Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) introduced the Pecos Watershed Protection Act to protect the Pecos Watershed from mineral development. 

“As the Pecos River flows from high mountain snowmelt, it provides the water needed for life, for the recreational and cultural traditions of the surrounding valley and the communities it traverses for miles,” said Leger Fernández. “In New Mexico, we know that agua es vida - water is life, and we must protect the Pecos from any new mining toxic waste spills. I stand with the people who live and rely on the waters of the Pecos. The Pecos Watershed Protection Act will ensure that dangerous mining accidents do not happen again and our watersheds remain healthy for generations. ” 

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced the Senate companion bill in February. 

“The Pecos Valley is home to a remarkably diverse community of farmers, ranchers, hunters, anglers and outdoor recreationists who are united by the beauty and health of the Pecos River. Unfortunately, this region has a history of poorly managed mining and development projects,” said Senator Heinrich. “That’s why I introduced the Pecos Watershed Protection Act in the Senate to prevent future mining accidents in northern New Mexico that pose a threat to these waters and its people. I’m pleased that Representative Leger Fernández is taking up this fight in the House so that we can protect this watershed for generations to come.”

The Pecos Watershed is a life-line for acequia parciantes who farm and ranch the land, communities who rely on the aquifer for drinking water, and for those who support outdoor recreation activities in the Pecos Valley.The Jemez/Pecos Pueblo uses the Pecos Watershed area as a hunting, fishing, and gathering ground that provides food for its communities. This area includes many important cultural and ceremonial resources that have been used for generations. 

In the 1990s a toxic waste mining spill wiped out fish along miles of the Pecos River that required decades of work and millions of taxpayers dollars to clean up and restore.  The Pecos RIver can not survive another mining disaster, and this Act would protect the watershed for future generations.  

The bill is endorsed by the Upper Pecos Watershed Association, Cochiti Pueblo, Santa Fe County Commissioner Anna Hansen, San Miguel County Commission Janice Varela, New Mexico Wild, Amigos Bravos, Defenders of Wildlife, EarthWorks, the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, and the New Mexico Acequia Association, Kurt Gutjahr, Executive Director of Climate Advocates Voces Unidas (CAVU). 

“The protection of watersheds is vital to our society. During the past 18 months this became apparent to the many who came to enjoy the great outdoors seeking relief from the pandemic. The Pecos watershed played a vital role in providing recreation not only for New Mexicans but also to many from surrounding states. With the many threats to  our environment, whether it be future mineral demands or climate change, the protection of our natural world is vital for future generations. This legislation takes the necessary steps to get this done,” said Frank Pancho Adelo, President of the Upper Pecos Watershed Association.

“I would like to Thank Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez for proposing the “Pecos Watershed Protection Act”. Protecting this special area for future generations from mineral exploitation is crucial for our survival. This area is important for wildlife, hunting and fishing and recreation as well as a vital water source for farming and ranching," said Janice Varela, San Miguel County Commissioner. 

“Amigos Bravos applauds Congresswoman Leger Fernández's efforts to protect the remarkable beauty and extraordinary cultural and ecological attributes of the Upper Pecos Watershed for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Rachel Conn, Amigos Bravos Deputy Director. 

“The Pecos watershed is still recovering from the impacts of mining during the 1990s. Now is not the time to expose the vulnerable area to new mining. 

We thank Rep. Leger Fernandez for her leadership on the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, which would protect this area from new mining impacts to the Pecos Valley and help preserve the mine reclamation progress made to the Pecos River Watershed,” said Lauren Pagel, Policy Director Earthworks. 

“While this legislation would not in itself end the threat from the current mining exploration proposal from the Australian corporation New World Resources Limited, it recognizes how important it is to keep the Pecos watershed intact. This special area is far richer for its cultural, historic, habitat, and recreational values, than it is for any mineral development. The surrounding communities have fresh memories from the devastation wrought by past mining activities and this legislation sends a clear message that multinational mining corporations need to look elsewhere. We thank Congresswoman Leger Fernandez for her leadership in looking out for New Mexico’s irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage,” said Mark Allison, Executive Director of NM Wild.

The full bill text can be found HERE 

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