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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. 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…

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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