State officials, business leaders and others from around New Mexico are gathering for a two-day town hall to hammer out a series of recommendations on water use and policy.
The meeting starts Tuesday in Albuquerque. Participants are focusing on the state's aging water infrastructure, conservation and planning for crisis situations.
New Mexico is entering its fourth consecutive year of severe drought following a winter that was among the driest on record. The drought reached unprecedented levels last summer and nearly 70 percent of the state is still in the grips of severe drought with little promise for moisture.
New Mexico has been able to weather the drought through piecemeal responses such as temporary water-sharing agreements and watering restrictions, but town hall organizers say solutions should be more comprehensive and coordinated.
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