Governor appoints longtime water resources manager as new state engineer

Aug. 19—Elizabeth Anderson, a longtime engineer with years of experience as a water resources manager, has been appointed as New Mexico's next state engineer, the Governor's Office announced Monday.

Anderson, who in the past has served as chief planning officer for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and New Mexico water operations manager for company CH2M HILL Engineers, succeeds Mike Hamman, who retired June 30 after two years in the role.

The state engineer handles administration of New Mexico's water resources, including oversight of water rights, legal proceedings, water planning, engineering, environmental science and administrative duties.

Anderson most recently worked as a senior adviser to Hamman, the Governor's Office said in a news release. During that time she helped with water planning, outreach and "strategic initiatives within the Office of the State Engineer and the Interstate Stream Commission," the release said.

Anderson will also be the first female state engineer in New Mexico history, the release noted.

"It is a privilege to be appointed as State Engineer, and I look forward to working with the dedicated team at OSE and ISC to protect and manage our state's precious water resources," Anderson said in a statement.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's appointment of Anderson is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Hamman took over the role in early 2022 following the sudden retirement of John D'Antonio, who went out with a bang, publicly complaining about what he described as a lack of staffing and funding necessary for the agency to run effectively.

Within months of Hamman's appointment, Northern New Mexico was rocked by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. In a May news release announcing Hamman's impending retirement, the Governor's Office credited him with helping with the aftermath.

"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," the release said.