Recap Oct. 21
Recap of October 21, 2009 Meeting at Doña Ana Elementary
This is just a quick recap. About 200 people showed up. All but about 5 were against the siting of both the surface water treatment and waste water treatment (sewage) plant. Many people spoke – many passionately. Given the level of anger, all were remarkably restrained. A highlight of the evening was the reading of a nine page letter by Leasburg Board member Adrienne Widmer. It was, to say the least, a clear expose of Doña Ana MDWCA’s underhanded and deceitful (bordering on mendacious) handling of their dealings with Leasburg MDWCA and the community.
Cathie Leslie presented copies of the petitions – somewhere near 1400 signatures, to Souder, Miller & Associates (SMA), as well as to Javier Torres, public participation officer for BECC (Border Environment Cooperation Commission). BECC is to be one of the major financial supporters of the projects. Mr. Torres announced that for BECC, the clock had been reset. A steering committee needs to be formed, public input needs to be gathered, and two public meetings need to be held. Last night did not count as one of those meetings. Lack of BECC support is not guaranteed to kill the projects at Hope Rd. and Ft. Selden, but it would cause big problems. You may find this hard to believe, but according to Matt Stong, Mr. Torres told him that Mariano Martinez gets to choose who is on the steering committee of local residents! Is this the fox guarding the hen house?
Jimmy Zabriskie detailed the truly amateurish biological survey that was carried out by the two biologists SMA used. These two identified just two bird species over several site visits. According to Jimmy, a credible survey would have identified dozens at the very least. Supporting letters were read. Marcy Scott pointed out that her observations over 8 years indicate that quite likely the habitat there — which was bulldozed and bladed in July, against recommendations received by US Fish & Wildlife — was prime or suitable habitat for many protected bird species.
I was personally a little concerned with a comment made by Jim Chiasson, PE, Technical Section Manager of the New Mexico Environment Department. In his closing statement he was attempting to show some sympathy for the location at Hope Rd. He then said everyone wants to put plants up in the desert and with enough money we could send sewage to the moon. Well, at one time SMA thought Site 5 (near the Hill dump) was viable. That is hardly the moon. However, last night Karl E. Tonander, a professional engineer with SMA, said that Site 5 was out because it was on or too near the protected Jornada Range. This was the first anyone had ever heard of this. You can be sure that this claim will be checked very carefully.
As one wag has already said to me by email: “One of the worst public meetings I have ever been too with regards to presentation and running of the meeting. They (SMA) may be a big firm but all the other engineering people there had a good laugh.” I too was impressed at the number of things they couldn’t answer and the way many hid behind the NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) and the ‘process’. Responsibility is being spread around so no one can be held responsible.
We have just been to a skirmish but the war awaits us. Keep the faith, stay vigilant, never forget we are right, and keep your fingers crossed that in the United States of America, the little guys can still win.
Ian Leslie
Vice-Chair of Amigos de los Robledos
