Interstate Stream Commission
- OSE Home
- Lower Rio Grande (LRG) Groundwater Conservation Program
Lower Rio Grande (LRG)
Groundwater Conservation Program
Announcement
July 18, 2025 @ 9:00 - Virtual Meeting via Zoom
Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85855979628Phone one-tap:
+13462487799,,85855979628# US (Houston)
+16694449171,,85855979628# US
About the LRG Groundwater Conservation Program
The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) is expanding on the success of it’s LRG GCP and will be accepting new GCP applications for a one (1) to three (3) year term starting January 1, 2026. The GCP application period is scheduled to commence Monday,
July 14, 2025, and close at 4 pm on August 29, 2025. NMISC will hold four (4) informational sessions describing the application process, requirements and eligibility 
criteria.
The purpose of the LRG GCP is to initiate groundwater conservation actions that will ensure that New Mexico has a sustainable groundwater supply not only today, but for future generations of New Mexicans. Under the Program, Agreements will be provided to compensate willing irrigators in the LRG basin for temporarily conserving groundwater by not irrigating previously irrigated parcels for a period of 1-3 years.
On-line Information (1 to 3 Year Term)
Application Information (1 to 3 Year Term)
- Monday, July 14, 2025: Applications available online and at OSE District 4 office.
- Friday, August 29, 2025, 4 PM: DEADLINE to submit Applications in person.
- Applications must be mailed or dropped off in-person at the Office of the State Engineer, District IV Office, 1680 Hickory Loop, Ste J, Las Cruces, NM 88005.
- Emailed Applications will NOT be accepted.
- Applicants are strongly encouraged to make appointments through the NMISC LRG GCP Team by calling (575) 524-6161 and requesting an LRG GCP Team Member.
Application Documents (1 to 3 Year Term)
Maps (1 to 3 Year Term)
LRG GCP / LRG AWRM & NMISC Map
Support Materials (1 to 3 Year Term)
Necessary Legal Documentation Required (1 to 3 Year Term)
Conservation Program Background (1 to 3 Year Term)
The LRG Groundwater Conservation Program builds on the success and lessons learned through the LRG Water Management Pilot Program that operated from 2020 to 2023 with great success. In that project, the NMISC administered over 73 GCP agreements from voluntary participants who chose to temporarily stop irrigating their parcels for a one-year period with a six (6) month extension. Over the course of the pilot program, a total of approximately 2,500 acres of land were temporarily restricted from applying groundwater, and NMISC issued $3.6 M in GCP payments to these participants.
Due to the success of the Pilot Program, the NMISC is currently operating two separate terms, a 24-month and a 12-month term. The 2-year term has 57 GCP agreements totaling approximately 3,070 acres, and $4.6 M in GCP payments were issued. The 1-year term enrolled 66 GCP agreements totaling approximately 3,120 acres, and 2.3 M in GCP payments. Both terms will end on December 31, 2025. Our primary focus is to voluntarily reduce groundwater consumption by temporarily and permanently retiring groundwater rights.
If you have any questions, please contact the NMISC LRGGCP team by calling (575) 524-6161.
Pilot Program Closeout Report
Informational Links
- EBID - Elephant Butte Irrigation District
- NM Association of Conservation Districts (NMACD)
- 50 year Water Plan
- Soil and Water Conservation Districts
- Dona Ana Soil and Water Conservation District
- NMDA Healthy Soils
- NMISC/OSE MainStream
- Caballo SWCD
- NMSU AG Experiment Station
News Releases
