Battle brewing over Dona Ana County wastewater treatment plant

Mar 10, 2010 — Las Cruces Sun-News

Diana M. Alba

Mar. 10, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- DONA ANA -- A battle over a proposed wastewater treatment plant in Leasburg is heating up.

State Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, handed a public ultimatum to the Dona Ana water association on Tuesday: Decide to relocate the plant or else he'll launch an opposition campaign.

He asked the utility's board to make a decision within a week.

"I'd like to offer that maybe the group ... to think about this and perhaps to consult with your attorney and look at other options," Steinborn said during an association meeting. "I'd like to give you a little bit of time to think about this proposal and consider the offer."

The plant, proposed for the west end of Hope Road, about 10 miles north of Las Cruces, has sparked anger among neighbors who contend that it would harm property values and create a stench. Officials with the Dona Ana association, however, argue the plant is needed to protect groundwater in a county that's becoming more urban and that the facility, because of advanced technology, wouldn't be stinky.

Neighbors also have protested because they have little formal say in the matter. That stems from the fact they're not members of the Dona Ana association, but instead belong to the Leasburg water utility, located several miles to the north.

Steinborn said that "lack of representation" was one of his concerns, along with the fact nearby homeowners weren't notified about the proposal from the get-go.

"Government has certain power, and anytime we do what we do,

it's critically important that people who are affected ... have a voice," he said.

Also, Steinborn said, the plant could ruin a pristine natural area along the river, if it's built at the Hope Road site.

Mariano Martinez, director of the Dona Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association, defended the utility's decisions related to the wastewater plant, saying it wants to keep groundwater from becoming contaminated.

"Our ultimate goal is to protect the drinking water," he said.

David Slagle, a pecan farmer who lives adjacent to the wastewater site, said he was pleased the issue has been taken up by at least one lawmaker.

"His points were terrific points; I don't see how you can much argue with what he was bringing to the table," said Slagle, who attended the meeting.

State Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Dona Ana, also was present. She didn't state a strong position against the plant, but noted that she's supported measures over the years to get rid of septic tanks and cesspools that cause problems in the Dona Ana area.

"We all know we need it; we want it," she said of the sewage plant. "The question is: 'Not in my backyard.' This is a real human need, and what are we going to do?"

James Robles, board member with the mutual domestic, said the project is meant to prepare for the residential development he feels is inevitable in the North Valley.

"We can't stop growth; it's going to come," he said.

Steinborn said he believes the Dona Ana water utility's motives are good.

"I'm not objecting to the goal," he said. "I object to the location."

Besides relocating the plant, Steinborn said another option would be for the Dona Ana association to look into the possibility of the city of Las Cruces treating more sewage. The city already treats some sewage from Dona Ana.

Also Tuesday, Tom Austin, a Leasburg resident and sewage plant opponent, expressed a number of concerns to the Dona Ana association. He recounted how the board rejected a former proposed plant location in the Hill area several years ago, after Dona Ana association members protested. He said Leasburg residents have the same concerns about the Hope Road proposal, but the only difference is they have no "parliamentary power" to contest Dona Ana's plans.

Austin asked that the Dona Ana association give Leasburg residents the same standing. If it's not granted, he said, opponents will pursue legal action.

Diana M. Alba can be reached at dalba@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5443.

More info

-- Amigos de los Robledos: http://nosewer.wordpress.com

-- New Mexico Environment Department: http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us

Newstex ID: KRTB-0108-42737874