Air Force study backs need for NM pipeline
Posted at: 12/12/2012 2:17 PM
By: The Associated Press
PORTALES, N.M. (AP) - One eastern New Mexico water official says support from Cannon Air Force Base may help in the effort to secure more federal funding for the $500 million Ute pipeline project.
Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority chair Gayla Brumfield tells the Portales News-Tribune that a study commissioned by the base is in line with regional concerns about potential impacts of a declining Ogallala Aquifer.
Some officials have called the pipeline one of the most critical rural drinking water projects in the U.S. since groundwater supplies in the region aren't expected to meet future demand. Cannon Capt.
Laurence van der Oord says the eastern New Mexico base recognizes the importance and urgency of the project. Brumfield says the federal government has funded $3 million of the project so far.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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