New Mexico Environment Department

New Mexico River Stewardship Program

The goal of the River Stewardship Program is to fund projects that enhance the health of rivers by addressing the root causes of poor water quality and stream habitat. There is broad eligibility for applying for funding. Eligible applicants include: towns, cities, counties, soil and water conservation districts, irrigation districts, state agencies, non-profit and for-profit organizations, Indian Nations, Pueblos and Tribes. Federal agencies are not eligible. Projects are selected through Requests for Proposals (RFP) using the state procurement system. Evaluation criteria ensure that projects are technically sound, community-based and stakeholder driven. Evaluation criteria favor projects that improve water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, support local economies, and that reduce downstream flood hazard. The proposal evaluation committee consists of representatives of the NMED Surface Water Quality Bureau and other natural resource management agencies.