“Come on people, stop trashing our farm lands!” says John Clayshulte, Mesilla Valley pecan farmer. “Every year we start the irrigation season and I find old stoves, refrigerators, scrap tires and trash in irrigation ditches.” Then, his workers must remove the illegally dumped materials and take them to the SCSWA Recycling and Transfer Station or one of the County Collection Centers.
This year, the South Central Solid Waste (SCSWA) has teamed up with the Elephant Butte Irrigation District (EBID) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) to provide three drop-off locations for local farmers to dispose of scrap tires that would block the flow of water into farm fields. Also, residents will start to see signage along irrigation canals prohibiting illegal dumping.
“We’re pleased that EBID has joined our fight against illegal dumping, to help make sure our irrigation canals and drainage ditches can supply water that is critical for our farmers and their crops and this crucial time,” said Patrick Peck, SCSWA director.
Illegal dumping - including dumped tires - is not only an obvious eyesore, but it also poses environmental and public health issues. For example, even ¼-inch of rain water stagnating in a tire provides enough water to hatch out virus-carrying mosquitos. That’s not just a pest problem, it’s a serious health issue for vulnerable populations. On top of that, tires and other illegal waste material can damage irrigation infrastructure.
SCSWA applied for and received Recycling and Illegal Dumping (RAID) Grant funding to help EBID with the collection and removal of the tires and waste material. Drop-off events started in February in Hatch and two temporary drop-off sites are set to go through in Doña Ana and Chamberino areas.
● North Las Cruces and Doña Ana area: Valley Drive near Taylor Road, March 8-15
● Chamberino area: Near EBID S. Maintenance Yard, 10935 Hwy 28, La Mesa, April 19-26
These tire drop-off sites are only temporary locations. Following these events neither EBID nor the SCSWA will accept tires at any of these locations.
For nearly 100 years, EBID has been the steward of the New Mexico’s portion of the Rio Grande. To find out more, go to https://ebid-nm.org/
Green Connections is submitted by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) managing solid waste, recyclables, and working to stop illegal dumping for residents and businesses throughout Doña Ana County. Contact the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net.