I was returning from Santa FE and when I arrived home ( Monte De Luz Sub Division ) I was greeted by a furry of activity. A flash flood was ravaging our Sub Division. A torrent of water and debris in the form of used tired had blocked our culverts and the flood waters were being diverted into our Sub Division and homes. Several lots were completely submerged under several feet of water and some homes received minor damage. One "Well" was completely flooded and shorted our the electrical components causing the well to stop producing and the owner is currently without water.
The flash flood was bad enough but the real discovery was literally hundreds of tires which had washed down from nearly a 1/2 mile away. These tires were used in the Mesa Vista Sub Division. It seems that the tires were used in many arroyos as flood protection.
Rio Arriba County Pat Garcia ( Planning and Zoning ) came out and toured the damage and suggested that we contact the NM Environment Department and the USEPA as well as the US Army Corps to inform them of the tires.
Response from the Army Corps: Don Borda.
Mr. Noel,
The Corps Regulatory Program has the authority to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Tires are not considered to be fill material, and would be considered trash or debris regulated by the USEPA or the NM Environment Department. The Regulatory Division would accept applications for permit under the CWA from private residents or the county to perform work in the arroyo, but would not be involved in the design or the performance of work in the waterway.
How do we proceed in restoring our Sub Division and Community?
RA County officials: Do not want to deal with flooding issues in our county.
RA County Planning and Zoning Departments have not responded in a timely manner and again do not want to deal with this issue.
RA County Commissioner Felipe D. Martinez, District III was called and as of today September 23, 2008 has not responded to our calls.
The real issue is Land Development in RA County. In my opinion RA County has neglected it's duties as far as Development in the County. Allowing poor development and ignoring issues which are clearly within their realm of responsibility. ( See Planning and Zoning Ordinances.)
So where do we go? How do we clean up this mess? Who will help?
No Home Owners Association, Little County Support. No Support from the Developers and poor development continues. How will we deal with this issue? RA County says LITIGATE ( Sue your neighbors, developers.... What about the County? Should they also be held responsible for allowing poor development in our county?????
Got answers or Questions? Please contact Lynn Noel ( 505-412-2770 ) for more information. Call our County Officials and demand their involvement. RA County must start leading our community and county in the right direction.
Get Involved in our RA Communities: RA 2008 Comprehensive Plan.
1 comments:
The County and our Officials have only one goal. POLITICAL. They do not care about our communities. Its all a scam and the Buyers of property in our County are generally uninformed. We need to fix our Disclosure Laws.
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