Wednesday, Jun 1 2011 2:54PM
Northern New Mexico residents could lose water to a New York-based corporation that wants to pump the resource from a local basin.
A number of residents, businesses and municipalities in northern New Mexico are fighting to retain control of water from the San Augustin Basin, which many rural communities depend on for daily use. This fight comes after reports surfaced that a New York-based corporation indicated plans to pump water from the source.
The plans drew nearly 900 protests from regional citizens and companies, according to the El Defensor Chieftain. The paper states that the nonprofit San Augustin Water Coalition (SAWC) is heading the protest against the water usage by Augustin Plains Ranch, stating it would utilize too much water that area households depend upon.
Caren Cowen, executive director of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, told the newspaper the people living in rural communities in northern new Mexico have a right to contest the plans, stating the water is rightfully theirs. However, she acknowledged the uphill battle it may take to do so.
"It will take a fight like you're putting up to preserve water rights," she said.
The SAWC states it plans to hold meetings to keep the local residents informed of the status of the request by Augustin Plains Ranch.