This week, NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS continues its multi-part series \u201cNew Mexico\u2019s Drought Crisis,\u201d with a conversation about water resources. UNM professor and director of the school’s Water Resources Program, Bruce Thomson, sits down with John D’Antonio, former state engineer and current deputy district engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Albuquerque. The pair talks about efforts to conserve water use, as well as trends in the transfer of water rights.<\/p>\n
The Line opinion panel looks at the fallout from the now-shelved annual permit program for inspection of oil and gas wells in New Mexico. Under the “E-Vacant” program, requests for electrical inspections at wells in southeastern New Mexico were set aside and well operations, okayed. Now, an Albuquerque Journal report says 85% of the wells – a number well into the hundreds – failed follow-up inspections.<\/p>\n
The Line also examines the about-face from Whole Foods on their language policy for employees. The issue came to light after two employees claimed – and the grocer disputes – that they were fired for speaking Spanish.<\/p>\n
The group also looks at the recent scrutiny of Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry’s “Rio Grande Vision” project.<\/p>\n
GUESTS:
\nJohn D’Antonio, Deputy District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque
\nBruce M. Thomson, Director, UNM Water Resources Program<\/p>\n
LINE PANELISTS:
\nTom Garrity, The Garrity Group
\nChristopher Sanchez, The Waite Company
\nLaura Sanchez, New Mexico Green Chamber of Commerce
\nSteve Terrell, The Santa Fe New Mexican <\/p>\n
CORRESPONDENT:
\nGwyneth Doland<\/p>\n
HOST\/COMMENTATOR:
\nGene Grant<\/p>\n
The Producer of NEW MEXICO IN FOCUS is Matt Grubs.\u00a0Associate Producer is Kathy Wimmer. Funding for this\u00a0program was provided in part by the McCune Foundation.\u00a0Subscribe to the\u00a0New Mexico in Focus Podcast on iTunes<\/a>.<\/p>\n Episode 651 for air June 21, 2013<\/p>\n