[Coalition_for_valle_vidal] Good News! Waters of the Valle Vidal Protected - A Step Toward Victory

[Jim O'Donnell]

Valle Vidal Supporters,

Thank you for your help!

The Fight for the the Valle Vidal is far from over but we are one step 
closer to victory!

Yesterday the Water Quality Control Commission voted 11-1 to designate 
all
the waters of the Valle Vidal as Outstanding National Resource Waters
(ONRWs).  ONRWs receive the highest level of protection under the Clean
Water Act.

This is a major victory in protecting the Valle Vidal!

While the designation doesn't outright prohibit oil and gas development 
in
the Valle Vidal it may make it too cost prohibitive for oil and gas 
companies to undertake drilling. The designation guarantees, even if 
there is drilling, that the water quality in the Valle's water 
resources cannot be negatively impacted.

For the past year the Coalition for the Valle Vidal  along with Amigos 
Bravos and the Western Environmental Law Center has been working with 
various state agencies including the Department of Game and Fish and 
the New Mexico Environment Department to develop the ONRW nomination.  
We presented technical testimony at the hearing before the
Water Quality Control Commission in support of the nomination. The 
commission acknowledged our testimony along with the public testimony 
as some of the key reasons for voting to  designate the waters as 
ONRWs.

Again, your support has proven critical in the fight  to protect the 
Valle Vidal. Your written comments and public testimony helped ensure 
critical protection for the waters of the Valle Vidal.  Water Quality 
Control Commissioner Peggy Johnson said: " The public input here was 
enormous in helping me make my decision."  Valle Vidal supporters came 
from Angel Fire, Taos, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Springer and elsewhere to 
voice their support.

Read more about this decision at:

> http://www.abqjournal.com/north/416639north_news12-15-05.htm

> http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/36397.html#

> http://www.abqjournal.com/north/416242north_news12-14-05.htm

Thank you for your support.  Happy Holidays.


Jim O'Donnell
Outreach Coordinator, Coalition for the Valle Vidal
www.vallevidal.org
PO Box 238
Taos, NM 87571
505-758-3874

Are you a member of the Coalition for the Valle Vidal?  Would you like 
to support our efforts?  Join or contribute today at: 
http://www.vallevidal.org/involved.html