What’s the Big Deal? Let Us Tell You….

There are many valid reasons why a concrete batch plant should not be built at the proposed location.  Among them are: 

 First and foremost, it is a health hazard, particularly to those with respiratory issues. While there is no single established dangerous proximity zone, since it depends to some extent on topography, wind direction and wind speed, given the proximity of Alto to the plant we will be at risk of breathing toxins and irritants.  

Second, this plant will negatively impact your property values.  In the course of this lengthy litigation, testimony was elicited from qualified realtors, and they estimate that properties neighboring the concrete batch plant will lose at least 50% of their value.  Not hard to imagine.  What sane individual looking for pristine mountain air and clear vistas would knowingly buy near an operating batch plant,  That will begin a ripple effect that will put downward pressure on all property in the Alto area. In addition, buyers who purchase without notice may feel they should have been advised of the plant’s proximity.  

Third, the impact on traffic will be dramatic.  As stated in the application (and allowed should the air quality permit application be approved) over 300 truck trips per day could occur during peak production periods. Picture the parade of trucks lumbering slowly up the Highway 48 grade leading to the 220 intersection – hauling water from Capitan and Carrizozo where Roper Construction has told NMED he will source his water.  Hauling Aggregate.  Hauling cement. A slow moving parade that residents and tourists will be forced to join. 

 Fourth, 15 million gallons of water will be required to produce the amount of concrete allowed by the permit.  That much water in an area that is in the midst of a 10 year drought, that is experiencing falling water tables and failing wells, is incredibly reckless.  It is hard to believe this kind of intense water usage would be allowed by the water district, but it is clear NMED doesn’t care.  They’re about “air quality” and refuse to consider the stress this puts on our water resources – “you’re out of water?  Too bad.  Not my concern.” 

Fifth, the painful truth is that if a concrete batch plant can be built where currently proposed, then any manner of heavy industry can secure a permit to build throughout the Alto area regardless of the negative impact on our environment.  This concrete batch plant will be the first in a steady march of heavy industry entrepreneurs who care nothing of the environment but seek only to extract profit while destroying all that makes Alto the special place in which we chose to reside.  That concrete batch plant will not be the end of the nightmare, it will be the first in a parade of nightmares inexorably destroying our Alto community.