The controversial Gila River diversion project has entered a “closeout” phase. With no discussion, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission on Wednesday approved several line item transfers within the New Mexico Entity of the Central Arizona Project’s 2021 budget, as well as a closing budget for the 2022 fiscal year to pay for a final annual financial audit of the group. The N.M. CAP Entity’s executive director, Anthony Gutierrez, addressed …
(Daily Press File Photo by Geoffrey Plant)
In this Sept. 1 file photo, the New Mexico Entity of the Central Arizona Project meets at the Grant County Administration Building. Seated, from left, are Allen Campbell, Howard Hutchinson, Bucky Allred, Vance Lee and Ty Bays. Executive Director Anthony Gutierrez is standing.
The New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission
last week voted to defund the New Mexico Entity of the Central Arizona Project, the organization that was tasked in 2015 with planning and constructing the proposed Gila River diversion project known in federal statute as the “New Mexico Unit.”
The ISC, which serves as the Entity’s primary fiscal agent, also voted to “prepare a resolution to withdraw the ISC from membership” in the diversion group, which is otherwise made up of 14 ditch associations, soil and water conservation districts, municipalities and the counties of Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron.
April 30, 2021
Stream commission defunds, drops out of Gila diversion group Written by Geoffrey Plant on April 30, 2021
Without discussion, New Mexico Interstate Stream Commissioners today voted to defund the New Mexico Entity of the Central Arizona Project, the group that had been tasked with planning and constructing the failed Gila River diversion project known on paper as the “New Mexico Unit.”
The ISC, which serves as the Entity’s primary fiscal agent, also signaled that it will withdraw its membership in the diversion group.
The N.M. CAP Entity typically requests ISC approval of its operating budget every May. However, a new state law set to take effect in June prohibits further spending on a New Mexico Unit diversion, and additionally removes the Entity from its advisory role over how $80 million in southwest New Mexico water project funding will be spent.
April 7, 2021
Barring lawsuits, decision on diversion group’s fate nears Written by Geoffrey Plant on April 7, 2021
A new state law that’s set to take effect July 1 requires the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission to consult with the New Mexico Water Trust Board before it allocates any of the $80 million remaining in the N.M. Unit Fund to eligible water projects in the four counties of Grant, Hidalgo, Catron and Luna.
That’s an advisory role that had belonged to the New Mexico Entity of the Central Arizona Project, and it’s one the Entity may be prepared to fight over.