"you're stealing our river!"

I borrowed the title from the subject of an email sent by CR back in the old AZ. Big Bill held a press conference today regarding the designation of the Gila as one of the most endangered river in the US. Covered by the water writer, Shaun McKinnon, in the Arizona Republic. Yeah, back in 2004 the Arizona Water Settlement Act resulting in New Mexico getting a little extra water from the Gila because some people in Arizona were getting to use CAP water. Big, long, complicated story. However, the Act came with funding under stipulation that New Mexico had to use this water by 2014 (I think) or they would get no money. Consequently, a collaborative group in the Gila, along with the ISC, has been meeting to decide how to use the water. One of the many options brought up, and listed in the regional water plan, is to build a dam to divert water out of the river for use in a nearby area.

Today at Big Bill's press conference, it was reported that he said basically, no dams, no how, no way, under my administration. This is up for debate; many people think his words saying that we need to protect the river were misconstrued into meaning that means no dams. And somehow the New Mexico "state water agency" came off looking like the bad guy. I mean, they want to build a dam, and they won't even listen to their governor? 1) No such dam proposal has been made. 2) The Governor has not informed the agency of any such thing and did not even invite the agency to the press conference. Consequently, the office was in crisis mode today.

And all the people in Arizona think we are stealing their river, I'm sure. Oh well. Having worked in the media and done my best to get my stories straight, and knowing that this author at least (there are many other articles out there) is well-versed in water, it does surprise me that all this could be a mistake. Maybe the Governor really did say no dams. Who knows. He won't deny it now, because so many people are so pleased about it. And I won't say anything bad.

But seriously, can't people just talk to each other ever? It's a wonder anyone knows what's going on in the water world when it's always so darn confusing, even to those of us in the industry.

What month is it?

Yesterday morning, I was leaving KGS's house in Santa Fe at 7:30 in the morning, when things started falling out of the sky. It wasn't rain, it wasn't snow, it wasn't hail, although it looked kind of like it. Matt has confirmed my suspicion that it was graupel (sp?), some over 1/4 inch in diameter. I then got in my car and started on my 1 1/2 hour journey southeast to Estancia. While driving it started to snow, and while listening to the radio I discovered that not only was it snowing in Santa Fe, but also farther south in Albuquerque and Moriarty. Great. And I kid you not, I drove through a snow storm the whole way. Snow was still falling as I walked from my car into the Torrance County Courthouse.

I can't remember when the last time I drove through snow like that was. Sure I've done it driving home from work in the foothills, but then it only lasted a few minutes. Not 90. I drove through low-visibility, through snow sticking to the roads, to farmland covered in snow with plants or grass just peaking out. It really was like being back in Michigan again, driving through farms in endlessly falling snow. It was kind of cool. I can think that now because the snow eventually stopped and I did not get stuck in Estancia with my little Echo. However, I did drive through a bit of snow again on I40 between Moriarty and Albuquerque. In the second half of April. That was yesterday. Today it is supposed to be nearly 80 degrees. What in the world is wrong with this state?