Governor Susana Martinez has announced that a new Interstate Stream Commission Director has been appointed. This is the commission that recently voted to move forward with plans to pursue federal monies for the possible diversion of the Gila River. Advocates say the diversion would provide New Mexico with precious water resources. Opponents argue any benefit would be far outweighed by costs, both financial and envrionmental.
Deborah Dixon, P.E. starts her new position on March 16, 2015. Her responsibilities will include serving as the Deputy State Engineer and directing the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, which has broad powers to investigate, protect, conserve, and develop New Mexico’s waters including both interstate and intrastate stream systems. The eight unsalaried members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor. The ninth member is the State Engineer who under state law is the secretary of the Commission.
“Ms. Dixon is an outstanding engineer who has valuable experience working in water projects in New Mexico. New Mexico will be well served under her leadership as the Director of the Interstate Stream Commission. We are proud to have her join our team,” said State Engineer Tom Blaine, P.E.
Ms. Dixon is a registered professional engineer in New Mexico. Her most recent experience includes being a Sr. Vice President at Bohannan Huston, Inc. in Albuquerque. In this role, Ms. Dixon was responsible for managing operations of the Water Systems technical group and serving as the principal-in-charge on water related projects. Ms. Dixon also led a task force for two years, resulting in the creation of a corporate Project Management Office. With her leadership of the Project Management Office, a consistent project management methodology was implemented for Bohannan Huston, Inc., producing improved project outcomes and world class project managers. Ms. Dixon received her BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from Texas Tech University.
“I am honored to join New Mexico’s water management professionals and to serve the Interstate Stream Commission. I look forward to the opportunities and to meeting the challenges that this exciting role will bring in my career. Along with the Commissioners and the dedicated ISC staff, I will work towards building a sustainable water supply for our state, our economy and our environment,” said Deborah Dixon, P.E.
The Office of the State Engineer is charged with the administrating the state’s water resources. The State Engineer has authority over the supervision, measurement, appropriation, and distribution of all surface and groundwater in New Mexico, including streams and rivers that cross state boundaries. The State Engineer is also Secretary of the Interstate Stream.
The nine-member Interstate Stream Commission is charged with separate duties including protecting New Mexico’s right to water under eight interstate stream compacts, ensuring the state complies with each of those compacts as well as investigating, conserving and protecting the waters of the State, in addition to water planning.
Information from the Office of the State Engineer