DHS Plans to Override State Law on Border Wells

DHS plans to override state law on border wells

The Department of Homeland Security is being sued by New Mexico for waiving state water laws and using groundwater without permits near the southern border.

Feds’ waiver raises questions over state authority, border construction - Silvercity Daily Press

By DUSTIN ARMENDARIZ Deming Headlight A new Trump administration determination allowing the federal government to bypass New Mexico water laws for border construction is intensifying an already heated dispute over federal authority, groundwater and the amount of land being disturbed along the state’s southern border. The Department of Homeland Security published the determination Friday, Oct. 2, signed by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mu…

State engineer denounces ‘outrageous’ federal waiver of New Mexico water laws to build border wall

The chief lawyer for New Mexico’s Office of the State Engineer told legislators this week that the state is pushing back against  the Trump administration’s announcement of a “waiver” of all the state’s laws and regulations regarding the use of groundwater to aid construction of a border wall.

Trump administration says it’s waiving New Mexico water law to keep using disputed wells for border wall

The Office of the State Engineer intends to fight the federal government’s purported waiver of New Mexico water laws.