San Augustin Plains water grab decision appealed

Augustin Plains Ranch LLC (filing as Kokopelli Ranch LLC et al) has filed a Notice of Appeal against Judge Reynold's decision on the the January 3, 2013 Order on Protestants' Motion for Summary Judgment regarding the San Augustin Plains water grab. The Notice of Appeal was filed in the 7th Judicial District Court in Catron County, NM on January 22, 2013.

This is the first round of the next phase of appeal, which is in the Court of Appeals in Santa Fe.  The San Augustin Water Coalition's attorney, R. Bruce Frederick, with New Mexico Environmental Law Center,  should be briefing the Court of Appeals beginning later this spring.
CLICK HERE for PDF download of Notice of Appeal

San Augustin Water Grab Update

Update from attorney Bruce Frederick. 

From: Bruce Frederick
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012 8:30 AM
To: 'Carol Pittman'
Subject: RE: status of appeal

The appeal case should be starting within the next couple of weeks.  There are no deadlines pending right now.

The court case should be a condensed version of the OSE case�we will file a motion to dismiss; they will respond, we will reply.  I hope we can wrap it up in less than a year.

Bruce Frederick, Staff Attorney
New Mexico Environmental Law Center
1405 Luisa Street, Suite 5
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505-989-9022

Annual Meeting San Augustin Water Coalition May 19, 2012

The annual meeting of the San Augustin Water Coalition will be held 1 PM May 19, 2012 at the Datil Elementary School gymnasium.  

It's not over!  

Augustin Plains Ranch LLC has appealed the State Engineer decision.  WE NEED YOU!

Agenda:

1 PM  Business meeting
2 PM  Candidate Forum

NM State Senator Howie Morales (D), and NM Representative Don Tripp (R) will be at the meeting as will Clint Wellborn, District Attorney for our district.  All are running unopposed in the NM primary, but will be available to be asked where they stand on water issues.

Also attending:  Evelyn Madrid Erhard (D), running for the US House of Representatives; and a member of the Steve Pearce's campaign, our present Representative.

Local candidates (Catron County) include Bucky Allred (R), candidate for County Commission from District 3, running unopposed; Cathy Sohrenssen (D) candidate for County Treasurer; unable to come is Connie Sue Shipley (R) also running for County Treasurer; Eva Stover (D), Keith Riddle (R) and Zeno Kiehne (R) all running for County Clerk; Ed Wehrheim (R) running for Probate Judge; unable to attend is Cynthia Wasserburger (D) also running for Probate Judge.

San Augustin Water Grab: A Battle Won But Not the War

A Battle Won But Not the War
Cathie R. Eisen
Walking Water Consulting
PO Box 133
Nogal, New Mexico
April 8, 2012

Across the southern states a battle is raging for our most precious resource. The value of water has reached a premium, and it will only increase with time. As the cities and counties of the west continue to grow, so does the need for new water sources to support their ever increasing demands. While the quest for oil is on the forefront of everyone's mind, dollar for dollar, water is by far more valuable. We can live without oil if necessary, but we must have water to survive. During the past few years, several applications have been submitted to the State Engineers Office in New Mexico for the purpose of tapping into the deeper aquifers, waters which were previously deemed unusable and were until now unprotected from such requests. One by one, they have been protested and denied. This is not the end of the effort. Future legislation will support these requests as our cities continue to grow along with the residential demand for additional supplies; water for sanitary and domestic water use is and always will be a priority to developers and communities. The health and welfare of the masses could easily trump the livelihood of the rural ranchers. They are few, rural residents are many.   More at Glenwood Gazette... 

San Augustin Water Grab Decision Appealed

A legal notice of appeal of the NM Office of State Engineer decision to deny the San Augustin Ranch LLC's water grab application was published in today's Albuquerque Journal. http://legals.abqjournal.com/legals/show/279214

"NOTICE OF APPEAL DE NOVO FROM ORDER OF THE STATE ENGINEER Applicant/Appellant Augustin Plains Ranch, LLC, pursuant to NMSA 1978, Section 72-7-1, hereby appeals de novo from the State Engineer's Order Denying Application dated March 30, 2012, in the above-referenced New Mexico State Engineer ("OSE") proceeding. Dated April 5, 2012. Respectfully submitted, /s/ John B. Draper John B. Draper Jeffrey J. Wechsler Montgomery & Andrews"

SAWC annual meeting 05/21/11

San Augustin Water Coalition Annual Meeting

05/21/11

Notes by Lif Strand [links have been added where they seemed useful]

Board Meeting:

Eileen Dodds (SAWC board member & treasurer):  This is SAWC’s  3^rd year annual meeting.  Mission statement of SAWC:  To protect the water resources of the San Augustin and adjacent water basins, and the public welfare, and conservation of water associated with those water resources, now and in the future. http://www.sanaugustinwatercoalition.org/

2010 was a year of concentrated activity on part of board members to spread word about water mining.  Several articles have a ppeared in local, regional papers, including the Albuquerque Journal, and on websites, such as the New Mexico Water Dialogue, current issue.  http://www.nmwaterdialogue.org/

Anita Hand and Eileen Dodds were guests of Don Tripp last November.  They met with the Water and Natural Resources Committee to heighten their awareness of the water situation. 

The May 20, 2011 OSE meeting cancelled due to the retirement of Victor Kovach (hearing officer).  We will now have to start over with a new hearing officer.  SAWC will keep all informed; please make sure SAWC has your email addresses.

Carol Pittman found a grant, applied and SAWC was awarded $5,000 to produce a brochure.  The funds covered the layout and printing of 10,000 copies.  The brochure will be distributed state-wide.

Goals for 2012 include possible drafting legislation requests to the Water & Natural Resource Committee.  SAWC also wants to encourage Catron County Commission to continue its vigilance. 

Current board:  Ruth Guin (chair), Roy Farr, Nicole Sanders, Eileen Dodds, Anita Hand, Linn Kennedy & Carol Pittman.

Election of 4 to board:  Two vacancies, plus Eileen & Anita’s positions.  Responsibilities – manages business & affairs of SAWC. 

• Anita Hand’s position:  Reelected
• Eileen Dodd’s position (including treasurer job):  Reelected
• Two new positions increased to three, since SAWC bylaws allow for twelve.  Elected:  Dennis Inman, Don Wiltshire and Charlene Wagner

Speakers:  Please download full PDF file by clicking here

SAWC annual meeting May 21

The annual meeting of the San Augustin Water Coalition is being held on Saturday, May 21 this year. Food will be offered from 4:00-5:15. The meeting starts at 5:30 PM at the Datil Elementary School gymnasium.

AGENDA

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SAN AUGUSTIN WATER COALITION

MAY 21, 2011

Mission Statement:  The purpose for which SAWC is organized is to protect the water resources of the San Augustin and adjacent water basins, and the public welfare and conservation of water associated with those water resources, now and in the future.

Registration

Registration is for the purpose of communication after the meeting.  The Board will attempt to keep everyone informed of the progress of the Augustin Plains Ranch LLC application.  Personal information, including email address, is kept confidential.

1. Business Meeting.  Election to the Board.  Nominations for three three-year positions will be taken from the floor.
2. Keynote Speakers
   1. Steve Harris, Rio Grande Restoration
   2. Caren Cowan, Executive Director, NMCGA
   3. Don Tripp, State Representative, District 49
   4. Richard McGuire, Catron County Commissioner
3. Questions from the audience:  Please write your questions on your card to be collected by a volunteer.

San Augustin water grab hearing to be rescheduled

The hearing before the State Engineer scheduled for May 20 will be re-scheduled; the new date has not bee set yet.  The following came from Bruce Frederick, attorney for a lot of the protestants:

 

"The State Engineer vacated the 5/20 hearing, saying he had to because the hearing examiner retired."

New Catron County water grab resource

Forwarded from San Augustin Water Coalition (SAWC):

There is a new website that you will find interesting. Our friends and supporters up north are helping to spread the word around the state about our water grab fight and about other serious water issues. newmexicowaterandpolitics.wordpress.com

San Augustin Scheduling Conference

San Augustin Plains Ranch LLC scheduling conference is set for November 9, 1:30 PM at the Macey Conference Center, NM Tech. The purpose is to describe the OSE hearing process, to clarify issues in dispute and establish a schedule for the hearing.

SAWC Annual meeting May 22

The annual meeting of the San Augustin Water Coalition will be May 22 and we expect to discuss the OSE Docketing Letter. Location: Datil Elementary School gym, 6PM. There will be a brief business meeting followed by a candidates forum. 

Water Coalition Meeting April 14

San Augustin Water Coalition
Meeting of the Board
April 14, 2009
Datil Fire Department
6PM

Agenda



I. Call to order
II. Additions or changes to Agenda by Board Members
III. Reading and acceptance of minutes of previous meeting
IV. Treasurer’s report
V. Old Business
a. IRS tax exempt status
b. Water Dialogue
c. Reports from Board Members

VI. New Business
a. Catron County Fair
b. Annual Meeting
c. Socorro County Land Use Commission meeting
d. Film Maker