Journal Staff Writer
"Sandoval County is riding high after the discovery it is sitting on a bonanza of clear gold in the Rio Puerco basin, but the find could pay dividends to West Side groups with similar ideas.
Atrisco Oil and Gas, a company formed to manage the mineral rights of the Atrisco Land Grant heirs after selling their land to SunCal Cos. two years ago, announced in July it was looking to mine brackish water on its former land and sell it wholesale. The Atrisco heirs still have mineral rights on the land as part of the sale agreement with SunCal.
Peter Sanchez, Atrisco CEO, said Wednesday he was encouraged to see Sandoval County announce it had found enough brackish water to serve a city with 300,000 people for 100 years.
"They're sitting on a gold mine," he said.
For Atrisco and other groups, Sandoval County's success can only help them find financing to get their own projects under way.
Sanchez said Sandoval County has paved the way for his own project, which could be very profitable for the Atrisco heirs if they find even a quarter of the water their neighbors to the north plan to tap.
Atrisco is already in talks with five different organizations — both government and private — to find a financial partner to move forward with its water mining, Sanchez said.
Due to Sandoval County, he said, there isn't any more need for a sales pitch.
"It helps our cause," Sanchez said.
The Atrisco heirs may have a fight on their hands with SunCal, however: The company last month filed an application with the State Engineer's office maintaining it is the sole owner of the brackish water underneath its land, under its agreement with Atrisco.
Another West Side entrepreneur, Paul Powers, has said he plans to take 10 times as much water out of the ground as Atrisco from his own land in the Rio Puerco Valley within the Pajarito land grant.
Both Atrisco and Powers' company, Commonwealth Utilities, have yet to determine the exact amount of brackish water located deep underneath their land or mineral holdings. The state engineer does not have jurisdiction over the water because it is located more than 2,500 feet underground.
But there are still plenty of obstacles for all the water pioneers." More>>>>
In the Santa Fe New Mexican, see the article, "Documentary explores Southwest water issues."
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Suncal will take anything they can. They are hurting big time. If you turn your back on them, you better watch your wallet. If a deal goes sour on them, they will always sue someone!
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