AGP Executive Report

Agriculture & Biosecurity: USDA confirmed two more New World screwworm cases in a Texas county bordering New Mexico, including a calf and a dog—another reminder that stopping the flesh-eating parasite is hard once it crosses state lines. Energy & Cost Pressures: A new analysis warns that “behind-the-meter” data center gas plants—built to avoid grid delays—could push up energy bills for homes and small businesses. Weather & Public Safety: Monsoon Awareness Week spotlights New Mexico’s deadliest season, emphasizing heat stress plus flash flooding and lightning risks as the weather pattern shifts. Wildfire Risk: Forecasts show a return to Red Flag Warnings for extreme fire danger, with dry thunderstorms possible. Water & Ecosystems: As Lake Powell drops, Colorado River canyon ecosystems are reappearing—an ecological “time travel” story with big implications for the basin’s future. State Environment Governance: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Rebecca Roose to lead New Mexico’s Office of Natural Resources Trustee, tasked with pushing polluters to pay for damages to water, air, land, and wildlife. Flood Preparedness: Watch Duty expanded beyond wildfire alerts, launching U.S. flood coverage that maps hazards in plain language and adds on-the-ground reporting during major events.

Heat & Fire Risk: New Mexico is heading into another hot, breezy stretch with minimal rain and an elevated fire threat, including a fire weather watch in parts of the northwest and triple-digit temperatures possible in the south and east. Water & Health: New Mexico Environment Department pool inspections list multiple Hampton Inn and Ten Thousand Waves venues as “approved,” while some Ten Thousand Waves pools faced citations and temporary closures over safety and equipment issues. Local Air Quality/Disposal: A second fire at a South Valley recycling center damaged nearby businesses, adding to concerns about recycling-site safety during peak summer conditions. Policy & Science: Opinion pieces argue the Trump administration’s push to politicize federal science grants could undermine research quality, while other columns warn New Mexico is running out of excuses on water protection. Wildlife Protection: The U.S. revokes an endangered species listing for a Permian Basin lizard, a move tied to legal fights over habitat protections. Energy & Public Lands: Sen. Elizabeth Warren floated a plan for a moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on federal lands, alongside calls to reverse methane and other rules.

Extreme Heat & Fire Risk: New Mexico is heading into another hot, breezy stretch with triple-digit temperatures in the south and an elevated fire threat; spotty storm chances may bring virga and gusty winds, but much of the state stays dry. Colorado Severe Weather: A new round of thunderstorms is expected to fire near the foothills and I-25 Monday, with damaging winds, large hail, and tornado potential as storms intensify northeast. Hydrogen Balloon Milestone: An Atlantic Explorer hydrogen balloon successfully completed the first trans-Atlantic crossing in an open-basket hydrogen balloon, landing in Luxembourg—an emissions-light tech win with a New Mexico pilot on board. Water & Drought Pressure: Federal officials say Colorado River management will shift to a shorter 10-year framework with updated guidance every two years, after no seven-state deal—raising stakes for Lake Powell/Lake Mead as conditions worsen. Local Governance & Health Access: New Mexico reports ongoing barriers to gender-affirming care access despite protections, with long waits and provider shortages pushing some toward risky workarounds. Policy & Pollution: A New Mexico opinion piece argues the state must act against plastic pollution, while another warns the nuclear industry is in the crosshairs of northwest New Mexico.

Colorado River Water Policy: Federal water managers say they’ll use a shorter-term, two-year update cycle inside a 10-year Colorado River plan, with a new Environmental Impact Statement due later this summer—an attempt to stay flexible as Lake Powell and Lake Mead keep sliding toward “system crash” risk. Wildfire Preparedness: Experts warn that dry conditions and staffing cuts could worsen the coming fire season, even as some mitigation work like thinning and prescribed burns varies by state. Recycling Fire Impacts: A second blaze in a month at Bernalillo County’s South Valley Town Recycling center sent up heavy smoke, damaged nearby businesses, and led officials to condemn two buildings while investigators work to determine the cause. Water Contamination Help for NM: USDA is offering up to $1 million to help Mora and San Miguel counties address post-flood drinking water contamination tied to the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. Heat and Storm Watch: New Mexico faces summer-like heat with scattered storms mainly in northern areas, plus ongoing flash-flood concerns in parts of the state.

Border Wall Watch: The Trump administration has sharply accelerated border wall spending, awarding more than $19.4B in contracts in just six months, with much of the work going to two politically connected firms and critics warning the fast-track process is less transparent. Water & Climate Risk: Experts warn the Colorado River could face a “system crash” unless water cuts happen quickly; meanwhile, federal officials are moving toward a shorter-term 10-year management framework if states can’t agree. Wildfire Season Watch: Fire watchdogs say mitigation efforts like thinning and prescribed burns are uneven, and they’re tracking whether staffing cuts and dry conditions could set up a more intense season. New Mexico Water Help: USDA is offering up to $1M to help Mora and San Miguel counties address drinking-water contamination tied to the 2022 Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. Local Air & Fire: A second blaze at Albuquerque’s South Valley recycling area has damaged nearby businesses, with the cause still under investigation. Heat & Storms: Forecasts point to summer-like heat with scattered storms across northern New Mexico and flash-flood concerns easing in some areas. Conservation Hope: Arizona released 21 captive-born narrow-headed gartersnakes into Canyon Creek, a bright spot for a species threatened across Arizona and New Mexico. Policy & Energy: Gov. Lujan Grisham appointed Rebecca Roose as Natural Resources Trustee, keeping a focus on holding polluters accountable.

Wildfire & heat impacts: New Mexico is bracing for a hot weekend with temperatures well above average, while flash-flood concerns and gusty winds linger in parts of central and eastern areas. Air quality & dust: A new look at dust research from Jornada Experimental Range highlights how dust emissions can affect land degradation and weather and climate data. Water policy (Colorado River): With no seven-state deal, federal officials are moving toward a 10-year Colorado River management framework, updating operations every two years and setting up a major mid-summer Environmental Impact Statement process. Local water stress & data centers: El Paso residents are pushing back hard on hyperscale data centers, arguing they threaten water supplies in a drought-stressed region; the debate is now tied to the city’s long-term drought strategy. Recycling fire: A second fire at the South Valley Town Recycling site damaged nearby businesses and led to health alerts, with the cause still under investigation. State environment leadership: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Rebecca Roose as New Mexico’s Natural Resources Trustee, putting a long-time water and infrastructure hand in charge of holding polluters accountable. Gila Wilderness cattle case: A federal appeals court dismissed a challenge to aerial shooting of feral cattle in the Gila Wilderness as moot after the Forest Service stopped lethal methods.

Water Rights Update: The U.S. Supreme Court approved a settlement ending a 13-year Rio Grande Compact fight, clearing the way for more reliable water deliveries to Texas from New Mexico and Colorado. Air Quality Alert: Dust storms pushed fine particle pollution into “unhealthy” and even “very unhealthy” territory across parts of Texas and New Mexico, with residents urged to keep windows shut. Waters Protection: New Mexico’s Water Quality Control Commission faces a make-or-break rulemaking moment for S.B. 21, meant to safeguard rivers and wetlands after federal Clean Water Act protections were narrowed. Wildfire Recovery: A “reforestation pipeline” in New Mexico aims to grow and plant millions of seedlings that can survive burn-scar heat and worsening drought. Energy & Climate: Trump’s $700M coal push could affect New Mexico through coal supply chains, while analysts warn geothermal expansion faces transmission limits. Outdoor Access: New Mexico added $4.5M for youth outdoor programs after demand surged. Boating Safety: The BoatUS Foundation expanded a free, state-approved boating safety course to include New Mexico. Weather Watch: Southern Arizona stays hot with gusty conditions and a few storm chances, while New Mexico sees heat with localized storm and flood-advisory risks.

Coal Push in the Mountain West: Trump announced $700M for “clean, beautiful coal,” including $425M to extend 13 coal plants and $75M for a coal export terminal in Oakland—New Mexico and Wyoming are listed among coal-supplying states. PFAS Policy Shift: EPA activity continues to reshape PFAS rules, with states moving faster to fill gaps as federal guidance and standards evolve. Gila Wilderness Cattle Case: A federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit over alleged unauthorized cattle removals in the Gila Wilderness, a win for the agency but still a flashpoint for ranchers and wilderness advocates. Screwworm Threat: USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in South Texas, triggering quarantines and raising alarms for livestock health and costs. Solar in Southern NM: A UTEP study says Alamogordo’s gypsum-rich dust cuts solar panel power loss to about 2–3%, far less than other dusty regions. PFAS at LANL: Los Alamos officials discussed a long-running hexavalent chromium plume and pump-and-treat efforts, emphasizing ongoing work to stop migration and fully treat groundwater. Weather Watch: Summer-like heat is building in New Mexico with storm chances easing in some areas, plus localized flood advisories in the south and west. Recycling Yard Fire: Albuquerque crews responded to a South Valley recycling plant blaze tied to bales opening during processing, with questions about enforcement and fines. Outdoor Access: New Mexico State Parks is offering free fishing-and-boating weekend day use to get more people outside.

Wildfire & Flood Recovery: The USDA is offering up to $1 million in disaster grants for New Mexicans whose drinking water was contaminated after the 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and 2024 Chaves County flooding, with funding aimed at repairing water systems or adding treatment equipment. Heat & Water Safety: With summer dryness and storms in the mix, a Roswell-area cooling center opened to help residents beat extreme temperatures, offering air-conditioned space, showers, water, and referrals. Air Quality & Dust: Albuquerque saw a dramatic blowing-dust event as strong winds kicked up debris, cutting visibility fast. Energy vs. Climate Policy: A New Mexico debate is heating up over balancing net-zero goals with grid reliability and energy realities. Local Governance & Environment: New Mexico’s governor’s race is set after Deb Haaland won the Democratic primary, with environmental priorities likely to collide with energy and water concerns in the general election. Wildfire Risk Trends: New research finds fewer wildfires start in the West, but fires are burning more land and growing more intense.

Chaco Canyon Mineral Rights Fight: Navajo allottees and local governments pushed back at a bill to create a 10-mile exclusionary zone around Chaco Culture National Historical Park that would halt oil and gas and other mineral extraction, arguing it would block private mineral rights and income tied to tribal livelihoods. Dust, Storms, and Public Safety: A passenger filmed a fast-moving dust wall rolling over Albuquerque after strong thunderstorm winds, as the National Weather Service warned of blowing dust and rapidly changing visibility. Solar Expansion in Bernalillo County: County commissioners are weighing $1.2 billion in industrial revenue bonds for a West Side utility-scale solar-plus-battery project, with negotiations focused on community benefits like workforce training and meetings with neighborhoods. Water After Wildfire: USDA is offering up to $1 million for post-fire drinking water repairs or treatment for Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire impacts in Mora and San Miguel counties. Private Well Testing: New Mexico agencies will host a free nitrate and pH testing event for Pecos residents using private wells. Wildfire Preparedness: Experts warn federal staffing cuts are slowing prescribed burning and thinning, raising concerns for firefighting capacity as fire season approaches. Outdoor Youth Funding: New Mexico announced a record $4.5 million for its Outdoor Equity Fund, with applications opening July 1. Severe Weather Watch: A major Plains storm system is putting more than 25 million people at risk of hail, damaging winds, and flash flooding, with hazards shifting eastward.

Wildfire Preparedness: Experts say federal staff cuts at public-lands agencies are already slowing prescribed burning and thinning, raising alarms about how well crews can fight the coming fire season. Recycling Fire & Air Quality: A second blaze in less than a month hit an Albuquerque South Valley recycling site, closing Broadway and triggering a health alert as thick smoke drifted over the area. Flood Resilience: Luna County marked completion of the Columbus Berm Project Phase III, adding diversion berms, a bridge, and stormwater storage to reduce flooding risk near the border port of entry. Uranium Development Watch: Energy Fuels filed updates for its Roca Honda uranium project, with public comment and possible hearings tied to the state permitting process. Water & Climate Signals: Reports highlight worsening dryness in the Southwest and ongoing drought pressure, underscoring why fire and water planning are colliding this summer. Tribal Agriculture Partnership: Santa Ana Pueblo and Lescombes Family Vineyards announced a new grape cultivation partnership using sustainable farming practices.

Wildfire recovery in eastern NM: Quay County declared a disaster after wildfires burned over 30,000 acres near Nara Visa, aiming to unlock state aid for ranchers and others; officials also reiterated a burn ban as drought continues to drive large losses. Air pollution and fire risk at recycling sites: In Albuquerque’s South Valley, crews responded to a blaze at a recycling yard that’s the second fire there in a month, sending a visible smoke plume and triggering a health alert; residents were told to turn off evaporative coolers and avoid outdoor activity. Water stress across the West: Experts warn another warm, dry winter could leave Colorado River reservoirs nearly dry, underscoring the need for major, lasting cuts in water use across the basin. PFAS rules move forward in NM: New Mexico finalized a rule tightening restrictions on intentionally added PFAS in consumer products, with an effective July 1 start and future sales limits for multiple product categories. Uranium mining scrutiny: Sen. Ben Ray Luján pressed the U.S. Forest Service chief over a proposed Canjilon uranium mine, questioning whether exploration plans have the needed approvals. Heat and storm outlook: Forecasts point to hot conditions with storm chances and a growing heavy-rain concern that could raise flood risk in parts of eastern NM.

PFAS Rule Update: New Mexico’s Environmental Improvement Board finalized a rule regulating intentionally added PFAS in consumer products, with an effective date of July 1 and sales limits starting Jan. 1, 2027 (plus broader carpet, cleaning, cosmetics, and other product coverage later). Climate Science Fight: New Mexico’s AG William Tong joined a coalition urging the Federal Judicial Center to reverse its removal of a climate science reference guide from the judicial manual. Primary Day Weather: A flash flood watch is in effect for Ruidoso and the Sacramento Mountains (11 a.m.–9 p.m.), with heavy rain risk across much of eastern/central/southern NM and possible damaging wind gusts and large hail. Solar Momentum: Despite partisan attacks, solar is still expanding as data-center power demand grows and some blocked projects get approvals. Wildlife & Land Use: USDA unveiled a migratory big game conservation framework for elk, pronghorn, and mule deer across 17 states, aiming to align working lands with habitat needs. Election Context: Polls opened statewide for NM’s primary, including the governor’s race and congressional contests, with independents newly able to request party ballots under the semi-open system.

Wildfire Watch: New Mexico is heading toward an above-normal wildfire season peak in late June, with the National Interagency Fire Center citing a surge in ignitions since winter drought and dry lightning left fuels primed. Flood Risk: A monsoon-like weather pattern is building across the state, with heavy-rain pockets and flooding concerns in parts of eastern and southeastern New Mexico—plus reminders to avoid arroyos and water roads. PFAS Fallout: A major PFAS contamination case is putting New Mexico farmers and ranchers in the spotlight, tied to PFAS foam runoff from Cannon Air Force Base and the state’s broader push to hold the federal government accountable. Border Resilience: Columbus officials celebrated the first phase of a $30 million flood diversion “Berm Project” meant to protect the 24-hour port of entry and nearby industrial area from monsoon flooding. Clean Energy & Policy: The SEC proposed repealing climate disclosure rules, a move environmental groups say would strip investors of data on climate risks. Local Science: Sandia helped NASA test Dragonfly’s heat shield for Titan’s fiery descent, using high-heat solar tower trials.

Weather & Climate Watch: A developing El Niño is showing early signs of shifting U.S. weather—potentially wetter in the South and warmer/drier in the North—and could mean a more active Pacific hurricane season. Heat & Storms: New Mexico is heading into a hotter Monday with rain chances building midweek, plus localized thunderstorm monitoring in the south and east. Air Quality Hazard: The National Weather Service issued dust storm advisories for Eddy County and parts of far West Texas, warning of reduced visibility and hazardous driving. PFAS & Refrigerants: Regulatory experts say PFAS rules and A2L building-code requirements keep evolving, with more state-level action and a risk-based approach gaining traction. Local Cleanup & Safety: Albuquerque demolition is set to begin on the former Lindy’s Diner building after a partial collapse, with asbestos found in parts of the remaining structure. Water & Land: A column warns that salt cedar’s spread in drought-stressed river corridors can worsen soil salinization while native habitat declines. Energy/Industry: A produced-water management discussion highlights growing risks from shallow injection and legacy wells in the Permian.

Data Center Watch: New reporting traces how “Project Jupiter” for Santa Teresa grew from early legislative and local deals into a major flashpoint over transparency, water claims, and power plans—after public opposition to data centers surged nationwide. Local Governance & Stormwater: An Albuquerque “green stormwater infrastructure” pilot is drawing fire from residents who say soil findings point to clogging and failed infiltration, raising concerns about undermining nearby homes. Air Quality & Travel Safety: The National Weather Service issued dust advisories for Eddy County and parts of West Texas, warning of hazardous visibility along major highways. Wildfire & Drought: The Seven Cabins Fire near Capitan Mountain is at 28,910 acres and 48% contained, with hotter, drier conditions ahead; meanwhile, drought remains severe statewide as forecasts hint at some June rain. Water News: Elephant Butte Dam releases are underway, sending water downstream toward El Paso after months of low Rio Grande flows in southern New Mexico. Science & Community: Sunspot Solar Observatory supporters are pushing back against NSF demolition plans after a mercury leak, arguing the site could be repurposed for education and outreach.