During the past several months, a number of persons have asked, "Why another coalition"... and they come by their question rightfully and honestly so. This article will attempt to answer that question for everyone's benefit.

In New Mexico, it is true that there are several, actually numerous varied groups that have an interest and are organized in one way or another toward watersheds, water resources or natural resources in some form or fashion. There are also many new groups forming to represent their particular watershed. However.....all of these groups, by and large, have a single focus: water quality, ecosystem protection, threatened and endangered species, flood control, sediment control, public lands or private lands, a single river basin, watershed, or geographical priority area, and etc. Some are federal, some are state, some are local agencies, some are academic institutions, some are private concerned groups, and some are simply private landowners who are trying to get others to work together. Coordination, communication, and cooperation between some is good, and between others it is not so good. What is missing in New Mexico is an organization and platform for understanding, problem (and solution) sharing, and representation by a higher, national level organization for all of New Mexico's groups that share common coordinated concerns without regard to separate interests or concerns. Also missing from the national perspective is a single voice from New Mexico that represents its watershed groups for national recognition. At present, there is no such organization or platform, and the New Mexico Watershed Coalition mission is to fulfill that need.