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About Protect Tesuque

Protect Tesuque is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by a dedicated team of resident volunteers and advocates committed to preserving the health, beauty, and water security of the Tesuque Valley. We fight to ensure environmental laws are upheld, corporate overreach is checked, and the voice of the community is never ignored.

Timeline

Protect Tesuque’s Legal and Community Response

Contact & FAQ
Early 2024

Tesuque residents organize after learning Bishop’s Lodge plans to discharge partially treated wastewater into Little Tesuque Creek.

August 2024

In response to over 140 public comments and 80+ formal hearing requests, Bishop’s Lodge pivots to a new plan: discharge via a leach field within 100 feet of the creek, in a FEMA flood zone, above a shallow aquifer.

February 5, 2025

Protect Tesuque formally challenges the draft discharge permit issued by NMED, arguing the plan violates the Environmental Improvement Act and Liquid Waste Regulations.

March 14, 2025

Protect Tesuque files its final reply brief, consolidating its legal argument and demanding permit denial.

April 7, 2025

An NMED hearing officer denies Protect Tesuque’s motion without a hearing or rationale, allowing the permit process to continue unchecked.

April 21, 2025

Protect Tesuque files a petition for a writ of mandamus with the New Mexico Supreme Court, asking the Court to intervene and require NMED to enforce state law.

May 19, 2025

A public hearing on the draft permit took place and Hearing Officer Orth’s decision is expected within 60 days of the date of the hearing.

In The News

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May 21, 2025 • Source New Mexico

Resort’s ability to evaluate effluent disputed on final day of hearing

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May 21, 2025 • SantaFe.com

Richard Eeds Show

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May 19, 2025 • Albuquerque Journal

Five-day hearings on Bishop’s Lodge proposed wastewater permit start

May 19, 2025 • Albuquerque Journal

Tesuque Residents are all stirred up over resort’s new propsed wastewater permit

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May 18, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

State must enforce itswater laws in Tesuque

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May 11, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

Downstream from leach field, well user has questions

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May 5, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

Protect Tesuque’s petition to state high court seeks to apply liquid waste rules to resort’s application 

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May 1, 2025 • Source New Mexico

New Mexico Supreme Court requests parties file written arguments in Bishop’s lodge wastewater case

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April 25, 2025 • Source New Mexico

New Mexico Supreme Court asked to weigh in on Tesuque wastewater conflict

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April 23, 2025 • KRQE Fox Evening News

Group sues to stop wastewater discharge in northern New Mexico

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April 23, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

High court asked to intervene on Bishop’s Lodge Issue

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April 22, 2025 • Richard Eeds Show

Protect Tesuque members discuss a writ that was filed with the New Mexico Supreme Court

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April 22, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

Bishop’s Lodge Needs to Respect Neighbors

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April 17, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

Challenge tossed to Bishop’s Lodge discharge permit

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March 25, 2025 • Santa Fe Reporter

Viewpoint: Regulators or Rubber Stamps? How New Mexico’s Environment Department is Failing Its Mission

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March 24, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

Tesuque is battling for its water future

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February 10, 2025 • Santa Fe New Mexican

Group wants NMED to deny Bishop’s Lodge a waste permit before hearing

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November 10, 2024 • Santa Fe New Mexican

Despite pivot from Bishop’s Lodge, wastewater concern runs high in Tesuque

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June 21, 2024 • Santa Fe Reporter

Bishop’s Lodge Neighbors Consider Legal Action

Board of Directors

Rusty Day

Board Member & Director

Rusty is a veteran environmental attorney and a new Tesuque resident. He is the lead strategist behind Protect Tesuque’s legal challenge to Bishop’s Lodge and NMED, and has been instrumental in crafting the powerful legal arguments that led to the recent favorable ruling by Hearing Officer Judge Orth. Rusty’s depth of knowledge in environmental law and hydrology makes him an invaluable asset in holding regulators accountable.

Dr. Jamie Gagan

Board Member & Director

Jamie is a respected voice in the Tesuque community, with a background in public health and education. She brings deep commitment to environmental justice and community outreach, helping lead both communications and alliance-building efforts with statewide organizations. She’s often found front and center at protests and policy discussions.

Bernadette Romero–Jaramillo

Board Member & Outreach Coordinator

Bernadette is a lifelong Northern New Mexico resident with deep roots in the Tesuque community. She leads community engagement efforts, coordinates events, and helps manage social media, the ProtectTesuque.org web site, and the Protect Tesuque newsletter.

Mark DeCamp

Secretary

Mark is a dual certified project manager and critical member of Protect Tesuque. His strategic planning, writing, and leadership have helped grow the organization’s visibility across New Mexico. Mark also coordinates partnerships and serves as the group’s primary liaison for outreach and digital strategy.

Kathleen Bryan

Treasurer

Kathleen manages the organization’s finances, donor tracking, and budget planning. Her work ensures financial transparency and stability, helping build trust with community members and funders alike. She also helps with recordkeeping and logistical planning.

Clara Dougherty

Board Member

Clara plays a key role in managing communications with donors and supporters. She is also involved in community feedback processes, helping facilitate conversations and build stronger relationships across Tesuque.

Contact & FAQ

Our Goals

Stop The Dumping

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Stop Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts and the Bishop’s Lodge Hills and Villas from contaminating our drinking water.

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Protect Our Water

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Ensure immediate adoption of an environmentally sound solution for the disposal of the sewage generated by the Resort and the Hills and Villas.

Ensure Our Future

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Secure prompt adoption and enforcement by County and State governments of suitable sewage and waste disposal regulations to protect the quality and viability of Tesuque Basin’s drinking water, acequias and ecosystem.