CURRENT PRESS RELEASE
New Mexico Environmental Law Center Welcomes New Executive Director and a New Era in Environmental Justice
On July 27, 2020 the New Mexico Environmental Law Center is proud to announce and welcome Dr. Virginia Necochea as the organization’s new Executive Director. Dr. Virginia Necochea is a long-time educator, researcher, writer, and community advocate. She is the former executive director and a founding board member of the Center for Social Sustainable Systems (CESOSS), a community-led nonprofit focused on protecting and preserving land and water resources in the Valle de Atrisco (South Valley, NM) and larger Middle Rio Grande region. Read the full Press Release
Past Press Releases
Commissioner Quezada Defends South Valley – Still Supports Santolina Development
At the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) Board Meeting on December 4th, both County Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada and City Councilor Klarissa Peña spoke out about preserving South Valley agriculture. Councilor Peña said she “fears”...
Toxic Turkey Award Goes to Oil Conservation Division and Oil Conservation Commission
The New Mexico Environmental Law Center gave the annual Toxic Turkey Award to the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) and the Oil Conservation Commission (OCC) for their failure to adequately regulate the oil and gas industry. The Law Center gives the Toxic Turkey Award...
BIG WIN! State Engineer Rejects Third Augustin Plains Ranch Application
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, August 2, 2018 State Engineer Denies Augustin Plains Ranch Groundwater Application Application Deemed Speculative SANTA FE – The State Engineer has denied as speculative Augustin Plains Ranch’s most recent application for withdrawal...
Mining Commission Final Order for Mt Taylor “Zombie Mine” Permit
SANTA FE – The Mining Commission issued its Final Order on the Mt Taylor uranium mine operating permit, declaring that essentially anything a mining company does that “disturbs” the land is mining and that a mine operating permit does not require that actual ore...
Hearing Begins on Mt Taylor Permit Review
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 5, 2018 Community Groups Appeal Zombie Uranium Mine Mining Commission Public Hearing Monday May 7th SANTA FE, N.M. — On Monday, May 7th, the New Mexico Mining Commission will begin hearings on an appeal of the “Return to Active”...
Law Center Files Petition for Review of Mt Taylor Permit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Zombie Uranium Mine Begins to Stir Mining and Minerals Division Permit Violates State Mining Act SANTA FE, N.M. — The Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment (MASE) and Amigos Bravos filed a Petition for...
Court Upholds State Engineer, Hillsboro Residents in Water Rights Case
NEW MEXICO 3RD DISTRICT COURT UPHOLDS STATE ENGINEER, HILLSBORO RESIDENTS AND LADDER RANCH IN COPPER MINING WATER RIGHTS CASE In a victory for community residents, the New Mexico Third Judicial District Court dismissed almost 90% of the water rights...
Mining & Minerals Division Issues Mt Taylor “Active” Permit
Amigos Bravos • Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 4, 2018 Mt. Taylor Mine “Return to Active” Permit Will Zombie Uranium Mine Continue to Avoid Cleanup? SANTA FE - On December 29, 2017 the New Mexico Mining and Minerals...
Special Hearing on Santolina Despite Unanswered Questions
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Bernalillo County Commission (BCC) will hold a special hearing on Tuesday, August 15 to consider several issues concerning the Santolina mega-development proposed west of Albuquerque. This “Level B” process marks the last time under the county’s Planned Communities Criteria process that the BCC will be able to consider—or the public will […]
Commission to Consider Santolina Despite Unanswered Questions
The Bernalillo County Commission (BCC) has scheduled a hearing on Tuesday, August 15 for the proposed Santolina Level B.1 Master Plan. At that meeting, the Commission will also consider a recommendation by the County Planning Commission that the BCC strip proof-of-water conditions for the development. The Level B process marks the last […]
Public-Interest Law Firm to Bolster Enviro Health for Vulnerable NM Families
The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC), a Santa Fe-based non-profit law firm, has been awarded a two-year, $300,000 grant towards Healthy Environment, Healthy Families. The project uses public-interest law to safeguard public health and the well-being of New Mexico’s under served families. The grant was made by the W.K. Kellogg […]
Santolina’s Request to Strip Water Requirements Challenged
Today community groups and residents of the South Valley appealed a decision from the Bernalillo County Planning Commission in the Santolina mega-development case. The Planning Commission recommends stripping key provisions that require the Santolina developers to prove that its project has water. The appeal was filed with the Bernalillo County Commission (BCC), […]
East Mountain Residents Battle Water Speculator in Court
Oral arguments will be held tomorrow in the Aquifer Science water grab case. Residents are challenging developers’ attempts to resuscitate a failed water appropriation in a thinly veiled water speculation attempt. This case is an appeal of the 2014 decision by the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) denying Aquifer Science’s application […]
Judge Rules 2015 Hearing on Santolina “UNFAIR”
Today, the Honorable Judge Nancy Franchini of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court, ruled that the Bernalillo County Commission did not grant community advocates a fair hearing when it approved the “Zone Map Amendment” (ZMA) for the proposed Santolina mega-development.
Residents Expand Fight Against Water Speculation in East Mountains
Residents of the communities in the East Mountains of Albuquerque, NM, have asked a judge to compel disclosure of the attorneys’ fees and costs of Aquifer Science, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of water development company PICO Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PICO) that seeks to obtain water rights in the East Mountains. […]