Water Issue

Water is the most vital resource in New Mexico; consequently, it is also the most significant issue facing New Mexicans. There are many pressures on this resource, from growing populations, protecting endangered species to the prolonged drought. Senator Domenici has been and continues to be actively engaged in all water issues.

Water Supply

Senator Domenici prompted and secured funding to support this effort to produce a new "state-of-the-art" groundwater flow model of the Middle Rio Grande Basin beginning in 1995.

Senator Domenici is ready to continue working to have the federal government assist New Mexico and middle Rio Grande communities overcome pressing water problems, including the new arsenic regulations, Endangered Species Act litigation, and growing water demands for residential and business growth.

Desalination

Only three percent of the world's water is fresh water and much of that is stored in the ice that caps the Earth's poles. Senator Domenici believes that technology can be developed to economically utilize the rest of that water. One technology that will help meet that goal is desalination of brackish water. Many of the western states sit upon vast aquifers of saline and brackish water that can be tapped but not yet purified at a reasonable cost. Today, most of the world's desalination plants and technologies are applied to seawater. Senator Domenici has introduced legislation that would authorize the construction and operation of a desalination research facility in the Tularosa Basin near Alamogordo, (S.1211). He has no doubt that this legislation will help to push forward the state to ensure that New Mexicans have access to this most precious of resources.

Invasive Species

Senator Domenici does not believe that any tool should go unused when hammering out a problem as substantial as a limited water supply in the face of a prolonged drought. He understands that the seriousness of the water situation in New Mexico becomes more acute every single day, that's why he introduced legislation (S.1051) authorizing a concerted, coherent, and focused program for researching and implementing techniques to eradicate the invasive water hungry Salt Cedar and Russian Olive plants. The Salt Cedar can consume up to 200 gallons of water per day during growing season and out-compete native vegetation vital to local ecosystems. This bill will help develop the scientific knowledge and the experience base to build a strategy to control these invasive thieves.

Water and Endangered Species

Senator Domenici believes that is important to protect endangered species and habitats. But such protection must be done in a rational, reasonable, and scientific manner. Providing for endangered species and the conflicts raised by that issue has been most noticeable when it comes to the use and distribution of water. The most visible example of these conflicts has without a doubt been the silvery minnow in the upper Rio Grande. Senator Domenici supports a common sense resolution to this issue, because it has grown beyond the water in the Rio Grande, touching on water in other basins and water that is allocated for other uses. There is a solution out there that will ensure the survival of the minnow and the well being of city dwellers and farmers all along the Rio Grande. The ESA Workgroup along the Middle Rio Grande is one example of people coming together to try and work these issues out without resorting to the legal system. Senator Domenici has faith that New Mexico can find a common-sense solution to this issue.

Drought

All New Mexicans have been affected by the drought. Small business owners, farmers, ranchers, homeowners, none have been unscathed. When it comes to water in New Mexico, no one issue is bigger than the drought.

Senator Domenici has introduced the National Drought Preparedness Act, which will establish a National Drought Council (S.1454) which would coordinate response and mitigation planning and provide a specific place for people or governments to go for aid. This would address the lack of a coordinated program or agency to turn to for assistance, nor do they have a coherent, effective national policy to look towards.

Acequias

Senator Domenici is proud to help New Mexicans retain traditional ways of life. Over the years he has worked to secure funding to rehabilitate the historic acequias network in New Mexico, including $2.5 million in fiscal year 2003. Acequias are the lifeblood of many New Mexico communities and he is glad to be in a position to help maintain them.

For news and updates on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, please visit:
http://energy.senate.gov/

For news and updates on the Environment and Public Works Committee, please visit:
http://epw.senate.gov/

For federal agency information, please visit:
http://www.usace.army.mil/
http://www.usbr.gov/main/
http://www.doi.gov/
http://nm.water.usgs.gov/

For more information on the Albuquerque Aquifer, please visit:
http://www.cabq.gov/waterconservation/insert.html

For more information on the Endangered Species Act, please visit:
http://endangered.fws.gov/

For more information on the National Drought Council, please visit:
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/indc/

For more information on Senator Domenici's views and activities on water, visit our online News Center.

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