THE INTERSTATE STREAM COMMISSION … NEW MEXICO'S MOST POWERFUL WATER PLANNING BODY … VOTES MONDAY ON HOW TO MANAGE THE STATE'S SHARE OF THE GILA RIVER. COMMISSIONERS HAVE A DECEMBER 31ST DEADLINE TO DECIDE IF THEY'LL ACCEPT UP TO 128 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO BUILD A DIVERSION AND STORAGE SYSTEM ALONG THE GILA. THEY GET ABOUT HALF THAT AMOUNT IF THEY GO WITH OTHER WATER PROJECTS.
SUPPORTERS CALL IT A RARE CHANGE TO DEVELOP A NEW WATER SOURCE. CRITICS SAYS A DIVERSION COULD COST UP TO A BILLION DOLLARS.
