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Members Of N.M. Delegation Announce Over $60 Million For Water Infrastructure In New Mexico

WASHINGTON (Jan. 20, 2022) – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is allocating over $60 million to New Mexico projects from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to increase climate resilience and make long overdue water infrastructure improvements, as well as additional funds to help New Mexico and Tribes recover and become more resilient to natural disasters.

The funding is part of the Biden administration’s announcement that it will invest more than $14 billion of this funding in fiscal year 2022 for over 500 projects across 52 states and territories. These projects will strengthen the nation’s supply chain, provide significant new economic opportunities nationwide, and bolster defenses against climate change.

“I’m pleased to see the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law playing a key role in advancing water resource projects across New Mexico,” said Heinrich. “These projects will rebuild New Mexico’s water infrastructure to be more sustainable and climate resilient as we work to protect this precious resource for generations to come.”

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver strong federal investments to New Mexico in critical sectors – including vital water infrastructure,” said Luján. “I’m proud to welcome over $60 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair and renovate existing water infrastructure needs ranging from protecting the Rio Grande to restoring aging wells and water lines throughout New Mexico.” 

“Our communities in New Mexico know that water is life, and water is essential. And to many of New Mexico’s Indigenous communities, our waterways are sacred,” said Stansbury. “I’m so proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is sending crucial funding to New Mexico to create jobs preparing for climate resilience, restoring sacred land, investing in environmental justice, and updating our water infrastructure. These critical investments will touch communities across our state, from Rio Rancho to Placitas and from Albuquerque to Belen, so we can build and plan for the future.”

“Agua es Vida and the lifeline that keeps our communities alive and thriving. Water infrastructure in New Mexico has aged and is in desperate need of repair. This funding secured through the Infrastructure Law will help repair existing water infrastructure and implement new lines and tanks to ensure our state can take care of our critical water needs,” said Leger Fernández. 

The Biden administration announced funding for several key New Mexico water resource construction projects including:

  • $1.2 million for Rio Rancho Wells. This funding will be used for the design and construction of a new water well to replace an aging and falling well in the City of Rio Rancho.
  • $1 million for Rio Rancho Water Lines. This funding will be used to complete design and replacement of aging water lines in Rio Rancho.
  • $2.8 million for Rio Rancho Flood Protection. This funding will be used to remove debris and contaminants from storm flows and incorporated flood protection measures in Rio Rancho. 
  • $1.2 million for La Madera Water Tank. This funding will be used to complete environmental assessment and assistance in repair of a 20,000-gallon water tank within the City of La Madera. 
  • $1.5 million for Cuba Water Tanks. This funding will be used to design and construct water tanks in the Village of Cuba.

The Biden administration is also advancing environmental justice efforts by committing$40 million to the Espanola Valley, Rio Grande and Tributaries to restore and protect 958 acres of aquatic and riparian habitats. An additional $1.66 million will be used to complete the preconstruction engineering and design phase.

These habitats are critical to the functioning of the third longest river in the country, and are an integral part of constructing social identity and transmission and retention of traditional knowledge for both the Pueblo of Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh. 

The U.S. Army Corps will also be allocating $300,000 to replace deteriorated air vent pipes in the Abiquiu Dam gate chamber and $750,000 to repair Teteilla Peak Access Road Bridge and replace corrosion prevention coating on metal equipment and piping at Cochiti Lake.

Further, the U.S. Army Corps will be progressing flood protection in the Mountain View area south of Albuquerque, by allocating $1.3 million to begin design and planning on levees on the east side of the Rio Grande between Tijeras Arroyo and I-25.

There will also be a total of $8,365,600 for continuing authorities program work, including:

  • $6,565,600 to complete pre-construction engineering and design in Hatch
  • $700,000 to complete a feasibility study for Isleta Pueblo Ecosystem Restoration
  • $550,000 to complete a feasibility study in lower Venada Arroyo
  • $550,000 to complete a feasibility study in Crownpoint

A full list of projects receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other appropriations can be found HERE. 

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