McKinley County Water Board

M I N U T E S

January 12, 2005

McKinley County Complex

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Paulene McCabe Manuelito Chapter

Michael Daly White Cliffs MDWUA

Loline Hathaway Yah-ta-Hey WSD

Rhonda Berg Rehoboth Red Mesa Foundation

facilitators/staff:

Evan Williams Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments

I. OPENING & INTRODUCTIONS. Board facilitator Evan Williams opened the meeting at 10:22 AM. Evan Williams noted that implement weather had made it hard on attendance and that we could use this meeting as a Water Board brainstorming and work session.

II. MINUTES.

Mike Daly moved, and Paulene McCabe seconded to approve the minutes of December 8, 2004. The motion was approved by acclamation.

III. NEW BUSINESS.

A. Planning: Small Systems Forum. Mike Daly presented his research and discovery from Dianne Barns, NMED. He found out that the New Mexico Environment Department is required and responsible to do surveying, data collection, and reporting on each water association in the State. His understanding is that they produce two documents on a periodic basis:

1. Drinking Water Report. NMED does a comprehensive survey for each water association.

2. Sanitary Survey Report. NMED also produces this document on 8 specific elements.

The Water Board had previously sending out surveys to get comparable data from different small systems. Mike Daly figured that these documents would provide us the information we needed. He will see what Dianne Barns can give to us. It was also discussed that these reports will probably need some updating, which might be done prior to the Small Systems Forum.

The members of the Water Board reviewed and commented on the draft agenda, Evan Williams had produced. That agenda has been updated and redrafted for the Board’s review.

Loline Hathaway started the conversation of who should be invited and do we include private systems into the forum. The Board felt that private systems could be invited and determine their own level of involvement. Loline also asked about whether or not Southwest Indian Foundation offers “Rural Utilities Assistance”?

Some of the invitees, included:

1) Navajo Nation Chapters in McKinley County.

2) Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources Staff: Arvin Trujillo, Jason John, John Leeper, etc.

3) Zuni Council and Staff: Joan Sandy and Edward Wemytewa, including their suggested invitees.

4) Water Associations (Mike Daly to provide current list from Dianne Barns).

5) Private Small Systems.

6) Unincorporated Community Systems.

7) City of Gallup.

8) State and Federal Legislators.

Some of the presenters, included:

1) Marc DePauli, Local Engineer

2) Matt Holmes, NMRWUA

3) Tracy Svanda, NMRWUA

4) Ken Hughes, Local Governments Division

5) April Allen, NMED

6) Dianne Barns, NMED

7) Mark Valenzuela or Brian Brooks, NMFA

8) John Whipple or DL Sanders, Interstate Stream Commission

9) Rege Leach, Bureau of Reclamation

10) USDA representative

11) Lance Allgood, GJU

12) Jeff Kiely, NWNMCOG

13) Representative from IHS

We also discussed how we would address the flow of the meeting, and getting the problems out from local invitees and getting information and feedback back from the panels. Evan Williams suggested using Jeff Kiely’s masterful facilitation skills and including it in the introductions of each invitee. Each invitee would state their name, organization, and their major problem in supporting or operating a small system. This would be recorded at the front of the room and folks could see the commonalities and differences, and presenters could get a better idea of the issues.

The joint problems and concerns the Water Board foreshadowed were increasing government regulation, water rights, board requirements, staffing requirements including certified operators, water rate structures, classes/training, and the possibility of getting a business started that could do the administration/operation of small systems for a fee.

ACTION: Design, organize, and facilitate the “First Annual Small Systems Forum” for the Water Board’s April 9^th meeting.

B. Uranium Mining. The Water Board discussed the next steps in this process. The Board noted that the issue has begun to really pick up public attention. The Navajo Nation has passed a resolution to stop future uranium mining, and both sides have become more vocal on the issue in McKinley County. The Board agreed that their focus needed to be specific to water issues, but that awareness to other issues needed to be made. There was significant discussion around separating out the past emotional scars and the new in-situ leeching process. Judging the current process for its effects. The Board wanted to get more information on interaction of aquifers as Wynoma Foster discussed, and the hydrology studies that have been done. The Board also wanted to find a way to get a third-party evaluation on the current water supply.

C. Presentation by White Cliffs MDWUA for EGRT Funding. Michael Daly, President of White Cliffs Mutual Domestic Water Users Association, made a presentation to the Water Board to recommend supporting his request to the County Commission for $16, 000 to repair and mitigate leaking ponds and wastewater problems on December 8, 2004. The Board moved to approve pending a long-range planning report be submitted by Mike Daly.

Mike Daly presented his report the Water Board, and consensus was reached that Mike Daly has proven he has a long plan and has attempted to seek funding by other means to no avail.

IV. OTHER ISSUES & ANNOUNCEMENTS

V. ADJOURNMENT: Mike Daly moved, and Rhonda Berg seconded to adjourn; the Board meeting adjourned at 12:125 PM. Next meeting will be at the McKinley County conference room at 10 AM on Wednesday, December 8^th

Respectfully submitted,

Evan Williams, Associate Planner

Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments