Rep. Rebecca Dow emphasizes the importance of restoring New Mexico’s forests, soils, and watersheds to prevent destructive flash floods. While rain is cherished, excessive runoff signals a damaged watershed. Overgrown forests and severe wildfires degrade the land’s ability to absorb water, leading to soil loss and community devastation. While New Mexico aims to treat 300,000 acres yearly by 2035, only 74,000 acres were addressed in 2025. Dow advocates for proactive forest management, including thinning, prescribed burns, and soil restoration. The ultimate goal is to enhance the land’s capacity to retain water rather than merely reacting to floods.
Source link
