02/27/2026
An important update regarding floodplain rehabilitation funding and what it means for the Village of Ruidoso and all of Lincoln County.
During the 2026 Legislative Session, House Bill 246 was introduced to provide critical state matching funds to unlock the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) buy-out and floodplain rehabilitation program for Ruidoso.
This funding is essential to restore wetlands and floodplains and to help property owners in vulnerable areas relocate after the devastating wildfire and flooding events our community has endured.
While the original proposal sought $62 million in state matching funds, the final budget process resulted in $21 million being secured within House Bill 2, the state’s General Appropriations Act. Although $9 million was removed during Senate negotiations, the remaining $21 million is significant.
These state dollars are matched at a 3-to-1 ratio through NRCS. That means $21 million in state funding could leverage approximately $63 million in federal funds for 2026.
However, time is of the essence.
The $21 million in HB 2 is now on the Governor’s desk, and she has discretion to supplement the $21 million allocation using capital outlay or other discretionary funds. If additional state dollars are added now, we can unlock even more federal funding, accelerating mitigation efforts, expanding buy-outs, and restoring critical floodways sooner rather than later.
Ruidoso has historically delivered a high proportion of Gross Receipts Tax revenue to the State of New Mexico. As the “Gateway” to the Permian Basin, we are the first stop for many visitors, tourists, and second-home owners.
Our small mountain community provides an outsized economic benefit to the state. Restoring our floodplains and protecting our watershed is not just a local issue, it is critical to the long-term economic stability of the region and the state.
We need your help today.
Please call the Governor’s Office at 505-476-2200 and leave a message of support for the matching funds for Ruidoso and Lincoln County.
When you call:
• Leave your name and Ruidoso zip code
• Express support for the $21 million allocation
• Emphasize the need to increase the funding from discretionary sources
A similar request has been shared across party lines. This is not a partisan issue, it is about protecting homes, restoring land, and strengthening the economic future of our region.
Our community has endured tremendous hardship. Securing and expanding these matching funds allows us to move from recovery toward long-term resilience.
Thank you for standing up for Ruidoso and Lincoln County. Together, we can make our voices heard.
