ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is declaring victory in a case over public access to New Mexico’s streams and waterways.
In August of last year, the state filed a lawsuit against two San Miguel County landowners, accusing them of obstructing streams and having signs falsely claiming access was restricted. Thursday, New Mexico’s Fourth Judicial District Court ruled in favor of the state in that case.
“Just because you are privileged enough to be able to own property along the river, doesn’t mean you own the river. That is a public resource and natural resource,” Torrez said in 2024.
Thursday’s permanent injunction from the district court prevents the landowners from building fences, putting up signs or interfering with public access to waterways in any way.