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| Wilson Announces NM Water Resources Projects Going Forward in House |
June 17, 2005 |
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House Bill Would Authorize Millions in Wilson Requests
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today announced a bill moving through the House has three multimillion-dollar central New Mexico water infrastructure projects that she requested.
The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee included and passed the projects in the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) of 2005. Wilson urged the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee in testimony on March 16 to include the projects.
“These funds will be used to stop flooding in the South Valley, help fund local water and wastewater projects and establish a new federal/non-federal partnership program to restore the watershed along the Rio Grande,” Wilson said.
Wilson said these projects are important to the Southwest because of the demands on the Middle Rio Grande. The legislation would help stretch New Mexico’s share of the Rio Grande and help communities in central New Mexico with costly water infrastructure.
“Water is the lifeblood of the American West and the foundation of our economy,” Wilson said. “The demands on the Middle Rio Grande are immense and growing. The flows of the Middle Rio Grande serve the biggest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque, many smaller cities, six Indian pueblos, a network of agriculture users, many of whom irrigate the same land as their Spanish ancestors did over 4 centuries ago, and the endangered silvery minnow.”
Project Summaries:
Southwest Valley Flood Reduction, $19 million
The project includes constructing basins and a pumping station because of flooding from the west mesa runoff. The waters pond in developed areas, because the cannot drain to the Rio Grande. A feasibility study was finished last year, and the effort is currently in the design and engineering phase before construction. The total cost would be authorized at $19.4 million, with a federal share of $12.6 million.
Water development in Bernallillo, Sandoval and Valencia counties, increased to $40 million
The project was already authorized at up to $25 million, but is nearing that cap. The effort includes infrastructure for conservation, wasterwater treatment, stormwater retention, and other environmental restoration and surface water protection. The estimated total cost could eventually reach $75 million. With this bill, Congress would authorize another $15 million for a total of $40 million so far.
Rio Grande Watershed Management, $15 million
Under a new federal/non-federal 50-50 partnership, Congress would authorize $15 million for watershed management in urban areas, including Wilson’s request for the Rio Grande watershed. The project includes planning and design of small habitat rehabilitation, and collecting and managing long term data for the river.
Southwestern Drought Study, $7 million
Wilson also welcomes and supports a $7 million authorization for a comprehensive drought study for the southwest, emphasizing the Rio Grande basin along with the Colorado River basin and the Great Basin.
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