An Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) is a stream, lake, or wetland that receives special protection against future degradation under New Mexico’s Standards for Interstate and Intrastate Surface Waters (Surface Water Quality Standards or WQS), codified at 20.6.4 New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC). This designation affords the highest protection of water quality under the State’s antidegradation policy and mirrors the protections established under federal regulations at 40 C.F.R. § 131 and the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). For more information please visit the ONRWs webpage.
In accordance with 20.6.4.9 NMAC, any person may nominate a surface water of the state as an ONRW by filing a petition with the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) in accordance with the requirements in 20.6.4.9(A) NMAC, 20.1.6.200 NMAC, and other applicable statutes, regulations, or procedures. Pursuant to 20.6.4.9(B) and (C) NMAC, a surface water of the state may be designated and classified as an ONRW where the Commission determines it will benefit the state of New Mexico and it meets at least one of the eligibility criteria listed in 20.6.4.9(B)(1)-(3) NMAC.
SWQB staff worked with third parties to identify and nominate ONRWs eligible for nomination under 20.6.4.9(B)(1). A public comment period was held from July 20, 2024 to August 19, 2024 with over 700 people, organizations and state agencies providing comments. The petition and list of nominated waters was the result of that collaborative effort.
On September 10, 2024 the SWQB petitioned the WQCC for a rulemaking hearing to consider adopting amendments to 20.6.4.9 NMAC to designate the nominated waters as ONRWs. The request was granted (WQCC 24-46 (R)) and the WQCC held a public hearing on December 10, 2024 to consider this matter. At the conclusion of the hearing, the WQCC considered and responded to public comment. Ultimately, the WQCC’s deliberations resulted in the adoption of the petition and designation of the nominated waters as ONRWs, with an effective date of March 15, 2025. Please see the links below for more information about the adoption. The recorded hearing may be found on NMED’s YouTube channel.
Documents and Links
| Document/Link | Author | Date |
| Public Review Draft – Nomination | SWQB | 7/20/2024 |
| Notice of Petition English | Spanish | SWQB | 7/20/2024 |
| Petition for Hearing | NMED | 8/30/2024 |
| Attachment 1 – 2024 ONRW Designations Nomination (Final) | SWQB | 8/30/2024 |
| Attachment 2 – Proposed Amendments 20.6.4 NMAC | SWQB | 8/30/2024 |
| Appendix B1-B4. Baseline Water Quality Data | SWQB | 8/30/2024 |
| GIS Map with 2024 Special Designations ONRW Layer | SWQB | 07/20/2024 |
| Scheduling Order and Appointment of Hearing Officer | WQCC | 9/24/2024 |
| Notice of Rulemaking Hearing – English | Spanish | Affidavits of Publishing | SWQB | 10/8/2024 |
| Prehearing Order | WQCC | 10/15/2024 |
| NMED’s Notice of Intent to Present Technical Testimony (NOI) | SWQB | 11/20/2024 |
| NMED Testimony and Exhibits | SWQB | 11/20/2024 |
| Trout Unlimited NOI with Exhibits | WQCC | 11/20/2024 |
| Public Comments – Portal | Email | WQCC | 12/10/2024 |
| Hearing Transcripts | WQCC | 1/3/2025 |
| Transmittal Form w/ Statement of Reasons and Concise Explanatory Statement | WQCC | 1/28/2025 |
| New Mexico Register Vol XXXVI, Iss. 3 | 20.6.4 NMAC – Section 9 Amendments | SRCA | 2/11/2025 |
| 20.6.4 NMAC – Standards for Interstate and Intrastate Surface Waters | SRCA | 3/15/2025 |