Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed executive orders declaring a state of emergency in the City of Las Vegas, New Mexico, due to burn scar flooding.
These conditions are threatening the area’s drinking water supply, according to the governor's news release.
Additionally, the executive orders make $2.25 million in state emergency funding available for the local government to: mitigate emergency measures; help prevent additional damage; repair public infrastructure; and lessen the overall recovery time related to wildfire impacts and burn scar flooding.
The state asked the local government to formally request an emergency declaration, reported the news release. The city approved a resolution declaring a state of emergency on July 28.
“The destruction that continues to befall New Mexico communities affected by the U.S. Forest Service planned burns from earlier this year is unfathomable,” said Gov. Lujan Grisham in the news release. “I am very appreciative of the diligent and proactive work done by the City of Las Vegas to ensure that the municipal water system will continue to operate safely, and I am glad to provide emergency funding from the state to support that effort. New Mexicans in San Miguel County have been through enough – we will continue to do everything we can to support them and prevent additional damage as a result of the wildfires.”
The burn scar was created by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, which resulted in thousands of acres of ash and debris along the Gallinas River watershed. This watershed is the city’s primary municipal water source and as of now Las Vegas retains an estimated two-month supply of safe drinking water.
However, the ongoing flooding in the burn scar may contaminate the city’s water supply with ash and debris, ultimately impacting the use of the municipal water supply, reported the news release.
The emergency funding will "establish and operate a temporary pre-treatment system that will allow the city to safely treat and draw water from Storrie Lake for municipal use. The Las Vegas drinking water supply remains safe to use at this time – the city utility’s staff are closely monitoring the water quality and coordinating with state officials on a daily basis," according to the news release.
“The contaminated water flow from the Gallinas caused by the wildfire damage to our watershed has compromised the availability of water to the Las Vegas municipal water system. Rest assured that the city will be holding the federal government responsible for our current situation,” said Las Vegas Mayor Louie Trujillo in the news release. “I would like to thank our Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, for her unfailing support through this entire ordeal. We are working closely with both state and federal governments to make this right for all Las Vegas residents.”
Additionally, the state Office of the State Engineer, Environment Department and the governor’s office are working with the city to further identify solutions to protect the city’s drinking water system.
According to the news release, the governor will request that the Federal Emergency Management Agency fully reimburse the state for these costs under New Mexico’s existing major disaster declaration.
