Noticias de las Acequias. Acequia Legislation & Funding Deadlines.

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1 1 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM Subject: From: To: Date: Acequia Legislation & Funding Deadlines Friday, July 27, 2018, 4:58:44 PM MDT Ethan Vigil irrigating in San Fidel, NM- Photo taken by Marty Vigil Noticias de las Acequias New Mexico Acequia Association July 27, 2018

2 In This Issue... Los Sembradores Compost Workshop August 1st Protecting Those Most Vulnerable: Environmental Health & Justice For Ag. Communities Alcalde Field Day! August 10th RCPP: Acequia Funding Opportunity Deadline August 17th Financial Assistance for Required Audits "AUPs": Deadline August 31 New Mexico State Water Plan Lujan Grisham Named to Farm Bill Conference Committee Support the NM Acequia Association! Donate Today! Luján Legislation Recognizes Traditional Land Uses In NM Upcoming Eve Los Sembrador Compost Works August 1st 201 9:00am-12:00p Chicoyle Farm Chamisal, NM Protecting Tho Most Vulnerab Environmental H & Justice for Agricultural Communities August 5, 201 1:00pm-4:00pm Barrios Unido Chimayo, NM Alcalde Field D August 10th, 20 8:00am-On Alcalde Science Ce 371 CO Rd 40 Alcalde, NM Become a Mem Become a membe the New Mexic Acequia Associat The NMAA is 2 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM

3 3 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM charitable, educati non-profit organiza that relies on membership contributions an foundations for i general operatin expenses. We rely folks who join a members to contrib membership dues donations to suppor work. It has never more important to h united front to pro our acequias an strengthen our food agricultural traditi Technical Assistance HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR WATER RIGHT HOW DO WE G FUNDING TO IMPROVE OUR ACEQUIA? WH CAN OUR ACEQ DO TO PROTECT EASEMENTS? W PROGRAMS AR AVAILABLE T SUPPORT FARME AND RANCHER Parciantes of Cecillia Ditch working together -Photo taken by Victoria Suazo Chanza [WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced legislation to provide greater consultation between the federal government and New Mexico's land grants and acequias. For the first time, land grants and acequias in New Mexico would also receive recognition of the traditional uses of their natural resources. "New Mexico's acequias and land grants have been part of our communities, our families, and our way of life for generations. My family was raised to respect and The NMAA offe technical assistanc Acequia Governanc USDA programs landowners. If any these questions app you or your acequ please submit a Request for Techn Assistance

4 4 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM cherish these life-giving waters. Growing up, I worked with my grandpa, my dad, and my brother to maintain our acequias, and still do today," said Luján. "I'm proud to introduce legislation that formally recognizes how land grants and acequias depend on and care for our resources because I know firsthand their importance to our state. My legislation will also help ensure that the federal government consults with land grants and acequias when taking actions that might impact local communities." From the 17 th to the mid-19 th centuries, the Governments of Spain and Mexico made grants of land to individuals, groups, and communities throughout the Southwest United States to promote settlement in frontier lands. These land grants, now known as land grant-mercedes, are an important part of the New Mexico's culture and history. The "Land Grant and Acequia Traditional Use Recognition Act" will: Ensure that land management agencies make land grant-mercedes aware of changes to management plans and any impacts of federal actions. Instruct the federal government to issue guidance on permitting and permissible uses of these lands to the land grant-mercedes. Provide better information when land grant-mercedes work through the National Environmental Policy Act process. Ensure that the federal government appropriately recognizes spiritual and cultural sites. Create a process for New Mexico's land grants to establish their historical boundaries and provides pathways for acquiring land that falls within those boundaries when the federal government disposes of land. "The introduction of the Land Grant and Acequia Traditional Use Recognition and Consultation Act is a positive step forward in addressing longstanding issues affecting New Mexico communities, which stem from the adjudication process required by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo," said the New Mexico Land Grant Council. "For more than a century Spanish and Mexican land grant communities in the Southwest have struggled to ensure recognition, protection and access to natural resources located on their former common lands now managed by the federal government. These natural resources play a vital role in maintaining traditional use practices that sustain the socio-economic and cultural integrity of many New Mexico communities." Water delivery systems known as acequias, or community ditches, are centuries-old systems used for water distribution dating back to the 1500s, for farming, for nourishment, and sustaining a way of life. In New Mexico, acequias are governed by a traditional form of water governance, known as Acequias, that are political subdivisions of the State and are composed of a board of private land owners, called parciantes and led by a mayordomo, that are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the infrastructure and for monitoring and administering surface water rights along the acequia. These Acequias have created a cultural landscape and way of life centered around local agriculture, water governance, and a custom of sharing limited resources.

5 5 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM Luján's bill clarifies permit requirements for activities undertaken by acequias and land grants on their land, making it easier for land grants and acequias to maintain their traditions. This bill also codifies a previous legal ruling that determined consultation and special use permits are not required for maintenance and improvements within the historic easement for Acequias. "We strongly support the Land Grant and Acequia Traditional Use Recognition and Consultation Act, introduced by Representative Ben Ray Lujan, which recognizes the significance of community land grants and acequias to the culture, economy, and agricultural heritage of New Mexico," said Paula Garcia, Executive Director of the New Mexico Acequia Association. "The Act is an affirmation of historic rights of acequias on federal public lands to maintain, improve, and replace irrigation works. This will strengthen our ability to keep water flowing through our acequias, New Mexico's centuries-old irrigation systems that support the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers." Los Sembradores Compost Workshop August 1st 2018 Compost pile at Los Jardines Institute- Photo taken by Joseluis Ortiz Los Sembradores Compost Workshop: Wednesday, August 1st, 2018 Where: Chicoyle Farm, Chamisal, NM Time: 9:00am-12:00pm.

6 Please join us and featured guests Miguel Santistevan, Matt Encinias and Sylvia Vergara as we share our compost experiences and practice drought resilience. Please RSVP and contact Serafina Lombardi at NMAA for directions at (505) or Communities for Clean Water: Protecting Those Most Vulnerable Alcalde Field Day Program: August 10th 2018 Alcalde Field Day Flyer Download 6 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM

7 7 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM RCPP: Acequia funding Opportunity Deadline August 17th

8 West Sandoval Ditch Bank Stabalization Project -Photo taken by Juanita Revak The NMAA is assisting acequias in complete the application for Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which provides Federal funding for acequia infrastructure improvements. Please contact or call for further information and assistance. Financial Assistance for Required Audits "AUPs": Deadline August 31 8 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM

9 Grandfathers ledger -Photo taken by Sarah Cordova La Joya, NM Is your acequia tier 3 or above for calendar year 2018 or fiscal year 2019? Will you be spending Capital Outlay or ISC monies this year? If so you may be eligible for a financial assistance from the Office of the State Auditor to cover part of the cost of required IPA services. Please contact NMAA for assistance completing the application (505) Serafina@lasacequias.org For further information see: New Mexico State Water Plan 9 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM

10 10 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM Important announcement: the draft 2018 State Water Plan has been released by the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) and the Office of the State Engineer (OSE) for public comment. The comment period is open until August 10. Both the DRAFT State Water Plan and Comment Form are available online. READ MORE. Lujan Grisham Named to Farm Bill Conference Committee Congresswoman Michelle visiting Lorenzo Candelaria during la limpia de las acequias in the South Valley 2018 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement after being named to serve on the Farm

11 11 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM Bill conference committee. Conferees will meet with their Senate counterparts over the coming weeks to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate Farm Bills: "I am pleased to accept this role as recognition of the Farm Bill's importance to New Mexican families and of the House Democratic Conferees' ability to find bipartisan solutions. Throughout the Farm Bill conference negotiations, I will work to advance the interests of families, farmers, and ranchers by protecting the SNAP Program and investing in broadband, water conservation, and trade promotion. I am committed to working collaboratively to negotiate a bipartisan Farm Bill that provides solutions, creates economic opportunities for New Mexico, and will pass in both chambers and be signed by the President." Support the NM Acequia Association! Donate Today Acequia Madre San Jose de la Cienega -Photo taken by Dustin Vigil NMAA has a comprehensive approach to fulfill our vision of acequias flowing with clean water and people working together to grow food and celebrate our cultural heritage. Our work centers on all aspects of keeping acequias thriving, including: acequia governance, water rights protection, farmer training, leadership development and organizing, policy advocacy, youth engagement, food and seed sovereignty. Will you join the NM Acequia Association TODAY with a donation and membership to advance el movimiento en defensa del agua? Donor Levels Padrino/Madrina de las Acequias Above $500 Hermano/Hermana de las Acequias $251-$500 Amigo/Amiga de las Acequias $25-$250 Membership Levels

12 12 of 12 8/3/2018, 1:03 PM Individual Acequia membership $50 Parciante/Supporter membership $25 Membership includes a newsletter subscription. Note: Donations to NMAA are tax deductible. Make checks payable to the New Mexico Acequia Association, 805 Early St. Blg B Suite 203 Santa Fe NM Donate Today At: New Mexico Acequia Association, 805 Early St., Building B, Suite 203, Santa Fe, NM SafeUnsubscribe johplummer@yahoo.com Forward this About our service provider Sent by communications@lasacequias.org in collaboration with Try it free today