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Luna And Grant Counties To Vote On Joint Agreement For Gila River Diversion Project

NMFO

Earlier this month, the Interstate Stream Commission approved a joint powers agreement to move forward with the New Mexico Central Arizona Project (CAP) that will be in charge of the Gila River Diversion Project as part of the 2004 Federal Arizona Water Settlement Act. The project will divert the Gila River water use for Grant, Luna, Catron, and Hidalgo Counties.

The agreement has left the four southwestern New Mexico county governments and municipalities with a decision to sign onto the joint powers agreement which includes paying for part of the diversion project that is partially funded with federal dollars. It is unclear how much the project will cost in total. However, estimates range anywhere from $300 million to $1 billion.

Luna and Grant Counties are scheduled to vote on joining the Interstate Stream Commission’s Joint Powers Agreement responsible for the Gila River diversion project.

Luna County Commissioners will be taking public comments tonight at 6 p.m. at the Luna County Courthouse. Followed by a vote at 7:30 pm.

The Deming City Council is currently taking written public comment through this Friday (June 26th). The public is invited to send comments via email to deming@cityofdeming.org. The Deming City Council will vote on July 2nd.

Grant County is scheduled to vote tomorrow morning at 9 a.m.

The controversial diversion project has drawn opposition. Audubon New Mexico says is against the vote to join the agreement, because the organization says more information about the project’s physical feasibility, cost, water yield, and cost to taxpayers is not known at this time.

Supporters of the project say that the project will ensure a reserve of water to meet the growing needs of communities.