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NM Agency Seeks More Details On Water Proposal

A revamped application by a commercial venture to pipe billions of gallons of drinking water from western New Mexico to more populated areas of the drought-stricken state still lacks key information.

That's the latest finding by the state engineer's office.

The agency's general counsel told state lawmakers during a meeting Tuesday that Augustin Plains Ranch has been directed to provide more specifics on what type of water rights would be developed and what municipalities or industries would benefit.

Augustin Plains' first application was rejected two years ago. It was one of the most contested filings in the history of the state engineer's office.

The company filed a new application in July.

Critics continued to raise concerns about the latest application during Tuesday's meeting. Some lawmakers described the project as speculative.

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