Jeff gave an overview and reiterated his opposition. Each panel member made a brief statement and then questions were taken from the audience. Tom Austin started off and covered many aspects, including some fairly technical legal issues. There seems to be a real question whether NMFA money was properly spent. The NMFA rep thinks so, but many of us don’t agree.

Jeff also made clear that the City of Las Cruces (CLC) has the capacity to handle waste water from up to 6000 additional households. Obviously this is more than Dona Ana village and surrounding area needs. However, CLC can not approach Dona Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumer’s Association (DAMDWCA), but rather DAMDWCA has to approach CLC. This is because of a lawsuit that was settled in DAMDWCA’s favor. Jeff strongly encouraged DAMDWCA to talk to CLC about this alternative to building a new plant. Let’s hope they start talking.

Ian and Cathie Leslie spoke as well. Ian stated the vast difference in the way DAMDWCA advertised the meeting for the site behind the Hill Baptist Church in 2004, versus the tiny little notice in the Las Cruces Sun News in March 2009. This is the notice that didn’t say anything about the Hope Road location even though that was the site in question. Cathie mentioned that in the Souder, Miller & Associates (SMA) July 2008 report, Leasburg and Ft. Seldon areas are referred to as remote, but that the proposed WWTP is said to be in a central location. How can it be central and remote at the same time?

There was strong opposition from customers of DAMDWCA concerning being forced to hook up and increased rates. It turns that the county plans to turn over the existing sewer system to DAMDWCA. This means that rates will be set by DAMDWCA and not the county. A rather emotional plea from one DAMDWCA customer to Sue Padilla (county utilities) asked that the county NOT turn over control to DAMDWCA. Apparently only the county commissioners can do this. So let them hear your voice.

These weren’t the only voices heard. All were heartfelt, and many put the various reps on notice. All eyes will be on them and the process.

Let me close by saying that Jeff Steinborn was great. He ran a good meeting and made it clear what he wants to happen. He asked how many in the audience would like to see the 25 acres become a park. All but a very few raised their hand.

As Cathie Leslie said to Jeff after the meeting – “At the October meeting we were heard, at this meeting we were listened to”.

Representative Steinborn is supporting our effort to keep the Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) from being put in at Hope Road. Last Tuesday he made this clear to the board of Dona Ana Municipal District Water Consumer’s Association (DAMDWCA). He told them that he wanted to work with them to find a better alternative. One possible alternative that has not been considered to date, is to use the full capacity of the existing sewer line already serving the Village of Dona Ana and connected to the City of Las Cruces (CLC) system. If future growth warrants, then a new line could be extended. Although no discussions have been held with the city on such a proposal, it is known that the city has the capacity and has no set rules preventing such action.

It is important for everyone to realize that there is no evidence that there is a ground water problem in our north valley area. Nitrate levels are quite low and no tests have been done to determine if the small amount of nitrates present are from human waste or from agriculture (mainly fertilizers). Obviously a WWTP would do nothing for fertilizer contamination. Further there is often talk about growth and growth’s inevitability. If a WWTP is put in, then there will be growth – most likely of the development kind. Someone will probably make a bunch of money at our expense.

Please do your best to attend Tuesday’s meeting. My guess is that the press will be there and a big turnout should help us. We’ve come quite a ways from that day DAMDWCA was grading the 25 acre site, and we learned what they had in mind. It is my hope that the DAMDWCA board will see the wisdom of taking another course of action

Ian Leslie
Vice-Chair, Amigos de los Robledos

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

With that said it is incredibly important for as many people to show up as possible. I’m sure one of the speakers could turn back to the crowd and say “Everyone who is opposed to the sewer plant going in by Hope Road, raise your hand.” Can you imagine a hundred, maybe two-hundred, people raising their hands and saying “We are!” If you can come come early, meaning 6:00 PM, please do so. We can’t trust DAMDWCA sticking to their schedule. So far they have been less than completely open.

We have a fight on our hands, but one we can win if we all do our part.

Ian Leslie, 891 Eagle Wings Road