By Mary Alice Murphy

The Grant County Water Commission met in Hurley on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017.

Gary Berg of OCCAM Engineers said the plans (to get water to Hurley) are in the hands of the Drinking Water Bureau for approval. "We have answered a few comments and questions. A letter of approval should come out next week around Sept. 29. As soon as we get a good report, we will get the bidding documents together and get bidding done for the production well."

Priscilla Lucero, Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments executive director, said a lot has happened since the last commission meeting in December.

"We got all the funding for Phase 1A," she reported. "It includes a $1.5 million loan from the USDA and a $1.1 million grant also from the USDA. We need to enter into an agreement with the Interstate Stream Commission, so they will release the $2.1 million. The ISC wanted us to complete the funding before releasing its share. I don't foresee any problems. The USDA and the ISC are both requiring their money goes last. I think the ISC has more flexibility because its match is from Colonias funding. I have been told that I can no longer present to the ISC, without someone from Hurley being there. The ISC did not accept the written agreement from Hurley because no representative was there. I haven't had those discussions with the ISC yet. I don't know what to think."

Commission Chairman Alex Brown, representing the town of Silver City as its manager, said: "I couldn't figure out what the ISC wanted to release the $2.1 million."

"The ISC attorney was there when I presented to the Water Trust Board," Lucero said. "She didn't say a word and now this. There are no requirements by the members, except for one member of the ISC, on the ISC money. The match is with the Colonias funding. I'm just waiting for the agreement to be signed. It is critical we expend the Colonias money first."

Harry Browne, alternate for County Commissioner Gabe Ramos, who was out of town, asked why it couldn't be in writing.

"Lori (Ortiz, Hurley town clerk) and I have gone through every document we have to prove that all the funds are secured," Lucero said. "I need to complete my commitment to the ISC. I told them I would be back to present when we got the final funding."

Brown said he doesn't think the ISC understands groundwater. "They work more with surface water."

Lucero said the commission needs to make sure that Berg's process is exactly "what we have. We can see everything expended to date. Alex and I also presented to (New Mexico) FundIt."

She said the project has been nominated for a national award. "(Hurley Councilwoman) Esther (Gil), Lori and I will go to Washington, D.C. in the latter part of October to find out if we won."

Lucero has notified the congressional delegation to participate "with us when we present." Each category has four semi-finalists. We didn't want to miss the opportunity. We know we have USDA representatives speaking for us in D.C., and for future funding for future phases."

She said that it took only days for the USDA approval. "That is absolutely unheard of, but it's because of the fact that we've been speaking about it for years. The Interim Water and Natural Resources Committee asked how much was needed to complete the project, and I told them $11 million to $12 million. After that, we got great comments on how supportive they are. I am extremely proud of the work the team has done."

Berg mentioned a couple of things with the USDA reviews. "I found out later that the USDA is adding a domestic iron/steel requirement. I don't know the effect it will have. Hopefully, the Colonias funding will get us the well and the water tank. I've been in contact with the provider of the tank. We could do the water tank before we get into USDA funding. This sort of thing lives in the land of federal funding."

He continued and said during part of the ISDA review of documents, "Mr. Garcia thought I was too high on the cost of the well and the cost of the tank, and cut $700,000 off the budget. Then I found out about the domestic iron requirement, which would likely be more expensive."

An agenda item requested a letter from support for the Twin Sisters Creek project for a wetlands and possible small reservoir using treated effluent.

"In place of Gabe Ramos, I drafted the letter reflecting what we had discussed," Browne said.

Bayard Councilor Raul Villanueva said he was attending in place of Mayor Charles Kelly. "The only thing we have done is a letter of support to Santa Clara to get $100,000 for planning it. The city of Bayard at this time, until we get assurance the project will not affect our water, I cannot support until I know more and after I talk with the mayor and council."

Gil said the letter states that North Hurley will be served. "North Hurley is already served.

Browne said he also included Hanover.

Lucero said Hanover needs a preliminary engineering report first. "That will take at least a year. Fort Bayard is also served by the wastewater treatment plant.

Browne said he doesn't know if the letter has any urgency.

"We had a similar situation with the Fort Bayard memorandum of understanding," Lucero said. "It started from Santa Clara and the entities that wanted to support it did. Bayard chose not to."

Brown said this board is just asking each community whether they support this letter. "You're not committing anything, just giving support to look at the possibility. It passed 3-2, with Gil and Villanueva voting against it.

The meeting also had on the agenda the appointment of a commission chairman and vice chairman. Brown asked that someone nominate Gabe Ramos (who was not present). No one wanted to, so he did, and Ramos is the new chairman. Santa Clara Mayor Richard Bauch was chosen vice chairman.

The tentative next meeting will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Bayard City Hall.