New Mexico First Town Hall 2017 On screen at beginning of Day One. New Mexico First Town Hall 2017

About New Mexico First New Mexico First A nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that engages people in public policy Conducts independent research Facilitates citizen deliberations on education, healthcare, the economy, natural resources and effective government Foster healthy democracy in New Mexico, all voices matter and make a difference

Role of New Mexico First New Mexico First partnered with the NM Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) in developing the 2018 State Water Plan Draft background research report Facilitate state water planning town hall Produce final outcome report Assist ISC in developing the policy platform for the State Water Plan based off town hall outcomes

Town Hall Process Study the issues Explore possibilities Background report Guest speakers Explore possibilities Small group discussions Develop common ground Consensus recommendations Advance change Final report Implementation

Town Hall by the Numbers 2 days of deliberation 225 registrants 6 discussion groups 33 policy recommendations for the ISC

Town Hall Big Activities Worked together as water stakeholders Topics tie to the State Water Plan Act: Water supply and demand Water quality and environmental health Water infrastructure and funding Legal issues Water planning, data and education Changing conditions (climate, land use and economics) Town hall did not take positions on any specific legal issues or water projects. Produced recommendations submitted to the ISC for consideration and potential inclusion in the 2018 State Water Plan On screen for Balas’s description of the town hall process.

Understanding the Results Two metrics for prioritization into the Town Hall: Discussion Groups voted on their own recommendations to decide on their top priorities All participants at the town hall voted on all recommendations, deciding if the recommendation was: highly, moderately or not impactful More to come…

Town Hall Outcome Highlights DATA, DATA, DATA! Improve management, acquisition and accessibility Prioritize and fund data collection Use data to inform public policy Encourage collaboration in developing and utilizing data Types of data needed: Ground and surface water quantity and quality Climatological Flows Consumptive uses Evaporative losses

Highlights cont. Funding and Infrastructure Climate Change Reform funding processes Encourage public-private partnerships Prioritize sustainable funding sources Construct and maintain multi-purpose, efficient infrastructure Climate Change Fund innovative strategies to address impacts Water Regulations and Administration Implement or reform policies to encourage conservation and flexibility Restructure water administration

Crosscutting themes and topics Water treatment and reuse Role of government Public outreach and education Communities Watersheds Food-Energy-Water nexus Regional water planning boundaries Technology

More Info and Next Steps Full report available next week at nmfirst.org ISC taking the recommendations under advisement, along with other inputs ISC to release a draft plan for public comment later this year