The New Mexico Acequia Association is hosting the 3rd Annual Mayordomo Commissioner conference. The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity for acequia irrigators and elected officials to learn about issues facing acequias and to share information aimed at strengthening aceuqia governance.
The theme of this conference, "Entre más manos, el trabajo es menos" is meant to highlight the significance of working together to keep our acequias thriving and flowing. Acequia officials are now called upon to not only keep water flowing in the acequia for crops, gardens and livestock, but they also must understand how to operate as local institutions of government. We will provide a brief overview of current acequia governance challenges and opportunities facing commissioners and mayordomos and acequias in general. We will also cover important and relevant information on funding and other infrastructure topics, including methods for dealing with drought and floods. In the afternoon we will have a panel discussion about the importance of cultivating new leadership within our acequia communities. Finally we will end with a question and answer session with expert water lawyers, David Benavides and Enrique Romero from New Mexico Legal Aid.
8:30 am Registration
9:00 am Welcome and Introductions
Opening Music- David Garcia & Jeremiah Martinez Overview of Acequia Governance Challenges & Opportunities- Paula Garcí a, David Benavides
9:45 am 21st Century Acequias: Infrastructure Designs and Funding Availability Steve Carson, Acequia del Rancho
Peter Vigil, Taos Soil & Water Conservation District
Norm Vigil, NM Association of Conservation Districts
Paula Garcí a, NM Acequia Association
11:15 am Adapting to Drought and Floods
Jan-Willem Jansens, Ecotone
Brian Williams (invited), FEMA
12:30 pm Lunch and Music
1:30 pm Cultivating Leadership to Serve as Commissioners & Mayordomos
Toby Velasquez, Acequia Mesa del Medio
Lucia Sanchez (invited), Acequia de Alcalde
Angelo Sandoval, Acequia de Atras de la Plaza
Cathy Underwood, Acequia Plaza de Dixon
2:45 pm Break
3:00 pm Conflicts and Legal Challenges: Question and Answer Session
David Benavides, NM Legal Aid
Enrique Romero, NM Legal Aid
4:30 pm Closing
For more information or to RSVP, please call the NMAA office at 505-995-9644.
