Cuba Soil and Water Conservation District Middle Rio Grande Region and Water Planning Discussion of Region 12 for the NMWD Regional Water Planners’ Workshop September 16, 2010 Bob Wessely (505) 908-9400 VP – Water Assembly Wessely@SciSo.com Water Assembly water unites us el agua nos une www.MRCOG-NM.gov 505-247-1750 Cuba Soil and Water Conservation District 505-289-3950 www.WaterAssembly.org 505-293-9208

But First, A Disclaimer In Our Five Minutes … We‘ll Have: A Brief Overview of a Synopsis of a Summary of the Issues Omission of Lots of Germane Facts/Topics/Issues Numerous Overly Broad Generalizations Probably, Some Politically Incorrect Statements

Outline of Topics RWP Mission: “Balance Use with Renewable Supply” Characteristics of Our Particular Region Identifying Our Main Problem Our Big Challenges for RWP Implementation We’ve Accomplished Some Things And We Now See Additional Challenges RWP Mission: “Balance Use with Renewable Supply”

Characteristics of Our Particular Region Public Planning Process by WA, MRCOG / WRB & CS&WCD Diverse Mix of Urban, Rural, and Riparian Constituencies High Rates of Growth: Population and Urban Water Desires Two 800 Pound Gorillas and One 200 Pound Gorilla + Others Rio Grande Compact Obligations Limit Water Availability Ripar. 22% Ag. 33% Urb. 29% O.W. 16%

Identifying Our Main Problems Inflows 261 kaf/yr Consumption 316 kaf/yr Deficit 55 kaf/yr 1972-1997 Average Wet Water Budget: Inflows Minus Consumptive Use Minus Outflows Large Annual Deficit Spending of Wet Water Addicted to Overspending Our Renewable Water Supply Rio Grande Compact Obligations Limit Water Availability Increasing River Leakage Impacts Compliance Prospects

Big Challenges for RWP Implementation Lack of Funds, and Even of Moral Support Poorly Defined Water Rights Ownership Lobbies for Inaction and/or Diluted Action Pervasive Expectations That All Will Work Out OK NIMTOO – The Next Quarter Earnings Mentality

Nevertheless, We’ve Accomplished Some Things Albuquerque – SJ/C DWP, Conservation Program Rio Rancho – Conservation, Water Reuse Programs MRGCD Reduced Diversions  Less Consumption Coordination & Conservation Plans, Ordinances Bosque Restoration Projects, Effect Uncertain Several Experiments for Engineering “Fixes” “Futures Project” Stories to Raise Public Awareness

And We Now See Additional Challenges for Meeting the RWP Mission Implications of Shortage of Paper Water – “Dedications” Implications of Substantially Reduced Inflows – 73%, 93% Implications of Endangered Species Constraints Implications of Climate Change Recognition Implications of Water Quality Issues Implications of Explosive Energy Demands

RWP, Backup Data, and Other Info at Water Assembly water unites us el agua nos une More Detail ? RWP, Backup Data, and Other Info at www.WaterAssembly.org Bob Wessely (505) 908-9400 VP – Water Assembly Wessely@SciSo.com