Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Ute Water Project construction could be completed this decade now that federal funding has come through.
More than $177 million is on its way into the coffers of the Ute Water Project from the federal government.
New Mexico Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez made the announcement Thursday from her office in Washington, D.C.
"We're really proud to announce that $160 million is coming to the water project from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act," Leger Fernandez said. "In addition $17.4 million is going to the project from the omnibus appropriations bill."
Leger Fernandez said she led the effort in the U.S. House to secure the money through the appropriations bill and New Mexico senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan led the effort in the Senate.
"The wonderful thing we have in New Mexico is we have a delegation that works together," Leger Fernandez said.
"This huge infusion of cash will bring good, high paying construction jobs to the region. The Ute water project will bring even more jobs in the future."
Clovis Mayor Mike Morris, who is also chairman of the Eastern New Mexico Water Utility Authority that oversees the Ute water project, was at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation offices in Albuquerque for the official announcement.
"These Federal dollars are matched by the State's $30 million and the member community's $20.7 million for a total of $228.14 million," Morris wrote in an email.
"The Ute Pipeline is the linchpin in addressing our water challenges as it connects us to a renewable source. So naturally, the funding announcement is exciting news.
"On behalf of the citizens of Clovis, Cannon Air Force Base, Portales, Texico , and Elida, I am grateful for this (funding) as it puts this critically important project on a new, shorter timeline."
Morris said the project could now be completed in the next six or seven years instead of the mid-2030s.
Portales Mayor Ron Jackson, the vice chairman of the water authority, also expressed optimism the pipeline will be producing water this decade.
"This will allow us to advance the pipeline project much sooner than anticipated," Jackson said.
The infrastructure bill included $5 billion for water programs in the western United States. Of that $5 billion, $1 billion was allocated for rural water projects including the Ute Water Project.
The bill funding covers fiscal years 2022 through 2026. The $160 million just announced is for fiscal year 2022.
"Unbelievable. This is the day we've waited for for years," said former Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield. She said a pipeline from Ute Lake southward along the eastern side of the state has been talked about since 1960.
Said another former mayor, David Lansford, who has been involved with the pipeline project for decades:
"Our future is brighter because of this significant allocation," Lansford said.
"We are fortunate to have access to a surface water system. This is a significant portion of the funding that is needed. It's the most significant funding that's come in to date, nothing else compares."
