Copyright © 2011 by SAWC · All Rights reserved · E-Mail: sanaugustinwatercoalition@gmail.com
San Augustin Water Coalition
fighting for a sustainable New Mexico
Water News
Next Water Coalition Meeting:
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Time: Noon
Place: Datil Elementary School Gym
Annual Meeting and Candidates Forum.
Visitor's welcome! Click here for details.
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Time: Noon
Place: Datil Elementary School Gym
Annual Meeting and Candidates Forum.
Visitor's welcome! Click here for details.
Who is "Augustin Plains Ranch LLC"?
The speculator reportedly behind Augustin Plains Ranch LLC, the corporation attempting to appropriate water from Catron County's ground water acquifer, is Italian national Bruno Modena. This is not the first time Mr. Modena has been involved in a questionable profit-taking venture inside the US, nor the first time local residents have united to oppose his plans. Read more about him here.
Augustin Plains Ranch LLC filed with the state of NM in August of 2006. Its principle address is 40 Exchange Place, 19th Floor New York New York 10005, organizer is Barry W. Silverstein (123 East Marcy Santa Fe New Mexico 87501).
The speculator reportedly behind Augustin Plains Ranch LLC, the corporation attempting to appropriate water from Catron County's ground water acquifer, is Italian national Bruno Modena. This is not the first time Mr. Modena has been involved in a questionable profit-taking venture inside the US, nor the first time local residents have united to oppose his plans. Read more about him here.
Augustin Plains Ranch LLC filed with the state of NM in August of 2006. Its principle address is 40 Exchange Place, 19th Floor New York New York 10005, organizer is Barry W. Silverstein (123 East Marcy Santa Fe New Mexico 87501).
Expert witness predicts water grab will "create draw
down of 30 feet a year"
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, who solicited the expert testimony, joins as a protestant against the Augustin Plains Ranch proposal. Full text of expert testimony here.
down of 30 feet a year"
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, who solicited the expert testimony, joins as a protestant against the Augustin Plains Ranch proposal. Full text of expert testimony here.
Many members of The San Augustin Water Coalition are represented by attorney Bruce Frederick of the New Mexico Environmental Law Center. You can check their website for updates to and news of the case. A complete list of plaintiff attorneys is HERE.
A comprehensive list of protestants (and their attorneys) is available from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.
A comprehensive list of protestants (and their attorneys) is available from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.
Read the letter from the Coalition board to the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer here. The San Augustin Water Coalition is working to protect the water rights of ALL New Mexicans.
Articles of Interest:
"Water Heist in the Plains of San Augustin" by Jack Loeffler, in The Greenfire Times, January 2011
"Study says US Southwest Could See 60-Year Drought" news article published in The Greenfire Times, January 2011
"Mysterious firm's water plan draws protests" by Staci Matlock, Santa Fe New Mexican, 5 Sept 2008
"Water Grab Protestors Unite" by T S Last, El Defensor Chieftain, 2 June 2010
"San Augustin Basin Under Study by NMBGR" by T S Last, El Defensor Chieftain, 30 Dec 2009
"San Augustin Plains to Dark Mountain: A Troubled Journey" by Don Wiltshire, Magdalena Mountain Mail, 3 Sept 2009
"Ranchers Taking A Stand In Augustin Plains Water Grab" by John Larson, Magdalena Mountain Mail, 18 Dec 2008
"Catron County confluence: Water unites ranchers and environmentalists in a conservative corner of New Mexico" by Arla Shephard, High Country News, 23 Nov 2009
"The Water Grab on the Augustin Plains" Sierra Club - Southern New Mexico Group
"NM Ranchers: Venture threatens to leave area dry" by John Fleck, Albuquerque Journal, 10 Apr 2010. Reproduced in Deseret News.
"Water Heist in the Plains of San Augustin" by Jack Loeffler, in The Greenfire Times, January 2011
"Study says US Southwest Could See 60-Year Drought" news article published in The Greenfire Times, January 2011
"Mysterious firm's water plan draws protests" by Staci Matlock, Santa Fe New Mexican, 5 Sept 2008
"Water Grab Protestors Unite" by T S Last, El Defensor Chieftain, 2 June 2010
"San Augustin Basin Under Study by NMBGR" by T S Last, El Defensor Chieftain, 30 Dec 2009
"San Augustin Plains to Dark Mountain: A Troubled Journey" by Don Wiltshire, Magdalena Mountain Mail, 3 Sept 2009
"Ranchers Taking A Stand In Augustin Plains Water Grab" by John Larson, Magdalena Mountain Mail, 18 Dec 2008
"Catron County confluence: Water unites ranchers and environmentalists in a conservative corner of New Mexico" by Arla Shephard, High Country News, 23 Nov 2009
"The Water Grab on the Augustin Plains" Sierra Club - Southern New Mexico Group
"NM Ranchers: Venture threatens to leave area dry" by John Fleck, Albuquerque Journal, 10 Apr 2010. Reproduced in Deseret News.
Hearing on Motion to Dismiss
Hearing on Motion to Dismiss
April 9, 2012 - Update!
State Engineer's Office rejects the water-mining application. The complete written decision is available here. The State Engineer's decision leaves the door open for future amended application, but represents a major set-back to water speculation.
For more detailed information, you can read Carol Pittman's summary HERE.
Water miners file appeal of their plan's rejection. The struggle is not over yet.
You can view the appeal here.
For more detailed information, you can read Carol Pittman's summary HERE.
Water miners file appeal of their plan's rejection. The struggle is not over yet.
You can view the appeal here.
