Taos County Milestone, Part II

Denish Support for Land and Water

Historic State and Regional Water Plans

On Wed. Taos Friction posted a celebratory message about Taos County Commission’s passage of an ordinance that supports the Taos Regional Water and keeps track of water transfers. The decision grows not only out of the hard work of local activists but also because of support from the Richardson-Denish Administration. The September Democratic rally by Lovers of Land and Water, who support Diane Denish for Gov. and the recent Demo picnic at Commissioner Dan Barrone’s house all point toward the concern by Democrats with keeping the water safe from predators in the north.

Years ago when Texas and New Mexico were litigating the Rio Grande and the Pecos river water cases, a federal judge advised New Mexico representatives to come up with a “plan” they could defend in court—not just presumptive generalities. Consequently, the state put in a plan to address cultural, environmental, farm and livestock interests and the general economic conditions associates with acequias, rivers, watershed, ground and surface water.

The Interstate Stream Commission (ISC), under Richardson-Denish appointee, Estevan Lopez (Native Penasquero) and John D’Antonio, state engineer, organized committees that developed a state wide regional water plan. Under the state plan, Lopez and the ISC requested that local communities develop regional water plans, based on geography, watershed, natural resource boundaries, and cultural affinities. The Taos plan came in last chronologically but was praised as first among equals for its groundbreaking principles regarding Public Welfare and Quality of Life issues.

Certainly, many Democrats and a few local Republicans joined in the process to support the Taos Regional Water Plan and Public Welfare Statement, which resulted in the Taos County Ordinance setting up an advisory committee on water. And those who support the County Ordinance also support the local “Settlement” awaiting funding in the U.S. Congress of more than $100 million. Given the climate of the economy and gridlock in the U.S. Senate, one must be realistic about the chances of funding the Settlement. But the County Ordinance protecting local water gained urgency due to potential changes in the Governorship of New Mexico even as Democrat Diane Denish and her colleagues have a long history of protecting water from outside predators in the state.

Give credit where credit is due at the state level first to Gov. Richardson and Lt. Gov. Denish, then to Estevan Lopez at the ISC. Don’t forget, the Democrats set up an active Water Trust Board, naming Trudy Healy to the board. Healy and the Board supervised grants for municipalities, water and sewer districts, including El Prado, the Town of Taos, counties, including Taos, and villages like Questa.

(Questa operates under severe pressure due to a lack of water rights for its municipal responsibilities, according to the OSE. Chevron mining has a ton of water rights but local observers suspect they are for sale to the highest downstream bidder. It’s disappointing to see Susana Martinez signs posted on property belonging to so many beneficiaries of the direct Richardson-Denish largesse for water in El Prado. Talk about spitting on the hand that buys you drinks!)

Democratic Senator Carlos Cisneros ushered legislation through the Roundhouse Halls in Santa Fe that complemented existing constitutional safeguards for acequias, including water banking to help stop “use it or lose it” provisions in an effort to protect parciantes. Cisneros also managed to pass legislation giving acequias the right of first refusal when it comes to water transfers that would threaten acequia use. So local residents, due to the Richardson-Denish Administration and the state legislature with Sen. Cisneros and Speaker Ben Lujan’s help, have benefited greatly from pressure by Democratic politicians to preserve and protect El Norte’s water.

Now the County Commission has joined the fight.

Nationwide, Texas oil and gas billionaires as well as wealthy construction magnates like Bob Perry are spending millions of dollars in an effort to deregulate controls, privatize water, and lower the already low corporate income tax. In New Mexico, wealthy Texans are trying to elect a Gov. who represents the Lone Star State. In California, the same Texans are spending millions to stop environmental safeguards from being passed. In other states, the same group wants to elect Tea Party Friendlies in order to solidify gridlock in Congress and increase privatization—at taxpayer expense—while letting lobbyists write beneficial legislation for both private and public corporations.

The American way of electing officials is changing radically as the whole process becomes privatized due to the new kleptocrats. Here in Taos County, a few good souls, represented by the County Commissioners and Diane Denish are fighting back. Misguided Republicans and Democrats who support La Martinez are either blindly loyal or contemptuous of community values.

That’s the Way it Is on Oct. 28. Buenas Suerte, mis Amigos.