Review the proposed oil and gas ordinance for Rio Arriba County.

Prevent Capitan from speculative lease of water to Ruidoso, to detriment of acequia farmers in valley and surface flows of Rio Bonito.

08/03/2009 - Currently in settlement discussions. Lease application hearing has been stayed indefinitely.

06/19/2009 - Lease application hearing by the Villages of Ruidoso and Capitan to lease water rights from Capitan to Ruidoso is scheduled for July 28th in Roswell, NM.

05/14/2009 - Filed Motion for Clarification, Motion for Partial Summary Judgment and Entry of Appearance.

To comment on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed disposition of the El Prado Water & Sanitation District Discharge to the Rio Lucero which resulted in a fish kill. The Pueblo requests a government-to-government face-to-face meeting with the EPA at the Pueblo to discuss these issues and the development of a process for addressing similar issues that arise in the future.

03/15/2011 - The NMELC filed comments for its client, The Taos Pueblo, with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Participate in New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) proceeding concerning discharge permit for Roca Honda uranium mine.

Participate in first application to Mining and Minerals Division (MMD) for conventional uranium mining permit under NM Mining Act.

11/24/2010 - Roca Honda EIS Scoping Comment Period Open. Get PDF of notice.

Participate in United State’s Forest Service’s (USFS) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) mandated environmental review process.

Assist residents in San Miguel in drafting an oil and gas ordinance, and in advocating that ordinance to the County Commission.

Comment on the County’s SLDC, which will impact implementation of the County’s oil and gas regulations.

The Law Center represents Taos Pueblo in efforts to prevent or limit expansion of the Taos municipal airport, which would impair religious practices by Pueblo members, threaten the iconic architecture of the Pueblo, and increase development pressure on their living culture - the basis for its designation as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2003, the FAA conducted a noise analysis that offered the conclusion that a Cessna overflight is no louder than a thunderclap.  Our clients assert that comparing a twin-engine aircraft to an act of nature illustrates the administration’s lack of cultural sensitivity.

We are in continuing negotiations with the FAA to prevent the expansion of the airport, or to mitigate its impacts on the Pueblo.

August 2009 - Negotiations with the FAA are continuing.