Contact: Denise Fort, 277-1094 Media Contact: Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, 277-5915

March 19, 2003 UNM LAW PROFESSOR NAMED TO STATE WATER TRUST BOARD Governor Bill Richardson has appointed University of New Mexico Professor of Law Denise Fort a member of the State of New Mexico Water Trust Board. The board authorizes funding of water related projects such as storage and delivery of water to end users, implementation of the Endangered Species Act, restoration of watersheds and flood protection. The board is comprised of ex officio agency officials and citizens representing a variety of interest groups. Fort said she provides the environmental perspective. "My particular interest is in ensuring that the state's money is well spent," she said. "I would like to see applicants pay for most project costs, so that the money isn't regarded as a slush fund. I would also like to ensure that environmentally responsible projects are approved and that alternatives be sought where the environmental costs are too high." Fort came to UNM in 1987 as a research associate and visiting scholar at the Institute of Public Policy and School of Law. In 1995, U.S. President Bill Clinton appointed her to a three-year term as chair of the Western Water Policy Review Advisory Commission. A full professor since 1998, she directed the UNM Water Resources Program from 1991-96. She recently founded the Western Water Alliance, an interdisciplinary citizens group working together to create change. ###

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