Heinrich Commends Governor Lujan Grisham For Signing HB 200

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement commending Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for signing House Bill 200 into law. The New Mexico Legislature passed the new law during the recent Legislative Session. 

“I commend Governor Lujan Grisham, Senators Mimi Stewart and Siah Correa Hemphill, Representatives Matthew McQueen and Nathan Small, and all of the community leaders in southwestern New Mexico who came together to say enough is enough. It’s time to move forward from the unworkable failures of the CAP Entity and find more productive ways to use the millions of remaining taxpayer dollars from the Arizona Water Settlements Act on sensible, feasible, and ready-to-go water infrastructure projects that will benefit residents and water users in all four southwestern New Mexico counties—Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna. 

“We can now put these funds to use on projects like a new water tank and well for the Quemado Lake Water Association in Catron County or new and improved infrastructure to connect the communities of Silver City, Santa Clara, Bayard, and Hurley through the Grant County Regional Water Supply Project. We can also restore the health of forests and watersheds that provide all of our drinking water and improve efficiency and conservation measures for all of the region’s local water delivery systems. All of this will do far more to sustain future water needs of a much broader range of residents of southwestern New Mexico than any diversion project ever could. 

“I’m pleased that we can now embark on a more ecologically sensible and fiscally responsible path forward. Let’s all work together to spend these federal dollars on real projects that yield real water for the residents of southwestern New Mexico.”