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Santa Fe County Supports Aamodt Settlement  

Santa Fe, NM – June 24, 2019– Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Representatives Ben Ray Luján, Deb Haaland and Xochitl Torres Small today introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives to support the Aamodt Settlement and to develop the Pojoaque Basin Regional Water System. The legislation will amend the federal Aamodt Litigation and Settlement Act of 2010 by increasing the federal funding ceiling and extending the deadline to complete the project.

Upon hearing about the proposed legislation, Santa Fe County Manager Katherine Miller said “Santa Fe County applauds the New Mexico delegation for taking this much-needed step in ensuring the success of the Aamodt Settlement. We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the Pueblos to provide safe and reliable drinking water to northern Santa Fe County.”

Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners Chair Anna Hamilton said “We are so grateful for the support and forward-thinking of our congressional delegation, along with our valuable working partnership with the Pueblos, in continuing to work toward successful completion of this regional water project. The challenge of securing and managing for reliable water in a future threatened by climate change on top of ongoing water demands requires the types of bold action that fulfilling the Aamodt Settlement represents.”

Santa Fe County, the Pueblos of Nambe, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Tesuque, the State of New Mexico, the United States, and the City of Santa Fe entered the Settlement Agreement 2013 in conformance with the federal Aamodt Litigation and Settlement Act. Development of the Regional Water System will provide a reliable source of clean water to County residents and the residents of the Pueblos of Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso and Tesuque.

For more information please visit the County’s Aamodt page at:  http://www.santafecountynm.gov/public_works/utilities/aamodt

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Carmelina Hart
Communications Coordinator
CHart@santafecountynm.gov
505-986-6224