The state engineer may adopt an administration date, based on his best professional judgment of the water supply available for consumptive use by water right owners in the water master district or for depletion within the state of New Mexico as may be appropriate, and the date on which that administration date will be effective, by order in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Subsection B of 72-2-8 NMSA, for any water master district. The state engineer may revise an administration date as necessary to achieve the objectives of these rules and regulations. The state engineer shall publish the adoption or revision of an administration date once a week for two consecutive weeks in two newspapers of general circulation within the water master district affected by such adoption or revision. Upon the effective date of an administrative date, all out-of-priority administrable water rights must cease diversion, except as provided by an approved replacement plan. Determination of an administration date shall be ordered to implement depletion limit administration and shall be specifically provided for by the provisions of district-specific regulations to achieve compliance with an interstate stream compact; or, in the state engineer's performance of his duties under Section 72-2-1 NMSA upon further formal state engineer action pursuant to Section 72-2-8 NMSA for reasons of public safety or the interests of the water right owners in the district.
N.M. Admin. Code § 19.25.13.29