Bill for oversight of Gila diversion project dies in committee

A bill related to the proposed diversion on the Gila River has effectively died. The Senate Finance Committee tabled the bill Monday night and asked the bill’s supporters and opponents to resolve the issues on their own, without changing the law. Sens. Howie Morales, D-Silver City, and Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, introduced Senate Bill 340, which […]

Bill for oversight of Gila diversion project dies in committee

A bill related to the proposed diversion on the Gila River has effectively died. The Senate Finance Committee tabled the bill Monday night and asked the bill’s supporters and opponents to resolve the issues on their own, without changing the law.

Sens. Howie Morales, D-Silver City, and Sander Rue, R-Albuquerque, introduced Senate Bill 340, which would have required additional oversight of the federal money New Mexico receives to plan and build the diversion. Had the bill passed, the Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) would have been required to answer specific questions before paying out more money for attorneys, engineers and consultants. Officials would have needed to show the project is technically feasible, explained how much water is available from the river and who would use it, estimated the project’s price tag and determined how New Mexico will cover the difference between the federal subsidy and the project’s actual cost.

Related story: Gila spending bill clears committee

“We were just asking basic, simple questions that we would ask of any other water projects,” said Morales the day after the vote. “I don’t think it was too much to ask to request that the feasibility [of the diversion] be proven. The bill was never intended to obstruct any programs.”

In 2004, Congress passed the Arizona Water Settlements Act, which gave the state of New Mexico 10 years to decide how to use federal money to meet water needs in four rural counties in southwestern New Mexico. The state could pursue efficiency and restoration projects or receive a larger subsidy and build a diversion on the Gila River.

In November 2014, the ISC voted to pursue the diversion, which was the more expensive option.

Since then, the ISC and a newly formed group, the New Mexico Central Arizona Project (CAP) Entity, have struggled to come up with solid plans.

Morales pointed out that with a few days left in the session, time is against the bill’s sponsors.

“But the discussion does need to continue,” he said, adding that he was pleased that the executive director of the CAP Entity reached out to him after last night’s meeting.

Related story: After U.S. Senator’s request, ISC releases previously-withheld data

At Monday night’s meeting, ISC and CAP Entity officials called the bill a roadblock that would prevent the state from receiving its full federal subsidy.

To receive that federal money, the state must complete an Environmental Impact Statement in 2019, in time for the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to issue a final decision on the project by the end of 2019.

The CAP Entity’s attorney, Pete Domenici, Jr., said the bill represented a “huge, insurmountable obstacle of local entities getting that money.”

He also said the bill was not about transparency.

“We are 100 percent in favor of transparency,” he said. “But we don’t want roadblocks put [before] this project that are going to deprive southwest New Mexico of money and water.”

He said the bill’s sponsors were “overreaching” by requiring the agency to answer certain questions before receiving additional funding.

ISC Director Deborah Dixon said that if passed, the bill would delay the state’s process and its ability to meet deadlines required under the Arizona Water Settlements Act.

Dixon pointed out that both the ISC and the CAP Entity have met all their previous deadlines, including one to provide the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation a diversion plan and location by July 2016.

After spending nearly 12 years and millions of dollars on the project, in July the CAP Entity sent Reclamation a letter outlining their plans. That letter, which included two pages of text plus four maps, outlined ideas for the project. But it remains unclear if those plans and locations have been finalized, or are feasible.

Related story: Around NM: Unspent money, wildfires, Gila update and more

On the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s website, the federal agency outlines a schedule for the project. According to that schedule, the state should now be conducting public scoping for the project. Work on the draft Environmental Impact Statement should occur from summer 2017 through summer 2018.

Diversion opponent Allyson Siwik was disappointed by the committee’s move.

“I think it’s pretty shocking that [officials] are basically saying, ‘We’ve spent all this money, and more than 10 years,’ and they still can’t answer these fundamental questions,” said Siwik, who is executive director of the Gila Conservation Coalition. “These questions shouldn’t be that hard for them to answer.”

 

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

A New Mexico-based LGBTQ rights organization endorsed 15 candidates for state House and Senate seats for the 2024 elections.  Marshall Martinez, executive director of…
Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pocket vetoed two bills the legislature passed this legislative session: one changing the Cybersecurity Act and the other concerning law…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

Migrating birds appear to have caused a virus in dairy cattle that is causing reduced milk production. So far, the disease, which initially started…
Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republican-backed legislation in the U.S. Congress would make it harder for the government to designate new national monuments. The proposed Congressional Oversight of the…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid announced on Wednesday that it will cover the cost of Opill, the first oral contraception approved for over-the-counter use. It is…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

The Navajo Nation and San Juan County reached an agreement Monday about commission districts after the tribe alleged that its members were not adequately…
MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

New Mexico’s 2022 election was ranked most well-run in the country by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Election Data and Science Lab’s Elections Performance Index.…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Republican failed state house candidate Solomon Peña is facing more federal charges, this time on a murder-for-hire scheme.  Peña allegedly tried to hire two…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report