Interstate Stream Commission seeks public input on Unit Fund policy in Lordsburg

The Interstate Stream Commission released a draft policy for the next round of project applications from New Mexico’s Unit Fund and scheduled listening sessions in February for the four eligible southwest counties, including a meeting in Lordsburg. A virtual listening session is set for Feb. 24. The draft, titled the "N.M. Unit Fund Pilot Cycle II policy," is available on the Office of the State Engineer’s Arizona Water Settlements Act webpage.

The Unit Fund originates from New Mexico’s $66 million share of the 2004 Arizona Water Settlements Act, a federal agreement that resolved water-use claims among Arizona, New Mexico and Native American nations. State law limits use of the funds to projects in Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna counties. New Mexico legislation passed in 2021 directed the Interstate Stream Commission and the state Water Trust Board to prepare a process to distribute those funds. As a result of state investments, the fund now amounts to more than $130 million as of Sept. 30; the materials released did not specify the year for that Sept. 30 figure.

The commission is positioning the draft policy to guide a new pilot funding cycle for water projects that could include municipal systems, irrigation infrastructure, acequia repairs and regional conservation measures. Jesse Shapiro, manager of the Arizona Water Settlements Act program, told the ISC at a recent meeting: “All of this is leading us to trying to bring a final draft to the commission for approval in March, all leading to what we hope will be an opening for a call for proposals in early June,” indicating the timeline the commission plans to follow if the schedule holds.

Priscilla Lucero, executive director of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, emphasized the importance of local input, saying it is important for stakeholders in the four counties to give their feedback on the proposed policy. Local water providers, town governments and acequia associations in Hidalgo County have an opportunity to shape scoring criteria, project eligibility and priorities that will determine which projects receive funding.

Specific dates, times and venues for the in-person county listening sessions, including the Lordsburg meeting, were not published in the materials provided; only the Feb. 24 virtual session date is listed. Residents and local governments should review the N.M. Unit Fund Pilot Cycle II policy on the Office of the State Engineer’s AWSA webpage and confirm session details with the Interstate Stream Commission if they plan to attend or submit comments.

What comes next: the ISC hopes to adopt a final policy in March and to open a call for proposals in early June, moving the region closer to concrete funding for water projects that affect wells, irrigation, municipal supply and river-adjacent infrastructure in Hidalgo County.