Magazine
October 11, 1999
In northern New Mexico, the small, family-owned Sipapu Ski Area is battling the little farming town of Dixon over water rights to the Rio Pueblo and Rio Embudo, tributaries of the Rio Grande. Plus, the endangered silvery minnow is forcing the water users of the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico to reconsider the ways cities, towns, pueblos and farms have always made use of the river.
Feature
An introduction to this special issue describes the work
and cooperation needed from all the Rio Grande's users if the river
is to ever flow freely again.
In northern New Mexico, the small, family-owned Sipapu Ski
Area is battling the little farming town of Dixon over water rights
to the Rio Pueblo and Rio Embudo, tributaries of the Rio
Grande.
The endangered silvery minnow is forcing the water users
of the Middle Rio Grande in New Mexico to reconsider the ways
cities, towns, pueblos and farms have always made use of the
river.
Sidebar
Marie Coburn, mayordoma of an acequia that waters the
small farms of Dixon, N.M., works to make sure that the 98 farmers
on the ditch get the water they are entitled to.
In his own words, artist and scholar Nicasio Romero talks
about the threats facing the centuries-old acequia farm culture of
New Mexico.
Some river activists and farmers worry that Subhis Shah,
chief engineer and CEO of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy
District, is out to start a "water-banking empire" rather than
conserve water.
Essays
Overjoyed at the ruling that means the Dry Lake volcanic
area near Flagstaff, Ariz., will not be developed as planned, an
activist still feels compassion for the developer, remembering her
own gambling days and how it feels to gamble and lose.
Watching as an illegal immigrant is arrested near Rio
Rico, Ariz., the author considers the risks that border-crossers
must take, and remembers that his own great-great-great-grandfather
was once an immigrant, too.
Heard Around the West
"Mz. Prairie Dog" pageant in Camas, ID; armed Boy Scouts;
lightning strikes elk; poachers sentenced near Craig, CO; moose
misbehavior; "Hell House" in Arvada, CO; homophobia in Elk City,
ID, church; outfitter survives 200-ft. fall in his
Subaru.
Dear Friends
Research Fund; HCN's Paonia board meeting and potlucks;
our circulation numbers; a lavish book, "Colorado 1870-2000" by
John Fielder and Ed Marston; visitors.
News
Developer Jim Sievers wants to build an exclusive
wilderness playground on the inholding he owns in the middle of
Montana's Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness.
Idaho Lt. Gov. Butch Otter fined for dredging wetlands
without permit; Jon Marvel outbids millionaire for grazing parcels;
Wyo. ranch manager gets permit to kill wolves; Mark Alldredge
abandons mining claims on Rocky Mtn. Front; Blue Ribbon
Coalition.
Wind power is getting a second wind, especially on the
"wind farms" of Wyoming.
Developer Jim Mehen is ordered to scale back his
development plans for the Dry Lake volcanic area near Flagstaff,
Ariz.
A new sport called sandboarding is becoming popular in
Park Service wilderness areas with dunes, and some worry that it is
a form of recreation "not compatible with wilderness
values."
Locals and environmentalists are concerned about
development plans for a 400-acre resort right next to Mount Rainier
National Park and the little town of Ashford, Wash.
Environmentalists are rejoicing at the decision, largely
economic, to demolish Condit Dam in southeastern
Washington.
Farmers in San Luis, Colo., are upset that pollution from
a defunct gold mine owned by Battle Mountain Gold is leaking into
Rito Seco Creek, which feeds their irrigation ditches.
A draft for the 15-year management plan for Colorado's
White River National Forest has sparked controversy from everyone,
from Vail Resorts and ATV operators to some environmental
groups.
Today's Featured Stories
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WATERSHED PROGRAMS COORDINATOR Are you looking for a positive and success oriented work environment, the opportunity to join a (small but) dynamic group of people supporting watershed activities...
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BACKCOUNTRY FILM FESTIVAL MANAGER Boise-based Winter Wildlands Alliance is looking for an experienced and highly motivated individual to organize our annual Backcountry Film Festival and Tour and coordinate additional...
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LAND CONSERVATION MANAGER SUMMARY Leads, administers and manages the land conservation, conservation easement stewardship, and property management activities of the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department within...
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CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM ATTORNEY, NEVADA Position Summary: Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is seeking a Staff Attorney who is passionate about Western communities and the protection of the natural environment to...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deschutes River Conservancy in Bend, Oregon
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WATER POLICY ANALYST WITH WRA (BOULDER) Position Summary: Western Resource Advocates seeks a passionate Water Policy Analyst with knowledge of western water issues to join our Healthy Rivers Team to strengthen...
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GILA NATIONAL FOREST 9+ acre inholding. Passive solar strawbale off the grid and next to the Continental Divide Trail in ponderosa pine/doug fir forest at 7400.
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HIRING BEARS EARS EDUCATION CENTER DIRECTOR Conservation nonprofit Friends of Cedar Mesa in Bluff, Utah is hiring an Education Center Director to oversee the operation of the Bears Ears Education Center....
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PROGRAM MANAGER, SUSTAINING FLOWS Friends of the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ. Apply at https://verderiver.org/employment-opportunities/
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PROGRAM ASSOCIATE - VERDE RIVER EXCHANGE Verde River Exchange - Friends of the Verde River, Cottonwood, AZ. Apply at https://verderiver.org/employment-opportunities/
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CODE COMPLIANCE OFFICER Teton County Planning & Building is hiring! Our ideal candidate is a team-player, a problem-solver, pays attention to detail, and can clearly communicate technical material...
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ARCHITECTURE DRAFTSPERSON/PROJECT MANAGER Studio Architects is seeking a full time Architectural drafts-person/project manager with1-3 years of experience to join our firm. At Studio Architects our mission is to...
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ASSISTANT MANAGER/TRAINEE, COLORADO RANCH needed for 16,000+ acre conservation property in south central Colorado. Qualified candidate would have experience working on a ranch or wilderness property, general forestry/fire management... -
FARM HAND &/OR NANNY IN ESCALANTE Nanny for 18-mnth-old. Yearly salary, vacation, health insurance. Spanish/other foreign-language native spkr prefrrd. -
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Washington Association of Land Trusts seeks an ED to build on WALTs significant success & to lead the association to new levels of achievement. See...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR If you are deeply committed to public service and would like to become part of our high performing, passionate and diverse team, NCAT is looking...
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BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM STRAWBALE HOME IN WESTERN COLORADO! Secluded, energy efficient Southwestern home on 40 wooded acres. Broker - Rand Porter - United Country Real Colorado Properties. 970-261-1248, $425K
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FORMER RETREAT CENTER/CONSERVATION PROPERTY FOR SALE 57 acres in Skull Valley, AZ, 17 miles from Prescott, year-round creek, swimming holes, secluded canyon, hiking/meditation trails, oaks, pines, garden, greenhouse. House, office building,...
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HISTORIC RANCH HOME W/ 20 ACRES Historic 1893 Ranch Headquarters. 4 Bdrm, 3.5 Ba, 4000 ft2. Remodeled 2002. Includes 2 studio apts, stables, arena, workshop, 5 RV hookups. Chirachua & Peloncillo... -
VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL OPERATIONS The Vice President of Retail Operations will provide overall leadership and accountability for purchasing, product development, merchandising planning, visual merchandising, retail operational excellence, oversight and...
