Welcome to the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
"Keeping the Valley Green"
Help Catch Thieves Stealing Your Tax Dollars
Thieves are stealing from the MRGCD at a record pace in 2012 and it's costing thousands of your tax dollars.
These thieves are stealing the brass nuts on top of turnouts, the steel screw rods on turnouts as well. While this is costly, it also have a direct impact on getting irrigation water to farmers when it's needed. In addition, thieves are entering the bosque and cutting out jetty jacks, leaving dangerous metal stumps. And, when the bosque is dry, this creates a dangerous fire situation that can threaten your homes and farms.
If you see anyone stealing any MRGCD property along the ditches or in the bosque, please call your local law enforcement.
Help us stop a thief and save your tax dollars too!!
Legislature Votes to Simplify Conservancy District Elections
The 50th session of the New Mexico Legislature voted to approve House Bill 74 removing requirements that applications for absentee and absentee-early voting ballots be notarized.
The measure has moved on to Governor Susanna Martinez' desk for signature.
Currently, any constituent requesting an absentee or absentee-early ballot in an MRGCD election must get the application notarized, assuring that all information on the application is accurate.
But, if HB-74 is signed into law by the governor, that requirement would be removed meaning that constituents will be able to simply fill out the request for a ballot and submit it to the District and a ballot will be sent.
The Governor is expected to sign the bill.
The MRGCD Would Like Your Suggestions on the Proposed Water Policy Changes
The Board of Directors of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is evaluating the water policies of the District.
Board members, along with staff, have been addressing all aspects of water policy for the District and planning for the future needs of all irrigators, land owners and other constituents.
By clicking the link below you can read the proposed policy, with changes to the current policy highlighted in red.
Once you have read the changes, click on the comment link to leave us your suggestions.
If you have questions, or need additional help, please call the MRGCD offices at (505) 247-0234.
All Access Locks for Valencia and Sandoval Counties Have Been Changed
All agencies and individuals with access permits and keys for MRGCD gates in Valencia County and Sandoval County, near Cochiti will need new keys as of February 1, 2012. All Locks have been changed!
New permits and keys will be issued at the Belen and Cochiti locations only.
Permits and keys may be picked up from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday, not to include holidays. Permits and keys will not be issued at any other times.
You can reach the Belen Division Office at 505-864-7466 and the Cochiti Division Office at 505-465-2298.
MRGCD Board of Directors Sets Water Bank Rates
At a special meeting on Monday, January 9, 2012, the MRGCD Board of Directors set the Water Bank rates for the 2012 irrigation season.
Before setting the news rates, the board heard from MRGCD Hydrologist. David Gensler informed the board that there are currently 80,000 acre feet of water stored in northern reservoirs and available for the 2012 irrigation season. Gensler informed the board that with proper water management and cooperation from irrigators district wide, that there should be sufficient water for an irrigation season similar to 2011. Gensler noted that the snow pack from this winter would play a role in determining water availability later in the irrigation season.
The MRGCD Board of Directors has approved the following Water Bank rate and fee schedule for 2012.
Administration Fee |
$100 |
Water Service Charge (per acre) |
$28 |
Water Lease Rate (per acre) |
$50 |
NO FIREWOOD AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
NO Woodcutting Allowed in Bosque
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is NOT issuing woodcutting permits at this time.
Notices of wood availability will be posted when bosque areas are cleared and the downed wood has been cut and is ready for disposal. But, as of now, no wood is available and woodcutting is not permitted in bosque areas.
The MRGCD asks that everyone be respectful of the bosque area and enjoy this natural wonder as it was intended.
Breaking Ground on Bosque Restoration
With shovels in hand, dignitaries and students alike, broke ground on the $25 million dollar Bosque Revitalization project.
The project encompasses more than 900 acres of bosque area and will concentrate on removing non-native plant species and replacing them with native vegetation, improvements in recreational areas to include picnic areas and boat launches, and removal of 'jetty-jack' systems that were once used as flood control.
Former U.S. Senator, Pete Domenici led the activities. The Senator was instrumental in securing the necessary funding for the project before retiring from the Senate in 2008. Domenici applauded the efforts of all agencies, including the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, and noted that the interagency cooperation is creating a better quality of life for all New Mexicans.
The restoration project was awarded by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to Ajac Enterprises. Three other subcontractors will be working in conjunction with Ajac, and all are New Mexico based companies.
The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is the sponsoring agency and board members Eugene Abeita and Karen Dunning attended the groundbreaking for the district.
The Bosque Restoration, from the northern boundary of Sandia Pueblo to the northern edge of Isleta Pueblo, will take about 3 years to complete.
Help Fight Graffiti
Graffiti vandals are leaving their mark on the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, and the district wants your help to stop them. All it takes is a phone call and the appropriate graffiti removal team will be called to wipe out these unwanted tags.
In Albuquerque call: 311
In Bernalillo County call: 24 - ERASE (505-243-7273)
The MRGCD can be reached at: 505-247-0235
Or, call your local law enforcement agency on their non-emergency line.
Help us wipe out graffiti while "Keeping the Valley Green".