Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sept 19 San Augustin Water Grab Hearing Change
The location for the Sept. 19 San Augustin water grab motion hearing has been changed to the Socorro County Courthouse, Courtroom 1, 200 Church Street in Socorro. CLICK HERE to read the notice [PDF]
Friday, August 10, 2012
San Augustin Water Grab Court Date Set
A hearing on the Motion for Summary Judgement for the Augustin Plains Ranch LLC water grab has been set for Wednesday September 19, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Catron County Courthouse in Reserve (subject to date/time change).
Read the Memorandum in Support of Protestants' Motion for Summary Judgment [PDF] filed by Bruce Frederick, Staff Attorney at New Mexico Environmental Law Center.
Read the Memorandum in Support of Protestants' Motion for Summary Judgment [PDF] filed by Bruce Frederick, Staff Attorney at New Mexico Environmental Law Center.
Friday, May 25, 2012
San Augustin Water Grab Update
Update from attorney Bruce Frederick.
From: Bruce FrederickSent: 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
Friday, May 11, 2012
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.
Monday, April 16, 2012
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...
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...
Monday, April 9, 2012
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"
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Open letter to NM Gov. Susana Martinez on AWSA projects and protection of true stakeholders
Dear Governor Martinez:
The Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) has been authorized by the state of New Mexico to assume responsibility for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement of projects for waters designated available by the Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA). To that end, people of the four counties of southwestern New Mexico for which the AWSA waters are available have been working since 2004 to develop projects to submit to ISC.
It is the ISC’s mandate to apply the best available science to consideration of these projects, taking into account the ecological impacts of the proposed water uses while also considering the historic uses of and future demands for water in the Gila Basin, and the traditions, cultures and customs affecting those uses.
Unfortunately, what is and should be a relatively straightforward legal process has been distorted beyond functionality.... [read the rest]
Please write your own letter to Gov. Martinez and the ISC!
The Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) has been authorized by the state of New Mexico to assume responsibility for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement of projects for waters designated available by the Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA). To that end, people of the four counties of southwestern New Mexico for which the AWSA waters are available have been working since 2004 to develop projects to submit to ISC.
It is the ISC’s mandate to apply the best available science to consideration of these projects, taking into account the ecological impacts of the proposed water uses while also considering the historic uses of and future demands for water in the Gila Basin, and the traditions, cultures and customs affecting those uses.
Unfortunately, what is and should be a relatively straightforward legal process has been distorted beyond functionality.... [read the rest]
Please write your own letter to Gov. Martinez and the ISC!
Monday, May 23, 2011
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 3rd 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
Thursday, May 19, 2011
SAWC annual meeting
Just a reminder that the San Augustin Water Coalition holds its annual meeting this Saturday, May 21. You will find it interesting!
Spread the word if you can, as we did not do a mailing this year.
Thanks,
Carol Pittman
Annual Meeting of the San Augustin Water Coalition
Saturday, May 21
Datil Elementary School Gymnasium
4:00 to 5:15 food served
5:30 short meeting and election of Board members
followed by speakers
Steve Harris, Rio Grande Restoration
Caren Cowan, Executive Director, NMCGA
Don Tripp, State Representative, District 49
Richard McGuire, Catron County Commissioner
AWSA New Mexico water for New Mexicans
This is a call for help. Please pass it on if you agree! Please act if you are willing!
The Arizona Water Settlements Act of 2004 allows for an additional average of 14,000 acre feet of water to be developed in New Mexico from the Gila and San Francisco Rivers as well as $66M up to $128M for project development. People have been working since 2004 to develop plans for use of the water and money in the four county region of Catron, Grant, Luna and Hidalgo counties. The Interstate Stream Commission has developed a two tier application procedure for projects (actually Tier II is still under development).
It is important to understand that by law this additional water use cannot impact the downstream water rights. Since the water cannot cut into the downstream flow so as to reduce what people downstream are entitled to, it is obvious that the only way to get the water is to trap it during times of extreme flow, such as during flood or snow melt.
The problem is that the environmental community objects to dams and diversions on the Gila or San Francisco River. The result would be that there is no way to keep water in New Mexico and the water continues on to Arizona. This is not water that would be taken from wildlife habitat or farmers downstream - it is water that is flooding away to either just evaporate or end up in the ocean. Environmental groups are urging their members to send letters to the State Engineer, the Interstate Stream Commission and others to promote their cause. I probably don’t need to tell you the importance of keeping the water here, but suffice it to say that water = life.
If we are to live here in Southwest NM, we must have water, too. Why should only people downstream of us have it to fill swimming pools, wash cars and water lawns while many of us are not even allowed to have faucets outside our houses to fill a dog's dish? If we let this opportunity go now, it will probably never recur.
Without going into the Act any deeper at this time, I am simply asking to you to send an email letter to Mr. Estevan Lopez, Director of the Interstate Stream Commission, Mr. Jim Dunlap, Chairman of the Interstate Stream Commission, to Mr. John D’Antonio, State Engineer, and/or to Governor Susana Martinez. I am pasting an example letter you can work from or develop your own. Note: this letter was supplied by Vance Lee, Chairman of the Gila/San Francisco Water Commission. More info can be obtained at http://www.awsaplanning.com/AWSA_Home.html
Mr. Lopez: estevan.lopez@state.nm.us
Mr. Dunlap: Waterjim1@live.com (email address corrected 05/20/11)
Mr. D’Antonio: john.dantonio@state.nm.us
Governor Martinez: Susana.martinez2@state.nm.us
-------------------- sample email letter ---------------
May 19, 2011
Mr. Estevan Lopez, Director
New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission
Dear Mr. Lopez:
In regards to the Arizona Water Settlements Act and the effort of the Interstate Stream Commission to determine use of the additional water and money, please consider this as a request for the Commission to make every effort to base its decisions on keeping the additional water in Southwest New Mexico. It is unacceptable to continue to allow water that can be made available for use in New Mexico to continue to flow downstream into Arizona. I am confident that there will be acceptable proposals via the application procedure in place to develop the additional water and to put it to beneficial use.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[address]
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
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.
- Business Meeting. Election to the Board. Nominations for three three-year positions will be taken from the floor.
- Keynote Speakers
- Steve Harris, Rio Grande Restoration
- Caren Cowan, Executive Director, NMCGA
- Don Tripp, State Representative, District 49
- Richard McGuire, Catron County Commissioner
- 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."
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Rain Water Harvesting Teleconference
Rain Water HarvestingTELECONFERENCE | January 26, 2011 1pm ET (12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT)
Although rainwater harvesting has been practiced for thousands of years, recent concerns over water supplies and urban storm water runoff have prompted homeowners, businesses, and municipalities to consider using rainwater harvesting systems. By using harvested rainwater for purposes that don't require treated drinking water, like watering landscapes or washing cars, we reduce the demand on municipal potable water supplies and reduce the costs associated with potable water use, allowing the system to pay for itself over time. The presenters for this audio conference are from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and the North Carolina State University, Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. They have been installing and examining the feasibility of using cisterns for rainwater harvesting and water supply for more than six years. Learning Objectives
Who Should AttendThis audio conference is designed for engineers, construction and project managers, city administrators, public works and utilities directors, architects, presidents, vice presidents, environmental professionals, developers, planners and landscape architects. FacultyKathy M. DeBusk, E.I.T., North Carolina State University, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering William F. Hunt, Ph.D, P.E., North Carolina State University, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Mitch Woodward, Water Quality North Carolina State University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Register Today!
Priority code: 1093-5679-96 Cancellations: Substitute registrants can be named at any time. A full refund, less a $20 service charge, will be given if notification is given six or more business days in advance. Notification of less than six business days will result in a credit that can be applied to any Lorman products or services. If you do not cancel or attend, you are responsible for the entire payment. This teleconference will be recorded. Your registration constitutes your consent to such recording. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thursday, December 2, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
San Augustin Water Meeting Nov 9 -y'all come!
As you are hopefully aware, the Office of the State Engineer has scheduled a pre-hearing conference for the San Augustin water grab on November 9. The conference will be at 1:30 in the Macey Center on the campus of New Mexico Tech.
Carol Pittman is organizing carpools so IF YOU ARE WILLING TO DRIVE, let her know and send your phone number and location. IF YOU NEED A RIDE, let Carol know and send your phone number and location. She will put people together so that not everyone has to drive to Socorro. Email Carol at pittray @ gilanet.com [remove spaces in the email address!]
PLEASE ATTEND THIS MEETING, WHETHER YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE BEFORE OR NOT! It is important to have a good turnout. If we fill up the Macey Center the OSE will know that we are serious about this protest. It is in our best interests to show up!!
Directions to Macey Center. From California Street (the main drag in Socorro) take College Avenue (the street that runs by Smith's Grocery Store, with the store on your right) and go to the end. That will be Leroy. Turn right on Leroy then left on Bullock (into the campus) and proceed to Macey Center, number 29 on the map.
Carol Pittman is organizing carpools so IF YOU ARE WILLING TO DRIVE, let her know and send your phone number and location. IF YOU NEED A RIDE, let Carol know and send your phone number and location. She will put people together so that not everyone has to drive to Socorro. Email Carol at pittray @ gilanet.com [remove spaces in the email address!]
PLEASE ATTEND THIS MEETING, WHETHER YOU'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE BEFORE OR NOT! It is important to have a good turnout. If we fill up the Macey Center the OSE will know that we are serious about this protest. It is in our best interests to show up!!
Directions to Macey Center. From California Street (the main drag in Socorro) take College Avenue (the street that runs by Smith's Grocery Store, with the store on your right) and go to the end. That will be Leroy. Turn right on Leroy then left on Bullock (into the campus) and proceed to Macey Center, number 29 on the map.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
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.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
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.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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
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
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Gov. Richardson & water grab
The thing that has me worried is that Governor Richardson is hell- bent on bringing in even more business; remember his trip to Europe this summer? [article]
In order to promote that kind of growth, he will have to have a plan for the water to support it. So even though sucking our plain dry by a foreigner seems like a no-brainer issue for the OSE ... perhaps it's not.
>> Kevin Ryan
In order to promote that kind of growth, he will have to have a plan for the water to support it. So even though sucking our plain dry by a foreigner seems like a no-brainer issue for the OSE ... perhaps it's not.
>> Kevin Ryan
Rio Grande Diversion comment
http://www.amigosbravos.org/rio_grande.php
I think that the effort to take groundwater in Catron Co is tied to Albuquerque water use upstream. There are others with whom I've spoken who share this belief.
The relationship is like this: The San Juan-Chama water has been flowing for a long time and has been providing a significant source of water flow to the Rio Grande, helping the state meet Rio Grande Compact delivery requirements. If Albuquerque starts using its San Juan-Chama water and the equivalent amount of native Rio Grande water it says it needs as "conveyance", then the river will lose as much as 45-48,000afy in flow.
Taking Catron County groundwater and transfering it to surface water discharge into the Rio Grande (selling it to the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority) will allow Albuquerque to use more water upstream and not risk penalties from the State Engineer.
I thought that the issue was dormant; I didn't realize it was under some sort of process. Please let me know what is going on and I'll spread the word around here. If you need any advice or information, let me know and I'll see if I can find someone to help.
Regards,
Michael
-- Michael Jensen
Grants & Communication
Amigos Bravos
PO Box 238
Taos NM 87571
505.362.1063 (cell)
505.758.3874 (office)
skype: michaeljensen79
www.amigosbravos.org
Are you a member of Amigos Bravos? Would you like to support the preservation of the cultural and ecological richness of New Mexico's waters? Join our efforts today by becoming a member or making a contribution to Amigos Bravos at: http://shop.amigosbravos.org/index.html
I think that the effort to take groundwater in Catron Co is tied to Albuquerque water use upstream. There are others with whom I've spoken who share this belief.
The relationship is like this: The San Juan-Chama water has been flowing for a long time and has been providing a significant source of water flow to the Rio Grande, helping the state meet Rio Grande Compact delivery requirements. If Albuquerque starts using its San Juan-Chama water and the equivalent amount of native Rio Grande water it says it needs as "conveyance", then the river will lose as much as 45-48,000afy in flow.
Taking Catron County groundwater and transfering it to surface water discharge into the Rio Grande (selling it to the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority) will allow Albuquerque to use more water upstream and not risk penalties from the State Engineer.
I thought that the issue was dormant; I didn't realize it was under some sort of process. Please let me know what is going on and I'll spread the word around here. If you need any advice or information, let me know and I'll see if I can find someone to help.
Regards,
Michael
-- Michael Jensen
Grants & Communication
Amigos Bravos
PO Box 238
Taos NM 87571
505.362.1063 (cell)
505.758.3874 (office)
skype: michaeljensen79
www.amigosbravos.org
Are you a member of Amigos Bravos? Would you like to support the preservation of the cultural and ecological richness of New Mexico's waters? Join our efforts today by becoming a member or making a contribution to Amigos Bravos at: http://shop.amigosbravos.org/index.html
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