More money could be on way for pipeline

More millions of state dollars could be headed for the treasury of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority, the agency in charge of the Ute Water Pipeline.

The amount is yet to be determined and depends on Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signing House Bill 148 funding the New Mexico Water Trust Board according to Joe Thompson.

Thompson, ENMWUA’s “Consultant at the state level,” shared the news of the potential cash infusion at Thursday’s regular monthly ENMWUA board meeting.

In other business:

• ENMWUA Chief Procurement Officer Jacquelynn Bowens told Board members of the letting out a bid for a company to restore lands adjacent to pipeline construction saying a target date of March 28 has been set for a recommendation for a company to be presented to the Board for approval.

• Thompson also reported on a bill in the legislature that featured a $15 million request for funds for the pipeline but the measure failed.

• Board members learned Ute Reservoir is presently holding 40,000 more acre-feet of water than 1 year ago.