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(San Juan, PR.)- Resident Commissioner, Luis Fortuño, expressed his concern about the lack of maintenance and cleanliness of the rivers in the Island on the part of the Natural Resources Department, particularly during the cyclonic season. Fortuño held a meeting in the morning with officials from the Army Core of Engineer to discuss canalization projects for rivers and flood control that to the present receive federal funding, aside from those that are still waiting to receive funds. In their majority, the projects for canalizing rivers and flood control are sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources, who is also responsible for the general maintenance and cleaning of rivers. This task however is not being fulfilled, which establishes a risk for the continuity of the projects and their effectiveness at flood control.
Fortuño warned that “the lack of attention by the state government sets back the work done by the Army Core of Engineers, increases the cost of long term projects and creates a flood risk”. The Resident Commissioner listed mistakes on the security of Represa Cerrillos, which is part of project Portuguese and Bucaná, for example. “The work of the Army Core of Engineers has resulted to be vital during hurricane season, like it was in New Orleans last year” Fortuño expressed. “I make a calling to the state government to insure that these projects are receiving the proper attention in order to guarantee the safety of our citizens” he added.
Fortuño recalled that the Federal House of Representatives approved recently an appropriation of more than $37 million dollars in funds towards projects to control flooding and dredging in Puerto Rico. The assignments of funds approved in the House are part of the Law for Assignment for Energy and Water Projects for the Fiscal Year 2007. By their part, the federal Senate, aside from choosing the projects from the House version, designated $5 million dollars for the project of Portugues and Bucaná in Ponce. “I am hoping that the designation of funds for this important project will prevail in the Conference Committee” Fortuño expressed. Aside from the $5 million dollars for Portuguese and Bucaná, the federal Senate also included a designation of $4 million dollars for the dredge of the San Juan harbor; $8.9 million dollars for the canalization of Rio Grande of Arecibo and; $25 million dollars for the project to control flooding in Rio Puerto Nuevo.
The appropriations for Fiscal Year 2007 destined for projects under the jurisdiction of the Body of Engineers, plus the funds obtained by the Resident Commissioner for Fiscal Year 2006 represent an increase of almost $80 million dollars towards the Island’s infrastructure.
Also, due to negotiations by the Resident Commissioner in Washington the project for the Canalization of Rio Grande of Manati, has continued as planned. In a missive sent to General Don T. Riley of the Army Core of Engineers, Fortuño requested an assignment of funds for the project as soon as possible to avoid a complete stop of construction.
Fortuño took advantage of today’s meeting to, again, express his interest in obtaining funds for other project like the Water Eye in Aguadilla, Nigua River in Salinas, Orocovis River, Guanajibo River in the west area and the Rio Grande de Loiza, which affect the municipalities of Gurabo and Caguas. Also, the Resident Commissioner took the opportunity to request information regarding the status of the agreement between the body of Engineers and the Department of Natural Resources to continue working on the Rio Jacagua in Juana Diaz. In his agenda he also included the deepening of the San Juan harbor. Finally, Fortuño received with enthusiasm the news that the project for flooding control for the Fajardo River is going on auction next week.
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