SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A council focused on curating data related to water use and resources in New Mexico would be created under legislation introduced in the state House of Representatives.
Supporters said Tuesday the bill would help address water management needs as New Mexico continues to weather the effects of long-term drought.
The council would be led by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and the Interstate Stream Commission. Its mission would be to make the data more accessible.
The legislation notes that it would be the policy of the state to develop a modern, more integrated approach to collecting and sharing information to improve water resources planning and management.
The information would include state, federal and local data on streamflow; precipitation; reservoir and irrigation operations; groundwater use and levels; and other measurements.