News and Articles
10/18/2016
BCC To Consider Joint Powers Agreement Creating The Pojoaque Basin Regional Water Authority Required By The Aamodt Settlement
The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) of Santa Fe County will consider the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water Authority Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) on October 25 and November 29, 2016. The BCC may take action on the JPA at its November 29 meeting.
The JPA is a cornerstone agreement necessary to implement the Aamodt Settlement Agreement approved by Congress, the State of New Mexico, the Pueblos of Pojoaque, Nambe, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque, Santa Fe County, the City of Santa Fe, and the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico. The JPA would create the Authority that will partially own and operate the Regional Water System to be constructed pursuant to the Aamodt Settlement Agreement, define its purposes and powers, and prescribe the manner in which those powers are exercised. The Regional Water System will divert, treat, and deliver water to Pueblo and County utility water customers.
The draft JPA, a Fact Sheet concerning the JPA, and a PowerPoint presentation concerning the Aamodt Settlement, Regional Water System and Authority, and JPA are available at http://www.santafecountynm.gov/public_works/utilities/aamodt.
Interested persons are strongly encouraged to submit written comments on the JPA at or before the BCC’s October 25 meeting to ensure that all comments are considered by the BCC. In addition, oral comment will be allowed at the October 25 meeting; however, oral comment will possibly be subject to time limits. Written comments on the JPA may be submitted to Sandra J. Ely by email at sely@santafecountynm.gov or by mail at Santa Fe County Public Works Department 424 NM HWY 599, Frontage Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507. Written comments can also be submitted at the October 25 BCC meeting.
Interested persons can also ask Ms. Ely questions about the JPA by email sely@santafecountynm.gov, by calling 505-986-2426, or at office hours she will be holding at the Pojoaque Satellite Office, 5 West Gutierrez, Suite 9, Pojoaque, NM, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on October 18, 19, and 20, 2016.
Ms. Ely holds regular office hours at the Pojoaque Satellite Office every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. These office hours will be suspended on Tuesday, October 25 and Tuesday, November 1 to accommodate early voting at the office. Regular office hours will resume on Tuesday, November 8.
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