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Judge: Gila River Diversion Approvals Improper

NMFO

A judge has found that the Interstate Stream Commission improperly approved two contracts involving the Gila River diversion project in southwestern New Mexico.

A state district judge ruled earlier this month in Santa Fe that the entire commission must retroactively pass the multimillion-dollar contracts.

Former commission director Norm Gaume filed a lawsuit last year, saying the panel violated the Open Meetings Act.

Gaume says four of the nine commissioners acted in secret without getting public comment.

The commission was slated to ratify contracts with Bohannan Huston and RJH Consultants on Tuesday.

The Gila project stems from the 2004 Arizona Water Settlement Act, which provides for the diversion of up to 14,000 acre-feet of water from the river each year.

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Information from: The Santa Fe New Mexican, http://www.sfnewmexican.com

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