| SANTA FE - Draft guidelines that describe procedures for processing water rights
applications within the Estancia Underground Water Basin (EUWB) were released
today by the Office of the State Engineer.
"The Estancia area is rapidly undergoing new development and economic
expansion. These guidelines commit the State to better management of this
area," said State Engineer Tom Turney. "These guidelines are designed
to extend the life of the aquifer. They further protect existing water right
holders," he added.
The central portion of the EUWB has been administered for several decades as a
mined basin. Portions of the basin are now experiencing large rates of water
level decline. The State Engineer has developed new computation tools that more
accurately assess this decline. The guidelines incorporate these new
computational tools in the water right administrative process.
The guidelines designate a Critical Management Area. Within this area,
limitations and restrictions will be imposed for new wells. As an example, new
domestic wells will be required to be metered and will be limited to inside use
only. Except for these small domestic wells, new applications to appropriate
ground water are proposed under the guidelines to be denied.
"These new procedures emphasize this generation's responsibility to ensure
a sufficient water supply for future generations of New Mexicans. We are
proposing new guidelines which place greater restrictions on the drilling and
use of new wells, while allowing new wells if their impacts are minimal,"
said Mr. Turney.
The Estancia Basin covers portions of Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Torrance counties
and includes the communities of; Edgewood, Stanley, Moriarty, Estancia, Willard,
Mountainair, Chilli, Tajique, Torreon, and Clines Corners....
A public presentation of the draft guidelines will be provided by the agency at
6 PM on Tuesday, August 28th, 2001 at the Torrance
County Courthouse, Estancia, New Mexico in the big courtroom. Comments will be
taken for two weeks after this hearing. Written comments are encouraged and will
be considered prior to the adoption of the guidelines. Copies of the Order and
guidelines will be available from the State Engineer's web site at
www.ose.state.nm.us Copies may
also be obtained by calling (505) 841-9480. |
