A Senate committee on Tuesday recommended a do-pass for Senate Bill 384, which would appropriate $100,000 to New Mexico State University via the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to plan, develop and create the Rio Hondo Watershed District in Taos County.

Supporters told the committee the watershed district would create a governance framework crossing traditional jurisdictional lines so local landowners, acequia users and communities can address water quantity, water quality and erosion together. Committee members unanimously approved an amendment inserting “in Taos County” into the bill and then advanced the bill by an 8-0 voice vote.

The bill sponsor said the Rio Hondo serves roughly 2,000 residents across small, rural communities and supports nearly 284 households; proponents noted the watershed supports agriculture, domestic wells, four local domestic water systems and many acequias used for irrigation. Carlos Miera, a commissioner with the Dismontas Ditch Association and an acequia owner in the Rio Hondo area, told the committee residents rely on the river for livestock and domestic use and that the watershed coalition has been working for two years to develop a watershed management plan and perform water-quality testing with New Mexico State University’s Water Resources Institute.

Floyd Archuleta, identified as past president of the Los Muentes Neighborhood Association, described roughly 1,400 irrigated acres in his area and urged funding to maintain water testing and planning. A representative identified online as “Zia Ideas” said the Rio Hondo feeds the Rio Grande tributary and is used for recreation and orchards, noting the bill “allows us to measure” and therefore protect water quality.

Committee members asked whether the proposed district’s acreage and irrigation rights were adjudicated; Miera said the Abeyta adjudication process is underway and a water-sharing agreement is pending settlement. He said the United States Forest Service, the Taos Ski Valley, Taos Pueblo and other local partners have participated in the coalition’s work and that New Mexico State University is being used as the fiscal and contracting channel for the planning money because of earlier work with the university’s Water Resources Institute.

Senator Sedia Lopez offered an amendment to add “in Taos County” to the statutory language. Committee members agreed that clarification should be in the body of the bill as well as the title, and the amendment was adopted. Senator Townsend moved the bill to pass as amended; the committee returned a do-pass recommendation by an 8-0 vote.

What happens next: the bill now moves to the next committee or the full Senate for further consideration if approved on the floor.

Votes at a glance: Amendment to insert “in Taos County” — adopted (motion/second recorded in committee). Final committee recommendation — do pass, 8-0.