Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District

Change trumped experience Tuesday night as a wave of voters sent three challengers cresting to victory over incumbents in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District board directors election. Karen Dunning, Adrian Oglesby, Derrick Lente and Chris Sichler all won seats on the board that oversees irrigation and flood control from Cochiti to Socorro.

The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District election today could change the direction of the organization that controls a vast stretch of bosque, ditches and levees between Cochiti and Socorro. The most hotly contested seats represent Bernalillo County, where one director has rankled some with his forthright style but earned praise from others for stirring up a cozy board and shining light on its inner workings.

Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) yesterday endorsed one incumbent and three challengers in the elections for the board of directors of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD). The nonprofit environmental group endorsed Bill Turner, Adrian Oglesby, Cecilia Rosacker-McCord and Derrick Lente.

For years, residents in Albuquerque’s North Valley have been pushing for a formalized system of recreation trails along the acequias, an idea the current board has unanimously rejected. Supporters of the trail plan are hoping that electing new board members will pave the way to change.