Local Projects

Galisteo Basin

The pristine Galisteo Basin steeped in history and known to be one of the most impressive archeological sites in the United States, is situated 15 miles south of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Galisteo Basin has a complex and not fully understood hydrogeology. Due to desert conditions and drought, water is critically important to Santa Fe County. The Galisteo Basin is also a wildlife corridor. The scenic by-way through the Galisteo Basin is a favorite among tourists. Currently, moratoria by Governor Richardson and the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners are protecting this fragile ecosystem from natural gas and oil exploration. Texas-based Tecton Energy, LLC has leased scores of thousands of mineral acres in the Galisteo Basin for gas and oil exploration. For updates, the grassroots organization,  Drilling Santa Fe , has a much followed blog.

Rio Chama

In Rio Arriba County, New Mexico the Chama River watershed is targeted for oil and gas exploration. According to Wikepedia, "The Rio Chama forms in south-central Colorado, just above the New Mexico border in the San Juan Mountains and Carson National Forest in Archuleta County. It then flows about 120 miles (190 km) to its confluence with the Rio Grande at the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, just north of Espanola in Rio Arriba County. There are three reservoirs along the Chama; furthest north is Heron Lake, which is dammed on Willow Creek just before it enters the Chama, followed by El Vado Lake and Abiquiu Lake, both dammed on the Chama itself." And according to the Santa Fe National Forest website, "The Rio Chama Wilderness encompasses 50,300 acres in northwest New Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture designated the land a wilderness area in 1978 and in 1986 the Rio Chama that flows through the wilderness was deemed a “Wild and Scenic River." Currently, the city and the county of Santa Fe are seeking to divert water from the Rio Grande as a water supply. The project is known as the Buckman Water Diversion Project.

Texas-based Approach Resources, Inc. has leased about 90,000 acres of mineral rights in the Tierra Amarilla area of the vital Rio Chama Watershed. Approach Resources, Inc. had filed a federal suit against Rio Arribal County for imposing a four-month moratorium. The moratorium was to allow time for the county to develop an ordinance for oil and gas activities.  Approach viewed the moratorium as a "takings" of property and claimed that the county was pre-empted by the state in regards to oil and gas regulations. Santa Fe County had filed an amicus brief requesting dismissal of the suit, because the county does have regulatory authority. Approach dropped the suit in July 2008.

La Bajada Mesa

La Bajada Mesa in Santa Fe County New Mexico is known for its breathtaking panoramic view. In 2003, the NEW MEXICO HERITAGE PRESERVATION ALLIANCE Placed La Bajada Mesa and Escarpment on the MOST ENDANGERED PLACES LIST.

Historical heritage: La Bajada is of enormous historical significance for the province of Nueva Espana called Nuevo Mexico. During colonial times, La Bajada was the dividing line between the two great economic and governmental regions of Hispanic NM, the Rio Abajo, "lower river," and the Rio Arriba, "upper river." The division was delineated by that remarkable natural feature that we know as La Bajada Mesa & Escarpment. For 250 years La Bajada defined Spanish New Mexico, and today remains among the most significant geographical landmarks of our state and forever remains the southern gateway to the city of Santa Fe. Currently, La Bajada Mesa is targeted for strip-mining by Rockology, LLC.  For updates, go to the blog of Save La Bajada Mesa!

Mora and San Miguel Counties (Las Vegas Basin)

For a description about the project, click on the following  link>>>>

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About Mora County:

Fertile and majestic Mora County, New Mexico has an agricultural tradition and heritage.  Currently, landmen are acquiring mineral leases for dry gas exploration in this pristine county.

According to Wikepedia, “Prior to Spanish conquest, the Mora area was Indian country. Although not an area of heavy Indian settlement by such tribes as the Pueblo Indians, the Mora valley was much used by nomadic tribes: the Utes, Navajos and Apache….

…The history of the settlement of Mora dates to 1817 when a group of settlers petitioned for a priest…

…Historical and genealogical records for Mora are difficult to obtain for a number of reasons. First, the residents did not keep many records, unlike other American frontier locations. Second, Mora was destroyed by Americans in 1848 in retaliation for rebelling against the new government and most of the archives were lost.”

According to New Mexico History.org, “Mora County in the early days was designated Lo de Mora, thought to refer to early residents of that name. Just as likely, early documents show the locality referred to as Demora, meaning a “camp, a stopover,” from the Spanish noun demora, “delay.” A different story attributes the name to Mora, Spanish for mulberry, because of the large number of mulberry trees found there.

The first settlement here was called San Antonio de lo Mora, and it lasted until 1833, when Plains Indians drove the settlers out. Two years later, however, Governor Albino Pérez gave the Mora Land Grant, extending from present Mora to Wagon Mound, to seventy-six individuals who recolonized the area. Mora is the heart of this high country and offers many hunting, fishing, and ranching areas. Locals and tourists flock to the area in the summer to pick and purchase raspberries at the Salmon Ranch and to tour the old restored mill in Cleveland just down the road.” See Las Vegas Basin>>>>

West Mesa / Atrisco Land Grant

"For over 400 years, the Atrisqueños (Atrisco land grantees) have witnessed a number of economic and political changes, from the Pueblo Revolt to New Mexico's independence from Spain, and New Mexico's inclusion as a territory of the United States in 1846. Today, Atrisco remains one of the oldest existing land grants in the United States and one of very few Spanish Colonial grants still presently owned by the heirs of the original Spanish settlers. The Atrisco Land Grant continues to be a proud part of Spanish heritage in New Mexico," Atrisco Land Grant

The Westlands of Albuquerque is where the Atrisco Land Grant is located. Tecton Energy, LLC  a company that specializes in unconventional tight gas basins (unconventional recovery “UCR”), has leased about 50,000 acres of mineral rights there. The Atrisco Land Grant is home to historic peroglyphs, is a place of worship for the Peublos, and is under threat from natural gas exploration.

For bumper stickers, posters, T-shirts, etc>>>>