Cannon study backs area's need for pipeline

Concerns at Cannon Air Force Base about the impact of a declining Ogallala Aquifer within the next decade can only strengthen the case for funding the Ute pipeline, according to one official.

Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority chair and former Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield said getting Cannon's backing may help secure funding at the federal level, which could expedite construction of the project.

"It makes it more critical because Cannon Air Force Base is the security of our country," Brumfield said. "The special operations mission is vital to this area."

Air Force Special Operations Command commissioned a study to assess the Ogallala Aquifer, according to Capt. Laurence van der Oord with Cannon's public affairs.

"The study recommended a number of management and conservation efforts to reduce stress on the aquifer until the Ute Pipeline Project can begin delivering water, and we are currently implementing a number of those recommendations," van der Oord said.

According to van der Oord, a few of those recommendations include:

• Construction of a 9 million gallon holding basin associated with Cannon's wastewater treatment plant, which will expand Cannon's capacity to reuse treated wastewater for irrigation.
• Re-evaluating landscaping and irrigation. Cannon is converting turf irrigation to desert landscaping and using low-water demand plants and trees.
• Establishing a water-loss program to support the investigation and determination of the amount of water being lost from the system due to leaks.

"Cannon recognizes the importance and urgency of the Ute Pipeline Project," van der Oord added.

Brumfield said since Cannon's study matches their findings, that proof errs on the side of need.

"They (Cannon) just want to make sure they're a partner in what we're doing," said Brumfield. "We fought hard to keep the base here, and we're blessed to get the mission."

Brumfield said 75 percent of the $500 million project will be funded by the federal government, and she hopes Congress understands this area's needs. The project would pipe drinking water from Ute reservoir near Logan to communities in Curry and Roosevelt counties.

"The Ute reservoir has been put in for a sustainable water supply for the eastern side of state," Brumfield said. "The Ogallala is groundwater and over time it depletes."

According to Brumfield, the federal government has funded $3 million of the project so far.

She said that there is a Senate bill being studied by Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and Max Baucus, D-Mont., that will help fund rural water projects in several states such as the Ute Pipeline project.

"I hope it gets traction during this lame-duck session," Brumfield said.

Jude McCartin, a representative for Bingaman, said the senator is working hard to get funding for the Ute Pipeline project after helping get the authorization of the project into law a couple of years ago.

McCartin added the legislation Brumfield is referring to would set aside $80 million for high priority water projects in a number of states all at one time instead of going through annual appropriations to get funding for such projects.

"It's intended to create a funding stream for projects we already need," McCartin said.