[Editor's Note: This is part 7 of a multi-part series of articles on almost six hours of Grant County Commission meetings on Feb. 11 and 13, 2025.)
By Mary Alice Murphy

The Grant County Commission Feb. 11, 2025 work session continued with County Manager Charlene Webb's review of the Feb. 13, 2025 regular meeting.

During public input at the regular meeting, Darrell Smith of Buckhorn, said his chief complaint was the fees for violations of the Animal Control Ordinance O-04-16. He said he was told the fee was $25. At a court case in July 2024, he was told the fee for his complaint of a barking dog had been reduced to $10, so the defendant paid $10. "My complaint was of a barking dog at all hours of the day and night. I work from home, and the barking affects my sleep and peace and it causes me anxiety. $25 does not bust anyone's pocket. A fee should be high enough to hurt someone's pocket. It needs to be at least $250 so it starts to sting a bit. It was my first time at magistrate court and I was told it was the first time they had had a case on a barking dog. Please revise the fees in the ordinance."

Kim Clark, Grant County resident, spoke briefly to support Resolution 25-15, Freeport McMoRan exploration at Tyrone Peak and the Emma project. "As a fifth generation president of Grant County, I fully support the continuation of mining operations and request approval of the exploration permit. Freeport is a great community partner demonstrating a commitment to responsible mining practices. This exploration project permit is essential for the long-term development of the economic future of Grant County. I ask that you adopt this resolution."

Pete Stubben of Silver City also supported the mining exploration resolution. He said he did a little research on the demand for copper and found the demand for the mineral would increase from the current 25.9 million metric tons to 39.1 million by 2040, a 50 percent increase. "I recommend the county approve this resolution."

Billy Billings, former commissioner, thanked the new commissioners for their service and for recognizing the importance of mining to the community. "We can produce it in America in the safest and most environmentally friendly way in the world. I also recommend that you join the Livestock Loss Authority as more wolves are being released. Our loss is less than Catron County's, but it will increase as the wolves move farther into our county. Hopefully we can expand the payment also for losses to bears and lions."

A woman spoke in support of the mining exploration project. "Our young people are having to move out of town for jobs. One of the few places that people can get jobs is at the mines. We need to support the mines to continue having a community. They do everything they can to mitigate the mining environmental impact." She said as a realtor she sees people coming from all over the world to work in our mines. "In a recent mine tour, I was impressed by everything they do to minimize ecological impact. I support the resolution."

A man from Bayard said he wanted to protest a proposal made at the last meeting to move law enforcement funding from the municipalities to the sheriff's department. "Bayard answers more than 150 calls a month." He gave the statistics on the monthly calls to Bayard by the sheriff's department. He noted that the data shows deputies respond to no more than 25 calls per month to Bayard. "Trying to take funds from our department is not only unreasonable but a threat to public safety. Reducing our resources in favor of agencies with minimal involvement in our community is simply not viable."

Rachel Roberts introduced herself as the senior environmental scientist overseeing the permit efforts at the Tyrone Mine. She noted that the NM Mining and Minerals Division had held a public hearing on the two exploration permits for the mine.

"It is evident that there are some misunderstandings regarding the permit information and potentially lingering questions among the public," Roberts continued. "We appreciate the public's participation and inquiry throughout the process, and I will address a few topics to help provide answers and clarity.

"First Topic is maps and project awareness. There is a misconception that we didn't include maps in the applications, but we are unsure why the statement was made. In the first application, which the agency deemed administratively complete, we included two maps. We did hear the public's concern about not quite understanding where the site was in relation to the mine. So in an updated application, we submitted eight additional maps. It's not in the Mining Act requirements to show a regional map for exploration, but we provided one in response to those concerns. Despite the other forms of project, locations and descriptions being provided as well. In the application itself, we provide township range inspections, in addition to the GPS limits of every single portion for neighbors within a half mile and interested parties."

The second topic was wildlife protection. "We are following best management practices for wildlife protection, and that does adhere to conservation guidance issued by leading experts and US Fish and Wildlife Service region 6."

The next topic addressed plant salvage and leaving mature trees. "It is completely voluntary that Tyrone salvages plants on private property, except for those listed as threatened and endangered. Tyrone does this when practical and as part of our responsible mining practices. We work with representatives from our Native Plant Society and other conservation organizations in these efforts."

The next topic was light and noise. She said there is some strong scrutiny over these aspects not being included in the permits, but the Mining Act does not address them directly. "However, Tyrone does voluntarily conduct additional noise or nuisance studies using third party experts to understand potential impacts."

She noted that studies have been available to the public on Freeport's website for the last several years. Roberts said those studies did model drilling noises and lighting, and the results suggest that impacts are unlikely because of the distance to nearby residents in the Emma and Peak area, as neighbors are substantially farther away from the activities. "Our plan, with controls and the grievance management system are proven tools for reducing or eliminating those impacts if they were to occur."

Roberts then addressed surface disturbance. She explained that over the past decade, they have been disturbing and reclaiming the same sites in Emma. "Under a specific regulation, it does offer the provision that reclamation does not have to take place when there is a mining application submitted." She also noted that questions about what they are doing to protect ground and surface water is outlined in the permit application. "It is important to understand that the Mining and Minerals Division's role is to govern reclamation and not every single aspect of environmental impact and mediation."

The last topic she spoke about addressed the road segment from Highway 90. "The issue was included in the original application with maps and the text description of the roads."

Roberts urged the commissioners to support "our operations on these exploration permits. Projects such as this play a critical role in the mine's future. Many of our employees are long-time residents of Grant County with strong ties to our community. Our operations are a critical part of the economy, ours and that of Grant County and our operations are producing responsibly mined copper to meet the world's future energy needs. Thank you for allowing me the time to speak on these aspects of permitting. You're welcome to come out to the mine anytime or to have a conversation. We would love to have you."

Romeo Cruz, Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce executive director, gave the last public input. "I come here today in support of the resolution R-25-15, and the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Congress is equally in support of this exploration." He said most people involved in the mine have lived here for many years; their families have been here many years, and they are thankful that Freeport took over from Kennecott. "I worked at Freeport in 2014, and the protections and advancements they have made, especially in environmental processes, continue to improve. Freeport continues to now only help the local economy, but to donate thousands of dollars to local entities, as well as across the globe. In 2023, Freeport gave $450,000 to local organizations to keep them going. As the Silver City-Grant County Chamber of Commerce, we strongly support this resolution and hope it moves forward."

Webb said the presentation at the regular meeting would come from the Grant County Extension Service Ag/4-H Agent and County Director Jessica Massengill, giving her 2024 review of the extension programs, along with Michelle Greeman 4-H/FCS (Family and Consumer Sciences) agent.

At the regular meeting, Massengill presented the report after telling everyone a bit of her history. She grew up in Luna, NM, where her family has ranched for more than 100 years. She received a bachelor of science in agriculture from New Mexico State University in 2009 and earned master of science in agricultural leadership at Texas A & M in 2015. She first worked as a crop supervisor of Olam Spices and Vegetables in Las Cruces, with a specialty in paprika variety breeding, planting and harvest. She has been with the Grant County Extension Service for the past nine years.

4-H programming is part of her job. In 2024, Grant County had five clubs, with 40 adult members and volunteers. Out of 200 available projects 4-Hers participated in 51 last year. She noted that enrollment has increased by 10 percent since 2023.

Massengill said she thought the recruitment initiative helped bring in more enrollment. She created a video that highlighted 4-H benefits and presented it to a diverse audience. She also said the the video was adopted statewide to recruits new 4-H members and to date the YouTube videos had gotten 13,659 views, with most being in the U.S., but some had also viewed it from New Zealand.

She showed some of the local 4-H teams that had won at state. The 2024 horse judging team, which consisted of Rusty Waters, Sarah Gardner, Tucker Gatlin and Tanner Frost, coached by Carlie Gatlin, had taken first place.

The 2024 Livestock Judging Team, consisting of Sarah Gardner. Tucker Gatlin, Tanner Frost and Kaleb Newman, coached by Massengill had placed third at state, with Tucker Gatlin placing third highest individual in the state.

At the national western roundup horse judging, the state winning team placed 7th high team overall and 3rd high team in halter. Tanner Frost was 4th high individual in halter; the team was 9th high team in performance; 5th high team in reasons, with Frost placing 6th high individual in reasons.

In the 2025 New Mexico State 4-H parliamentary procedure contest, the first time in years that Grant County had a team, the team placed 4th in the state, with members Laney Lopez, Braelyn Rodriguez, Tanner Frost, Ethan Greeman, Chris Bennett and Bella Lopez. The team was coached by Klayton and Sam Bearup.

Massengill trained 10 adult volunteers on recruitment, planning, financial management, while introducing personality tests to enhance collaboration.

The Egg-to-Chick 4-H program educated 353 students, an 18.5 percent increase from 2023, on egg anatomy, fertilization and embryo development through hands-on incubator lessons.

The agent also taught Gardening 101 to teach clients how to supplement their food supply with their own backyard gardens.

The extension service provided a program on All About Weeds to help homeowners manage their weeds effectively. Another program addressed technological advances in livestock production, including drone use for monitoring, virtual fencing, location tracking, as well as succession planning for future generations of Grant County ranchers.

Massengill also talked about the Grant County Extension Connection, she started, records, edits and produces in her office with no fancy equipment. It has reached listeners in30 different countries and 432 different cities around the world.

For her podcast on Antimicrobial and Hormones in Beef, Massengill was named regional winner of the Communications Award for audio recordings by the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in 2024.

She also serves on the NM 4-H livestock advisory committee, the NM 4-H curriculum committee, revising state swine and beef curriculum and serves as the co-chair for the NM 4-H Agent Association Policy Committee.

Massengill also makes a difference in Grant County by serving as ex-officio on the Grant County Fair Board and the Grant County Copper CowBelles, as well as serving with the Grant County Farm and Livestock Bureau.

In November, after the departure of the previous 4-H FCS (family and consumer sciences) agent, Michelle Greeman was hired to fill the position.

Greeman introduced herself by saying she has been working as a substitute teacher at Cliff School and has been a volunteer and chaperone for 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America). She has served in different capacities as a volunteer, and has worked for NMSU Cooperative Extension Service in the past. In 2024, she served as NM CowBelles state president, and has a B.S. degree and a masters of art degree in agricultural education from NMSU.

Her primary programming for the extension service includes family and consumer sciences, 4-H and ICAN (ideas for cooking and nutrition).

She plans to offer programming relevant to Grant County, which may include food safety, food labels, budgeting, healthy cooking styles, diabetes education, preserving and canning and mental health.

Greeman talked about how to continue growth and engagement. Ways to do so include offering dedicated Cloverbud programming for the new youngest 4-H members; connecting with the 4-H clubs; connecting with project groups; promoting and coaching leadership and public speaking; taking 4-H programming to the schools, including life skills and ag literacy; working with the County 4-H Council; and working with and training adult leaders and volunteers.

Massengill concluded the presentation by reminding the commissioners of the voluntary budget reduction they implemented in 2020. She noted that the current budget is insufficient to support the essential operations, and having two dedicated agents and an almost full staff.

"We ask you to consider our significant impact on the community, when evaluating our funding request in the near future," Massengill said. "This report highlights our efforts, but does not fully capture the scope of our work. Without our contributions, the community would face significant challenges. We also invite you to attend any of our programs or to visit us personally to experience what we do."

Massengill apologized for having to leave as she needed to go help pull a calf.

District 2 Commissioner Eloy Medina commented on the activities of the county's amazing youths.

District 5 Commissioner Thomas Shelley said he had not grown up in 4-H, but his sister did. "I am so impressed with what you bring to Southwest New Mexico."

District 3 Commissioner Nancy Stephens thanked the speakers for being a positive resource in the community and for the thorough presentation. "And good luck with the calf."

The next article will continue the work session review of the regular meeting and decisions made at the regular meeting.

To visit the previous articles, please go to https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/grant-county-commission-work-session-021125-part-1 ; https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/grant-county-commission-work-session-021125-part-2  ; https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/grant-county-commission-work-session-021125-part-3  ; https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/grant-county-commission-work-session-021125-part-4  ; https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/grant-county-commission-work-session-021125-part-5 ; and https://www.grantcountybeat.com/news/news-articles/grant-county-commission-work-session-021125-part-6 .