Feds To Help Farmers, Ranchers In Ogallala Aquifer Region – The Associated Press
Federal officials say farmers and ranchers who depend on the Ogallala Aquifer will benefit from $6.5 million in funding.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced this week that it would be investing in projects in a handful of states with the goal of conserving billions of gallons of water to extend the life of the aquifer.
Underlying eight states, the Ogallala supports nearly one-fifth of the wheat, corn, cotton and cattle produced in the United States. It has long been the main water supply for communities throughout the Great Plains and is being depleted at an unsustainable rate.
In eastern New Mexico, the Natural Resources Conservation Service plans to work with farmers to convert irrigated cropland to dryland systems and to restore grasslands.
Projects also are planned in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas.
New Mexico Supreme Court To Rule In Assessor Lawsuit – The Associated Press
A lawsuit that will determine if county officials can hire outside contractors for technical assistance is in the hands of the New Mexico Supreme Court.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports that the state's highest court heard oral arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit filed by a former Eddy County assessor against that county's commission.
Former county assessor Karen Robinson says Eddy County commissioners denied requests dating back to 2007 to hire an independent firm to audit field equipment used by oil and gas companies.
Robinson says her office was too understaffed to assess all equipment across the county.
So she sued the commission in 2012.
A district court sided with Robinson but the case went to the court of appeals.
Several New Mexico counties already hire outside companies for land assessments.
Jal Eyes $11M Loan, Grant For Water Improvements – The Associated Press
A southeastern New Mexico city may raise water rates if it gets $11 million loans and grants from the federal government.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports that Jal should know by the end of the month if it will receive an $11.3 million loan and grant from the USDA's Rural Development Department.
Officials say Jal needs to get some $6 million in federal grant dollars to replace every water line in the city. In addition, Jal residents will have to step up on their water rates to help cover an additional $5 million loan, which will be paid back at 2.75 percent interest over 40 years.
The Jal City Council had the first reading of a proposed water rate increase at its May 11 meeting and a final decision will be made June 8.