N.M. Admin. Code § 19.25.13.11
The state engineer may create water master districts and appoint water masters in any drainage areas of the state pursuant to Section 72-3-1 through Section 72-3-5 NMSA and these regulations. The water master district manager shall provide the water master with guidelines for administration, including his determination, for purposes of administration, of all administrable water rights within the water master district. Water master guidelines shall be in the form of a water master manual applicable to each water master district or sub-district. Comments from the public shall be taken and considered prior to finalizing the water master manuals. Notice shall be provided in accordance with Subsection D of 72-2-8 NMSA. The state engineer may administer water rights pursuant to a draft water master manual for a specific period of time, which will be determined in the district-specific regulations, prior to finalizing a manual so that the adopted manual will be based upon actual experience and the collective comments of the water right owners in the district.
N.M. Admin. Code § 19.25.13.11