Aztec native remembered in new biography

Hannah Grover
Farmington Daily Times

The time Aztec native Albert "Al" Utton spent at Oxford University in the 1950s was pivotal to his decision to become an international attorney. And that laid the foundation for him to become one of the top water rights experts in New Mexico.

Utton's life is chronicled in a book recently published by Michele Minnis. The author will discuss the book,"Al Utton, Aztec Eagle: International Waters, Research, Diplomacy, and Friendship" and sign copies of it on Sunday at the Aztec Museum.

Before his death in 1998, Utton said the accomplishments he was most proud of were the Bellagio Draft Treaty on trans-boundary water and the Jicarilla Apache Water Rights Settlement Act of 1992. The draft treaty identified the basic requirements for countries to use and jointly protect shared aquifers.

Jimmy Miller, president of the Aztec Museum board, said Utton was considered the foremost expert on water rights in New Mexico.

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