NM CAP Entity hears presentation on dam types

Editor's Note: This is part one of a two- or three-part series of articles on the Tuesday meeting of the NM CAP Entity.

By Mary Alice Murphy
For www.grantcountybeat.com 

After discussion on minutes and the agenda, the members of the New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity heard public comments.

The first to step to the podium was Norman Gaume, professional engineer and former Interstate Stream Commission director.

"The list of New Mexico Unit components you attached to the agenda and minutes does not include any diversion in the Upper Gila Box," Gaume said. "I'm not sure what the absence means, but if it reflects your decision, that's a good decision. However, you are working against your interests, because the list does not include storage. Pump storage would be expensive.

"You are probably aware that the Supreme Court decision allocated 30,000 acre-feet of water to the Cliff-Gila Valley," Gaume continued. "But less than half that was being used in 2014. If you're going to export 6,000 acre-feet to Deming, you will dry up the farmland."

As he began his comment on wanting to spend millions to upgrade diversions, NM CAP Entity Chairwoman Darr Shannon told him his time was up.

Allyson Siwik, Gila Conservation Coalition executive director, said she wanted to continue to express "our disappointment on your lack of transparency. If you were transparent, I would not have to make IPRA (Inspection of Public Records Act) requests. We still don't know what your proposed project is except for these unworkable items. It's time the ISC and the CAP Entity come clean."

"How many acres will have to be dried up to send 6,000 acre-feet of water to Deming?" she asked. "You are mixing decree water with AWSA water, which will federalize the use of the water and require metering. We, the public, want a clear picture of what you are planning."

M.H. "Dutch" Salmon of the GCC said he was pleased the Upper Gila Box is no longer a focus. "However, the Cliff-Gila Valley is home to seven endangered species. You have to consider how to keep them safe. You need a peer-reviewed study of the wildlife to make sure the natural processes are protected."

Donna Stevens, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance executive director, said: "I am disappointed but not surprised at more misguided attempts to develop the water. This is yet another list of proposed projects. In the first you are using the ditches where only half the decreed water is being used and the Arizona Water Settlements Act water is only available when there is an oversupply. Second, you want to use the Freeport facilities to export water to Deming. That takes the water out of Grant County. Is that what Grant County wants? I think it would be unpopular with Grant County voters. And the third to put water in off-channel reservoirs? There is no way you can afford to pay the exchange, pumping and operations and maintenance costs. It's wholesale energy 'green-washing.'"

Gerald Schultz, representing statewide Natural Resource and Conservation Districts, said he had spoken briefly at the March 1 meeting after hearing there were no peer reviews of reports of earlier studies done regarding diversion projects on the Gila River. "The history of peer reviews is as old as time, since this is one of the best processes so that study contractors or professional individuals can be assured they are putting forth a good qualitative result of their efforts."

He said his professional experience had been with the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey, which have well-established in-house review processes prior to the inclusion of public involvement. He talked about processes he had been involved in. "Building a dam was dependent on good quality study reports." He said the ISC has a website set up where the public can access the reports to read, review and comment. " I had spent a lot of time doing a good professional review and comment, but noted that much of my work was just ignored." His time ran out, but in his final written comment he said: "...with no outside peer review there could be flaws in the results... that could be used as part of the input of any legal action that is probably going to happen anyway."

Jeff Riley, Phoenix Office of Reclamation supervisory civil engineer, gave a presentation on various types of diversion structures.

"This is a general overview of river diversion methods and considerations," Riley said. "In this presentation I will discuss engineering challenges and considerations, as well as a brief summary of advantages and disadvantages of each."

To illustrate the "Godzilla El Ni+