Congresswoman Heather Wilson, First Congressional District of New Mexico
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| Wilson-Domenici language resolves New Mexico Water Issue |
July 20, 2001 |
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| Washington, DC – The House of Representatives took a common-sense step on a New Mexico water rights issue today. The House passed legislation supported by Congresswoman Heather Wilson and crafted by N.M. Senator Pete Domenici that resolves the dispute between the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD).
“It defies common sense that the federal government would refuse to accept full loan payment while asserting full jurisdiction over the San Juan-Chama project,” said Wilson. “The language allows MRGCD to pay off the loan amount owed for construction of the diversion tunnel, but leaves intact other aspects of the contract between MRGCD and the Bureau. I am very pleased that Senator Domenici and I were able to resolve this situation.”
“I am very pleased the Conservancy District will have the freedom to honor its obligation to the federal government as quickly as it pleases. This just makes sense, and will hopefully help extend cooperation between the District and the Bureau of Reclamation as we all work together on middle Rio Grande water issues,” Domenici said.
The language, included in an appropriations bill passed this morning, mandates the Interior Department to accept prepayment by the MRGCD of their loan obligation to the Bureau of Reclamation.
The dispute between the Bureau of Reclamation and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District centers around the early repayment of a loan for $2.4 million due in 2022, and the repayment of a loan from 1951 which was used to repair canals and ditches. The 1951 loan was repaid in full last year; however, the Bureau of Reclamation is now taking the position that it retains control over the project indefinitely.
On May 14, 2001, the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) attempted to pay off their 50-year loan obligation to the Bureau of Reclamation, a total payment of $2.4 million for the San Juan-Chama diversion. The loan is non-interest bearing because the project is for an irrigation system, as per Federal reclamation law.
The Bureau of Reclamation`s District Director in Albuquerque rejected the check, saying that the Bureau had no authority to accept it. Congresswoman Wilson and Senator Domenici both wrote letters to the Secretary of Interior asking that she look into the issue and resolve the matter administratively. However, the Solicitor General of the Department indicated that the Bureau of Reclamation needs statutory language to be able to accept the check.
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