New Mexico Supreme Court to Hear Case on Stream Access
Stream access issues in New Mexico remain a point of legal contention. New Mexico paddlers are joining together with other conservation and recreation organizations to fight a privatization of public waters. The Adobe Whitewater Club of New Mexico,an ACA Paddle America Club, the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and the New Mexico Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, have joined together in this effort to preserve waterway access for paddlers in their communities.
The New Mexico State constitution designates that all flowing waters belong to the public. A 2018 Rule by the New Mexico Fish and Game Commission allowed land-owners to certify streams on private property as non-navigable and threaten paddlers and anglers with criminal trespass. ACA New Mexico member Norm Gaume and State Director Robert Levin have played an instrumental role in organizing legal opposition to the 2018 Rule, and are working with conservation and recreation groups to build a coalition of support. The New Mexico Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. The ACA stands behind the paddling community. We will update membership as the situation unfolds.
For more information, please consult these references:
- Detailed Version of 2018 Rule: 2018 Fish and Game Commission Rule
- Past ACA Communication on NM Stream Access: ACA New Mexico Policy Page
- New Mexico Supreme Court: Verified Petition of Mandamus