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WHY
ACT? |
SAVE
YOUR
WATER RIGHTS
San Augustin Water
Coalition
About San Augustin Water Coalition (SAWC) San Augustin Water Coalition (SAWC) is a New Mexico non-profit corporation dedicated to educating the public and taking action concerning water rights and usage on the San Augustin Plains in and around Catron and Socorro Counties, New Mexico. SAWC has engaged the services of Bruce Frederick, staff attorney with NM Environmental Law Center to represent them. Contact info: PO Box 613, Datil, New Mexico 87821 Board members (2010) Linn Kennedy -- elected 2010
Patti Germain -- elected 2010
Carol Pittman -- re-elected 2010
Nichole Sanders
Anita Hand
Ruth Guin, Chairman
Roy Farr
Dell Gigante
Eileen Dodds, Treasurer
Three members are elected each year for a term of three
years.
MINUTES OF ORGANIZING MEETING - SAN AUGUSTIN WATER COALITIONA meeting of concerned citizens was called to order by Carol Pittman at 11 AM, June 11, 2008, at the Datil Volunteer Fire Department. Those present were: Jonathan Benedict, Tom Cook, Anita Hand, Carol Pittman, Ray Pittman, and Nichole Sanders. Those invited but were not able to attend were Eileen Dodds, Roy Farr, Mary Katherine Ray, Mary Rakestraw, and Betty Schaefer. The purpose of the meeting was to organize a coordinating group that will represent some of those who are opposed to the Augustin Plains Ranch application to take 54,000 acre-feet of water per year from their ranch just east of Datil. Nichole Sanders reported that Augustin Plains Ranch (APR) has been granted a permit to drill a test well on their property to determine the water flow rate available and to determine the effect on the water table when that rate of water is taken. The well must be drilled in the year ending June 4, 2009, and the testing must occur within a ten-day period. No water right is established for this well and no water can be produced other than for the purpose of the test. Further, the well must be capped after the test is performed. She also stated that APR has submitted an amendment to their original application that changes the depth to which the wells will be drilled and redefines the geographic area in which the water will be used to be the Rio Grande basin. There was a discussion concerning the use and effect of a lobbyist who would act on behalf of the group to members of the legislature and the governor. No conclusion was reached on the matter. Organizational matters including incorporation, non-profit status, fund raising, and partnering with an existing 501(c)3 corporation were also discussed. A motion was made by Nichole Sanders and seconded by Carol Pittman that the name of the group be “San Augustin Water Coalition.” The motion passed unanimously. Nichole Sanders moved (Carol Pittman seconded) to nominate Jonathan Benedict and Eileen Dodds as co-treasurers with authority to open a checking account (with two signatures required) in the name of San Augustin Water Coalition. The motion passed unanimously. Several members present contributed $10 each so that there would be money for an initial deposit. By consensus, Carol Pittman was authorized to establish a Post Office box for the Coalition’s use. Carol Pittman presented a draft letter that she proposed be sent to those on a mailing list that she has compiled. The letter was accepted with minor modifications. These minutes and a copy of an agreement to be signed by those who wish to be represented by Bruce Frederick will be included with the letter. The next meeting of the steering committee was set for 5 PM, Friday, August 15, at the fire station. Respectfully submitted by Tom Cook MINUTES OF 2 nd ORGANIZING MEETINGThe meeting was called to order by Carol Pittman at 5 PM, August 15, 2008, at the Datil Volunteer Fire Department. Those present were: Jonathan Benedict, Tom Cook, Eileen Dodds, Roy Farr, Dell Gigante, Ruth Guin, Mary Rakestraw, Anita Hand, Carol Pittman, Ray Pittman, Nichole Sanders, Betty Schaefer, Bill Turner, and Lif Strand, Executive Director of Catron County Citizens Group ( CCCG). Two days prior to the meeting Eileen Dodds, Jonathan Benedict, and Carol Pittman filed Articles of Incorporation as a New Mexico Nonprofit Corporation with the NM Public Regulation Commission. This was done so that we could partner with CCCG, an IRS designated 501(c)3 corporation, in order that donations to SAWC can be tax free. To facilitate this partnership we needed to create By-Laws for SAWC. The meeting was turned over to Lif who explained the mission of CCCG and what SAWC needed to do in order to partner with CCCG as its fiscal sponsor. Lif handed out an outline of typical by-laws articles and she then moderated a lengthy discussion of the outline that was aimed at creating by-laws for SAWC. She recorded the results of the discussion on her computer and will send us a draft of the by-laws for our further consideration at the next meeting. After completion of the by-laws discussion we attempted to write a mission statement but were unable to. During the by-laws discussion it was agreed that the Board of Directors would consist of nine individuals and that five of them would be officers. Elections were held with the following results: Chair Ruth Guin Vice Chair Roy Farr Secretary Tom Cook Treasurer Jonathan Benedict Vice Treasurer Eileen Dodds Board member Anita Hand Board member Dell Gigante Board member Nichole Sanders Board member Betty Schaefer Carol Pittman presented a signup sheet for manning the SAWC booth at the county fair and thanked Roy Farr and Eileen Dodds for their donations of raffle prizes. Raffle tickets are available from Carol, Eileen Dodds, or at the fair booth. They are $5 for 1/4 of a beef ( 4 winners will be drawn) and $1 for a quilt. Ticket holders do not have to be present at the drawing to win. Dell Gigante presented a list of arguments against the Augustin Plains Ranch application that he feels can be used at the hearing. He also pointed out several actions that we might take to further our cause. The next meeting of the board of directors was set for 5 PM, Friday, September 9, at the fire station. Respectfully submitted by Tom Cook, Secretary
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contact: water@catroncounty.net (575) 773-4835