A Win for Water: Two New Mexico Pueblos Secure Over $600,000 in Federal Environmental Funding
The fight to protect New Mexico’s precious water and air just got a major financial boost. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a significant award of over $616,000 in grant funding, which is being split between the Pueblo of Tesuque and the Pueblo of Taos to fuel their vital environmental and water quality programs. This funding will allow the two Northern New Mexico communities to tackle critical environmental challenges with enhanced resources and modern tools.
The total federal investment comes from the EPA’s Indian Environmental General Assistance Program (GAP) and Clean Water Act (CWA) grants, recognizing the dedication of the pueblos to stewardship on their ancestral lands. The Pueblo of Taos is receiving approximately $318,600, while the Pueblo of Tesuque has been awarded nearly $297,400.
Protecting Headwaters and Heritage in Taos
For the Pueblo of Taos, located in the north-central part of the state and home to the headwaters of the Rio Pueblo and Rio Lucero, the funding arrives at a critical juncture. The community has been engaged in a decades-long battle over water rights in the Taos Valley, and like many communities in the arid West, they are keenly focused on preserving their clean water sources in the face of ongoing drought conditions and growth.
The new grants will enable the Taos Pueblo to enhance its environmental efforts by conducting an in-depth emissions inventory. This project is a crucial step in understanding what airborne emissions may be impacting the tribal lands during both summer and winter months. Furthermore, the funds will support community outreach, help decrease non-point pollution, and bolster the tribal water quality program, ensuring the Pueblo continues to protect its historically clean waters for generations to come.
Safeguarding the Rio Tesuque’s Future
Just north of Santa Fe, the Pueblo of Tesuque is directing its funding to address critical water security and infrastructure issues. The community’s focus is on the protection and improvement of water quality in the Rio Tesuque’s streams, lakes, and groundwater.
This mission takes on heightened importance following recent community efforts to challenge the potential discharge of partially treated wastewater from an upstream resort into Little Tesuque Creek. The Pueblo has long been concerned with protecting its waterways from pollution sources like unmanaged septic systems, sediment flow, and potential contamination from underground storage tanks.
The EPA funds will be directly applied to surface water quality monitoring programs that align with the Pueblo’s Water Quality Standards, as well as community outreach and compliance checks for underground storage tanks, all aimed at protecting the local environment from potential contamination and ensuring the health of the watershed.
These awards are a significant example of how federal support can empower local, dedicated environmental programs to address complex issues. By strengthening the capacity of the Pueblo of Tesuque and the Pueblo of Taos to monitor, manage, and protect their natural resources, this funding is an investment in the long-term health and cultural integrity of Northern New Mexico’s communities and environment.