AGP Executive Report

BLM Leadership Shift: The U.S. Senate confirmed former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce as Bureau of Land Management director in a 46-43 party-line vote, handing him control of about a quarter-billion acres of public land and a massive subsurface mineral estate as the administration pushes faster drilling and mining. Water & Drought Response: New Mexico awarded $13 million for brackish water mapping, testing, and treatment—part of a broader push to stretch supplies as climate and groundwater pressures worsen. Fire Weather Alarm: The National Weather Service warned that strong winds and very low humidity are priming eastern New Mexico and nearby states for rapidly spreading wildfires, with Oklahoma fires threatening Colorado. Public Lands Under Pressure: Colorado’s Public Lands Day comes amid ongoing federal rollbacks and renewed fights over protections. Nuclear Policy Protest: In Santa Fe, Archbishop Wester urged the NNSA to halt expanding plutonium pit production, calling it immoral. Local Note: Santa Fe schools are debating AI use as districts move ahead without clear statewide guardrails.

Toxic air fight: New Mexico’s AG coalition lead by Raoul is pushing back hard on an EPA proposal to roll back national limits on ethylene oxide, a known human carcinogen tied to sterilization facilities—arguing the agency is ignoring newer science and risking public health. Wildfire watch: New Mexico’s Forestry Division says the Mimms Fire in Quay County is 40% contained (about 7,093 acres) after lightning sparked it; breezy, dry conditions keep fire danger elevated. Public health alert: Hantavirus is back in the headlines after a Colorado death not linked to the cruise-ship outbreak—officials say local rodent exposure is the likely source, with risk to the general public still considered low. Weather pressure: The central U.S. braces for a severe storm peak Monday with tornado and hail threats, while New Mexico sits in the broader wildfire-risk zone. Water & roads: NM 118 paving starts Monday east of Gallup, and drought coverage continues to underscore how tight water systems are becoming.

Wildfire & smoke alerts: New Mexico is under Red Flag conditions with gusty winds and low humidity, including lingering smoke concerns into Monday as crews respond to nearby fires like the Seven Cabins Fire near Ruidoso. Evacuation watch: In nearby Colorado, the town of Campo is under a mandatory evacuation as an Oklahoma wildfire pushes north. Public health: A Douglas County, Colorado adult died from hantavirus; officials say it’s not tied to the cruise ship outbreak and appears linked to local rodent exposure. Water & climate pressure: New Mexico’s unemployment rate rose again as federal job cuts continue, while fishing reports point to low Rio Grande flows—a reminder that drought is shaping daily life. Border conflict: Indigenous leaders renewed claims that U.S. border wall construction is desecrating sacred sites, including blasting on Kuuchamaa Mountain.

Severe Weather Watch: Central U.S. storm risk is spiking again, with intense tornadoes possible through Monday and critical fire danger also building as winds and dry fuels line up. Colorado River Push: Groups are urging Congress to fund at least $2 billion for Colorado River conservation, arguing “band-aid” fixes won’t protect farms, ecosystems, or long-term water supply. Border Wall & Sacred Sites: Indigenous leaders say U.S.-Mexico border wall work is desecrating sacred places, with blasting and bulldozing tied to new construction. New Mexico Health Alert: The New Mexico Cancer Center’s urology department could shut down if it can’t replace departing doctors, amid broader recruitment pressure linked to the state’s medical malpractice climate. Ruidoso Recovery: Local leaders are trying to move past flood “bad PR” as businesses gear up for summer and officials warn flood impacts may linger for years. Nuclear Science: Researchers say a never-before-seen material formed during the 1945 Trinity test has been identified in trinitite. Water Planning: New Mexico launched a public dashboard tracking progress under its 50-year water action plan.

Wildfire Watch: Critical fire-weather conditions are ramping up across New Mexico and the southern Plains, with gusty winds, very low humidity, and dry fuels pushing red-flag alerts into Sunday and Monday—officials are urging people to avoid outdoor burning. Colorado River Pressure: The U.S. is moving toward a 10-year framework that would cut Colorado River water allocations by about 40%, a plan that could hit California, Arizona, and Nevada hard and ripple into farming and communities. Nuclear Policy Fight in Santa Fe: Archbishop John Wester joined public opposition to NNSA plans to expand plutonium pit production at Los Alamos, calling it immoral and challenging the agency’s claims about treaty compliance. Water Planning in NM: New Mexico launched a real-time dashboard for its 50-Year Water Action Plan, tracking progress on watershed restoration and water security. Health & Safety: Doña Ana County stepped in to cover detention-center medical staff pay after YesCare filed for bankruptcy, while New Mexico universities held commencement ceremonies for thousands.

Wildfire Watch: New Mexico is heading into a breezy, dry weekend with fire-weather warnings in the northeast and more areas added Sunday, as gusts and low humidity raise the odds of fast-moving blazes. PFAS Cleanup: New Mexico environment officials and the U.S. Air Force have agreed on a PFAS cleanup plan around Cannon Air Force Base, keeping pressure on long-term contamination fixes. Water for Data Centers: A bipartisan Senate push would offer a 30% tax credit for building water-reuse infrastructure tied to data centers and other water-intensive industries—aimed at easing freshwater strain as drought worsens. Ethylene Oxide Fight: New Mexico’s AG coalition joined others opposing an EPA proposal to roll back ethylene oxide limits, arguing it would weaken cancer protections for communities near sterilization facilities. Local Detention Care: Doña Ana County stepped in to cover medical workers’ pay after YesCare filed for bankruptcy. STEM in Rio Rancho: Colinas del Norte Elementary became New Mexico’s first public school to earn STEM certification, unlocking new grant opportunities.

Wildfire Watch: Dry lightning and strong winds are driving a heightened fire threat across New Mexico and the Plains, with fire weather warnings and watches expanding through the weekend as humidity drops and gusts climb. Lightning-Linked Fires: In eastern NM, the Line Fire has burned about 23,000 acres and crossed into Texas, while Quay County also saw two lightning-sparked fires burning a combined 22,000 acres. Disaster Recovery: FEMA approved more than $489.1 million for COVID-19 and disaster recovery across Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas, including aid for Roswell after the 2024 flooding. Water & Data Centers: A bipartisan Senate push would offer a 30% tax credit for building water-reuse infrastructure tied to data centers and other water-intensive industries. Air Pollution Fight: New Mexico’s AG joined a multistate effort opposing EPA’s proposed rollback of ethylene oxide emissions standards. Local Growth: Los Lunas got a new housing push as LGI Homes opened Vistas at Los Senderos.

Colorado River Pressure Builds: Nevada is floating a bigger cut plan—up to 3.2 million acre-feet of savings through 2028—while Upper Basin states (including New Mexico) push back and call for more mediation, keeping the drought fight front and center. PFAS Cleanup Moves Forward: New Mexico environment officials and the U.S. Air Force agreed on a PFAS cleanup plan around Cannon Air Force Base, a rare bright spot in long-running contamination work. Fire Weather Escalates: Eastern New Mexico faces red-flag conditions and dry lightning risk, with weekend fire danger still a live concern. Crash and Wildfire Aftermath: A medical plane crash near Ruidoso killed all four aboard and sparked a growing wildfire, with investigators still working to determine what happened. Border Wall Clash: A Catholic diocese is challenging the Trump administration’s effort to seize land at Mount Cristo Rey for border barriers, arguing it violates religious freedom. UFO Files Stir Noise: Declassified FBI releases are again fueling “lowest form of life” claims—more spectacle than proof, but it’s driving the conversation.

Aviation + Wildfire Tragedy: A small medical plane crashed in the Capitan Mountains near Ruidoso, killing all four aboard and sparking a wildfire that grew to about 35 acres by midday as crews worked with the U.S. Forest Service; the cause is still unknown and the FAA/NTSB will investigate. PFAS Cleanup: New Mexico environment officials and the U.S. Air Force reached a verbal agreement to speed PFAS cleanup in Curry County aquifers around Cannon Air Force Base, including sampling and support for state-led work. Water Stress: Nevada, with California and Arizona, proposed cutting its Colorado River share by up to 50,000 acre-feet annually for emergency conservation through 2028 while Upper Basin states push back. Public Lands Fight: New Mexico’s congressional delegation is urging people to weigh in against a looming repeal of the Roadless Rule that could open protected forests to logging and roads. Community + Safety: Storrie Lake State Park hosted plans for a Community Day and Water Safety Fair, including free life jackets and boating safety outreach.

Roadless Rule Fight: New Mexico’s congressional delegation is urging renewed public opposition to a looming Forest Service move that could repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, with lawmakers warning it would open protected forests to roads and logging. Water Policy: The New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission took a first step toward allowing oil-and-gas “produced water” reuse and discharge, voting to hold a hearing on an industry-backed rulemaking petition—while critics say safeguards aren’t ready. Colorado River Pressure: A new federal draft plan would push mandatory cuts mainly onto Arizona, Nevada, and California, while leaving Upper Basin states like New Mexico without required reductions—at least in the early years. Wildfire Tech: Xcel Energy says it’s deploying AI-driven wildfire detection cameras in Wisconsin to speed alerts and protect power infrastructure. Local Impacts: A $4.5 million bridge rehab near Gallup is closing NM 118 with detours through late September. Border Wall Legal Clash: A New Mexico diocese is fighting a federal bid to seize Mount Cristo Rey land for border wall construction, citing religious freedom protections.

Oil Money Meets War Politics: New Mexico Democrats are wrestling with a sudden “windfall” from high oil prices tied to the Iran conflict—money that could fund child-care and tax credits while critics say it’s morally awkward. Water Rules Under Pressure: The state is moving to reconsider a rule that keeps oil-and-gas produced water out of rivers, with environmental groups warning the industry is pushing for a major reversal. Colorado River Crunch: A new federal plan would still force big Lower Basin cuts, while basin stakeholders are asking Congress for at least $2 billion in emergency drought funding as Lake Powell drops again. PFAS Cleanup Deal: New Mexico and the U.S. Air Force say they’ve reached an agreement to speed PFAS cleanup around Cannon Air Force Base. Housing Help Fallout: Fire-displaced residents in Albuquerque say management is doing very little to assist them after a Mother’s Day apartment fire. Heat + Wind Threat: Strong, dry storms are expected to bring gusts over 50 mph and blowing dust, with dry lightning risk.

Overdose trend: Preliminary CDC data says U.S. overdose deaths fell for the third straight year in 2025 (about 14% down), with declines across fentanyl, cocaine, and meth—though Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico saw notable increases, raising worries that policy or drug-supply shifts could reverse the progress. PFAS cleanup at Cannon AFB: New Mexico and the Air Force announced a verbal agreement to speed up off-base groundwater sampling for PFAS, with NMED leading sampling and the federal side funding and supporting cleanup work tied to a long-running $74 million effort. Road safety work: Repaving and reconstruction projects are ramping up on I-40 east of Gallup and on CO 17 near the NM state line, with reduced speeds and lane limits. Air quality spotlight: A new American Lung Association report ranks the Albuquerque–Santa Fe area among the worst for high-ozone days. Local governance: Doña Ana County updated its “safe communities” resolution to keep county services separate from federal immigration enforcement. Weather: Hotter-than-normal conditions continue, with storms possible Wednesday and dry lightning risk.

Heat & fire risk: New Mexico is heading into another hot stretch, with highs near 100 and storms possible Wednesday—plus dry lightning and strong, erratic wind gusts that could spark wildfires. Colorado River pressure: A new idea for a “flexible pool” of conserved water could help protect Lake Powell during extreme drought, while California, Arizona, and Nevada also agreed to temporary additional cuts to stabilize the system through 2028. Water policy fight: The state water quality board voted to restart rulemaking that could expand oil-and-gas wastewater reuse across more counties, drawing pushback from environmental groups. Public lands shake-up: The BLM formally canceled its 2024 “Public Land Rule” in New Mexico, and the Senate is moving toward confirming Steve Pearce to lead the agency—raising fresh concerns about conservation protections. Local governance: Doña Ana County updated its “safe communities” resolution to keep county services separate from federal immigration enforcement. Aviation & climate impacts: A new ranking finds Mountain West airports— including Albuquerque—among the most turbulence-prone in the U.S. Health watch: Hantavirus coverage continues after a cruise outbreak, with new monitoring and prevention guidance circulating.

Public Lands Rollback: The federal government officially canceled the BLM “Public Land Rule,” removing a conservation requirement across millions of acres in the West—impacting 13.5 million acres in New Mexico. Water Stress: California, Arizona, and Nevada struck a temporary Colorado River deal through 2028 as forecasts warn of historically low inflows and shrinking Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Vaping Crackdown Push: New Mexico’s and other state AGs’ coalition urged the FDA to reverse draft guidance that would make it easier to sell flavored e-cigarettes, arguing it worsens youth addiction. Public Health Watch: A hantavirus outbreak tied to a cruise ship continues to draw attention; officials stress it’s not like COVID in how it spreads, but cases and questions remain. Local EV Buildout: Los Alamos County is installing direct-current fast chargers at Mesa Public Library. BLM Leadership: The Senate advanced former NM congressman Steve Pearce toward leading the agency, setting up a major fight over how public lands are managed.

BLM Power Shift: The U.S. Senate advanced former New Mexico Rep. Steve Pearce toward leading the Bureau of Land Management, a major move as the Trump administration cancels the Biden-era “Public Land Rule” that treated conservation as a core use alongside drilling, grazing, and recreation. Public Lands Policy: The BLM also formally scrapped the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, arguing it added uncertainty and burdens—while conservation groups warn it tilts decisions toward development. Local Land Protection: Sen. Martin Heinrich and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez unveiled federal legislation to protect the Caja Del Rio plateau west of Santa Fe from being “for sale.” Health & Risk: Hantavirus coverage continues after cruise-ship-related concerns, with federal officials saying spread risk is being tightly managed. Weather Watch: Near-record heat is building in New Mexico with limited storm chances midweek. Water & Health Access: New Mexico’s Health Care Authority is creating a rural support center to help providers handle billing and staffing strain.

Colorado River Alarm: A federal hydrologist warned “no good news” as forecasts peg Lake Powell inflows at just 800,000 acre-feet through July—about 13% of average—pushing emergency steps to prop up hydropower. Wildfire Watch: A new national outlook says above-average significant fire risk is likely across the South and West this summer, with no part of the U.S. expected to be below average through August. Monsoon Prep: New Mexico leaders are hosting a monsoon integrated warning team workshop Tuesday (9 a.m.-noon) to walk residents through flash-flood risk and response scenarios. Heat Rising: After a cool front, New Mexico is set for sunny, record-challenging warmth midweek, with only small rain chances. Local Water Pressure: Phoenix is seeking broader water-sharing agreements as Colorado River cuts loom. Data Center Tension: Oracle’s Project Jupiter pivot away from gas turbines to fuel cells keeps the focus on air and water impacts as construction continues. Finance & Fairness: A report highlights racial disparities in Wells Fargo mortgage lending in North Carolina. Wildlife Grazing Fight: Advocates are pushing legal action against a plan to open up to 24 million acres of federal land to cattle grazing.