Support the Gila River: AWSA Public Meeting Oct 21, Gila-San Francisco Water Commission Meeting Oct 22
SUPPORT THE GILA RIVER! Attend AWSA-related meetings this week!
Interstate Stream Commission AWSA Public Meeting – Oct 21, 6pm
SUPPORT THE PETITION – DON’T DIVERT THE GILA!
Gila-San Francisco Water Commission – Oct 22, 1:30 pm
VOICE YOUR DISAPPROVAL OF THE RESERVATION FUND!
Arizona Water Settlements Act Public Meeting – October 21, 6 pm
The next AWSA Public Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM, October 21, 2013 in the Seminar Room of the Thomas B. McDonald Student Memorial Building at Western New Mexico University in Silver City.
According to the Interstate Stream Commission, the agenda for the meeting will include:
- Don’t Divert the Gila Petition Presentation (Ella Kirk) – Come out to support Aldo Leopold HS student, Ella Kirk!
- Drip Irrigation (Boyd/Conway)
- USGS Basin depletions Report (ISC)
- Grant County Water Commission Effluent Re-Use Proposal Draft PER (William J Miller Engineering)
- Grant County Effluent Re-Use Proposal (BHI)
- Deming Effluent Re-Use Proposal (ISC)
- Comment Schedule (ISC)
- Summary of Presentation to the Interim Water and Natural Resource Committee (ISC)
Materials for Monday’s presentations are posted on the ISC AWSA website.
Gila-San Francisco Water Commission Meeting Tuesday, October 22, 1:30 pm
Group to discuss Reservation Fund to divert Gila River water under the AWSA
The Gila-San Francisco Water Commission (GSFWC) will meet on Tuesday, October 22 at 1:30 pm in the Grant County Administration Commissioners Meeting Room, 1400 Hwy 180 East, Silver City. On the agenda is discussion of a letter to and draft resolution for the GSFWC members regarding annual contributions to a “Reservation Fund to assist in financing project development to secure 14,000 ac. ft. of new water within Catron, Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties” under the Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA). GSFWC members include the four counties, municipalities (minus Silver City), soil and water conservation districts, and ditch associations in southwest New Mexico. According to the letter, members have had their respective public meetings to approve their participation in the Reservation Fund. However, Grant County for example has not discussed this issue publicly and would be on the hook for its contribution of $1000 per year if it approves the Reservation Fund resolution. Amounting to $22,000 per year, total contributions from all GSFWC members is a paltry sum compared to the $300M+ construction cost of diversion/storage/ pipeline infrastructure and millions more for operation, maintenance and exchange cost to Arizona for using the water. GSFWC members appear to be out of touch with the magnitude of investment required to develop Gila River water. Moreover, to commit public resources to a fund to which taxpayers have not had any review and input circumvents the democratic process. Voice your disapproval of the Reservation Fund at Tuesday’s GSFWC meeting!
