Panel to hear waters petition

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - New Mexico is pushing ahead with a plan to give hundreds of miles of rivers and streams and thousands of acres of wetlands special protection under the federal Clean Water Act despite concerns from farmers and ranchers.

Gov. Bill Richardson's administration has been seeking an Outstanding National Resource Waters designation since 2008.

The administration is one step closer now that the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission has voted to consider the state's petition. A hearing date has been set for Sept. 14.

The petition calls for designating as outstanding 1,450 miles of rivers and streams, 29 lakes and about 6,000 acres of wetlands in federal wilderness areas.

Critics say such a broad designation would create hardships for rural New Mexico.