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Ground Water Commission Meeting Minutes Page 18 <br /> November 15, 2024 <br /> explained that State statutes require specific criteria be met for the <br /> publication of applications. The only other newspaper left serving Prowers <br /> County is The Prowers Journal, which is only offered online and does not meet <br /> the criteria for publication outlined in the State statutes. Ms. Williams <br /> indicated that the Prowers County Journal is the most circulated newspaper in <br /> Prowers County. Two other newspapers in adjacent Counties (The Bent County <br /> Democrat and the Kiowa County Independent) would meet the State statute <br /> requirements for notification, but are not the most popular news source in <br /> Prowers County. Ms. Williams commented that using a combination of multiple <br /> newspapers in the area would be possible to reach the most residents and <br /> comply with State statutes, but would also increase publication costs. <br /> Commissioner Pautler commented that this issue is likely to come up in other <br /> counties as fewer newspapers circulate physical copies to subscribers. <br /> Commissioner Noble agreed that a statutory changed is needed to address the <br /> movement of news consumption from papers to an online format. <br /> Commissioner Noble commented that the State of New Mexico recently <br /> changed their statutes to allow publication on a State website and in local <br /> newspapers (if they exist). <br /> Chairman Arnusch replied that he is seeing similar issues in Weld County, and <br /> DNR may need to propose legislation to update publication requirements. <br /> Commissioner Noble commented that the existing statute needs to be followed <br /> to prevent challenges to notices that don't meet requirements under current <br /> statute. <br /> Ms. Mele commented that she would like to see publication also included in the <br /> most commonly read newspaper (The Prowers Journal) although this would also <br /> add cost. <br /> Chairman Arnusch replied that it seems publication would be needed in the <br /> most commonly read newspaper and a newspaper that meets the requirements <br /> under statutes. <br /> Ms. Williams mentioned that there is a DWR maintained notification list that <br /> anyone can join, which provides advance notice of upcoming publications for <br /> interested parties. <br /> Mr. Ullmann added that the water courts are experiencing similar issues with <br /> how to notify the public of applications as more newspapers close in the State. <br /> Commissioner Noble and Ms. Mele discussed if Staff had the authority to <br /> require an Applicant publish notification in multiple newspapers to both get <br />