The State Engineer's hearing of the protests against the application to transfer water rights to be used for reopening Copper Flat Mine will begin tomorrow. Here is an explanation of how that process will work.
A gleam in George Lotspeich's eye created the idea of Copper Flat Mine in the 1950s, and over the years, he was able to make millions with that idea, but not from mining copper. For over 70 years, it's been just that, an idea and not a mine.
No more well applications will be approved by the Office of the State Engineer in the Hot Springs Underground Water Basin, which includes a lot more than just the Hot Springs District.
A huge majority of the Truth or Consequences locals and visitors alike are unaware of what lies beyond the city limits.
New Mexico in coordination with the US Geological Society look for "critical minerals" at Copper Flat Mine in an effort to expand mining.
In the hearing on the application to transfer water rights to wells in Caballo for use at Copper Flat Mine, the hearing examiner has decided that Percha-Animas Water Association has standing to appear as a protestant against the granting of the application.
Water conservation has been a legal requirement in New Mexico for several decades, but until now, the courts have never discussed or defined the requirement. Yesterday, the Appeals Court gave substance to law by affirming a lower court decision based on conservation principles.
Even with the ethics bar set low in New Mexico politics, Mark Ronchetti manages to slither under it. Among his bad acts: campaign ads that stretch the truth, accepting contributions from fake electors (again), and his refusal to provide press credentials for a reporter to attend his campaign event.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court decided a forfeiture case in Sierra County in favor of the public.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park announces its third lecture series for the 2022-2023 season. Join us every other Wednesday, 6 PM, for all nine of the free lectures that range from creepy crawlies to water woes to lots of local history.
There is nothing to the rumor that the New Mexico State Veterans Home administrator was escorted off the property in handcuffs this week. But the churn in the administrator's position was revealed while slaying the rumor.
When it comes to government ethics violations we need look no further than within the borders of Sierra County and our own state representative Rebecca Dow.
