Rex Kirksey facilitated the strategic planning work session for Arch Hurley.

The Arch Hurley Conservancy District board allocated an inch of water Tuesday.

In all, four inches of water have been allocated this year in the irrigation project. In mid-August there was a heavy rain that combined with the runoff made it possible to allocate the water, said Arch Hurley manager Franklin McCasland.

This compares with 7.5 inches delivered in 2007.

In other matters before the board:
l Arch Hurley will be entering into mediation with Skip Vernon, according to an order by a Las Vegas, N.M., judge. The action was taken following a lawsuit filed by the district to reclaim about $11,000 in costs to remove materials owned by Vernon that were stored at an Arch Hurley warehouse.
Of the $55,880 spent on attorneys fees this year, Arch Hurley has spent about $25,000 on the Vernon case, McCasland said.

l Another issue being mediated is under purview of the State Engineer’s office.

The district has been concerned that a plan by a property owner, Robert Ritter, to drill wells in Largo Canyon would affect its watershed. A hydrologist's report supports that claim and Arch Hurley has protested the planned wells, McCasland said. If Ritter would purchase water rights and have them transferred to the property, Arch Hurley said it would withdraw its protest. However, Ritter told Arch Hurley that it would be too expensive and, so far, no other action has been taken by either entities, McCasland said.

Following Tuesday’s meeting, there was a work session to update Arch Hurley’s mission statement and develop a strategic plan facilitated by Rex Kirksey.

Participants discussed short- term plans for five years, and long-term plans encompassing 10 years.

Suggestions included enclosing the canals and laterals to gain more efficiency of water delivery.

Board chairman Larry Perkins suggested that the Liberty Lateral, west of Highway 104, become a prototype for piping the irrigation water.
Another work session will follow next month’s meeting on Oct. 14.

Arch Hurley’s proposed plans and goals may be reviewed at www.archhurley.com and www.archhurley.org.