After almost a two year battle to reopen Forest Road 40E west of Kingston to public access, we prevailed. The lock is removed and the entry to Middle Percha Canyon is opened with a permanent easement. This story reflects the joy felt by lovers of the canyon.
Five "directors" will be appointed to run the new flood-control taxing district that was approved by Sierra Countians Nov. 5. These volunteer directors will serve about a year, until the electorate can choose their representatives during local elections, November 2025.
Thank goodness the city was not brought to account and punished for bad management, lack of planning and neglect of the water and wastewater infrastructure. Breaking ground on critical waterline replacement is about a year out while engineers draw up plans.
This is the third op-ed by Sierra County Flood Commissioner Sandy Jones that I have sponsored. Jones is a governor-appointed official who oversees flood-control projects and funds them with the 1.5 mills county property owners currently pay. Will voters approve the creation of a second county flood-control taxing district?
The Legislative Finance Committee asked for and received advice on what to do to fix the looming water and wastewater infrastructure problem. Local entities say they need $5.7 billion for repairs over the next five years. T or C was used as an example of what not to do.
Truth or Consequences Mayor Rolf Hechler sees the city's increasing number of grant/loans with USDA as "success." Can we afford to keep cramming water projects into the pipeline with no apparent coordination or reasoning to their order and no explanation to constituents?
The water and sewer systems are dying carcasses that are attracting vulture-like opportunists. Meanwhile, the people are paying ever-increasing water and sewer fees. Who is protecting us from the vultures? No one. The city needs to hire an engineer who can coordinate and communicate. No mumblers or wonks.
Republication of article by "Capital & Main" in New Mexico Political Report, September 12, 2024. Its topic is the wastewater produced in fracking for gas and oil operations in New Mexico: its toxicity, the earthquakes produced by its injection into the ground, and the proposal to reuse it.
Attorneys for the state say that landowners are refusing to comply with a 2022 NM Supreme Court ruling allowing public access to rivers and streams. Republication of article by Danielle Prokop, of Source NM, September 6, 2024.
It's sickening that Augustin Plains Ranch, owned by an Italian billionaire, has forced the people to pay for legal battle after legal battle to stave off a massive water grab.
The funds for the Citizen are down to the last few hundred dollars, enough to get us to October. But we hope readers will donate enough to get us through all of next year.
Flood control for Williamsburg, the southeastern part of Truth or Consequences and the Sierra County Fairgrounds is going to be expensive. Liability is probably driving this project, but it’s not been explicitly stated.
