NM State Engineer Issues Notice on Augustin Plains Ranch Application
Albuquerque, NM – The Augustin Plains Ranch, LLC (APR) announced today that the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer (OSE) has instructed it to publish notice of its application for a permit to pump, reclaim, and then transport 54,000 acre-feet of water per year (AFY) from its location near Datil, New Mexico to those Rio Grande River communities that are most in need. The application was initially filed with the OSE on July 14, 2014. This action by the State Engineer will allow the project to move forward to the hearing phase, where the details and benefits of the proposal will be thoroughly evaluated.
“This project, much like the San Juan-Chama before it, will provide a sustainable source of water for generations of New Mexicans while securing habitats for protected endangered species and creating solid, economic benefits to local communities,” said Project Director Michel Jichlinski. “Equally important is the incredible opportunity before us of working with the state’s institutions to make New Mexico a world leader in innovative water resources development technologies. This is a very exciting time and we are very pleased with the State Engineer’s moving forward with our application.”
The hearing phase will include a full and comprehensive study of the area’s hydrology and the presentation of a plan to maximize the project’s benefits to the local communities.
APR looks forward to collaborating with the environmental community to optimize the design of the project as we work toward increasing instream flows in the Rio Grande to secure habitats and better protect endangered species.
“APR continues to encourage the local communities in and around the Augustin Plains, to be fully involved in the discussion so that they can maximize the potential for local economic and water resource benefits,” said Jichlinski.
Please go to http://sanaugustinwater.com/ for more information.
