Water group focusing on conservation

CLOVIS — Lack of water has long been and will continue to be an issue in eastern New Mexico for years to come. That’s why the Curry County Commission has decided to establish a committee to explore water conservation.

The committee was approved at the commission’s April 3 meeting “with the purpose and goal of educating the county residents for water conservation and any volunteering associated with water conservation,” according to Commissioner Angelina Baca’s motion that passed by a 4-1 vote.

Commissioner Robert Thornton said the committee will mainly be looking at the county’s own facilities and opportunities to conserve water. And if water conservation strategies for people out in the county are discussed, Thornton said it would be on a volunteer basis.

“I think (the committee) will be looking at our operations as far as the county, how we do things, and if anything (for residents) it will be suggestions. There won’t be any kind of implementation required,” Thornton said.

Baca said one item the committee may consider could be encouraging residents switch to xeriscape yards, which make use of drought-resistant plants and more efficient irrigation techniques.

“Clearly we live in the desert and I think, as a community member, we just need to not have so much green grass,” Baca said. “A little bit goes a long way. It sounds like a drop in the bucket but I think every bit counts.”

Commissioner Chet Spear cast the lone vote opposing the formation of the committee. Spear said his opposition was born out of county residents’ resistance to a zoning proposal years ago that showed people who live out in the county do so to avoid such regulations or restrictions.

Spear also said he didn’t see a compelling need for more education and awareness regarding water conservation.

“These landowners, they’re good stewards with their water anyway,” Spear said. “They conserve, they save water where they can. I can’t talk to a rural resident without water being mentioned. They’re well aware of the issue.”

The water conservation committee will be made up of at least two county commissioners and two to three county residents.

The county is asking any residents who want to serve on the committee to submit a letter of interest to Curry County Manager Lance Pyle by April 26.

Letters can be emailed to [email protected] or dropped off at 417 Gidding St., Suite 100.

Baca and Thornton said they don’t have any particular experience or background in mind for the citizen participants, just as long as they’re committed to helping Clovis and the surrounding communities do what they can to save water.

Thornton said he hopes county residents and members of the agricultural community will buy in to the committee’s goals and support water conservation efforts.

“This is too important to ignore. We need to be conscientious about what we do and save water every chance we get,” Thornton said. “I hope that they get involved but you can’t dictate to them what they’re going to do and you don’t want to.”