Oct. 22--DONA ANA -- Anger over the locations of a proposed wastewater treatment plant and surface water treatment plant was apparent here Wednesday, as officials gathered feedback about the projects during a public hearing.

About 200 people -- many of whom seemed especially concerned about the wastewater plant location -- attended the session, held at Do-a Ana Elementary School. Several speakers expressed concern about what they contend was a lack of transparency by the Do-a Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association in selecting sites for the facilities.

Attendee Jeffrey Smith, a resident of Eagle Wings Road, said he lives about one-fourth of a mile from the location of the proposed sewage treatment plant. He said there has been little communication from the water association.

"I'm entirely supportive of the need for a sewage treatment plant and a water reclamation plant," he said. "My objections have been the way they've gone about doing this, in addition to where the site is located."

Smith said he's concerned about the plant's proximity to the water table, as well as the impact to wildlife and the visual disturbance in a popular hiking area.

Several attendees held protest signs. At times, some shouted out comments, interrupting presenters.

A representative from Souder, Miller & Associates, a consultant firm hired to do environmental analysis related to the projects, said the meeting was held to gather input for an environmental document being compiled by his

firm. The document will be submitted to the state Environment Department and eventually the federal government.

Officials with the Do-a Ana Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association have said the wastewater plant is needed to eliminate septic tanks -- contributors to groundwater contamination. It's proposed for a site already owned by the mutual domestic off Hope Road.

Meanwhile, officials have said the surface water treatment plant is needed to expand service capacity in the area. It would take water from the Rio Grande and make it drinkable. Mariano Martinez, director of the mutual domestic association, said the agency is negotiating for a parcel of land in Fort Seldon. The acreage is a former gravel pit.

Some attendees cited concerns about the possible impacts of lighting at treatment facilities, which could impact stargazing events at the nearby state park. Officials said that will be factored into lighting decisions.

The session began at 6 p.m. with a hearing on the surface water treatment plant and continued with a hearing about the wastewater treatment plant. The hearing was expected to last until about 9:20 p.m.

A 30-day period for the public to comment on the possible effects of the plant ends Nov. 20. Input can be submitted by mail or e-mail, officials said.

Diana M. Alba can be reached at dalba@lcsun-news.com; (575) 541-5443.

If you comment

-- E-mail comments about proposed wastewater and surface water treatment plants to:

DAMDWCA.EID@soudermiller.com

-- Or mail comments to:

Souder, Miller & Associates

Attn: DAMDWCA EID

401 N. Seventeenth St., Ste. 4

Las Cruces, NM 88004

-- Comments must be submitted by Nov. 20.

-----

To see more of the Las Cruces Sun-News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.lcsun-news.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.