Gila Basin Irrigation Commission
August 13, 2025
Minutes
As Written by B.J. Agnew, GBIC secretary
The August 13, 2025, meeting of the Gila Basin Irrigation Commission was called to order by Chair David Ogilvie at 6:07 pm in the Home Economics Room at Cliff Schools in Cliff, New Mexico.
Present: David Ogilvie, Beau Bruton, Lester Ivins, Debbie Ivins, Neil Kaspar, Rose Shoemaker, Zac Runyon, Martha Cooper, Martin McMillan, Peter Russell, Gregor Hamilton, Wendel Hann, Dusty Hunt, Destry Shelley, Esker Mayberry, Gaylene Agnew, BJ Agnew, and, via zoom, Patrick Fox.
A quorum of the Gila Basin Irrigation Commission (GBIC) was determined to be present by the representation of the Upper Gila Irrigation Association, the Fort West Irrigation Association, and the Gila Farms Irrigation Association. And, by proxy, the Gila hot Springs Irrigation Association, the Riverside Irrigation Association, and the Grandpa Harper Irrigation Association.
The minutes of the January 27, 2025, meeting of the GBIC were approved.
Updates
Gila River Status
Lester Ivins reported on the split of water between the three ditches to maintain a comparable amount of water in each ditch.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) project updates
The Woodrow and Gila Oaks projects had material stockpiling start today (August 13, 2025.) The construction will take between 60 and 90 days. Access is through The Nature Conservancy (TNC.)
The Shoemaker project is waiting for the materials to arrive.
Patrick Fox, RM Environmental Service, is the Senior Project Manager for all projects. And our Point of Contact.
Grant County administration/projects update
Outstanding is the Grant Agreement with the Interstate stream Commission (ISC) and Grant County. This agreement will allow the use of the remaining GBIC Arizona Water Settlements Act (AWSA) project funding to be used as "match" monies for the NRCS projects.
Capital Improvement Grant Status
The Upper Gila Irrigation Association met with Priscilla Lucero, Council of Governments, last fall. No progress has been made.
The Fort West Irrigation Association has made no progress.
The Gila Farms Irrigation Association has a collection of projects totaling about $50,000. They are ready to submit a draft. The Gila Farms Bear Creek Siphon project was rejected.
Action Items for Consideration
Gila Basin Irrigation Commission/Interstate Stream Commission Construction Funding Agreement Resolution
This Resolution is for authorization of the GBIC/ISC to take the remaining funding from the GBIC Diversion Project to address the matching funds needed for the three-irrigation association NRCS projects. Grant County will be the Fiscal Agent.
A motion to adopt this Resolution was approved.
Valley Ditch Weirs
Earlier in August, Mike Lopez, a retired manager from the Lower Rio Grande Conservancy, made a presentation to some irrigators on the river. The presentation was about weir arrangement and water flow charts that would streamline water distribution between the three ditches and give us more consistency. He will be forthcoming with a cost estimate.
Lester Ivins compensation
Ivins has been instrumental in the fair split of water between the three ditches during low river flow. The three ditches need to compensate Lester for this work. He has kept a time log and the total to be split is $1,164.12. Or, $388.04 for each ditch.
Old Business
None
New Business
ISC Water Trust Board Funds
Martin McMillan, Office of the State Engineer (OSE) who manages the Gila/San Francisco Water Basins reported that there are still monies available. There was Planning money available earlier this year. Construction money will be released in the Fall of 2025, possibly the Spring of 2026. The ISC partners with the Water Trust Board. Currently there is no match money.
Next Meeting
As called.
Adjourn
7:10 pm
