New Mexico Register / Volume XXXVI, Issue 3 / February 11, 2025

 

 

This is an amendment to 20.6.4 NMAC, Section 9, effective 3/15/2025.

 

20.6.4.9                 OUTSTANDING NATIONAL RESOURCE WATERS:

                A.            Procedures for nominating an ONRW: Any person may nominate a surface water of the state for designation as an ONRW by filing a petition with the commission pursuant to 20.1.6 NMAC, Rulemaking Procedures - Water Quality Control Commission.  A petition to designate a surface water of the state as an ONRW shall include:

                                (1)           a map of the surface water of the state, including the location and proposed upstream and downstream boundaries;

                                (2)           a written statement and evidence based on scientific principles in support of the nomination, including specific reference to one or more of the applicable ONRW criteria listed in Subsection B of this section;

                                (3)           water quality data including chemical, physical or biological parameters, if available, to establish a baseline condition for the proposed ONRW;

                                (4)           a discussion of activities that might contribute to the reduction of water quality in the proposed ONRW;

                                (5)           any additional evidence to substantiate such a designation, including a discussion of the economic impact of the designation on the local and regional economy within the state of New Mexico and the benefit to the state; and

                                (6)           affidavit of publication of notice of the petition in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected counties and in a newspaper of general statewide circulation.

                B.            Criteria for ONRWs: A surface water of the state, or a portion of a surface water of the state, may be designated as an ONRW where the commission determines that the designation is beneficial to the state of New Mexico, and:

                                (1)           the water is a significant attribute of a state special trout water, national or state park, national or state monument, national or state wildlife refuge or designated wilderness area, or is part of a designated wild river under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; or

                                (2)           the water has exceptional recreational or ecological significance; or

                                (3)           the existing water quality is equal to or better than the numeric criteria for protection of aquatic life and contact uses and the human health-organism only criteria, and the water has not been significantly modified by human activities in a manner that substantially detracts from its value as a natural resource.

                C.            Pursuant to a petition filed under Subsection A of this section, the commission may classify a surface water of the state or a portion of a surface water of the state as an ONRW if the criteria set out in Subsection B of this section are met.

                D.            Waters classified as ONRWs: The following waters are classified as ONRWs:

                                (1)           Rio Santa Barbara, including the west, middle and east forks from their headwaters downstream to the boundary of the Pecos Wilderness; and

                                (2)           the waters within the United States forest service Valle Vidal special management unit including:

                                                (a)           Rio Costilla, including Comanche, La Cueva, Fernandez, Chuckwagon, Little Costilla, Powderhouse, Holman, Gold, Grassy, LaBelle and Vidal creeks, from their headwaters downstream to the boundary of the United States forest service Valle Vidal special management unit;

                                                (b)           Middle Ponil creek, including the waters of Greenwood Canyon, from their headwaters downstream to the boundary of the Elliott S. Barker wildlife management area;

                                                (c)           Shuree lakes;

                                                (d)           North Ponil creek, including McCrystal and Seally Canyon creeks, from their headwaters downstream to the boundary of the United States forest service Valle Vidal special management unit; and

                                                (e)           Leandro creek from its headwaters downstream to the boundary of the United States forest service Valle Vidal special management unit.

                                (3)           the named perennial surface waters of the state, identified in Subparagraph (a) below, located within United States department of agriculture forest service wilderness.  Wilderness are those lands designated by the United States congress as wilderness pursuant to the Wilderness Act.  Wilderness areas included in this designation are the Aldo Leopold wilderness, Apache Kid wilderness, Blue Range wilderness, Chama River Canyon wilderness, Cruces Basin wilderness, Dome wilderness, Gila wilderness, Latir Peak wilderness, Pecos wilderness, San Pedro Parks wilderness, Wheeler Peak wilderness, and White Mountain wilderness.

                                                (a)           The following waters are designated in the Rio Grande basin:

                                                                (i)            in the Aldo Leopold wilderness: Byers Run, Circle Seven creek, Flower canyon, Holden Prong, Indian canyon, Las Animas creek, Mud Spring canyon, North Fork Palomas creek, North Seco creek, Pretty canyon, Sids Prong, South Animas canyon, Victorio Park canyon, Water canyon;

                                                                (ii)           in the Apache Kid wilderness Indian creek and Smith canyon;

                                                                (iii)         in the Chama River Canyon wilderness: Chavez canyon, Ojitos canyon, Rio Chama;

                                                                (iv)          in the Cruces Basin wilderness: Beaver creek, Cruces creek, Diablo creek, Escondido creek, Lobo creek, Osha creek;

                                                                (v)           in the Dome wilderness: Capulin creek, Medio creek, Sanchez canyon/creek;

                                                                (vi)          in the Latir Peak wilderness: Bull creek, Bull Creek lake, Heart lake, Lagunitas Fork, Lake Fork creek, Rito del Medio, Rito Primero, West Latir creek;

                                                                (vii)        in the Pecos wilderness: Agua Sarca, Hidden lake, Horseshoe lake (Alamitos), Jose Vigil lake, Nambe lake, Nat lake IV, No Fish lake, North Fork Rio Quemado, Rinconada, Rio Capulin, Rio de las Trampas (Trampas creek), Rio de Truchas, Rio Frijoles, Rio Medio, Rio Molino, Rio Nambe, Rio San Leonardo, Rito con Agua, Rito Gallina, Rito Jaroso, Rito Quemado, San Leonardo lake, Santa Fe lake, Santa Fe river, Serpent lake, South Fork Rio Quemado, Trampas lake (East), Trampas lake (West);

                                                                (viii)       in the San Pedro Parks wilderness: Agua Sarca, Cañon Madera, Cave creek, Cecilia Canyon creek, Clear creek (North SPP), Clear creek (South SPP), Corralitos creek, Dove creek, Jose Miguel creek, La Jara creek, Oso creek, Rio Capulin, Rio de las Vacas, Rio Gallina, Rio Puerco de Chama, Rito Anastacio East, Rito Anastacio West, Rito de las Palomas, Rito de las Perchas, Rito de los Pinos, Rito de los Utes, Rito Leche, Rito Redondo, Rito Resumidero, San Gregorio lake;

                                                                (ix)          in the Wheeler Peak wilderness: Black Copper canyon, East Fork Red river, Elk lake, Horseshoe lake, Lost lake, Sawmill creek, South Fork lake, South Fork Rio Hondo, Williams lake.

                                                (b)           The following waters are designated in the Pecos River basin:

                                                                (i)            in the Pecos wilderness: Albright creek, Bear creek, Beatty creek, Beaver creek, Carpenter creek, Cascade canyon, Cave creek, El Porvenir creek, Hollinger creek, Holy Ghost creek, Horsethief creek, Jack's creek, Jarosa canyon/creek, Johnson lake, Lake Katherine, Lost Bear lake, Noisy brook, Panchuela creek, Pecos Baldy lake, Pecos river, Rio Mora, Rio Valdez, Rito Azul, Rito de los Chimayosos, Rito de los Esteros, Rito del Oso, Rito del Padre, Rito las Trampas, Rito Maestas, Rito Oscuro, Rito Perro, Rito Sebadilloses, South Fork Bear creek, South Fork Rito Azul, Spirit lake, Stewart lake, Truchas lake (North), Truchas lake (South), Winsor creek;

                                                                (ii)           in the White Mountain wilderness: Argentina creek, Aspen creek, Bonito creek, Little Bonito creek, Mills canyon/creek, Rodamaker creek, South Fork Rio Bonito, Turkey canyon/creek.

                                                (c)           The following waters are designated in the Gila River basin:

                                                                (i)            in the Aldo Leopold wilderness: Aspen canyon, Black Canyon creek, Bonner canyon, Burnt canyon, Diamond creek, Falls canyon, Fisherman canyon, Running Water canyon, South Diamond creek;

                                                                (ii)           in the Gila wilderness: Apache creek, Black Canyon creek, Brush canyon, Canyon creek, Chicken Coop canyon, Clear creek, Cooper canyon, Cow creek, Cub creek, Diamond creek, East Fork Gila river, Gila river, Gilita creek, Indian creek, Iron creek, Langstroth canyon, Lilley canyon, Little creek, Little Turkey creek, Lookout canyon, McKenna creek, Middle Fork Gila river, Miller Spring canyon, Mogollon creek, Panther canyon, Prior creek, Rain creek, Raw Meat creek, Rocky canyon, Sacaton creek, Sapillo creek, Sheep Corral canyon, Skeleton canyon, Squaw creek, Sycamore canyon, Trail canyon, Trail creek, Trout creek, Turkey creek, Turkey Feather creek, Turnbo canyon, West Fork Gila river, West Fork Mogollon creek, White creek, Willow creek, Woodrow canyon.

                                                (d)           The following waters are designated in the Canadian River basin: in the Pecos wilderness Daily creek, Johns canyon, Middle Fork Lake of Rio de la Casa, Middle Fork Rio de la Casa, North Fork Lake of Rio de la Casa, Rito de Gascon, Rito San Jose, Sapello river, South Fork Rio de la Casa, Sparks creek (Manuelitas creek).

                                                (e)           The following waters are designated in the San Francisco River basin:

                                                                (i)            in the Blue Range wilderness: Pueblo creek;

                                                                (ii)           in the Gila wilderness: Big Dry creek, Lipsey canyon, Little Dry creek, Little Whitewater creek, South Fork Whitewater creek, Spider creek, Spruce creek, Whitewater creek.

                                                (f)            The following waters are designated in the Mimbres Closed basin: in the Aldo Leopold wilderness Corral canyon, Mimbres river, North Fork Mimbres river, South Fork Mimbres river.

                                                (g)           The following waters are designated in the Tularosa Closed basin: in the White Mountain wilderness Indian creek, Nogal Arroyo, Three Rivers.

                                                (h)           The wetlands designated are identified on the Maps and List of Wetlands Within United States Forest Service Wilderness Areas Designated as Outstanding National Resource Waters published at the New Mexico state library and available on the department’s website.

                                (4)           The following waters are designated in the headwaters Pecos river watershed:

                                                (a)           The Pecos river from Dalton Canyon creek to the Pecos wilderness boundary;

                                                (b)           In the Dry Gulch-Pecos river subwatershed, Dalton Canyon creek from the Pecos river upstream to the headwaters, Wild Horse creek from Dalton Canyon creek upstream to the headwaters, Macho Canyon creek from the Pecos river upstream to the headwaters and Sawyer creek from the Pecos river upstream to the headwaters;

                                                (c)           In the Indian creek-Pecos river subwatershed, Indian creek from the Pecos river upstream to the headwaters, Holy Ghost creek from the Pecos river upstream to the Pecos wilderness boundary, Doctor creek from Holy Ghost creek upstream to the headwaters, Davis creek from the Pecos river upstream to the headwaters and Willow creek from the Pecos river upstream to the headwaters;

                                                (d)           In the Rio Mora subwatershed, Rio Mora from the Pecos river upstream to the Pecos wilderness boundary and Bear creek from the Rio Mora upstream to the Pecos wilderness boundary;

                                                (e)           In the Rio Mora-Pecos river subwatershed, Carpenter creek from the Pecos river upstream to the Pecos wilderness boundary, Winsor creek from the Pecos river upstream to the Pecos wilderness boundary and Jack’s creek from the Pecos river upstream to the Pecos wilderness boundary; and,

                                                (f)            In the Panchuela creek subwatershed, Panchuela creek from the Pecos river upstream to the Pecos wilderness boundary;

                                                (g)           Unnamed tributaries to waters in Subparagraphs (a) through (f), Paragraph (4) of this Subsection (D) as identified in the Maps and Lists for Unnamed Tributaries to Perennial Waters and Wetlands in the Headwaters Pecos River Watershed, published at the New Mexico state library and available on the department’s website.

                                                (h)           Unnamed wetlands adjacent to waters in Subparagraphs (a) through (f), Paragraph (4) of this Subsection (D) as identified in the Maps and Lists for Unnamed Tributaries to Perennial Waters and Wetlands in the Headwaters Pecos River Watershed, published at the New Mexico state library and available on the department’s website.

                                (5)           the Rio Grande from directly above the Rio Pueblo de Taos to the New Mexico-Colorado state border.

                                (6)           the Rio Hondo from the Carson National Forest boundary to its headwaters; and Lake Fork creek from the Rio Hondo to its headwaters.

                                (7)           the East Fork Jemez river from San Antonio creek to its headwaters; San Antonio creek from the East Fork Jemez river to its headwaters; and Redondo creek from Sulphur creek to its headwaters.

                                (8)           The following waters located within a national or state park, national or state monument, or national or state wildlife refuge:

                                                (a)           in the Valles Caldera national preserve: La Jara creek, Sulphur creek, San Luis creek, Jaramillo creek, and Rito de los Indios;

                                                (b)           in the Bandelier national monument: Rito de los Frijoles, Lummis canyon, Alamo canyon, Capulin creek, and Medio creek;

                                                (c)           in the Cimarron canyon state park: Cimarron river;

                                                (d)           in the Pecos national historical park: Pecos river;

                                                (e)           in the Rio Grande del Norte national monument: Rio San Antonio.

                                (9)           The following waters located within a designated wilderness area: in the Columbine – Hondo wilderness areas: Columbine creek, Deer creek, Placer fork, Willow fork, Goose creek, Bear creek, Long canyon, Gavilan canyon, Italianos creek, Yerba creek, Manzanita creek, Gallina creek, Lobo creek, San Cristobal creek, and Lama canyon.

                                (10)         The following wild rivers as designated by the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act:

                                                (a)           Rio Chama from the US forest service boundary to confluence with the Rio Nutrias;

                                                (b)           Red River from the confluence with the Rio Grande to four miles upstream.

                                (11)         The following state special trout waters not already included in Paragraphs 8 through 10 of this Subsection:

                                                (a)           in the Edward Sargent wildlife management area: Rio Chamita, Nabor creek, Sixto creek, and Rio Chama;

                                                (b)           Rio Chama from Heron Reservoir outlet to Cottonwood flats;

                                                (c)           Rio de los Pinos from United States forest service road 87A to private land 2.5 miles upstream, Tanques creek, Canada Tio Grande;

                                                (d)           Cabresto creek from United States forest service boundary to headwaters, Frijoles creek, Palociento creek, and West Fork Luna creek;

                                                (e)           Rio Cebolla from Seven Springs day use area to its headwaters, Rio Gaudalupe from the confluence with Deer creek upstream to confluence with Stable creek;

                                                (f)            Capulin creek from the Dome wilderness boundary to headwaters.

[20.6.4.9 NMAC - Rn, Subsections B, C and D of 20.6.4.8 NMAC, 5/23/2005; A, 5/23/2005; A, 7/17/2005; A, 2/16/2006; A, 12/1/2010; A, 1/14/2011; A, 4/23/2022; A, 09/24/2022; A, 03/15/2025]