Project Summary

The NM State Legislature appropriated $7 million dollars in 2020 to the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) to develop and fund a Water Management Pilot Project for the Lower Rio Grande for fiscal years 2020 through 2023. The first phase of the Water Management Project was the Groundwater Conservation Pilot Program. The NMISC accepted grant applications from members of the agriculture community that was willing to conserve groundwater. Successful applicants received grant funding to temporarily stop the use of groundwater for a period of 12 months.

Before the grant application process, the NMISC collected input on the program. To ensure a successful program, the NMISC contracted with New Mexico First to conduct a series of listening sessions to entertain questions and suggestions. Visit the Groundwater Conservation Pilot Program website for additional information.

Information Sessions

The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC), in cooperation with New Mexico First, held a series of three Listening Sessions for its grant opportunity as part of the Groundwater Conservation Pilot Program in the Lower Rio Grande. The sessions were intended to receive input on the proposed grant program, which was focused on the conservation of groundwater.


2020 Session Dates and Times

  • Thursday, November 12th, 10:30-11:30 AM
  • Thursday, November 12th, 5:30-6:30 PM
  • Tuesday, November 17th, 1:00-2:00 PM

Completed Listening Sessions

LRG Groundwater Conservation Program – Listening Session Report – 11.05.20

Applications are now closed. All applications were submitted or postmarked before 11:59 PM on November 23, 2020.

NMISC accepted grant applications from members of the agriculture community who were willing to conserve groundwater. Successful applicants received grant funding to temporarily stop the use of groundwater for a period of 12 months. For additional information, visit the Program website.

Please direct questions to Wendy Wintermute, wendy@nmfirst.org, or call 505-238-9579.