[Editor's Note: This is part 1 of a multi-part series of articles on the NM CAP entity meeting held on Dec. 3, 2018.]

By Mary Alice Murphy

In public input at the beginning of the Dec. 3, 2018 regular meeting of the New Mexico Central Arizona Project Entity, Gerald Schultz, representing the Coronado Resource Conservation and Development District out of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, said he has contact information for the RC & D for anyone interested. He also announced an upcoming annual forum in Thatcher, Arizona. The meeting will have as its topic, Adapting to a Hotter and Drier Climate. He also encouraged entity members to read the recent United National Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. "Each report is worse than the previous one. They do no original research. They are using date that is already gathered."

Members then discussed the second amendment to the joint-powers agreement between the entity and the Interstate Stream Commission. Entity Attorney Pete Domenici Jr. said he had met with the ISC and a substantive change was requested. The ISC members had a concern about using resources during the short time frame to finish the NEPA process. "We, as a board, agreed that we were not going to accept any applications while we were working on NEPA. Not only are we not going to accept applications, but we will not even set up the protocols for the applications until after the record of decision. We want to make sure not to compete with NEPA."

He said the ISC would meet on Thursday of that week and potentially could complete approval of the amendment. Domenici also noted that at the recent Interim Water and Natural Resources Committee meeting, there was a lot of discussion among the legislators about the second amendment to the JPA. He felt most of the discussion was positive about the project that the entity has developed.

Howard Hutchinson, representing the San Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District, noted a reference in the JPA to the Secretary of the Interior. He noted that it said she, and he suggested that it say he he/she or him/ her.

Chairwoman Darr Shannon, representing the Hidalgo Soil and Water Conservation District, noted that the village of Santa Clara had had at least three absences in a row. She asked if anyone had the bylaws and whether a vote was needed on the issue.

ISC Attorney Dominque Work said the bylaws said without the representative arranging for an alternate to attend, the representative may be removed by majority vote, but not the party.

Entity Executive Director Anthony Gutierrez said if the board chooses, he could issue a notice to Santa Clara, asking if they choose not to participate in the entity.

Domenici recommended not voting on the Santa Clara issue, but to please vote on the JPA, and request the approval of the ISC. "We can vote on Santa Clara at the next meeting, if we need to."

Allen Campbell, representing the Gila Hot Springs Irrigation Association, said he had a concern about the ISC's concern on the JPA.

Hidalgo County Representative Vance Lee said he agreed that all the entities need to approve the JPA amendment as soon as possible. He moved to approve the second amendment to the JPA with the ISC, including the correction to his/her. It was unanimously approved.

The next article will begin with an extensive discussion on whether the NM CAP Entity should become a political subdivision of the state.