New Mexico's Commissioner of Public Lands, Stephanie Garcia Richard, has issued an executive order banning mineral development on state lands within the Upper Pecos Watershed. This measure, effective immediately and set to last until December 31, 2045, aims to prevent new mining activities on approximately 2,552 acres of state trust lands in the area.
The Upper Pecos Watershed is recognized for its cultural and environmental significance. It serves as an essential resource for local communities, including Indigenous groups such as the Pueblo of Jemez and the Pueblo of Tesuque. The watershed also supports traditional Hispanic communities and provides vital acequia systems used for agriculture.
Commissioner Garcia Richard emphasized the importance of preserving this region: “Some New Mexico landscapes are just too special to carve up with aggressive mineral development, and the Upper Pecos Watershed is one of those places,” she stated. She expressed her commitment to protecting these lands from threats posed by mining companies and federal policies.
The history of mining in the Upper Pecos Watershed includes significant environmental damage. In 1991, toxic runoff from nearby mine sites caused extensive harm to fish populations and contaminated water supplies. More recently, concerns were raised when New World Resources Ltd acquired mining claims near Tererro in 2019.
In response to federal actions that could increase mineral development in the region, local leaders have voiced their support for Commissioner Garcia Richard’s moratorium. Telesfor Benavidez, Mayor of the Village of Pecos, remarked on past devastation from mining operations: "Our community depends on the Pecos River for clean drinking water... We cannot allow further harm to our watershed."
San Miguel County Commissioner Bernadette Baca also praised the decision: “Our Watershed is one of our most valuable natural and cultural resources... This moratorium is a critical step in ensuring that our water remains clean.”
Support for the ban extends beyond government officials. Lela McFarrin from the Upper Pecos Watershed Association thanked Garcia Richard for her decisive action: "This historic executive order not only safeguards our cherished landscape but also preserves a vital resource."
Stephanie Garcia Richard has been leading New Mexico's State Land Office since January 2019 after being elected in 2018. Under her leadership, over $11 billion has been generated for public institutions through leasing state trust lands.
