Ute water meeting turns contentious

CLOVIS -- Some said last week’s meeting of the Ute Water Commission was contentious. Others called it a good discussion.

A continuing “negative” advertising campaign by the village of Logan regarding the Ute Reservoir and the Ute Water Project was called into question by Commission Chair Mike Morris, highlighting the meeting at the Clovis-Carver Public Library’s North Annex.

“Would the village of Logan like to respond to their spending of public money to oppose the Ute Water Project?” Morris posed after he reviewed points of the Commission’s Joint Powers Agreement.

Morris, also the mayor of Clovis, summarized the JPA as one that calls for all on the commission to work together regarding the use of the reservoir.

“I don’t know that ‘opposing’ is the word that should be used. It’s more about educating,” Logan representative and newly elected Commission Vice Chair T. J. Smith said.

Morris cited ads published in The Eastern New Mexico News and other media outlets that he said have cost the taxpayers about $5,000.

“Our intent has been to educate,” Smith reiterated.

The advertising campaign has focused on costs related to the pipeline and asks whether the Ute reservoir at Logan can even provide the water needed to some member communities.

Quay County residents for years have been critical of the pipeline, also citing concerns recreational use of the lake could be limited if lake levels are diminished.

Morris told Smith “The Ute Water Pipeline is critical. We have to consider groundwater as finite. We are running out.”

Smith responded: “We do not contest anyone’s allocation,” before lambasting unrestricted use of groundwater for agriculture.

Commissioners noted they have no control over ag use of water outside municipalities.

San Jon representative Wade Lane interrupted the debate, saying “I’m not seeing this on the agenda.”

Representatives from the Interstate Stream Commission, Rico Blea and Chris Shaw, listened in on the meeting via phone. They praised those in attendance for openly airing concerns.

In other business:

- Smith proposed the commission seek to adopt a new minimum pool level for the lake, citing the amount of silt buildup in the reservoir since its creation in 1963. Morris noted the level was set by the state and the water commission had no authority to change it.

- During reports from the commission’s representatives, Eldon Merrick of Portales spoke of the city “continuing to stand behind the pipeline as a source of water.”

“This is a critical need for us,” Merrick said.

Merrick also took issue with the Logan advertising campaign.

“There does not need to be animosity between the cities,” Merrick said.

Texico Mayor Deborah Autrey expressed the town’s support of the Ute Water Pipeline.

- Morris was unanimously re-elected to the Commission chair position.

Smith was unanimously elected as vice chair.

The position has been vacant since Richard Primrose retired from Quay County government over a year ago.

After Monday’s meeting, Smith was asked about his take-away from the session.

“It’s always productive to have discussion. We are here for the benefit of us all,” Smith said.

Morris also praised the dialogue.

“I thought it was a good move forward in open dialogue. It’s so important we recognize Ute Reservoir works for all of us,” Morris said.

Morris said he personally told Smith he “is definitely the right spokesman for Logan.”

“He’s articulate and diplomatic but he sidestepped the negativity campaign that ... Logan is carrying out with public funds,” Morris said.