The Water Policy Advisory Committee (WPAC) is a working committee that augments Santa Fe County staff resources by bringing independent expertise, research, and effort to its assigned work.

The WPAC's primary responsibility is to provide recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) concerning sustainable utility services, domestic water supply and conservation, wastewater management and reclamation, irrigation, drought management, flood prevention and control, and water reuse in the County and region.

Resolution 2024-038, A Resolution Updating the Purpose and Activities of the Water Policy Advisory Committee and Repealing and Replacing Resolution No. 2019-95

2026 WPAC Work Plan & Meeting Schedule View Resolution No. 2026-023 WPAC Work Plan and Meeting Schedule

WPAC Members

The WPAC may consist of 19 volunteer members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Members must reside within the county's exterior boundaries.

The Board of County Commissioners appointed the following members to serve on the WPAC for a three-year term from May 15, 2024, through May 15, 2027.

Chair Peter Gowen
Central Planning Area
Vice Chair Stephen Schmelling
Central Planning Area, City of Santa Fe Water Conservation Committee

Members

  • Amy Jordan — Central Planning Area
  • Darrin Muenzberg — Central Planning Area, Member of a Water System, Member of an Agricultural Organization
  • Emily Wolf — Central Planning Area
  • James Mike Henry — Estancia Planning Area, Member of an Acequia Association
  • Jeff Montoya — Pueblo of Pojoaque
  • John Kadlecek — Northern Planning Area, Member of a Water System, Member of an Acequia Association
  • Laird Graeser — Galisteo Planning Area
  • Shann Stringer — Central Planning Area, Member of an Agricultural Organization
  • Camilla Bustamante — Board of County Commissioners

The WPAC does not currently have representation from the Buckman Direct Diversion Board or the Pueblos of Cochiti, Nambe, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, or Tesuque.

WPAC Working Groups

  • Stormwater Management
    Focus: Nature-Based Climate Solutions, Aquifer Recharge
    WPAC Members: Darrin Muenzberg (co-leader), Carl Dickens (co-leader), Shann Stringer, Emily Wolf, and Laird Graeser
  • Drinking & Wastewater Management
    Focus: Drinking Water, Aquifer Storage Recharge and Recovery (ASR), Develop Framework for Process
    WPAC Members: Peter Gowen (Leader), Amy Jordan, Darrin Muenzberg, John Kadlecek, and Stephen Schmelling
  • Outreach
    WPAC Members: John Kadlecek (Leader), Amy Jordan, Mike Henry, Emily Wolf, and Peter Gowen

Informational Documents

Committee Comments

Presentations

Work Plan & Reports

Meeting Info

The Water Policy Advisory Committee holds regularly scheduled meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 4:00 p.m.
Plaza Conference Room
Second Floor
County Administration Complex
240 Grant Ave.
Santa Fe, NM 87501
For a complete list of meeting materials, view the links below or visit the County's Calendar of Events.
BoardDocs Agendas Join WPAC Meeting Calendar

Staff Liaison

Andrew Harnden
Senior Planner
505-995-9516
aharnden@santafecountynm.gov

2026 Water Policy Advisory Committee Meeting Documents

View Document Archives by Year

January

Agenda: WPAC 1-08-2026
Minutes: WPAC Minutes 01.08.2026.pdf

February

Agenda: WPAC 2-12-2026
Agenda: WPAC 2-12-2026 Amended Agenda

March

Agenda: WPAC 3-12-2026

April

Agenda: WPAC 04-09-2026