In accordance with Section 72-2-16 NMSA, if, without holding a hearing, the state engineer enters a decision, any person aggrieved by the decision is entitled to a hearing, if a request for a hearing is made in writing within thirty days of receipt of notice of the decision from the state engineer. Hearings shall be held before the state engineer or his appointed examiner pursuant to 19.25.2 NMAC. No appeal shall be taken to the district court until the state engineer has held a hearing and entered his decision in the hearing.
N.M. Admin. Code § 19.27.5.16