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Summer 2002 Bulletin
“Living in Denial”
Cynthia Gomez, Albuquerque Projects Director
Albuquerque’s only underground water source, the aquifer, is becoming depleted, and it is not being recharged. Rainstorms and snow runoff from the Sandia Mountains are usual sources for recharge, yet with increasing dry spells, human consumption is one of the largest culprits of the drying aquifer. Overuse brings the aquifer to seriously low levels. Most experts predict lower aquifer levels over the next 40 years that may cause irreversible impacts with a number of chain reaction effects. This thirsty wake-up call prompted city planners to look for alternative water sources. Now the San Juan Chama water, purchased from Colorado by the City of Albuquerque over 30 years ago, is hoped to be the “Silver Bullet” that will solve Albuquerque’s water woes. Recently, the City of Albuquerque moved forward with their proposal to formally request a permit from the New Mexico State Engineer to divert surface water from the Rio Grande for municipal, industrial and related purposes. This permit request includes 47,000 acre feet of city owned San Juan Chama water plus diverting an additional 47,000 acre feet of “borrowed native river water”. This city proposal assumes the Rio Grande as a free mode of transport and has the arrogance to believe the native water is theirs for the taking. The city proposes to build an inflatable dam across the river near Alameda Bridge where the San Juan Chama water, along with native water would be diverted into the city water system. In this proposal, the total 94,000 acre feet of water would be treated to drinking quality or tertiary standards for city use. It is also proposed that after fully using the 47,000 acre feet of “borrowed native river water,” it be chemically treated and returned as waste water into the Rio Grande in the South Valley, fifteen miles from the original water diversion point. The diversion of native water will deprive the river of its own water and impose negative effects on the health of the river, its aquatic life and the Bosque for the fifteen mile stretch. After months of careful review the city’s proposal was challenged by a collaborative of state wide organizations, downstream farmers and rate payers. Amigos Bravos, Rio Grande Restoration, Sierra Club and New Mexico Public Interest Group, Socorro Soil and Conservation district, John Carangelo, and the Assessment Payers Association of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District joined in protest against the Albuquerque Water Project filed in the New Mexico State Engineer’s office November 28, 2001. The collaborative’s members represent many of their own communities as local leaders, residents, farmers, recreationalists and nature enthusiasts who recognize and share the following concerns about the Albuquerque drinking water plan. Water should be improved to a high drinking water quality with equity throughout the city and return minimal flows of 250 cfs (cubic foot per second flow) to the Rio Grande. Water quality is essential to all Albuquerque families and to downstream water users, the health of downstream crops, and the plants and animals that depend on the Rio Grande. Farmers understand that a healthy river produces healthy crops. These crops are grown locally and sold locally at growers markets and food co-operatives. More chemically treated water returned to the river, combined with lower flow and dilution, means a risk of unhealthy crops. The biological, chemical and physical integrity of the aquifer and the Rio Grande must be secured at the highest standards by appropriate investment in treatment technologies. Pro-Action Capsule:
As Albuquerque residents we are reminded daily that we reside in the high desert. Dry winds kick up dust clouds over the city and tumbleweeds the size of an economy car speed across our paths on the freeway. Dust devils have been spinning this arid land for centuries. Then there appears the fine example of the largest Cottonwood forest in North America nurtured by the Rio Grande, a seeming oasis in the desert. Yet the reality is that in recent dry seasons and with upcoming drought years, farmers and environmentalists continue negotiating water use; the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District recognizes the urgency to change to a stringent water schedule, and the City of Albuquerque nervously seeks solutions for our depleting aquifer.
Water Quantity and Quality: The additional diversion of 47,000 acre feet of native water will deplete the Rio Grande and Bosque for approximately fifteen miles. Reducing river flows will tend to concentrate contaminants at low flows raising legitimate concerns that effluent from the city treatment system will further threaten the crops of downstream farmers, imperil the river’s ecosystem, threaten human health and potentially violate Isleta pueblo water quality standards.
NO New Invasive Measures: Viable and existing diversion points to extract the San Juan Chama water are already in place and should be negotiated. The proposed inflatable dam would impose additional strains on a struggling river and the life it naturally sustains. An additional dam structure has more potential for harm and works against restoration and protection of the river ecology.
Conservation, Restoration and Recharge: Conservation could “create” nearly as much new water as the proposed city project itself. If resident use was lowered from the current 209 gallons per day to 150 gallons per day (as is done in El Paso and Tucson), it is possible that 30,000 acre feet of water would not be pumped from the diminishing aquifer. Bosque restoration is an essential water conservation practice. By removing water thirsty salt cedar and Russian olive and replacing them with young cottonwoods, the Bosque itself would use less water, increasing river flows and adding to the natural recharge of the aquifer. At the same time this restoration decreases the incidence of fires during dry seasons.
Sacred Waters, Wise Use and Responsible Vision: Many New Mexicans believe and live in ways that are not threatening to their natural environment. Living in relation to the environment means recommitting to cultural values of land-based communities in order to maintain the integrity of our high desert landscape. Many remember growing up in the enchantment of New Mexico, while others are drawn to it because of the natural beauty, multi-cultural expressions, a rich and varied history, and tranquility. Change is inevitable yet change can move in many directions, it does not have to be at the cost of the Rio Grande, the Bosque, or the aquifer. Change right now can mean being smarter and wiser about our choices. We are fortunate, today we have choices about the river. Too many Southwest communities hastily lost and killed their natural rivers, which were replaced with concrete slabs and dry gullies. It doesn’t take much to kill a river. The children and grandchildren we raise depend on each of us to make wise decisions about their quality of life.
For information on how you may participate contact Cynthia Gomez at 924-2223 or Deb Hibbard at 266-3609. We would be happy to speak to your group or organization about the Alliance Alternative or River Information. This article is written by Cynthia Gomez and informed by numerous sources including Amigos Bravos, Rio Grande Restoration, The Alliance for the Rio Grande Heritage, the City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Journal.
Member groups and individuals of the Albuquerque Water Protest offers viable alternatives that you can support.
You can support the following activities in water planning:
1. Maintain flows of Native Rio Grande Water
2. Optimize Water Conservation
3. Restore the Bosque
4. Protect Water Quality for Everyone
5. No New Dams
6. Manage the Albuquerque Water Project Based on Seasonal Flow Needs
7. Promote responsible growth policies
• Become better informed by reading the Albuquerque Water Plan at: cabq.gov/waterpolicy and the Alliance Alternative Plan at: savetherio.org. Then talk with your family, friends, neighbors about it.
• Speak with your city Counselor, Mayor, Senators, County Commissioners or running candidates and the NM State Engineer. Let them know that you are concerned and why you support the alternatives.
• Sign on to a letter supporting the protest to the Albuquerque Water Project by contacting Cynthia Gomez, Amigos Bravos @ 924-2223 or Deb Hibbard, Rio Grande Restoration @ 266-3609.
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