Sen. Bingaman introduces San Juan water package

Electric power shortages in New Mexico within the next several years may cause water distribution problems?

http://www.prosefights.org/abqwater/abqwater....

Bingaman actually woke up for a few minutes to do something? Unbelievable!

Now how does this make since, yes the Navajo Nation deserves infrstructure and water. 600000 acre ft however is more then the entire lower Rio Grande which serves millions of people in both Southern NM and Texas and Mexico. The Navajo nations' farms cant even break even, if this bill goes through New Mexican's better move to Las Vegas when the Native's sell out...every cummunity must develope its water service with all the federal handout you wonder why it has taken the Navajos this long to serve their people.

To add how does Congress think its coming up with 600k af of water? Congress owns no water its the states and the people's. Yes Congress can spend our tax money and yes it could buy the Navajos water but how does a water settlement come up with wet water when Congress doesnt have any? The Court in New Mexico must move and adjudicate the waters of NM under a prior appropriation doctrine of actual benificial use. The New Mexico courts must do thier job and move against the historical political congressional promises and protect NM waters from further federal political involment. One other question that must be asked is why isnt Arizona giving up its waters to the Navajos in this settlement as this is where the Navajo reservation began? Let congress give out bails of money to the Navajo's like they are doing with everyone else, but Congress dont give out (water) something you dont own...and Navajos if you think your a nation why are you counting on Washington for all your needs?

After reading it over, I have to say that this is not a sound bill. It looks like the Interstate
Streams Commission, via Craig Roepke, tried to tie in the Eastern NM Pipeline into the bill. There has been little to no public disclosure of the backroom dealings that led to this bill.

I must also say that if Sen. Bingaman and his staff are getting input from Roepke, they are not doing themselves any favors.

From what I understand from speaking with current Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream commmission staff, Roepke has a B.A. in English Literature and used to work as a well driller. This is not the type of person that should be involved in water projects throughout the state. He has no background in engineering or water resources, and has made some really big mistakes on past projects.

Scott wrote:

...and Navajos if you think your a nation why are you counting on Washington for all your needs?

This remark shows complete ignorance of U. S. and Native American history. Please take some time to read up before you start attacking Native Americans for these kinds of things.

Bingaman is also going after funding for Aamodt. We have presented a petition with over 850 signatures opposing the water utility. Senator Bingaman knows there is immense opposition yet he continues to support Aamodt. He says there is support for the settlement but I can count on both hands the supporters. Congressman Udall, three County Commissioners, the president of the PVID and Governor Richardson. None of these representatives have polled their constituents. Our representatives refuse to come out to the community to determine or discuss their decisions they have made as our behalf. So much for representative government.

Chaya, yes we all need a lesson in history and there is no doubt that the American Native's were mistreated for centurys. I do not mean any disrespect against Native Americans as we are one people under God. My grand mother was half Native American not to mention we as americans should respect all people's rights. My comments were not to offend anyone. I feel that we all face the same problem of an unaccountable Washington and only can hope for equal rights for all. Yes Congress owes Native Americans as well as many spanish and other settlers of the state of New Mexico for the terrible treatment and unaccountable actions by Washington with the Native Americans being number one in priority. However there is a right way and a wrong way. These settlements painted with special interests and promises which as in the past are hard to fullfill because of the polictical interests, defy the law and the courts role. Equitable apportionment is no more then taking from one and giving to another who has more political pull in Washington. Yes the Navajo people deserve water and a clean dependable supply. Yes Congress has taken advantage of them, but this water settlement only serves special intersts and politicians who make promises that once these leave office they leave for someone else to solve. Maybe the Department of Interior will straighten up its act and find all the billions lost under their management that was rightfully Native Americans and they could afford their own water projects.... Best to you Chaya

pablo Blanco wrote:

Bingaman is also going after funding for Aamodt. We have presented a petition with over 850 signatures opposing the water utility. Senator Bingaman knows there is immense opposition yet he continues to support Aamodt. He says there is support for the settlement but I can count on both hands the supporters. Congressman Udall, three County Commissioners, the president of the PVID and Governor Richardson. None of these representatives have polled their constituents. Our representatives refuse to come out to the community to determine or discuss their decisions they have made as our behalf. So much for representative government.

Pablo Blanco - I agree with you, which is why I have such heartache with the less than capable people that have been hired at the Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission. They lack the education, credentials, background and credibility to work on water resource issues.

Take a look at the recent Eagle's Nest Settlement Agreement that Estevan Lopez and Craig Roepke brokered. Do you or the rest of the public know that ISC Commissioner Julia Stafford is part of the family used to own the reservoir, oversold all the water in it and is now benefitting from this tainted deal?

I was hoping that Denish would take office and clean house at these two corrupt agencies, but that will have to wait.

RDM,
I am not aware of the Eagle's Nest Settlement but am not surprised at funny deals anymore. In our case the Pueblos have immense influence with our representatives. I know of only one commissioner who had the guts to recuse herself from voting on Aamodt because she received campaign donations.

pablo Blanco wrote:

RDM, I am not aware of the Eagle's Nest Settlement but am not surprised at funny deals anymore. In our case the Pueblos have immense influence with our representatives. I know of only one commissioner who had the guts to recuse herself from voting on Aamodt because she received campaign donations.

Pablo Blanco - follow the money here. When settlement talks first started, Julia Davis Stafford had just been named an ISC Commissioner. This was a political payback for her and the family business, the Springer Ranch having supported Bill Richardson financially in his first gubenetorial campaign. Since the settlement talks started, she has supported trips to Australia and Egypt that ISC Director Estevan Lopez has taken with taxpayer money. When the settlemnt talks were close to completion, Craig Roepke had a "consulting" contract with the Springer Ranch and the next thing you know, he bought a pretty pricey home in Santa Fe .... He now has two homes...one in ABQ and in SF.

There is plenty of ground water ( ie Good under ground aquifers ) in most of that area, and it is not a deep drill either.

$870 mill is alot of dough.

Seems like the job could be done for about 25% of that cost by simply drilling wells in various good water spots on the reservation.

Then branch out from those wells with a TRUE rural water system to Every rural residence for EVERYONE there.

Mark Wright wrote:

There is plenty of ground water ( ie Good under ground aquifers ) in most of that area, and it is not a deep drill either.
$870 mill is alot of dough.
Seems like the job could be done for about 25% of that cost by simply drilling wells in various good water spots on the reservation.
Then branch out from those wells with a TRUE rural water system to Every rural residence for EVERYONE there.

Mark,
I agree with you wholeheartedly, which is why I think this bill should not go through. I'm all for getting federal money into this state, but shouldn't the projects make sense first?

This is just another example of people in government not having a handle on reality - hear that State Engineer John D'Antonio?

RDM; give me a call sometime.

pablo wrote:

RDM; give me a call sometime.

RDM505 at the big Y dot com.

"]After reading it over, I have to say that this is not a sound bill. It looks like the Interstate
Streams Commission, via Craig Roepke, tried to tie in the Eastern NM Pipeline into the bill. There has been little to no public disclosure of the backroom dealings that led to this bill.
I must also say that if Sen. Bingaman and his staff are getting input from Roepke, they are not doing themselves any favors.
From what I understand from speaking with current Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream commmission staff, Roepke has a B.A. in English Literature and used to work as a well driller. This is not the type of person that should be involved in water projects throughout the state. He has no background in engineering or water resources, and has made some really big mistakes on past projects"

You are misinformed. Mr Roepke has a masters degree from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He previously worked at Sandia Base in Albuquerque.