Description

Situated in the Rio Grande Valley along the magnificent river by the same name, the Valencia County Drinking Water Planning Group is interested in working together to prove quality drinking water to their current and future customs.

VALENCIA COUNTY DRINKING WATER PLANNING GROUP'S - FINAL REPORT

Facilitators and Technical Advisors

Melinda Smith has over 20 years experience as a mediator, program developer, collaborative process designer and facilitator, and trainer in community, family, organizational, education, juvenile justice, and social service settings. As a leader in community mediation, she served as founding co-chair of the board of the National Association for Community Mediation. Ms. Smith specializes in designing, managing, and facilitating collaborative processes involving water quality and quantity issues, fire and drought management; and community land use and transportation policy. She has working experience with local, state, and federal agencies, environmental organizations, tribes, private land owners, property rights organizations, and water systems. She was founding executive director of the New Mexico Center for Dispute Resolution, and she also has extensive international experience in curriculum development and training in peace and conflict resolution education.

Keith Melton holds an M.S. in community and regional affairs from the University of Missouri, and has 30 years experience in city planning, environmental assessment, and national and international environmental mediation and facilitation. Mr. Melton was a former project manager for the Safe Drinking Water Act Programs with the New Mexico Environment Department Drinking Water Bureau.