New Mexico disputes U.S. federal attempt to bypass state water laws for border wall

The federal government has announced intentions to exempt border wall construction from the New Mexico Water Code. This move aims to facilitate continuous drilling along the border, despite legal challenges from the state of New Mexico. The state had previously sued the federal government and contractors, including Barnard Construction Company, Wyatt Drilling, and Cascade Drilling, alleging illegal water use and drilling without state permits.

While a judge recently halted wall construction in the Big Bend sector of Texas to protect national and state parks, the situation in New Mexico remains contentious. Legal advisors for the State Engineer’s Office have characterized the federal exemption attempt as unconstitutional and intend to contest it. The construction projects are part of a larger $46 billion federal initiative.