The Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force is Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s initiative which is chaired by the State Engineer Mike Hamman, or his designee. Members of the Task Force are volunteer ambassadors who include representatives of key state natural resources, finance and agricultural agencies as designated by the leadership of the NM Environment Department, the NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, the NM Interstate Stream Commission, the NM Department of Agriculture, the NM Department of Game and Fish, the NM Finance Authority, the NM Indian Affairs Department, and the NM Department of Finance and Administration
In addition, membership includes appointed community volunteers from across the state that have knowledge and experience in all aspects of water and related infrastructure management. Members represent the agriculture sector; municipal and domestic water uses; Tribes, Pueblos, and Nations; New Mexico’s acequia communities; environmental advocates; and oil and gas interests; philanthropy; and academic and research institutions.
An inaugural meeting of the Task Force was held on June 1, 2022. The term of service for the Task Force will conclude at the end of December 2022. The Chair may request members to provide intermittent support for Water Task Force initiatives in 2023, such as providing testimony related to Water Task Force recommendations during the 2023 legislative session, or engagement in member communities throughout the state.
NM Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force Charter as adopted on August 15, 2022
Mike Hamman | State Engineer, Office of the State Engineer |
Hannah Riseley-White | Deputy Director, Interstate Stream Commission |
Rebecca Roose | Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Administration, New Mexico Environment Department |
Marquita Russe | Chief Executive Officer, NM Finance Authority |
AJ Forte | Executive Director, NM Municipal League |
Aron Balok | Water Resource Specialist, Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District |
Aaron Chavez | Executive Director, San Juan Water Commission |
Bill Conner | Executive Director, NM Rural Water Association |
Carleton Bowekaty | Lt. Governor, Zuni Pueblo |
Daryl Vigil | Water Administrator, Jicarilla Apache Nation |
Debbie Romero | Cabinet Secretary, NM Dept. of Finance & Administration |
Dr. Ladona Clayton | Executive Director, Ogallala Land & Water Conservancy |
Dr. Nelia Dunbar | NM Tech Professor, Leap Ahead Analysis |
Dr. Phil King | Retired NMSU Professor & Consultant, Elephant Butte Irrigation District |
Elizabeth Anderson | Chief Planning Officer, Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority |
Jennifer Bradfute | Senior Counsel, Marathon Oil Company |
Jeff Witte | Cabinet Secretary, NM Department of Agriculture |
Joy Esparsen | Deputy Executive Director, New Mexico Association of Counties |
Kyle Harwood | Water Rights Attorney, Santa Fe |
Lynn Trujillo | Cabinet Secretary, NM Indian Affairs Department |
Michael Sloane | Director, NM Department of Game and Fish |
Norm Gaume | President, Middle Rio Grande Water Advocates |
Patrick McCarthy | Water Policy Officer, Thornburg Foundation |
Paul Tashjian | Director of Freshwater Conservation, Audubon |
Paula Garcia | Executive Director, NM Acequia Association |
Priscilla Lucero | Executive Director, SWNMCOG |
Ralph Vigil | NM Acequia Commission |
Ryan Swazo-Hinds | Environmental Biologist, Pueblo of Tesuque Department of Environment & Natural Resources |
Todd Leahy | Deputy Cabinet Secretary and tribal liaison, New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources |
Danielle Gonzales | Executive Director |
Theresa Cardenas | Civic Engagement and Policy Manager, Lead |
Lynne Canning | Task Force Design and Facilitation |
Valerie Rangel | Civic Engagement Assistant |
Adrian Oglesby | Director of Utton Center |
John Fleck | Writer in Residence |
Funding support for research, background reports and education