Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – March 2000 – Colorado Central Magazine
Eminent Domain of Trash
The EPA is back in the Valley, this time with backup from the state Department of Public Health. It seems that Costilla County has graded and sloped its dump outside the designated pit area. In other words, the county is trespassing on private property. Ken Hershey of Mesita, owner of said property, is claiming violation of his constitutional rights.
Movin’ on Yup
Just what every community needs — another set of expensive homes. Alamosa County approved a new subdivision, with the charming misnomer River Dance Preserve, north of Alamosa. The owners plan 10 homesites on 110 acres, with greenbelt. The same month, the city of Alamosa annexed 160 acres west of town, part of which is earmarked for a Wal-Mart superstore.
Gobble
The DOW supervised another relocation of wildlife. This one doesn’t howl, hiss or meow. It gobbles. A private group released 17 wild turkeys between Alamosa and Monte Vista in January. Hey, maybe they’ll provide the solution for the starving Iynx!
Too Dry to Live
This is shaping up to be the driest year since the dread ’77. Water engineer Steve Vandiver warns that even if the Valley gets normal spring precipitation, the water level will still be far, far below normal. This spells disaster for the silvery minnow, which lives the endangered lifestyle in southern New Mexico. If water doesn’t flow all the way through its habitat, the little fish will die off.
Shifting Sands
President Clinton’s proposed 2001 budget includes $8.5 million to make a down payment on the Baca Ranch, a sign the government is serious about its plan to purchase the controversial property and make it part of a national park centered on the Great Sand Dunes.
Send Me Your Law-Abiding
The Valley’s jails are bursting at the seams with illegal immigrants rounded up by INS agents. Apprehended illegals are usually shipped out of the Valley within a day, but the first INS bus broke down on its way north. The agency then rented two buses in Colorado Springs, but they were broadsided and didn’t make it, either. The result was dozens of people being held in the jail and its utility building. INS agent Don Buechner was quoted as saying his agents are too busy to hunt down anyone who is staying out of trouble.
A Good Life’s Work
Roger Bill Mitchell has been inducted into the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. He grows potatoes, alfalfa, and barley on 1,600 acres near Monte Vista. Mitchell is known for his activism on issues of water rights, inheritance taxes, and genetically modified organisms.
Hot Potatoes
Two Valley men have been charged with stealing $400,000 worth of potatoes. Richard Messick and David Riffe are accused of selling the taters and not paying the producers. Criminal charges have been filed and a civil action is pending.
