Wagon Mound council adopts 2025 Source Water Protection Plan

The Village of Wagon Mound council voted unanimously on Aug. 12 to adopt Resolution 2025-11, formalizing the village's 2025 Source Water Protection Plan to guide monitoring and future updates.

Deputy Clerk Colleen Engelhardt read an emailed note from Andy Jochem of the New Mexico Environment Department's Drinking Water Bureau describing technical changes to the plan: "The Hydrogeology and Groundwater Geochemistry section (4.2) now reflects technical consensus that a shallow fracture-flow aquifer is the source of the Santa Clara Spring," the email stated. Jochem's note also said a half-mile buffer zone was added and that the aggregate quarry was reassessed as posing a "Moderate" contamination risk; the note credited a recommendation by John Shomaker and referenced a 2023 settlement between local parties and attorneys representing Ojo Feliz Ranch.

Councilor Gabriel D. Maestas moved to adopt the resolution; Councilor Claudia M. Martinez seconded and the motion passed 3-0. Deputy Clerk Engelhardt said the plan will be treated as a living document, with periodic monitoring and updates and continued technical support from NMED's Drinking Water Bureau.

Mayor Andres Martinez and Deputy Clerk Engelhardt said the resolution reinforces the Village's existing ordinance and demonstrates the council sought expert input before adoption. The plan's management strategies and the added buffer, officials said, are intended to guide future reviews and to reduce the risk of contamination to the spring that supplies local groundwater.

The council did not attach new regulatory enforcement measures to the resolution; instead, Engelhardt said the resolution memorializes the village's intent to revisit and refine the plan as needed. The council recorded the vote as 3-0 in favor; Councilor Paul A. Miera was absent.