Heinrich Introduces Native New Mexican Tanya Trujillo For Consideration As Assistant Secretary For Water & Science
U.S. SENATE News:
WASHINGTON, D.C. Tuesday, in a key Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to consider pending nominations, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) introduced native New Mexican Tanya Trujillo for consideration to be Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the U.S. Department of the Interior.
In the hearing, Sen. Heinrich requested that Trujillo make sure that the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project (NGWSP) stays on track and on budget moving forward. Trujillo agreed to work with Sen. Heinrich to ensure that the project is “fully funded and completed.” Recently, Senator Heinrich visited the newly-completed Cutter Lateral Water Treatment Plant that is part of the NGWSP.
By Elizabeth Miller, New Mexico In Depth |
May 11, 2021
Marjorie Childress/New Mexico In Depth
People from throughout the region come into Gallup to haul water from the town’s water loading station. In July and August, about 2 million gallons are dispensed through the system.
Early this year, five of Gallup, New Mexico’s 16 water wells stopped producing water, including two of its biggest. After a few days of maintenance, two worked. The other three were out of commission for more than a month. Had it happened in summer, the city might have asked residents to dramatically reduce use.
“I’m not in crisis mode,” said Dennis Romero, Water and Sanitation Director for the City of Gallup, but “it could go to crisis mode very quickly.”
Navajo-Gallup water delay spurs problem solving in arid Southwest
People from throughout the region come into Gallup to haul water from the town’s water loading station. In July and August, about 2 million gallons are dispensed through the system. Photo: Marjorie Childress
This piece is part of a collaboration that includes the Institute for Nonprofit News, California Health Report, Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism, Circle of Blue, Columbia Insight, Ensia, High Country News, New Mexico In Depth and SJV Water. It was made possible by a grant from The Water Desk, with support from Ensia and INN’s Amplify News Project.
By Morgan Lee, Associated Press
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Friday a $7.4 billion general fund spending plan for the coming fiscal year that boosts state funding for public education, early childhood services and more while using her veto pen to assert sole authority over $1.6 billion in new federal pandemic relief funding.
General fund spending will increase by 5% during the fiscal year that starts July 1, with more than one-third of the increase directed toward education.
The governor vetoed the Legislature s recommendations for spending more than $1 billion in federal relief on initiatives that avoid future payroll tax increases on businesses, underwrite college tuition for in-state students, backfill lost income at state museums and more.
Navajo-Gallup water project advances after agency agreement
April 9, 2021
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FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) Federal, tribal and state officials in New Mexico have signed an agreement clarifying the regulatory roles and responsibilities, including drinking water regulations, for a proposed project on the Navajo Nation.
The Navajo Nation, New Mexico Environment Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency signed the 15-page memorandum of understanding on multiple dates in March and April, The Farmington Daily Times reported Thursday.
“Drinking water jurisdiction across northwest New Mexico is incredibly complex, involving a mix of federal, state, tribal and private entities. The MOU clarifies government oversight and regulatory roles and responsibilities of the parties involved,” a joint statement said.