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Residents press commission on data centers and dangerous truck traffic on County Road 5500
Summary
At a lengthy public-comment session, residents and tribal members urged the commission to scrutinize potential data center projects over water use and environmental risks and asked the county to act on heavy truck traffic and safety problems on County Road 5500/West Hammond, citing near-misses, mailboxes close to pavement, and risks to schoolchildren.
Dozens of residents addressed the San Juan County commission during public comment, focusing on two recurring concerns: prospective data centers and unsafe heavy-truck traffic on County Road 5500 (West Hammond/West Hamlet).
On data centers, speakers including Alyssa Begay (S29), Linda Corwin (S16), Rebecca Davis (S20) and others urged the commission to consider moratoriums or ordinances, form neutral exploratory committees with hydrologists and utility engineers, and demand transparency from developers. Commentators flagged high water use, potential stress on irrigation and tribal water rights, long-term environmental risks, light/noise pollution, and the possibility that promised long-term jobs will be far fewer than construction employment. Several speakers referenced other New Mexico counties' recent pauses and litigation around large data projects and asked the commission to prioritize protection of water and cultural resources.
On County Road 5500/West Hammond, multiple residents (Dr. Carol Clore S22, Steve Womel S18, Barbara Kipper S28 and others) described heavy trucks using the county road as a shortcut after a 2022 bridge upgrade, making left turns across double-yellow lines, passing in narrow sections without shoulders, and creating hazards for mailboxes, bicyclists and school children. One speaker cited New Mexico statute (chapter 66, motor vehicle 66-7-415) as authority to explore restricting truck use of local roads. Residents requested signage, lower speed limits, review of truck restrictions and better collaboration with state DOT and law enforcement.
Speakers on both topics urged the commission to act proactively: form a balanced public committee on data centers, require thorough cost-benefit and environmental analyses, set standards now and pursue measures to reduce heavy-truck traffic on residential county roads. Commissioners heard the comments and did not take immediate action at the meeting beyond acknowledging concerns and the possibility of future agenda items, as required by public-comment rules.
