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Los Ranchos trustees approve $526,425 state grant to replace open irrigation at Agra Nature Center
Summary
The Village authorized a New Mexico Finance Authority grant to replace leaky open ditches at the Agra Nature Center with piped irrigation, with a village match of $117,000 and design work to begin immediately; trustees emphasized maintenance and coordination with the MRGCD.
Trustees on Nov. 19 approved Resolution 2025-1101 to accept a New Mexico Finance Authority water-project grant for irrigation improvements at the Larry Abraham Agra Nature Center and the adjacent Anderson fields. The board approved the grant by roll call vote (Trusty Benvdas, Trusty Kefir, Trusty Ranovich and Trusty Ray recorded yes).
The resolution authorizes pursuit and acceptance of a grant discussed in the meeting as $526,425, with the village contributing a match of $117,000. Finance and public works staff said the match will fund initial design work so construction can proceed as soon as irrigation season ends, minimizing disruption to growing activities. “What we’re intending to do here is start with the design portion with the match so that we’re ready and not interrupt the irrigation season,” said John (village staff).
Planning and engineering advisers described the work as replacing open ditches and repairing or installing piping to reduce seepage, target water where crops need it and allow more efficient delivery across the site. Consultant Chuck Thomas said the design phase will include maintenance-access points and debris-catching features so the enclosed system can be inspected and cleared when needed. “One of the keys is to have a maintenance spot so any debris and material can be pulled out and can be maintained very easily,” Thomas said.
Trustees asked whether the village or a third party would perform long-term maintenance; staff said the village will assume maintenance responsibility but could contract work as needed. Trustees also pressed staff on coordination with the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), noting past projects where buried conveyances change maintenance regimes. Staff said engineers will work with MRGCD in the design phase and time construction to MRGCD shutdowns to avoid disrupting irrigation.
Mayor Lawrence Royale told residents the improvements are aimed at conserving water and improving reliability for the Agra Nature Center’s community gardens, classrooms and demonstration plots. Construction timing will seek to avoid peak irrigation months; staff plan to select an on-call engineer and issue a contractor RFP after the design work is complete.
The resolution passed unanimously. Next steps: finalize design team selection, complete engineering, issue procurement documents and schedule construction during the irrigation off-season.
