Regular Governing Body Meeting - Second Wednesday — Wed, Jun 10, 2026 · 16.a CONSIDERATION OF BILL NO. 2026-12. ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 2026-_____. (Councilor Paul Bustamante and Mayor Michael Garcia)A Bill Specifying that Specific and Limited Fishing Events on City-Owned Property in the Santa Fe Municipal Watershed May be Approved by the Governing Body. (Alan Hook, Water Resources Coordinator; aghook@santafenm.gov) Committee Review: Governing Body (Introduced): 06/10/2026Governing Body (Public Comment): 06/24/2026Public Works and Utilities Committee: 06/29/2026Quality of Life Committee: 07/01/2026Governing Body: 07/29/2026
Date: June 3, 2026 To: Governing Body and Public Works and Utilities Committee From: Alan Hook, Water Resources Coordinator Via: Jesse Roach, Interim Public Utilities Director Jonathan Montoya, Interim Water Division Director RE: Allowing Fishing in the Santa Fe Municipal Watershed for Specific and Limited Events EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The proposed bill would amend SFCC 1987, Section 25-1.9 to create a limited exception to the current prohibition on fishing within the Santa Fe municipal watershed. Fishing would remain generally prohibited except for specific and limited fishing events approved by the Governing Body. The proposed change would maintain existing watershed protections including prohibitions on trespassing, bathing, hiking, camping, hunting, picnicking, grazing of domestic livestock, and unauthorized shooting, while allowing specific and limited fishing events on city-owned property that are approved by the Governing Body at a Governing Body meeting. BACKGROUND: The City of Santa Fe’s (“City”) Children’s Fishing Derby has traditionally been held on the first Saturday in June, which coincides with New Mexico Department of Game & Fish’s “Free Fishing Day”, providing a moratorium on fishing license requirements. In addition, the City’s Administrative Procedures for Santa Fe River Target Flows, adopted by Resolution No. 2012-28, state in the section titled “Annual Fishing Derby”, that “[i]n dry years when the anticipated watershed yield is less than 50%, or, if for other climatic or hydrologic reasons daily target flows adequate for the Fishing Derby cannot be met, the Fishing Derby will be suspended”, (Article IV, Section 4.11.2(5)). For several years the upper Santa Fe River watershed conditions have not been met, or the Santa Fe River daily target flows have not been adequate to consider the Fishing Derby. In 2026, NM Dept. of Game & Fish plans on a Free Fishing Day in September. This would be an opportune time to successfully hold the Children’s Fishing Derby at Nichols Reservoir on city-owned property at a location to be determined. The Fishing Derby provides opportunities for children and families to join with neighbors to experience a fun and engaging day by the river, to learn about the Santa Fe River and riparian ecology, and to learn fishing skills. ATTACHMENTS: Memo Attachment - Resolution No. 2012-28 Resolution Fiscal Impact ReportJM JMJM JM