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Does a river run through it? » Albuquerque Journal

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2021-08-12 23:30:04

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A fierce debate over private property rights and public water access in New Mexico has been revived in light of a recent State Game Commission decision.

The New Mexico Game Commission on Nov. 21 ordered Game and Fish director Michael Sloane to produce a plan that would amend or repeal the “non-navigable waters rule,” which allowed landowners to restrict public access to parts of streams and rivers that flow through private land.

The previous commission enacted the rule two years ago. The agency has since approved five landowner applications to certify portions of waterways on their property as non-navigable.

Santa Fe resident Lesli Allison, a former rancher and current executive director of the Western Landowners Alliance, which opposes the commission decision, said the rule provided clarity.