Interstate Stream Commission Considers Proposals To Divert Part Of Gila River

By Dennis Lambert
Published: Monday, November 10, 2014 - 10:14am
Updated: Monday, November 10, 2014 - 10:18am
(Photo by Mónica Ortiz Uribe - KJZZ)
The Gila River downstream from the town of Cliff, N.M. The state has until the end of the year to decide whether to divert this water into reservoirs.

The Interstate Stream Commission meets in Albuquerque today to hear proposals to divert part of the Gila River.

Opponents of the diversion are upset about the session, which doesn’t include any time for public comment. They plan to rally outside the meeting.

The commission is already being sued over claims it violated New Mexico’s Open Meetings Act.

The claims have prompted questions about the transparency of the commission's handling of Gila River planning.

A spokeswoman for the commission says there will be more time to comment during a session Friday in Silver City.

The commission faces an end of the year deadline to decide whether to accept federal money to build a diversion and storage system along the Gila.