Water rights transfer denied for reopening of a copper mine
The transfer of water rights for the reopening of a little-used copper mine, closed since 1982, has been denied by State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson.Quoting a 2006 state engineer’s report, Anderson wrote, “New Mexico’s water future will be determined by water demand and availability of our water resources climate change will likely have a significant impact on both.”The application for water rights, needed to reopen the Copper Flat Mine near Hillsboro, was submitted by the Tulla Resources Group of Australia on behalf of the New Mexico Copper Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of a Canadian corporation which, in turn, is owned by Tulla Resources.Opposing their plan to reopen the mine were the Sierra Club Rio Grande and four other entities, who argued that it would damage local waterways, wildlife, vegetation and riparian habitats. Nearby communities depend on the water supply for household use, irrigation, businesses, livestock and hunting operations.”The denial by the Office of the State Engineer of this huge water rights transfer helps New Mexicans prepare for more certain water availability in the time ahead,” said Dan Lorimier of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club.Anderson’s decision was based in part on the hearing examiner’s finding that the application, if approved, would be harmful to the public welfare of the state because of New Mexico’s compact obligations with Texas.
The transfer of water rights for the reopening of a little-used copper mine, closed since 1982, has been denied by State Engineer Elizabeth Anderson.
Quoting a 2006 state engineer’s report, Anderson wrote, “New Mexico’s water future will be determined by water demand and availability of our water resources [and] climate change will likely have a significant impact on both.”
The application for water rights, needed to reopen the Copper Flat Mine near Hillsboro, was submitted by the Tulla Resources Group of Australia on behalf of the New Mexico Copper Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of a Canadian corporation which, in turn, is owned by Tulla Resources.
Opposing their plan to reopen the mine were the Sierra Club Rio Grande and four other entities, who argued that it would damage local waterways, wildlife, vegetation and riparian habitats. Nearby communities depend on the water supply for household use, irrigation, businesses, livestock and hunting operations.
“The denial by the Office of the State Engineer of this huge water rights transfer helps New Mexicans prepare for more certain water availability in the time ahead,” said Dan Lorimier of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Anderson’s decision was based in part on the hearing examiner’s finding that the application, if approved, would be harmful to the public welfare of the state because of New Mexico’s compact obligations with Texas.