New Mexico Rivers Face Unprecedented Threats from Reduced Federal Protections

A recent Supreme Court decision significantly weakens clean water safeguards, leaving New Mexico's rivers highly vulnerable to pollution.

The Supreme Court's 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA drastically curtailed protections for many U.S. waterways, impacting up to four million miles of streams.
American Rivers' 2024 report identifies New Mexico as having the most endangered rivers in the U.S., largely due to these reduced federal safeguards.
Significant environmental and public health risks loom as pollutants may now enter streams and rivers more freely, particularly in arid states like New Mexico.
Local and national conservation efforts are urgently called for to mitigate the effects of the ruling and protect water quality.
Advocates and officials urge legislative action to restore and strengthen protections under the Clean Water Act.