Utilities
The building envelopes associated with the Conservation Ranches can be fully serviced with utilities, including electricity and telecommunications. If an owner chooses to build an “off-the-grid” residence, Commonweal can help facilitate the creation of a self-sufficient system.
Each Conservation Ranch home site will be serviced by a separate, independent water well. Draft governance documents for the Conservation Ranches encourage owners to minimize their domestic water consumption by recycling water and using rainwater catchment systems for all outdoor irrigation.
The off-the-grid option
If a property owner is interested in building a residence that is not tied to the traditional electrical grid, Commonweal Conservancy can provide an extensive list of local resources for solar photo-voltaic (PV) and heating systems. PV technology is supplying the power needs of hundreds of homes in the Santa Fe area and thousands more throughout New Mexico. The Galisteo Basin Preserve enjoys more than 320 days of sunshine a year, making it an optimal site for solar energy generation.
A well-crafted PV power system supplies clean, quiet, and uninterrupted electric power. A standard system includes an array of solar panels, a special battery for storing electricity, and a generator to supplement a household's power needs during extended periods without sunshine.
Commonweal Conservancy will provide each Conservation Ranch owner committed to an off-the-grid residence with a one-time $100,000 rebate to underwrite a portion of an owner's energy-efficiency design investment and the design and installation costs for a solar PV system.
Roads
Conservation Ranch #1 is accessed directly from Santa Fe County Road 42. Commonweal Conservancy will work with the property owner to complete an all-weather, base-course driveway to the home site.
The other three Conservation Ranches will be accessed from an all-weather, base-course road connecting to County Road 42. Commonweal Conservancy is designing this road to capture the dramatic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It will incorporate an ecologically sensitive and low-maintenance design to ensure its long-term utility. By respecting the land's natural contours and ridgelines, rainwater will be directed to adjoining watersheds—sustaining plant and animal habitat.
Telephone + Internet Service
Telephone service will be provided by an Internet-based "Voice Over IP" (VOIP) service. Unlike traditional telephone service, VOIP providers utilize the advanced fiber-optic networks of the Internet, enabling them to offer analog or digital phone service with highly competitive rates and features. VOIP offers unlimited local and long distance calling for a monthly fee. In many cases users may retain their existing phone number, regardless of location.
Cellular phone service and accessibility is available through local and national providers such as Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and AT+T.
High-speed Internet access is available through CNSP Wireless, a local wireless network company that serves the Santa Fe area. Average connection speeds (upload and download) can go up to approximately 7 megabytes/second.
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