House Joint Memorial 5, introduced by Anita Gonzales and Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics, calls on the New Mexico State Legislature to support federal actions aimed at permanently protecting the upper Pecos watershed. The memorial highlights the ecological, cultural, and economic significance of the Pecos River, which is vital for local communities, agriculture, and biodiversity. It emphasizes the need for protection against potential mining activities that could harm this sensitive area, particularly in light of past environmental disasters and ongoing concerns about new mining projects.

The memorial expresses strong support for the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, which aims to withdraw specific lands from new mining claims and federal mineral leases, thereby safeguarding the watershed for up to twenty years. It also recognizes the historical and spiritual connections of local Indigenous communities to the land and urges collaboration among various stakeholders to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the watershed. The resolution concludes by directing copies of the memorial to relevant federal and state agencies, as well as local leaders, to promote awareness and action regarding the protection of this critical resource.