We would not have a water problem and I would not be writing this if it were not for the boom development that has occurred in the last 15 years. Farmers are often blamed for wasting all the water and not letting developers have more, but the fact remains that unchecked growth has been the source of abuse of our water resources. The development industry owns the politics. The development industry also advertises extensively in the media, putting a hidden mute on proper coverage of the issue. Loopholes remain despite all out assaults on them by activists.
Local governments are reluctant to fund water planning because there is no immediate return.
The legislature starves the OSE so that water management does not happen and the legislature talks good and does nothing about planning legislation that would give citizens confidence that their planning efforts will not always be in vain. Thus we have paralysis on water issues as our watersheds, acquifers, acequias, River, agriculture, bosque, rural character and natural beauty of our State are bulldozed and built over in the name of economic development and profit. I urge all citizens to get involved in the Middle Rio Grande Water Assembly and take part in the evolution of the real future of our State. Lynn Montgomery is an acequia parciante and farmer on Las Huertas Creek near Placitas, NM, where he grows herbs, garlic, shallots, fruits, and vegetables. He has written extensively about water and historic preservation issues over the last three decades.