FAQs

Farmland Preservation

What is a conservation easement?

A conservation easement is an agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency. The landowner agrees that the land cannot be developed and must remain as open space or farmland in perpetuity. The fundamental purpose of conservation easements in Corrales is to preserve the historical and agrarian character of the Village. Corrales has been a farming community since its earliest beginnings due to its proximity to the Rio Grande and its fertile soil. The open space and rural feel are primary reason why Corrales is such a desirable place to live as well as a tourist destination.

Are there properties in Corrales that are currently under consideration for conservation easements?

Yes. There are several prime farmland properties with interested property owners at this time. The Farmland Preservation and Agriculture Commission is inviting any interested landowners to contact them for more information on preserving their farmland with a Conservation Easement. You may contact any of the Commission members:

Lisa Brown, chair - lisadb@q.com

John Perea - johnperea@aol.com

Stacia Spragg-Braude - sspragg@yahoo.com

Sam Thompson - samandjohnthompson@gmail.com

 

Can landowners donate open space?

Yes. A donation may be eligible for certain tax benefits. Contact one of the Farmland Preservation and Agriculture Commission members for more details.

Lisa Brown, chair - lisadb@q.com

John Perea - johnperea@aol.com

Sam Thompson - samandjohnthompson@gmail.com

Linda Walsh - lwalshnm@comcast.net

Can property with a conservation easement be sold?

Yes. The Conservation Easement will remain with the property and will continue to be enforced even if ownership of the property changes.

Do the conservation easement General Obligation Bonds raise property taxes?

No. The Village Administration takes a look at the tax rates at the time any bond question is considered, and makes sure a new General Obligation Bond will not raise the Village's portion of the property tax rate. The property tax rate can still be increased at the county level, but the Village works to keep its rate consistent from year to year.

How is the value of a conservation easement determined?

An appraiser determines the value of a conservation easement. The appraiser will determine the full value of the property if developed vs. the value of the property restricted by the Conservation Easement. The difference in the two appraisal values determines the price of the easement.

How many properties in Corrales are protected under conservation easements?

At this time, ten parcels totaling more than 68 acres of land are protected under Conservation Easements in the Village of Corrales.

Is a property under a conservation easement open for public use?

In general, no, as the land remains private property. However, some property owners have allowed trails, wildlife viewing platforms and other access to the public.

What are the benefits of a conservation easement for a landowner?

A landowner can place a Conservation Easement on open land to protect that land from undesired development.

The landowner may receive tax benefits for placing land in conservation.

What are the benefits of a conservation easement for the Village of Corrales?

A conservation easement purchases the development rights - not the land itself - from the property owner. This easement stays with the property even if the property is sold. Conservation easements provide a permanence in the landscape that other interests in land cannot do. Action we take now will be enjoyed by us and by future generations forever.

Think about our history, our heritage, and what makes Corrales different. Our farmland means we have a local source of food. We have open space that provides habitat for wildlife and when migrating birds fly overhead or the beneficial insects thriving there visit our gardens, we can see them even when we're not observing the fields. Beyond that, preserved farmland provides natural flood control and aquifer recharge, conserving our water.

Conservation easement land is designed to benefit the community by keeping land open and available for agriculture and wildlife habitat.

It is financially beneficial to Corrales to maintain open space and farmland, as it attracts tourists to businesses and maintains the historic character of the Village, while increasing the value of surrounding properties. 

Who ensures a conservation easement will not be developed in the future?

An authorized New Mexico land trust.

Who owns the Juan Gonzales Bas Field?

The Village owns the Juan Gonzales Bas Field, which is protected under a Conservation Easement. This 5.5 acres of prime agricultural land constitutes some of the last historic, culturally significant parcels of farmland and open space located in the center of Village.

How do I use the catalog?

How do I get to the catalog?

Click here!:

  1. Click on "Books & DVD's" in the upper right-hand side of the homepage to search for specific items.
  2. Enter your info and click "Go".

This will direct you to the catalog, showing your search results.

Or, you can click on "My Account" to open the catalog to sign in or perform an advanced search.

How do I log into my account?

From the catalog, click "Log In" in the upper right-hand corner.

  1. Type in your patron number (found on the back of your card).
  2. Type in your phone number.*
  3. Click “Log In" or hit "Enter."

*Your account is automatically set with the phone number(s) you gave to the library, but you have the option to set your own password.

Can't log in? Contact the library at (505) 897-0733 or email info@corraleslibrary.org.

How do I perform an advanced search?

Too many search results? Click on “Search All Fields” to change your searching options:

Title Starts With will search from the beginning of the title.
Title Phrase will search titles that contain the word(s).

**The above require you to know (and type) the exact title. ‘To Kill a Mockingbird” will have results, but “To Kill a Mocking Bird” will not.**

Search by Author by typing his/her name.
Search based on topic using Subject.

Note: Subjects are determined by the Library of Congress and may not be the same words you may use. Also, not everyone may be in the item’s record.

How do I place an item on reserve?
  1. Log into your account.
  2. Perform a search and click on a result to open the item’s description.
  3. Click on “Reserve this Item.”

You can also log into your account after finding the item in the catalog. Logging in will not erase the current screen.

How do I renew an item online?
  1. Click on “My Account" and Log-in
  2. Click on “Items Out / Renewals.”
  3. Click on “Renew All Items” or “Renew” (for one item).

Items may not be renewable if a) someone has them on reserve or b) if they reach their renewal limit. Call the library at (505) 897-0733 or email info@corraleslibrary.org if you need to keep an item longer

How do I reorder my search results?
  1. Click on the words in the blue bar to reorder your results.
    1. Example: Click on “Location” to see results by age/section
    2. Example: Click on “Title” to see results in alphabetical order.
  2. Click on a title to read the description. Click on it again to close it.
  3. Items with a green background are in the library. Items in reddish-pink are checked out but can be reserved. 
How do I search the catalog?

You can search from the website or from the catalog. From the catalog: 

  1. Click on “Enter Your Search Here!” in the upper left corner.
  2. Type in your search terms and hit “Enter” or click “GO!”

Use the Library?

Do you have WiFi?

We have wireless internet access throughout the library. You can get a WiFi password by signing in at the front desk.

How do I download ebooks & audiobooks?

Check out our Download Help page for information about how to access our ebook & audiobook collection.

How do I get a library card?

Any local resident may obtain a library card by visiting the Corrales Library. At the front desk, just fill out an application and show proof of residency and current mailing address. That's it! You're done.

How do I suggest a purchase?

You can suggest an item to add to our collection by:

  1. Filling out a request slip at the library desk,
  2. Requesting through the catalog by logging in and selecting the Reserves/Requests tab, or
  3. Emailing us at info@corraleslibrary.org.

We often have to make tough purchasing decisions based on space and funds, but we do our best to provide informational, educational, and entertainment materials needed by the Corrales community.

If we cannot purchase the material you are looking for, we are happy to search nearby libraries or send a request through Interlibrary Loan, which allows us to lend library materials from across the country for a small shipping fee.

How do I use a library computer?

Any adult can use a computer and a library card is not required. Simply sign in at the desk and select one of our seven public computers. They have access to the internet, email, and word processing. 

Printing is 10 cents a page to be paid at the front desk.

Children 16 and under can use a computer with a parent's consent. We also have two computers without internet that offer educational games.

How many items can I check out?

With your card, you are allowed to check out 25 items at a time. Of these items, you may check out:

  • 10 Southwest books
  • 5 new books
  • 5 DVDs from any age group
  • 10 audiobooks and music CDs
When are things due back?

Books, audiobooks, and music CDs are due in 3 weeks. DVDs and new books are due in 2 weeks