DEMING – New groundwater well drilling connected to border wall construction in southern New Mexico has been halted following concerns from area ranchers and efforts by state Rep. Jenifer Jones, R-Deming, to bring federal officials and local stakeholders together.
According to reporting by Billy Armendariz of the Deming Headlight, Jones announced late last week that U.S. Customs and Border Protection directed its contractor to stop drilling new wells and seek alternative water sources after ranchers raised concerns about the potential impact on the region’s limited groundwater supply.
Jones organized a meeting involving Customs and Border Protection, contractors and community stakeholders to address the issue.
“When southern New Mexico ranchers raised the alarm, we acted,” Jones said. “We brought everyone to the table, worked with the administration, and secured a solution that protects our water while allowing border security work to continue.”
Area ranchers and farmers held a town hall July 9 to voice concerns about unregulated well drilling along the U.S.-Mexico border south of Deming. The wells were being drilled to provide water for construction of the border wall.
Representatives from the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer attended the town hall and explained that federal border wall construction superseded state regulations governing the drilling.
Jones credited several fellow Republican lawmakers with helping elevate the concerns, including House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong, House Republican Caucus Chair Rebecca Dow, state Rep. Luis Terrazas of District 39 and state Sen. Gabriel Ramos of District 28.
“This was a team effort,” Jones said. “I appreciate the Trump administration and CBP for listening to our communities and acting quickly.”
The halt applies to new groundwater well drilling associated with the border wall project, while border security construction is expected to continue using alternative sources of water.
Bravo Mic Communications News – DemingNews.com
La X 96.7- Para Las Cruces, De Las Cruces