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Acequias
Origins
Acequia is a Spanish word meaning 'irrigation ditch' and is derived
from the Arabic assaquiya, 'water carrier'. Secondary and lateral ditches
are called sangrias, a term that expresses the same wisdom as the Spanish
saying, "El agua es la sangre de la tierra," Water is the blood of the land."
Another saying is "El agua es vida," "Water is life."
The origin of acequias and ditches in New Mexico has been traced by
archaeologists and historians to Pueblo Indians and Spanish explorers and
settlers. The Pueblos were reported to have been practicing irrigated
farming when the Spanish explorers and colonists first came to the region.
The term acequia refers both to historic irrigation ditches, and, in New
Mexico, the community associations that own and care for these ditches.
Acequias are recognized under New Mexico law as political subdivisions of the
state, and many of the state's acequia associations have been in existence since
the Spanish colonization period of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Governance
Historically, acequias have been a principal local government unit for the
distribution and use of surface water. The associations have the power of
eminent domain and are authorized to borrow money and enter into contracts for
maintenance and improvements. Acequia associations do not have the power
to tax, so the costs of maintenance and improvements are borne by the
individuals served by the irrigation system.
Assistance
The New Mexico Office of the State Enginner, Interstate Stream Commission,
and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can help acequia associations pay for
construction of system improvements. The first step in receiving
assistance through these agencies is to contact your local USDA-Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Field Office to initiate project planning.
The Interstate Stream Commission and NRCS have entered into an agreement whereby
NRCS provides planning and design work for acequia projects. Construction
for these projects may then be funded through the ISC Acequia Construction
Program that includes six sub-programs: the Loan Progam, 80/20 Acequia Grant
Program, Corps Section 215 Acequia Program, Corps 1113 Acequia Program,
Legislative Special Appropriations Projects (Capital Projects), and Natural
Disaster Assessment. |
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