Gov. To Unveil Water Agenda; Plan Includes $45M For Regional Projects

BYLINE: Copyright © 2006 Albuquerque Journal BY TANIA SOUSSAN Journal Staff Writer

Gov. Bill Richardson will announce a broad agenda of water initiatives today, including more than $45 million for water infrastructure projects and $7.5 million for river restoration.

Richardson has declared the 2007 legislative session the Year of Water.

His agenda focuses heavily on getting new regional water-supply projects built, but also calls for restoration, conservation and the protection of farm land.

"All in all, he's heading in the appropriate direction," said Sen. Carlos Cisneros, D-Questa, who has been active in water issues.

Cisneros said the investments are needed to ensure New Mexico can continue its economic growth, and said now is a good time to do it, because the state has surplus money available. House Speaker Ben Lujan, DSanta Fe, said he hasn't seen the specifics of Richardson's plan but hopes it will include something for acequias.

The governor's proposals include:

A $25 million investment in the Water Trust Fund to generate revenue for local infrastructure projects.

$15.3 million to expand and connect existing water lines in the eastern Navajo Nation checkerboard area.

Sen. Leonard Tsosie, DCrownpoint, said the effort is "sorely needed."

"Because of the lack of water out there, there's hardly any socio-economic development," he said. "It'll help thousands of people."

The project would bring water from the San Juan River to several chapters like Counselor and Pueblo Pintado, where 40 percent of the population does not have easy access to safe drinking water.

$10 million for a leakdetection-and-repair program.

Creation of a new Office of Water Infrastructure to give communities a one-stop shop.

Municipalities now have to work with the state Environment Department and state Engineer Office. The new consolidated office would be part of the Department of Finance and Administration.

Lujan said he would be interested in the new office if it could help facilitate water projects.

$5 million for the Ute Pipeline, a long-planned project that would provide water to Clovis, Portales and other communities in Curry and Roosevelt counties.

A push - backed by $7.5 million - to restore and protect river ecosystems.

Conservation groups have lobbied the governor to back river restoration and not focus too heavily on building new water supply projects.

Leanne Leith, political director of Conservation Voters New Mexico, said the groups would work with the governor to ensure the money is used to maximize the benefits on river health.

"We're pleased to see dedicated monies for river ecosystem health and restoration," she said.

Cisneros said there are tremendous needs for things like removing salt cedar around the state.

"This is a modest beginning," he said.

$2.2 million to assess the Salt Basin aquifer and to put development of that potentially large water supply on a fast track. Scientists have said the aquifer, which sits below Otero Mesa in southern New Mexico,

could hold enough water to supply Albuquerque for more than 100 years.

Mandatory water conservation standards as part of building codes.

A project to lease unneeded irrigation water from farmers during drought years.

$1 million to buy conservation easements designed to protect agricultural land from development.

Investing $5 million in the Strategic Water Reserve. The fund was created in 2005 to allow the state to buy water rights to meet its interstate delivery obligations and to help endangered species.

Water plan

Highlights of Gov. Bill Richardson's legislative proposals on New Mexico water issues:

$25 million for the Water Trust Fund; $15.3 million for eastern Navajo Nation water infrastructure; $10 million for statewide leak detection and repair;

New Office of Water Infrastructure to streamline help for communities; $5 million for the Ute Pipeline; and $7.5 million for river restoration