Taos Reg Water Plan Implementation Comm Mtg Min 92308

Taos Regional Water Plan Implementation Committee El Taoseño Room – Town of Taos September 23, 2008 Facilitated by: Rosemary Romero Welcome and Introductions: Participants representing several municipalities and other organizations met for the first time to discuss implementation strategies for the Taos Regional Water Plan. During introductions, Allen Vigil, added the importance of bringing stakeholders together to discuss the various issues and noted that even though there had been challenging times to get approval of the plan – there was now a plan in place to build from. Purpose: The Plan was accepted by the ISC in July and during the mediated sessions to reach resolution on the Public Welfare Statement; the group had committed to meeting again to discuss implementation strategies, legislative requests and development of an information office. Information Office: The group discussed how best to proceed with the idea of developing a “one stop shopping” for stakeholders and decision makers to have information about water related issues readily available. All agreed that a neutral and accessible place was important. Dr. Jim Gilroy of UNM-Taos, offered the services of UNM-Taos to the group to create an Office of Water Information. He noted that UNM-Taos is poised to focus on issues that are specific to the area. Similarly, other UNM branches will have a specific focus in order to best serve the surrounding community and educate students. Water and water related issues are one of the most important issues in the Taos area. Dr. Gilroy further offered that UNM-Taos has a librarian, Kathleen Knoth who could serve as an access point for developing the library of materials. In recent discussions with Dr. Bill Fleming, Dean of the Water Resources Department at UNM, Dr. Fleming noted that interns could also be utilized and be a bridge to the Regional Planning School. Those present unanimously agreed to have UNM-Taos become the Office of Water information. In addition, those present offered to talk to their respective municipalities or non profit organizations to develop resolutions to support this effort. With this type of support UNM-Taos can proceed with asking the state legislature for money to support the effort. He noted that the first step will be to develop the respository for relevant Taos County water information and the second step would be to develop an institute to serve the area. 1 Dr. Gilroy asked if an advisory group could be formed to help develop the initial formation of the Office of Water Information. Volunteers include:        Ron Gardiner – Taos County representative Bruce Kelly – Taos Ski Valley Allen Vigil – Town of Taos John Painter – El Prado Tony Benson – TSWCD Rudy Pacheco – Member at Large Simeon Herskovits – Non profit Dr. Gilroy offered to develop a resolution that could be sent to all of the municipalities for this support. Sammy Pacheco and Bruce Kelly offered to help with this effort. In addition, Dr. Gilroy offered the services of UNM to copy CDs of the Taos RWP. Copies of the CDs can be found in his office. Hard copies of the plan are currently housed at several locations including:           Town of Taos Planning Office Town of Taos Public Library Taos County TVAA Taos Soil & Water Conservation District El Prado Taos Ski Valley Town of Red River Village of Questa Rio Costilla Technical Committee: The group discussed the continuation of a Technical Committee and how this might be helpful for implementation purposes. Tony Benson noted that a Technical Committee had been formed when the Regional Water Plan was developed. However, the Committee had a limited scope and was more of a “check-in” for additional technical information for DB Stephens. He envisioned that a technical committee could be formed utilizing the expertise of Taos County Soil & Water Conservation District. He noted that TSWCD had budged money for this type of activity and had access to consultants that could be accessible to others. Several members expressed the necessity for a Technical Committee and some felt that perhaps UNM-Taos could play that role especially with their taking on development of an information office. Others felt that the Technical Committee played a different role than just gathering information and that synthesizing and analyzing data specific to hydrology and the needs of the area was distinctly different. 2 The group agreed to have a small number of individuals develop a proposal for consideration by the entire group at the next meeting. Members of this taskforce include:    Tony Benson Nathan Sanchez Allen Vigil Other Meetings: Sammy Pacheco, Taos County Attorney, reported to the group that a regularly scheduled meeting with the Office of the State Engineer (SEO) is held at the Taos County Commission office on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. He invited all to attend these sessions in order to learn more about the status of water rights or other water related issues. The next meeting will be held on October 15, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Future Meetings: The group felt that it was important to meet soon to discuss several issues including sharing of legislative requests in order to prioritize and support the region. In addition, those present felt it would be helpful to have more decision-makers present as well as legislative representatives. All were given the task of developing a list of priorities that would be shared specific to water and wastewater issues. Volunteers offered to contact legislators as follows:    Carlos Cisneros – Ron Gardiner Bobby Gonzales – Sammy Pacheco Phil Griego – Sammy Pacheco A number of dates were discussed; however, most recent communications indicate that November 13 will be the best date to meet from 9:00 – 1:00. UNM-Taos with the Town of Taos will host the meeting at the Convention Center. Nathan Sanchez (Taos County) and Allen Vigil (Town of Taos) will take the lead on notifying all participants and initiating draft materials to be presented. This will include coordinating efforts with other taskforces or volunteers. The information will be confirmed via e-mail to the group. Governance of the Taos Regional Water Plan Implementation Committee: The group felt that it would be important to determine a structure for the newly formed entity. A small group offered to develop a “straw man” proposal to be presented to the group at the next meeting. Volunteers include:      Sarah Backus Bob Perry Ron Gardiner Brent Jaramillo Simeon Herskovits Draft Agenda Items:   Legislative Priorities Financing of future meetings 3   Reports: - Technical Subcommittee - Water Information Office - Governance Future Communications Master List: Rosemary offered to send both the Town of Taos (Allen Vigil) and Taos County (Nathan Sanchez) the master stakeholder list and email list for future communications. 4