By Rodd Cayton
The Village of Corrales has a 40-year water plan. The document, required by the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and crucial to the village’s water future, was approved at the Aug. 18 Village Council meeting. It projects Corrales’ long-term water supply needs and identifies conservation protocols for the village.
Before the unanimous vote, councilors noted several challenges the village faces, including regional drought conditions, dropping water tables and the state’s obligations under the Rio Grande Compact. A “water team” appointed by then-Mayor Jim Fahey said earlier that the 40-year plan is key to protecting Corrales’ water rights and holding onto any additional rights it might gain in the future. The plan now goes to the state engineer’s office for approval.
Councilor Stuart Murray said he expects New Mexico to face litigation over the Rio Grande Compact, which governs water distribution among the states of Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. He said that he expects Corrales to face “serious restrictions” as the result of any lawsuit. He said ousting invasive species might soften the blow to the village.
“We need to put money into maintenance of our Bosque and ways to get rid of invasive growth that has taken additional water resources away along the river and possibly in the village,” Murray said, adding that other approaches include campaigning for the state legislature to offer mitigation dollars to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) and asking the federal government to remove invasive species within the Rio Grande proper. He said limiting lawn sizes and urging xeriscaping and use of drought-resistant plants that do not require large amounts of water could also be helpful.
MRGCD official Jo Strange told councilors the middle valley is “inundated with invasive species,” to the point they use more water than agriculture.
Also at the meeting, attorney Jill Sweeney presented an informational briefing on updating the village’s 2017 Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) ordinance. Village Administrator Melanie Romero told councilors the item came up because a Farmland Preservation and Agricultural Commission member asked whether the village could provide some kind of economic assistance to help local farmers pay for items such as hoop houses or irrigation equipment. Sweeney said LEDA serves as the sole legal exception to the New Mexico Constitution’s anti-donation clause, allowing local governments to provide public financial support, land, or infrastructure to private entities for economic development.
Romero said those last two words might indicate unwanted growth is planned, but that’s not the case. “We are not trying to bring in more businesses,” she said. “I know that’s a concern for the residents right now. My goal was ‘how do we help our farmers?’ They are struggling, and I have heard again and again and again in this room, ‘how do we help our farmers?’ And I think this could be the tool.”
An updated LEDA ordinance will return for formal council consideration in the coming months. In another presentation, Vanessa Miller was introduced as the new executive director for Corrales MainStreet.