Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Friday, May 11, 2012
Annual SAWC Meeting & Candidate Forum May 19, 2012
The San Augustin Water Coalition (SAWC) annual meeting will be held 1 PM, May 19, 2012 at the Datil Elementary School Gym. Candidate forum at 2 PM. [MORE]
Monday, April 16, 2012
San Augustin Water Grab: A Battle Won But Not the War
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...
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...
Sunday, February 5, 2012
SAN AUGUSTIN PLAINS WATER GRAB MOTIONS TO BE HEARD 02/07/12
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 03, 2012
SANTA FE, N.M.— After four years of delays and false starts, the State Engineer is finally hearing motions to dismiss an application to take 54,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually from Catron County. The application, filed by a New York based corporation, is being protested by over 200 residents who live in and around Datil, NM – an area known as the San Augustin Plains. The residents fear that the San Augustin basin that supplies their wells with water and contributes flow to the Rio Grande and Gila River stream systems will be decimated if the application is granted. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) represents over 80 Protestants.
NMELC filed a motion to dismiss the application one year ago. “The application must be thrown out because it does not comply with basic New Mexico law,” said Bruce Frederick, NMELC Staff Attorney. “The corporation’s application seeks a permit to use or sell a vast amount of water for any purpose within seven New Mexico counties. Under New Mexico law, however, the corporation was required to identify exactly how and where it intends to use the water, and its failure to do so means that the State Engineer cannot consider or approve its application.”
WHO: New Mexico Environmental Law Center
WHAT: Hearing before State Engineer addressing motions to dismiss the water rights application
WHERE: Socorro County Courthouse
200 Church Street
Socorro, New Mexico, 87801
575-835-0050
WHEN: Tuesday, February 7th, 10:00 a.m.
The mission of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center is to protect New Mexico's natural environment and achieve environmental justice for New Mexico's communities through legal representation, policy advocacy and public education. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s attorneys have handled over 100 critical cases in low-income and minority communities fighting pollution and environmental degradation. The NMELC charges few, if any, fees to its clients, most of who are from Hispanic and Native American communities. The NMELC celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008. Membership and gifts help New Mexico communities protect their natural environment and their health from toxic pollution, the degrading effects of growth and liabilities created by irresponsible mining. Call Sebia Hawkins, Director of Development 505-989-9022, ext. 27 for more information.
Friday, February 03, 2012
SAN AUGUSTIN PLAINS WATER GRAB MOTIONS TO BE HEARD
SANTA FE, N.M.— After four years of delays and false starts, the State Engineer is finally hearing motions to dismiss an application to take 54,000 acre-feet of groundwater annually from Catron County. The application, filed by a New York based corporation, is being protested by over 200 residents who live in and around Datil, NM – an area known as the San Augustin Plains. The residents fear that the San Augustin basin that supplies their wells with water and contributes flow to the Rio Grande and Gila River stream systems will be decimated if the application is granted. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) represents over 80 Protestants.
NMELC filed a motion to dismiss the application one year ago. “The application must be thrown out because it does not comply with basic New Mexico law,” said Bruce Frederick, NMELC Staff Attorney. “The corporation’s application seeks a permit to use or sell a vast amount of water for any purpose within seven New Mexico counties. Under New Mexico law, however, the corporation was required to identify exactly how and where it intends to use the water, and its failure to do so means that the State Engineer cannot consider or approve its application.”
WHO: New Mexico Environmental Law Center
WHAT: Hearing before State Engineer addressing motions to dismiss the water rights application
WHERE: Socorro County Courthouse
200 Church Street
Socorro, New Mexico, 87801
575-835-0050
WHEN: Tuesday, February 7th, 10:00 a.m.
INTERVIEWS AND IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
The mission of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center is to protect New Mexico's natural environment and achieve environmental justice for New Mexico's communities through legal representation, policy advocacy and public education. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center’s attorneys have handled over 100 critical cases in low-income and minority communities fighting pollution and environmental degradation. The NMELC charges few, if any, fees to its clients, most of who are from Hispanic and Native American communities. The NMELC celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2008. Membership and gifts help New Mexico communities protect their natural environment and their health from toxic pollution, the degrading effects of growth and liabilities created by irresponsible mining. Call Sebia Hawkins, Director of Development 505-989-9022, ext. 27 for more information.
###
Monday, February 15, 2010
HJM 48 - time to act!
One more effort from all of you who have been working for more equitable treatment of ranchers in the Mexican wolf fiasco can make a big difference.
New Mexico House Joint Memorial 048 has passed out of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee today and goes to the House floor. Your continued support of this memorial for fair compensation for our ranchers is vital. Call or email your NM congressmen today!
More at www.amprowest.org
New Mexico House Joint Memorial 048 has passed out of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee today and goes to the House floor. Your continued support of this memorial for fair compensation for our ranchers is vital. Call or email your NM congressmen today!
More at www.amprowest.org
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Wolf News Release: WildEarth Guardians lawsuit setback
Contact: Ron Shortes, Catron County Attorney
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone 575.533.6265
Email: shortes2@gilanet.com
April 17, 2009
WILDEARTH GUARDIANS SUMMARY JUDGMENT AGAINST CATRON COUNTY DENIED
Environmentalist attempt to deny County the right to protect its own citizens stalled
RESERVE, N.M. Catron County, New Mexico has learned that a WildEarth Guardians’ lawsuit, which attempts to deny the County the right to protect its own citizens from imminent harm, has been stalled. A US District Court Judge in Santa Fe recently denied a bid by the environmental group for a summary judgment against the County.
WildEarth Guardians, a Santa Fe, NM based environmental group formed through the merger of Forest Guardians, Sinapu, and the Sagebrush Sea Campaign, filed a suit against Catron County last year. The group claimed that a 2007 County ordinance, providing for protection measures for Catron County Citizens in the event of problems with wolves, violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
In October of 2008, Judge Martha Vazquez issued a ruling stating that WildEarth Guardians’ claims were moot, as the County had amended the ordinance. Nevertheless, WildEarth Guardians continued to press the lawsuit, claiming that the Catron County Commission allegedly violated the ESA by setting traps for a pair of wolves. However, the Court has now denied a request for summary judgment against the County on this issue.
“It is the responsibility of government to protect its citizens,” said a Catron County spokesman. “We have a problem here with wolves and have had one since the beginning of the program. The incidents have escalated to the point where our people - particularly our children - are at risk.”
Catron County has submitted numerous requests to the Mexican wolf program to include realistic consideration for human safety - something that is currently lacking in the ESA’s 10j Rule regarding reintroduction of Mexican wolves.
“The Mexican wolf program people are well aware of our concerns for the safety of our children,” the County spokesman said. “All WildEarth Guardians is concerned about is wolves - they apparently don’t care if a child is at risk.”
“Our citizens rely on local government to protect them,” the spokesman said. “They demand that of us, and by law we are authorized to protect our citizens. We cannot, legally or morally, allow the threat from habituated wolves to reach the point where our children and families are in imminent danger. That is clear.”
# # #
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone 575.533.6265
Email: shortes2@gilanet.com
April 17, 2009
WILDEARTH GUARDIANS SUMMARY JUDGMENT AGAINST CATRON COUNTY DENIED
Environmentalist attempt to deny County the right to protect its own citizens stalled
RESERVE, N.M. Catron County, New Mexico has learned that a WildEarth Guardians’ lawsuit, which attempts to deny the County the right to protect its own citizens from imminent harm, has been stalled. A US District Court Judge in Santa Fe recently denied a bid by the environmental group for a summary judgment against the County.
WildEarth Guardians, a Santa Fe, NM based environmental group formed through the merger of Forest Guardians, Sinapu, and the Sagebrush Sea Campaign, filed a suit against Catron County last year. The group claimed that a 2007 County ordinance, providing for protection measures for Catron County Citizens in the event of problems with wolves, violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
In October of 2008, Judge Martha Vazquez issued a ruling stating that WildEarth Guardians’ claims were moot, as the County had amended the ordinance. Nevertheless, WildEarth Guardians continued to press the lawsuit, claiming that the Catron County Commission allegedly violated the ESA by setting traps for a pair of wolves. However, the Court has now denied a request for summary judgment against the County on this issue.
“It is the responsibility of government to protect its citizens,” said a Catron County spokesman. “We have a problem here with wolves and have had one since the beginning of the program. The incidents have escalated to the point where our people - particularly our children - are at risk.”
Catron County has submitted numerous requests to the Mexican wolf program to include realistic consideration for human safety - something that is currently lacking in the ESA’s 10j Rule regarding reintroduction of Mexican wolves.
“The Mexican wolf program people are well aware of our concerns for the safety of our children,” the County spokesman said. “All WildEarth Guardians is concerned about is wolves - they apparently don’t care if a child is at risk.”
“Our citizens rely on local government to protect them,” the spokesman said. “They demand that of us, and by law we are authorized to protect our citizens. We cannot, legally or morally, allow the threat from habituated wolves to reach the point where our children and families are in imminent danger. That is clear.”
# # #
Friday, October 3, 2008
REDT 002 - Economic Development: A Team Effort
REDT post 002
Economic Development: A Team Effort
By Lif Strand
Are you worried about how many job losses can occur before our economy truly crashes? Are you confused about how difficult it is to find a job, while you watch your savings dwindle to nothing and your debt get higher and higher? If you are an employer with job openings, are you perplexed about how difficult it is to find an employee when unemployment is so high?
You aren’t the Lone Ranger.
The NM Governor’s Economic Summit has drawn to a close. If nothing else has come of this conference it is the understanding that the current economic crisis in this country is a multi-faceted thing, and that the only way to deal with it is by a team effort. “Fixing” things from the top down (government bailout) isn’t going to work unless the very foundation of economic development is shored up as well.
What is the foundation of a sustainable, thriving economy? It’s not simply profitable financial institutions, but a healthy, sustainable environment, a healthy, sustainable society and healthy urban and rural, local, regional, federal and world economy.
Everything is connected to everything – nothing we humans partake of exists in a vacuum, sufficient under itself. If you only fix one thing without fixing the other parts, your fix won’t work, but will rather just cause more problems. Real life is a balancing act – sustainability occurs when all parts are considered when changes are proposed. If you ignore the connected parts, those other parts will be damaged by the imbalance and then other parts will drag you down.
A real fix that will create a sustainable, thriving economy means looking to the human environment and the natural environment. We have a strong environmentalist force nowadays that has positioned itself as the moral guides for humanity, but this force has forgotten that humans are rightful and valid part of the planetary environment, that environmentalist planning must recognize and accommodate the human environment. Green hasn’t worked and will never work if we only look at humanity as a disease that should be excluded.
The team that will fix the economy is the team that is inclusive rather than exclusive. The human spirit is perhaps the most valuable resource for improving our planet that we have. Addressing today’s issues must be done from the perspective of raising human consciousness on the environmental, societal and economic levels. No planning that focuses solely on one area to the exclusion of any other area can provide a solution.
In upcoming posts, you will be provided with an opportunity to join the Rural Economic Development Team to create meaningful, sustainable economic development. Your comments, suggestions and support are welcome.
Economic Development: A Team Effort
By Lif Strand
Are you worried about how many job losses can occur before our economy truly crashes? Are you confused about how difficult it is to find a job, while you watch your savings dwindle to nothing and your debt get higher and higher? If you are an employer with job openings, are you perplexed about how difficult it is to find an employee when unemployment is so high?
You aren’t the Lone Ranger.
The NM Governor’s Economic Summit has drawn to a close. If nothing else has come of this conference it is the understanding that the current economic crisis in this country is a multi-faceted thing, and that the only way to deal with it is by a team effort. “Fixing” things from the top down (government bailout) isn’t going to work unless the very foundation of economic development is shored up as well.
What is the foundation of a sustainable, thriving economy? It’s not simply profitable financial institutions, but a healthy, sustainable environment, a healthy, sustainable society and healthy urban and rural, local, regional, federal and world economy.
Everything is connected to everything – nothing we humans partake of exists in a vacuum, sufficient under itself. If you only fix one thing without fixing the other parts, your fix won’t work, but will rather just cause more problems. Real life is a balancing act – sustainability occurs when all parts are considered when changes are proposed. If you ignore the connected parts, those other parts will be damaged by the imbalance and then other parts will drag you down.
A real fix that will create a sustainable, thriving economy means looking to the human environment and the natural environment. We have a strong environmentalist force nowadays that has positioned itself as the moral guides for humanity, but this force has forgotten that humans are rightful and valid part of the planetary environment, that environmentalist planning must recognize and accommodate the human environment. Green hasn’t worked and will never work if we only look at humanity as a disease that should be excluded.
The team that will fix the economy is the team that is inclusive rather than exclusive. The human spirit is perhaps the most valuable resource for improving our planet that we have. Addressing today’s issues must be done from the perspective of raising human consciousness on the environmental, societal and economic levels. No planning that focuses solely on one area to the exclusion of any other area can provide a solution.
In upcoming posts, you will be provided with an opportunity to join the Rural Economic Development Team to create meaningful, sustainable economic development. Your comments, suggestions and support are welcome.
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