By Rodd Cayton — The Village of Corrales is generally not very dependent upon federal aid, Mayor Fred Hashimoto says.
Hashimoto told the Corrales Comment on Nov. 12 that most village projects are financed locally, or with state-provided grants and appropriations.
He mentioned the Salce Park improvement plan, which has been supported with federal dollars as the community works to develop a parcel of donated land at Sagebrush Drive and Calle Blanca. That $1 million Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, like many awards to smaller municipalities, came indirectly from the federal government. The LWCF program is administered by the National Park Service, but the money passed through the New Mexico State Parks Division.
Hashimoto said he doesn’t anticipate that the Nov. 3 midterm elections, which led to a Democratic majority in both houses of Congress, will necessarily change Corrales’ strategy regarding pursuing federal funds.
He said it’s possible Corrales will seek federal money for groundwater testing as it studies a potential sewer system. “We’ll probably look to the state first,” Hashimoto said. “But maybe the feds have some money.”
The village has already secured a $2 million pass-through grant for design of a possible system.
Hashimoto said the state’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, has generally looked after Corrales, and that the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), which serves Corrales also receives federal dollars that help the village with water supply issues, among the most important local concerns.
He said the MRGCD has received money from Washington for part of the Corrales siphon replacement project, which will mean a more reliable irrigation supply next year, as well as U.S. Forest Service money for bosque improvements in the area.
Hashimoto said state money has been more reliable, and seeking federal aid thus far hasn’t been as much of a priority as village leaders wrestle with major issues such as updating noise, parking and planning standards.
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