Regional system key to settling Aamodt water-rights case

A multimillion-dollar regional water system is key to a proposed settlement of Indian and non-Indian water rights in the Pojoaque River Basin north of Santa Fe. But Santa Fe County, which would cover the nonpueblo portion of the $200 million-plus proposed water system that will divert water from the Rio Grande, hasn't figured out how to pay for it if the plan gets through Congress. "It is not clear at this time," County Commissioner Harry Montoya, who represents the region, said in an e-mail. "It is expected that the county will bond for the county portion of construction costs." Nonpueblo residents who hook into the water system would eventually help pay for its operation and maintenance through monthly water bills. No one knows how much that would be because the system hasn't been finalized. Still, many Pojoaque Valley well users oppose the new water system, claiming they'll never hook up if it is ever built. The water system is the centerpiece of legislation pending before the U.S. Senate regarding the Aamodt settlement in New Mexico's longest-running water-rights case. Congress must approve both the settlement and funding for it. The system's fate rests for the moment with Congress. Montoya said U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., met with him recently and said if the legislation doesn't get passed before newly elected Republicans take their seats in January, its chances of approval next year are slim...more