OSE News:

SANTA FE — New Mexico State Engineer Mike Hamman announced his retirement Wednesday from the Office of the State Engineer effective June 30.

Since joining Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration in 2022, Hamman has focused on high priority water issues such as Indian water rights settlements, helped prepare New Mexico for a more arid future, and ensured a resilient and effective agency into the future through the development, recruitment and retention of staff while navigating issues of persistent drought and catastrophic watershed wildfires.

“Serving New Mexicans as the State Engineer has been my great honor and privilege, and I thank Governor Lujan Grisham for providing me this opportunity,” Hamman said. “My 42 years in public service primarily focused on New Mexico water issues where collaboration with all our communities have been the key in finding lasting solutions as we prepared for a more arid future. I consider serving as State Engineer of our great state the pinnacle of my career and will continue to support efforts to improve New Mexico’s water security while giving more attention to our small family farm in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.”

Hamman joined Lujan Grisham’s administration first as a water policy advisor Jan. 2, 2022, and accepted the role of State Engineer in February 2022. He was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. In the wake of the devastating Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon wildfires months later, Hamman facilitated an agreement between water users in the Gallinas watershed to secure an emergency water supply for the City of Las Vegas. 

Hamman convened and chaired the Water Policy and Infrastructure Task Force, whose diligent work throughout 2022 culminated in a report offering 17 key water policy recommendations. The next year, he worked with the 2023 legislature to pass the Water Security Planning Act, which revitalizes regional water planning and creates a roadmap for implementation that prioritizes the unique needs of local communities. He also served as the chair of the Water Trust Board that provides water project funding for New Mexico communities.

Hamman also helped to finalize the negotiations of the three-state consent decree on the Texas v. New Mexico and Colorado case that the Special Master has presented to the US Supreme Court, worked with federal agencies and the Congressional delegation to secure millions in federal funding for large water projects and water rights settlements, created a dedicated bureau to focus on negotiating and implementing Indian water rights settlements, and worked to build agency capacity to address the water challenges and opportunities ahead of us. 

Hamman’s last day will be June 30.