Project Ranger — a rocket-motor manufacturing and detonation facility — has already broken ground on over 1,000 acres of West Mesa without a legally required public hearing, without environmental transparency, and without meaningful public involvement.
This is not how government is supposed to work.
What happened:
Sandoval County approved the project without a public hearing, violating basic Open Meetings Act principles.
The Environmental Assessment (EA) was concealed, never posted online, and not provided to the public until after the vote.
The City of Rio Rancho approved over $1 million in infrastructure spending without public notice or public comment.
No Phase I or Phase II Environmental Site Assessments were completed.
A municipal drinking-water well sits within 1,000 feet of the project boundary.
Firefighters confirmed they must “let it burn” if a chemical fire ignites — spreading perchlorate, metals, and toxic residues.
Construction began even though the community was never given an opportunity to weigh in, ask questions, or provide informed consent.
This is the opposite of transparency.
This is the opposite of democratic governance.
This is the opposite of environmental stewardship.

Why This Is Important

They broke ground without a public hearing.
Public participation is not optional — it is a requirement of ethical governance, environmental law, and basic democracy. When a project of this scale — involving explosives, hazardous chemicals, and drinking-water proximity — is pushed through without community knowledge or input, the public’s rights are violated.
There has been no real public engagement — not defined by any best practices.
True public engagement requires:
Early disclosure of documents
Accessible community meetings
Scientific environmental review (EIS, not internal EA)
Inclusion of affected neighborhoods
Tribal consultation
Full transparency in funding, infrastructure, and risk
None of this occurred.

Instead, decisions were made behind closed doors, documents were hidden, and ground was broken before the public even knew construction had begun.
When government avoids public input, communities suffer — especially when water, safety, property values, and environmental health are at stake.

We Demand:
A Full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under NEPA
Immediate suspension of all Project Ranger construction and funding until federal review is complete
Release of all environmental documents, including the full EA and any hydrology or contamination analyses
At least two public hearings held at accessible times and locations
Full tribal consultation, including Santa Ana, Sandia, and Isleta Pueblos
An independent wildfire, hydrology, and groundwater risk assessment
A transparent public-engagement process, defined by national best practices

Call to Action
Sign this petition now to demand:
✔ Government transparency
✔ Real public participation
✔ Protection of our drinking water
✔ Accountability from elected officials
✔ A safe and science-based process for all Rio Rancho and Sandoval County residents
Our water, our safety, and our democracy depend on it.