SANTA FE – Streams and lakes in northern New Mexico 's Valle Vidal are better protected from further degradation in water quality with the recent designation as Outstanding National Resource Waters by the state Water Quality Control Commission.

The Commission voted 11-1 to approve the Valle Vidal nomination by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Environment Department and Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The Outstanding National Resource Waters (ONRW) designation is a classification allowed under the federal Clean Water Act. It does not prohibit oil and gas drilling, but it does allow the state to impose stringent restrictions and requirements on land uses that affect surface water quality. The designation will not affect existing uses of the land, which include hunting, fishing, other recreational activities and some livestock grazing.

Proponents of the ONRW designation included Governor Bill Richardson, state agencies, the Coalition for the Valle Vidal and others opposed to drilling for natural gas in the Valle Vidal. El Paso Corp. has asked the U.S. Forest Service to allow drilling for coal-bed methane in portions of the 100,000-acre Valle Vidal area of the Carson National Forest east of Red River . Drilling opponents argue that activities associated with gas drilling will adversely affect area surface waters. Governor Richardson has said the ONRW designation is the first step in the state's battle to protect the Valle Vidal from natural gas drilling.

Valle Vidal streams, including Rio Costilla, Comanche, Ponil and McCrystal creeks, are home to New Mexico 's state fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Surrounding high mountain meadows, open grasslands and mountains support the state's largest elk herd and many other wildlife species.

For more information about the Valle Vidal and the ONRW nomination, please visit the Department of Game and Fish Web site, http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/.