Earth Matters: Norm Gaume

50-Year Water Planning with Norm Gaume

Earth Matters co-host and Gila Resources Information Project executive director Allyson Siwik talks to former Interstate Stream Commission director and Middle Rio Grande Water Assembly President Norm Gaume about New Mexico’s 50-year water planning effort.

The State of New Mexico has been engaged in a rigorous water planning effort to evaluate the predicted impacts of climate change on water resources and plan for reductions in water supplies over the next 50 years. The predictions are dire. Temperatures in the state are projected to increase by 5 – 7 degrees F over the next 50 years, with the state becoming more arid and with more severe droughts. Our water resources, already stretched thin, will be diminished further by increasing demand and as much as a 25% reduction in runoff and recharge. What do we need to be doing today so that we can be prepared for even more limited water supplies in the future?

More information:

Interstate Stream Commission 50-year Water Plan – https://engagenmwater.org/

The Leap Ahead Report (Climate Change in New Mexico Over the Next 50 Years: Impacts on Water Resources) – document and YouTube video presentations on the report

https://engagenmwater.org/hotter-drier-impacts-to-new-mexico-s-water-resources-from-climate-change-2020-2070

Resilience of  Water Use Sectors  to  Climate Change in New Mexico

https://engagenmwater.org/16315/widgets/50375/documents/33755

Governor’s Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force Recommendations

https://uttoncenter.unm.edu/resources/state-water-task-force/new-mexico-water-policy-and-infrastructure-task-force-final-report-2022.pdf

Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates

https://mrgwateradvocates.org/

Listen below:

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4: