, and tribal governments, utility companies, water users, conservation groups, landowners, and other stakeholders to implement a recovery plan for four endangered fish in the San Juan and Upper Colorado Basins.