Water

By Robert B. Carleton
Central Group Executive Committee

You can’t deny they were here first.” Thus began Biologist Jerry Burton’s July 13, 2003, article in the Albuquerque Journal. Despite intense efforts, they are still just barely hanging on in the Middle Rio Grande. A brighter future might be in store.

By Richard Barish
Central New Mexico Group

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry has initiated a planning process called “ABQ the Plan.” The purpose of The Plan is to identify enhancements that will improve the quality of life for Albuquerque residents and entice businesses to locate and grow here.

Protecting New Mexico Water
Renee Blake, Public News Service-NM

(01/28/13) SANTA FE, N.M. - The Citizens Coalition (made up of Amigos Bravos, the Rio Grande chapter of the Sierra Club and Caballo Concerned Citizens) is troubled by the direction being taken by the New Mexico Environment Department and the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) in connection with groundwater. Two industries, in particular, are the focus of recent concerns: the dairy industry and the copper industry.

The December 2012 issue of the Environmental Flows Bulletin, produced by the Utton Center at the UNM School of Law , has several highly relevant stories on the ongoing drought in the southwest.
Environmental Flows Bulletin December 2012 issue

By Dave Simon

The Rio Grande is one of the world’s great rivers. Over 1,800 miles in length, the Rio Grande is the fifth-longest river in North America. More than 500 miles of the Rio Grande form the heart of New Mexico—the state’s primary drainage feature and most valuable natural and cultural resource.

The mine will take an inordinate amount of water (perhaps a third of all groundwater used in the county) and not return any to the aquifer because of pollution.
Copper Flat Mine tempts residents with job promises but would rob county of a resource already in short supply.

Dear Sierran Editor:

By all accounts that I’ve read, hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) deserves
its destructive reputation and community outrage. Local elected officials must have the land-use regulatory tools and the political willpower to protect their communities. But these Community Rights Ordinances are not the solution, and so I must disagree with the piece about community rights and fracking in the July/August/September issue.

By Jeff Potter
GOOD NEWS City saves $1.4 Million per year with Energy Efficiency Projects

Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry announced in April major gains the city has made for environmental sustainability and for taxpayer savings. Using “a common-sense approach to environmental sustainability and energy reduction throughout the city ... have reduced our CO2 footprint by more than 5,000 metric tons. This approach to the green equation has also created a cost savings of nearly $1.4 million per year,” according to the Mayor’s press release.

By Sig Silber, Northern New Mexico Group Water Chair

In 2003 the first New Mexico State Water Plan was adopted. It is the intent of the Legislature that the Interstate Stream Commission, in collaboration with the Office of the State Engineer and the water trust board, prepare and implement a comprehensive state water plan. The state water plan shall be a strategic management tool.

The details of the water-planning statute can be viewed at