Haaland Uplifts Traditional Water Systems with Taos Valley Acequia Association, Makes Stops to Local Businesses

Visit is part of Haaland’s commitment to rural communities

TAOS, N.M. – On Tuesday evening, Deb Haaland, candidate for New Mexico governor, met with leaders from the Taos Valley Acequia Association (TVAA) to discuss protecting water rights, strengthening agricultural infrastructure, and preserving traditional farming practices. While in Taos, Haaland also made several stops to local businesses and met with leaders of Taos Pueblo.

“For centuries, acequias have been the lifeblood of our communities, and we must work together to protect these traditions for future generations,” said Deb Haaland. “With the federal government aiming to gut support for our rural communities, I will fight to make up for those losses at the state level and ensure our water is protected.”

The meeting comes at a critical time as acequia communities throughout northern New Mexico face severe drought conditions, illegal water diversions, aging infrastructure, and challenges with water rights settlement implementation, among other issues. During the session, Haaland committed to supporting key legislative priorities for acequia communities. They discussed initiatives such as increased and recurring investments in existing funds that benefit acequias, requiring disclosure of acequia rights and responsibilities in real estate transactions, and creating a legal fund to help acequias secure their rights. As Secretary of the Interior, Haaland oversaw hundreds of millions of dollars in investments in rural water infrastructure projects and supported the New Mexico Acequia Association through climate resilience and fire mitigation funding.

Haaland’s campaign has secured crucial endorsements, including from former Former County Commissioner Larry Sanchez, Taos Community Organizer Billy Knight, former Mora County Commissioner Paula Garcia, former State Auditor Brian Colón, Albuquerque City Councilor Joaquin Baca, Las Cruces City Councilor Becky Corran, former State Senator Siah Correra Hemphill, former Valencia County Democratic Party Chair Pam Cordova, and the national veterans organization Common Defense. These are in addition to the scores of endorsements she had already garnered.