Water, Soil, Love
Friends of the Rio Hondo
More Local Events, May 2024
There's still a lot happening around Northern New Mexico. Here's a few items of note from our friends at the New Mexico Acequia Association:
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Dear Acequia Community,
Happy May! Planting season is here and our almácigos and semillas are ready to go into the soil and receive their first irrigation!
Please find below a collection of interesting events, opportunities and other resources for acequia farmers and ranchers for May 2024!
If you have any resources you’d like us to share - contact our Farms, Food & Seeds Program Coordinator at emily@lasacequias.org
NMAA Pala Power Hour - How To Access USDA Funds
Online Workshops for Farmers/Ranchers and Acequia Leadership
Join NMAA and partners from the US Department of Agriculture to learn how to access federal funding to enhance your individual farm/ranch operation, or your acequia as a whole.
Both events will be held online - join us using Zoom or call in from your phone!
Thursday May 9th - 12:00-1:00 (join us on your lunch break!) - How to Sign up with the Farm Service Agency (for individual farmers/ranchers)
Registering your farm land with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is a prerequisite to accessing any USDA funding for your farm or ranch! Join us to learn about how to complete the FSA sign up process and be ready for upcoming opportunities!
Tuesday May 28th - 5:30-6:30 pm (join us after work!) - EQIP and FSA Sign Up for Acequia Associations (for elected acequia commissioners & regional leadership)
Acequia leaders - join us to learn how to take advantage of USDA funding to improve your acequia infrastructure. We will talk through first steps, different programs and opportunities, and hear testimony from a fellow acequia that is currently in the process of receiving EQIP funding.
Click here to register for USDA funding workshops!
Other Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Soil Building with Swales and Microbes
When: Saturday May 4, 2024 10am - 4pm MT, lunch will be provided
Where: 34503 Highway 285 Ojo Caliente
Sign up here:
www.nmhealthysoil.org/portfolio/soil-building-with-swales-and-microbes/
Food Safety Training for Farmer's Market Participants
https://www.newmexicofma.org/docs/Food-Safety_Training-Flyer-2024.pdf
NMSU Extension to host Small Acreage Stewardship and Homesteading Skills workshop series
New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service will host a Small Acreage Stewardship and Homesteading Skills workshop series from April to October. The free workshops will be held at 6 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays at NMSU’s Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at Alcalde, 371 Country Road 40, Alcalde, New Mexico.
Topics include:
May 16 at 6 p.m.: Soil health and cover cropping systems
May 18 at 9 a.m.: Forage crops and improved pasture management; native grass establishment
May 30 at 6 p.m.: Vegetable gardening and drip systems
June 13 at 6 p.m.: Fruit orchards and vineyards management
July 11 at 6 p.m.: Weeds and insects; pest management and IPM principles; native pollinators
July 13 at 9 a.m.: Beekeeping basics
Plus many more
More information here: https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-extension-to-host-small-acreage-stewardship-and-homesteading-skills-workshop-series/s/52a23f11-045c-4737-8203-45c05fdef726?
Hoop House Construction Workshop
8 am - 3 pm
May 10, 2024
El Rito NM
More information and RSVP to 505-685-4523 or donmart@nmsu.edu
Employment Opportunities
Tewa Women United are looking to hire Garden Caretakers. More information at:
https://tewawomenunited.org/about-us/employment
Cookies With The Candidates
The Arroyo Seco Community Center (ASCCNM.ORG) is hosting candidates for District 4 County Commissioner on May 19 at 2:00 at the Arroyo Seco Community Center, 495 State Road 150.
Meet the District 4 County Commission candidates, ask questions, share your thoughts/concerns, and enjoy a cookie
"Best of Taos" Voting Now Open, Vote for FriendsoftheRioHondo.com!
Taos News is running their annual "Best of Taos" contest again. The survey is available now at: https://bestof.taosnews.com. We hope you'll take a minute to fill out the form and give a shout out to your favorite businesses and services.
And while you're at it, if you think we're doing a good job please write "FriendsoftheRioHondo.com" in for the Best Local Website under the Services category. We aren't listed with the other websites, so you have to write us into the "Write-in your nomination here" box at the top of the list.
This isn't an ego trip for us (well, maybe a little). Rather its a way for you to help us raise awareness of the importance of water and the causes we promote. If you think water, appropriate development, public lands and traditional communities are a good thing, give us your vote and help us extend our reach in the Taos Community.
Thank you!
World Water Day
Today, March 22nd, is World Water Day. The theme of World Water Day 2024 is ‘Water for Peace’.
From the United Nations:
"When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity and building resilience to shared challenges. We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life. This World Water Day, we all need to unite around water and use water for peace, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow."
To help celebrate World Water Day the New Mexico Acequia Association has released a music video starring their own Dabi Garcia as they sing Cancion de las Acequias:
"Ya vamos a la acequia
A la acequia van todos
Agarra ya la pala
Para limpiar el bordo"
We just can't get enough of the song and the stirring images of acequia culture in the video. Dabi also shares some thoughts:
"...the natural world is understood as a living extension of the body. Acequias are seen as channels of life bringing energy. The limpia is a practice that clears away the obstructions and hindrances of the life forces that flow and bring substance to the people. It’s a preparation clearing the pathways for energy for rebirth."
Read the whole thing here and enjoy the video:
It's that Acequia Time of the Year
There's lots going on in the New Mexico acequia community:
Applications are open for the Acequia Culture Youth Leadership Institute
The Acequia Culture Youth Leadership Institute is a group of Acequia Youth Leaders (age 14-19) from across New Mexico will be chosen to participate in a PAID learning and leadership program. We will have guest presenters, field trips and workshops, and youth discussions and projects. The Institue runs from May-November 2024, and includes 8 ONLINE learning sessions (1-2 per month) and 2-4 IN-PERSON field trips/workshops. For more information, please visit our website here. We appreciate you sharing this opportunity widely with young people in your families and communities. Applications are DUE on Monday April 8th!
Questions? Contact alex@lasacequias.org or call (505) 995-9644
Online Workshop: Get Growing: Funding to Support your Acequia Farm
Thursday March 21, 2024 from 6:00-7:30 pm
Learn how to access federal funding to enhance your farm operation! We will cover the basics of US Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service grants and funding opportunities to implement practices such as soil health improvements, irrigation infrastructure, and extended growing seasons with high tunnels and hoop houses.
NMDA Health Soils Grant Is Open!
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Healthy Soil Program grants are open and accepting applications until the April 26, 2024 deadline - see the NMDA website here for details. Many acequia farmers and ranchers from our communities have successfully applied and received funding from this program in the past!
All farmers, ranchers or community organizations submitting individual applications MUST meet with their local NRCS office to complete a conservation plan by March 22nd to be eligible to continue in the process.
The New Mexico Healthy Soils Working Group offers free one to one consultations to help you prepare and apply - check out their website and submit a request for support here.
Get Certified to Sell Your Produce at Schools, Senior Centers with the NM Farmers Market Association
The New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association offers training and technical assistance to help local growers get registered to be able to sell farm products to local institutions such as schools, senior centers and more! This process includes applying to become a certified producer, attending food safety training and other steps!
Learn more by contacting Alena Paisano, alena@farmersmarketsnm.org
Video: Rio Hondo Visita - March 2nd, Arroyo Hondo Community Center
The Taos Valley Acequia Association (https://www.taosacequias.org) held a visita at the Arroyo Hondo Community Center on Saturday, March 2nd. The main purpose of this meeting was to provide information on the Abeyta Settlement to residents of the Rio Hondo valley as well as other information of interest to Acequia Commissions and parciantes.
Video of the full meeting can be found here https://youtu.be/KCX1IZdEvpg
Entitlement at Taos Ski Valley
We know the owners and officers of TSVI routinely ignore the people who live in and near the Ski Valley when making decisions about how to run their business, but now we see that they ignore their customers as well. The Aspen Daily News comes out with a story of TSVI disrespecting local skiers. Read the whole thing.
"Ski area operators are not nourishing their golden goose. They are stuffing it to death for a dollop of pâté on their lettuce. With a proliferation of high-priced add-ons to daily lift tickets like pre-opening first tracks, expensive mountain clubs and other onslope dalliances of excess, they maximize profits today at the risk of eroding the organic skiing culture that is as important to the sport as snow.
“I thought about putting our condo on the market, I seriously thought about leaving this place I call home. … The decisions your organization makes impact who is drawn to this community. They impact housing costs, water rights and traffic in local businesses. They impact if children will return to Taos after college,” she wrote. "
While TSVI has already found that local people don't want to work for them and that they have earned the hostility of their neighbors with their development plants, they continue to make the mistake of thinking they can go it alone and don't need the support of their local community. The secret to living in Taos is to accept the community as you find it. To participate with trying to alter and to avoid doing harm. If you can do that, Taos is a warm and welcoming community. Without it, its as cold and harsh as the top of Kachina peak.
Rio Hondo Visita - 1 PM, March 2nd, Arroyo Hondo
The Taos Valley Acequia Association (https://www.taosacequias.org) is hosting a visita at the Arroyo Hondo Community Center on Saturday, March 2nd. The main purpose of this meeting is to provide information on the Abeyta Settlement to residents of the Rio Hondo valley.
Location: Arroyo Hondo Community Center, 26 Lower Arroyo Hondo, Arroyo Hondo, NM 8751
Topics include:
Update on Taos Valley Water Rights Settlement
Water Sharing on Rio Hondo
Arellano Adjudication
Update on Mutual Benefits
Update on Mutual Domestic Water Rights
Footprint Transfers
Water Banking
Change of Ownership of Water Rights
Round Table discussion on issues that pertain to the Río Hondo
2024 Annual Fruit Grower's Workshop
Sponsored by New Mexico State College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau.
Date: March 15, 2024
Time: 8:30-3:00
Location: Alcalde Community Center (map)
26 State Hwy 389, Alcalde, NM 87566
Fee: $20.00 meal and materials (pay at event)
For pre-registration please call: 505-471-4711 and speak with Tom or Andrea.
Pre-registration ends March 8, 2024.
AgriVenture Symposium, Unearthing Agriculture's Future - April 10th 2024, 9:15am-4:00pm
Taos County Agriculture Center
202 Chamisa Road Taos, NM, 87732
"Join us in Taos New Mexico to connect with specialists from New Mexico State University, learn about regenerative agriculture, hear insights on soil health after fire & flooding, discuss cattle outlook, incorporating discussions on innovative approaches like Wireless Fencing and Stress Management and essential knowledge on living with fire-prone landscapes."
Topics:
Regenerative Agriculture
Soil Health
Wireless Fencing
Cattle Outlook
Climate Trends
Living with Fire Prone Landscapes
More information here
Please RSVP if you plan to attend. You get a free lunch if you register to attend!
Climate & Skiing
An interesting article from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration about how climate change will effect skiing in the United States. While this analysis is focused on ski areas it applies to the Rio Hondo since a lot of our water originates as snow in and around Taos Ski Valley. Read the whole thing, it is interesting.
Some highlights:
"Ski resorts in the Southwest aren’t projected to get more snow, and snow cover is already starting later and retreating earlier. And by the end of this century, the report states, “it will be too warm to snow in many current snow-producing situations, and precipitation will mostly be rainfall.”
"Higher temperatures won’t automatically mean less snow in the Rocky Mountains. Small says, “What’s important is the temperature when it’s snowing, not the average temperature. There will still be light and fluffy snow. On average, there’s more snow in future simulations than in present-day simulations, at least during the middle of the winter. Many resorts in the Rocky Mountains should be fine, even with considerable climate change, because of the elevation.”
"Even with continued high greenhouse-gas emissions, high elevation will save many ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains. “I think the big result from our study was that,” Small says. “It won’t be true for all resorts, but Colorado should be fine with pretty considerable climate change because of the elevation.”
Taos County Extension Service Events for Spring 2024
The Extension Service is a great resource. From Will Jaremko-Wright, County Director, Taos County Cooperative Extension Service:
"We've got a busy spring ahead of us, and leading off our programing is some fruit tree and orchard specific programs. Beginning this Wednesday February 28th at 5:30pm at the Juan I Gonzales Agricultural Center we'll be covering apple tree integrated pest management and an overview of fruit pests, then a pruning workshop March 5th 2:00pm - 5:00pm at the Parr field orchard (across from the Taos Library) and then a repeat of the apple IPM presentation in Questa at the Questa Library on March 7th at 5:30pm. All events are free unless otherwise noted in the flyer. March 15th we'll have a fruit growers workshop at Alcalde, the cost is $20, with lunch included. I'll have some limited space in the extension truck that morning if you'd like to ride with me, please RSVP to me, I have space for 3 more. Always feel free to RSVP here to the office at my email or at taos@nmsu.edu or by calling our office at 575-758-3982. Hope to see you at one or more of these events."
The full schedule is here.
Taos Valley Acequia Association Annual Meeting
Mar 09, 2024, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Taos County Agricultural Center, 202 Chamisa Rd, Taos, NM 87571
The Taos Valley Acequia Association's mission is to ensure the long-term sustainability of our traditional agricultural community by protecting water rights and preserving and strengthening the acequia system.
They fulfill this mission by educating, informing, advising, and assisting acequias and their parciantes about their water rights, the laws and regulations pertaining to their water rights, and the historical uses, agreements, and customs related to acequias and water use and conservation.
Agenda here
The New Neighbors
January 13, 2024
If you're like us you've been fascinated by the beavers in the Hondo Canyon. We first noticed them about 10 years ago. In that time they have been moving down the river establishing new dams and lodges along the canyon. A friend recently pointed out to us that they have moved past the canyon mouth and are now established in the Rio Hondo valley.
This is excellent news. Beavers are very beneficial to watersheds. The beavers will help keep more water in the Rio Hondo and they will help keep that water cleaner. They will also help support the wildlife in our area. Hopefully we all welcome the beavers to the valley and do as much as we can to keep them here and allow them to thrive.
Beavers and humans can come into conflict. Beavers can dig holes through river banks and damage beneficial trees. Beaver dams can flood roads and buildings. If beavers are causing problems on your property there are steps you can take.
First of all, you should know that opening up or destroying a beaver dam usually doesn't work. The beavers will just rebuild it. If you are thinking of using lethal means to control beavers, don't. You need a license to trap and kill beavers in New Mexico and you have to do it in season. There are better ways to control these beneficial animals.
You can try to mitigate flooding through the use of pond levelers or similar devices. If that doesn't work, you can try to have the beavers relocated. But don't try to do that yourselves, you might kill the beavers if you don't know what you are doing. Instead call Animal Protection of New Mexico (505) 265-2322 (www.apnm.org) or the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish at (505) 476-8047.
Welcome neighbor, we're glad you are here!
[Image Steve Hersey, CC BY-SA 2.0]
Forest Service Further Delays Decision on TSV Gondola Project
January 4, 2024
The Forest Service has again pushed back their internal estimate for a decision on the Taos Ski Valley Gondola Project. The new schedule hasn't yet made it to the Project Webpage but if you look at the FS's internal project schedule, https://data.fs2c.usda.gov/nepaweb/current-sopa.php?forest=110302#5, you will see that they are now estimating a decision in May 2024.
Forest Service Again Delays Decision on TSV Gondola Project
October 31, 2023
Apparently the Forest Service has again delayed announcing a decision on the Taos Ski Valley Gondola Project. The new schedule hasn't yet made it to the Project Webpage but if you look at the FS's internal project schedule, https://data.fs2c.usda.gov/nepaweb/current-sopa.php?forest=110302#5, you will see that they are now estimating a decision in January.
This isn't unexpected, it took the Forest Service almost a year to announce their decision on the Scoping phase. And we're happy to have the Project delayed for as long a possible. We're still hoping for a decision that is good for the Rio Hondo and good for the people who live along the river.
24th Annual Congreso de las Acequias
November 17th and 18th, 2023
Sagebrush Inn, Taos, NM
Join acequias from across New Mexico for our 24th Annual Congreso de las Acequias! The Congreso de las Acequias is a vibrant gathering of acequias and our supporters from throughout New Mexico & Southern Colorado. We come together to celebrate our culture, share knowledge, and mobilize for our collective future. This two day gathering will include presentations with interactive dialogue, as well as our Congreso main event with music, art, teatro, presentations, and the beloved Bendición de las Aguas.
More about the Congreso including how to register is here
Arroyo Seco Community Center Fall Festival
Saturday, October 21
12:00 - 3:00
Apple Pressing - Bring Apples and Jars
Crafts
Games
Music
Vendors
Pumpkin Carving
The Effect of Hiking and Biking on Wildlife
A quick and interesting read in the The Atlantic:
"Unfortunately for the Gunnison sage grouse, the seasonal rhythms that send cyclists outside coincide with the rhythms that make the birds start fanning and strutting like little brown peacocks, in a bid to reproduce. Back in the early 2000s, they were stuck flaunting their strange mating dance amid Hartman Rocks’ ever-more-popular trail system. The birds did not love loud noises and two-legged creatures zooming by on wheels. Stress made them mate less and abandon their leks, one more straw on a dwindling population’s back."
It's worth reading and thinking about.
The State Sues Chris Stagg, VP of Taos Ski Valley Inc., Alleges Ethics Violations
October 9, 2023
From the Taos News:
"On Friday afternoon (Oct. 6), the New Mexico State Ethics Commission filed a civil lawsuit against Taos Ski Valley, Inc. Vice President Chris Stagg in Taos' 8th Judicial District Court. The suit seeks a permanent injunction to prevent Stagg from further "engaging in official acts that directly affect his financial interest in or with TSVI in violation of subsection 10-16-4(B), the Governmental Conduct Act."
Hopefully this is another positive step in resolving the ongoing governance issues in the Ski Valley. Read the whole article.
Update October 11th: Here's the complaint that was filed in court:
https://www.sec.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-10-06-Compl-Stagg-1.pdf
The Clean Outdoor Manifesto
Check out The Clean Outdoor Manifesto. We don't know much about the people or organization behind the manifesto but we sure like what they are saying.
An interesting article on the transition from snow sports to mountain biking at ski resorts in Europe. Some quotes:
"'To have a future, he believes mountain communities need to escape from 'the current model of development,' which is dangerously dependent 'on what’s essentially a tourism monoculture based on downhill skiing.'”
"'But it’s obvious that it’s a model that’s now obsolete.' He argues that ski resorts should preserve any untouched terrain they have left for low-impact activities like snowshoeing or ski touring (where participants climb the mountain under their own steam), instead of spending millions on new skiing infrastructure.'"
Rio Grande del Norte’s National Monument Management Plan
From our friends at the Taos Mountain Alliance:
"The BLM is seeking comments on Rio Grande del Norte’s National Monument first Management Plan - we’re interested in reestablishing access at sites lost over the past five years, ensuring solid water quality in the Rio and it’s tribs, and setting up the BLM to bring in Federal Dollars for restoration, management, and access improvement work. Before Sept. 20th please send your comments to the BLM:
"-The BLM reopen/ establish access at: the La Junta trail, Embudo confluence, B-007 above John Dunn Bridge, and Manby Hot Springs.
"- Increase monitoring of stream health in important tributaries like the Rio Hondo and on the Rio Grande.
"-Ensure all Monument fencing is wildlife safe
"-Complete annual fish and wildlife habitat projects in the Monument and on important adjacent lands and waters
"-Ensure boat ramps and boat ramp toilets are maintained and usable
"Link here: https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-seeks-public-comment-rio-grande-del-norte-national-monument-plan"
Gondola Project Decision Delayed Again
The Forest Service now estimates it will make a decision on the Gondola Project about October 1st, 2023.
"Climate crisis means quarter of European ski resorts face scarce snow"
From The Guardian:
"A quarter of European ski resorts will have scarce snow every other year with 2C [Currently the world is on track for 2.7C of global heating ] of global heating, a comprehensive analysis has found. It calls into question whether such resorts have a future as the climate crisis intensifies.
"Dr Samuel Morin, research scientist at Météo-France and CNRS in Toulouse and Grenoble, said: 'Ski tourism is a niche issue in the face of climate change, but from the point of view of the people who live in the mountains and make a living from the industry, it is very important to really understand to what extent climate change is threatening the activity, and to take into account the impact this activity has on the climate.'
"Increased snowmaking would increase the water demand in resorts by about 20% on average with 2C of heating, the researchers estimated, which would be challenging in some places and not in others."
The source article, linked in the Guardian article, is quite detailed and provides a lot of information and insight. Including:
"In particular, it remains questionable whether far-reaching policies required to limit global warming to +2 °C are compatible with carbon intensive tourism activities in their current form, in particular regarding transportation, housing and the carbon intensity of electricity production. Even if a substantial fraction of European ski resorts is projected to still be able to operate at 2 °C global warming, the ability of ski tourism destinations, as a whole, to achieve their share of greenhouse gas emission reductions required to remain below this global warming level is a major challenge."
Contact Your Congress Members and Ask Them to Speak with the Forest Service
Posted 8/20/2023
The Forest Service says it will make a decision about the Taos Ski Valley Gondola and Other Improvements Project soon. As they prepare to make that decision we'd like to keep up the pressure on the Forest Service to make the right decision.
Therefore, we are asking folks to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives to ask for their help with the Gondola Project. We want you to ask our Congressional Delegation to contact the Forest Service and ask them to cancel the project or develop an Environmental Impact Statement for the Gondola Project. It will only take about 20 minutes to write and send your letters.
We've set up a page with instructions, contact information and a sample letter. You can find it at: https://www.friendsoftheriohondo.com/contact-your-representatives
Thank You to Commissioner Vigil
Thank You to Taos County Commissioner Darlene Vigil for her courage in raising the possibility of a County Commission resolution in support of a moratorium on development at TSV. Read more about it at the Taos News.
Help Arroyo Seco Build a Community Center in Our Area
Arroyo Seco is working to convert their old school building into a community center that offers services and events. They are looking for folks to help them in planning and organizing that effort. If you want to help, especially if you live in one of the Rio Hondo communities, please send a note to ascc-board@googlegroups.com
Tourism Survey
The Town of Taos is conducting a survey to help guide tourism policy in the area. To ensure our voices are heard, please take a few minutes to fill out the survey. Be sure to include any thoughts you have about specific developments and/or developers. The survey deadline is September 11, 2023
Take the survey here: https://taos.org/tourism-revisited/
Recent Activity in the Ski Valley
The top photo shows the current status of the Hotel St. Barnard. At this point it's just a hole in the ground surrounded by foundation work.
The bottom photo shows the slope above the Phoenix Lodge. I suppose they clear-cut to clean out downed trees on the slope. But we think they may have created an avalanche hazard in one of the more delicate portions of the mountain.
Tree Thinning in the Hondo Canyon Set to Begin
According to the Taos News tree thinning is about to begin on Highway 150 in the Hondo Canyon. About 300 acres of trees will be thinned over a period of months. The point is to reduce the risk and severity of wildfire in the canyon. We're OK with that, but we're not so sure about the plan to burn the slash.
More information and links can be found at the Taos County Wildfire website.
You Can't Make This Stuff Up!
According to the Taos News the Ski Valley is a few years and many millions of dollars away from solving it's water problems. It turns out that "a not-insignificant portion of the ski valley's municipal water system infrastructure was constructed with 'Schedule 40 PVC pipe' that appears to have been installed either improperly or with inadequate bedding."
Schedule 40 PVC pipe is plastic pipe that is usually used for waste water. It's not meant to deliver water under pressure. Schedule 40 PVC is fragile and easy to crack or break if its not installed properly. But, again, even if its handled properly its not meant to be used to deliver water to homes.
The Village has had to have known about this situation for years, yet they failed to address the issues until the system had multiple catastrophic failures. If we lived in the Ski Valley we would be quite upset with our elected Village representatives.
Reading between the lines of the Taos News story it sounds like the Village will have to dig up and replace most of the pipe in the system and that could take years. The Village is currently looking for $13+ million dollars to repair the system.
If you've got some time to spare....
Our friends at the Taos Mountain Alliance are looking for some help:
"If you can work with a few of our followers/organizers who are taking the lead to contact civic leaders, attend Town and County meetings, interact and keep the dialogs going with CNF/TSVI, and generally organize, please volunteer by sending an email with your interest to:
taosmountainalliance@gmail.com "
A Step in the Right Direction
Chris Stagg has stepped down from his position as commissioner on the Village of Taos Ski Valley Planning and Zoning Commission. Accusations of conflicts of interest have plagued his tenure on the Commission and we feel this is a great, but belated, way to resolve those issues.
Read more about it at the Taos News
What's Going on Now with the Gondola Project?
We're waiting for the Forest Service to make a decision about the Draft EA. They can decide to issue a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) and approve the Project to move ahead immediately. Or they can decide to conduct more research into the Project by way of a "Environmental Impact Statement" (EIS). Conducting an EIS would significantly delay the project.
Announcing the decision will kick off an official objection period. And either decision is likely to result in administrative appeals and maybe even lawsuits. We have no idea how all of that could play out or what it could mean for the timeline.
The Forest Service can issue a decision at anytime. The Project webpage says they estimate their decision will be made by July 1, 2023. But the last time they had to make a decision like this it took almost a year.
Looking for information on the Draft Environmental Analysis process?
We archived all that and gave it it's own page here
