Books

Follow

• 

  Rio Mimbres Acequia Systems: An Oral History

  Neal W. Ackerly

  This volume contains transcripts of interviews with various residents collected during the 1993 field phase of the survey of acequia systems in the Mimbres Valley. As noted in Volume 1, additional interviews were conducted with other residents, but were not recorded. Accordingly, no transcript of these interview sessions cannot be included here.

  The individuals interviewed, as well as the abbreviated names appearing in these transcripts, included John VonTress (JVT, age 57), Regis McSherry (RM, age 67), Sam Grijalva (age 73), Charles Disert (age 84), and Horace Bounds (HB, age 90). Vesta McSherry, appearing as VM in transcripts, provided additional information in the Regis McSherry interview. The narrative that results from compiling these quotations provides information about acequia systems extending back in time to approximately 1925.

  The actual transcripts are prefaced with excerpts from conversations with different individuals. These excerpts are organized according to specific topics pertaining to the construction, operation, and maintenance of floodwater irrigation systems in the Mimbres Valley. Topics include (1) water duty, (2) irrigation methods, (3) changes in crop production strategies, (4) the role of fatiga, ditch maintenance and the office of mayordomos, (5) derechos and rotation cycles, (6) characteristics and problems with ditches, and (7) sharecropping. Out of these quotations emerges a clearer picture of the problems associated with floodwater irrigation systems, as well as a detailed indication of the variety of solutions developed by local irrigators.

  The transcripts themselves deserve one further comment. Portions of the interview with Horace Bounds were adversely affected by what might be termed a major malfunction in the recording equipment. Words and phrases appearing in brackets are my reconstruction of the gist of the conversation and should not be considered direct quotations. Similar brackets appear in other interviews where I have inserted words or phrases to clarify what was being discussed.

• 

  Strategies for Change: Action Plan Workbook

  Lila Aurich

  When we take action to produce change, frequently we tend to move immediately from a superficial identification of the problem to action. Experience indicates that a more thorough diagnosis of all aspects of the situation to be changed, and of our relationship to the situation as agents of change, will produce a more effective result.

  This Workbook is a companion to the Program Guide and What Is a System? It is designed to help you put theory into practice when analyzing and laying out an action plan.

• 

  Uranium Development in the San Juan Basin Region: A Report on Environmental Issues

  San Juan Regional Uranium Study

  The San Juan Basin Regional Uranium Study was initiated in 1977 by the Secretary of the Interior in his role as trustee over Indian lands and manager of the public domain. The task force was formed from Department of the Interior agencies and the general scientific community. The project was undertaken in response to the need for information generated by the rapid upturn in uranium development in New Mexico in the early 1970's. The Study's goal has been to provide a regional analysis the effects of uranium development on the human and natural environment of northwest New Mexico from the present until the year 2000. It is hoped that this information will aid decision makers, prove useful in environmental impact statement preparation, and inform the general public. The study area is shown in Maps I-I and 1-2. Over the last three and one-half years, more than 150 social and natural scientists and staff have participated in the preparation of this volume and its 70 technical working papers, listed in the References. Working from the Study's projection of future exploration, mine, and mill sites, and tonnage of ore mined and milled, team members analyzed impacts at the regional, subregional and sometimes site-specific levels, depending on available data and methodology. Key impacts found are summarized in Chart XIII-1 (in pocket). The reader is cautioned that uranium development is a "speculative" industry, subject to unpredictable upswings and downturns and consequently difficult to forecast with any assurance of accuracy. Three successive DOE forecasts (1977, 1978, 1980) have changed their predictions of tons of U3O8 to be produced by New Mexico in the year 2000 from 36,000 to 27,000, and finally down to 18,900.

• 

  The Spirit of a Great University

  Chester C. Travelstead

  Text of a speech by Chester Travelstead upon his retirement as Provost of the University of New Mexico.

• 

  Reflections on Women of New Mexico

  Rosalie Williams

  From the beginning of time in New Mexico, women have nurtured, guided, influenced and labored for their people, their families, and their communities. Their contributions have been acknowledged, only in recent years, through the unearthing of women's history. The sources of information about women in the early days had to be teased out from diaries, letters, excavations, oral histories, and other non-traditional sources. Inferences had to be derived from hints and clues in the records of men's activities, then assembled like a jigsaw puzzle into a more complete picture. Learning about the roles and contributions of women to the larger society does not replace what is already there. Adding women to the picture enlarges it, expands it, and renders history more inclusive. Scholars of all racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, as well as women, continue to labor to bring us our history in many different fashions. To them we are grateful.

  This booklet about the women of New Mexico is not meant to tell the whole story, that would be impossible. What we mean to do here is to whet the reader's curiosity, thus stimulating further reading, study, and inquiry. "Reflections on Women of New Mexico" highlights several women, chosen at random, from historical sources. The sources are listed for your convenience. Copies of documents addressing the inclusion of women on the national stage, The Declaration of Sentiments: Report of the Woman's Rights Convention Held at Seneca Falls, NY, July 19-20, 1848 and, the Presidential Proclamation 1998: Celebrating 150 years of Women's History are included in their complete texts.

  The Albuquerque Human Rights Office, local libraries, universities and colleges, and older members of the community are all good sources of information.