The Congreso de las Acequias is the governing body of the New Mexico Acequia Association that was created over the course of a few years between 1999 and 2001 to strengthen the collective voice of acequias in New Mexico and to have a vehicle to work toward a common vision. The Congreso de las Acequias is a federation of regions defined mainly by watersheds and a common stream system. Most of these watershed-based regions have established associations of acequias that work for their common interests at the local level such as adjudication defense or water sharing agreements. Other regional acequia associations have expanded their role to also include youth mentoring, leadership development, and rebuilding local and regional food systems. Some regions have not established watershed-based regional associations yet but may do so in the future to advocate for their common interests.
Once a year, the Congreso de las Acequias meets to approve resolutions that serve to define the policy platform and agenda of the NMAA and to elect leaders to govern the organization. The Congreso is the only statewide gathering of acequias and it is often attended by various dignitaries and elected officials to show support of New Mexico's acequias. Usually the annual Congreso de las Acequias takes place in November of each year and is intended to keep NMAA members and supporters informed about current issues affecting of acequias, to celebrate acequia culture with music, and to greet old and new friends.
This year, the theme was "Strengthening Community in Times of Water Scarcity." Following the roll call of the Congreso's regional delegates, the customary Bendición de las Aguas took place. Delegates and supporters from around the state brought water from their respective areas for the water blessing. It's a beautiful NMAA ritual that's intended to honor water as a life-giving element and to ground us in the important work that we do.
Following the water blessing, we heard from acequia leaders, researchers, and policy makers. During the topic, "Acequia Leaders Speak on Adaptation to Longterm Drought," Medardo Sanchez (La Asociacion de las Acequias Nortenas del Rio Arriba) and Fred Vigil (Rio de Chama Acequia Association) shared their experience with water sharing this past irrigation season. True to the repartimiento tradition, both regional acequia associations came together with the Office of the State Engineer to negotiate a water sharing agreement.
Following the water sharing section, rancher Harold Trujillo and farmer Don Bustos presented on the topic "Acequia Agriculture & Irrigation Strategies for the next 100 Years." Harold focused on irrigation strategies referring to many examples, both traditional and modern; and emphasized the need to adjust irrigation techniques now and in the future in order to respond to climate change and drought conditions. Don spoke of the need to protect our water for the future of farming in New Mexico as well as provided a summary of his farming techniques and adaptation to newer technology that he couples with older ancestral methods.
The Congreso attendees also heard presenters who work in the areas of research and policy including Dr. Sam Fernald, Director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute and Professor of Animal and Range Sciences at NMSU; and Senator Peter Wirth. Sam spoke about the ongoing acequia research that he's been engaged in since the early part of the century. "I see acequias as important advocacy for water in New Mexico," he said, "there are many things we can learn from them." The most recent study, funded by the National Science Foundation, centers around acequias as resilient systems that have proven to be adaptable to change. Senator Wirth spoke about the past legislative session and the two major areas generating concern, the priority call on the Pecos River and the New Mexico-Texas water compacts. He also stated that acequias are the "big dogs" at the negotiating table because they have senior water rights, and underscored that moving forward with less water is a path that we all share.
Congressman Ben Ray Lujan was the event's keynote speaker. He started by acknowledging the tenacity and perseverance of acequia leaders and NMAA's leaders in particular. He also expressed his frustration surrounding the stalled farm bill. Additionally, he spoke of the NMAA-advised legislation that he has been working on since 2009 called the Traditional Use and Consultation Act, the purpose of which is to recognize and respect the traditional use of our national forests and public lands. He emphasized the importance of the bill in codifying and putting into place the responsibility for mandatory consultation about public land use that involves acequias, compuertas, land grants, etc.
The Congreso de las Acequias also featured the Acequia Awards Ceremony. Acequia farmers, leaders, and advocates from throughout the state were honored for their unwavering dedication to acequias and their communities. Facundo Valdez received special honors with the Acequia Lifetime Achievement Award.
Following the event's dynamic and informative speakers, we lead the business section of the gathering. Opened and conducted by NMAA Present, Antonio Medina, Congreso delegates voted on resolutions following both the approval of the 2012 Minutes and NMAA's annual report presentation. The Congreso passed a total of four resolutions: 1. Requesting that the State Legislature and state agencies support acequias and other local governments with completion of financial reporting and audits, 2. Requesting an inter-agency assessment of acequia infrastructure and requesting the Water Trust Board make an annual needs-based allocation from the Water Project Fund to the Acequia Project Fund, 3. Requesting that the State Engineer recognize and support the role of acequias in local water management, and 4. Supporting the creation of a Water Fund to restore watersheds in New Mexico on a landscape scale. Copies of the resolutions and the Congreso proceedings will be made available online by January 3, 2014 at www.lasacequias.org/congreso-de-las-acequias
