The Supreme Court has made a significant decision regarding the management of the Rio Grande river, one of North America's longest rivers. In a 5-4 ruling, the Court rejected a proposed settlement between Western states, including New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado, over water sharing.
The settlement, recommended by a federal judge overseeing the case, aimed to address the conflict between Texas and New Mexico in sharing water from the Rio Grande. However, the Court found that the settlement did not address all federal government claims regarding New Mexico's water use.
The proposed settlement was considered fair and reasonable by U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Melloy, who believed it could resolve the long-standing dispute between Texas and New Mexico while honoring existing water-sharing agreements. However, the federal government raised concerns, particularly regarding the lack of specific water capture or use limitations within New Mexico.
New Mexico officials have acknowledged that implementing the settlement would require efforts to reduce Rio Grande water usage, including incentivizing farmers to leave fields fallow and making infrastructure improvements. Despite some concerns from lawmakers, the state's attorney general leading the negotiations viewed the agreement as a victory.
Farmers in southern New Mexico have increasingly relied on groundwater wells due to drought and climate change impacting river flows and reservoir levels along the Rio Grande. Texas had previously sued over groundwater pumping, alleging it affected the water delivery outlined in the interstate compact.
The proposed settlement aimed to establish mechanisms to ensure New Mexico fulfills its water obligations to Texas. New Mexico agreed to cease its challenges against Texas in exchange for clarity on water accounting as it moves downstream. The agreement also addressed scenarios of water shortages or surpluses in Texas, outlining transfer protocols accordingly.
