Udall, Heinrich Announce Funding For Major Water Projects In New Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich announced that the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to fund eight New Mexico water projects they advocated for, bringing over $28 million in funding to New Mexico and ensuring important infrastructure work for the state is added to the Army Corps’ 2014 work plan. 

“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ve been working to ensure the Army Corps of Engineers understands the importance of these projects, which are critical to prevent expensive and dangerous floods. This funding will prevent millions of dollars in flood damage, restore ecosystems and create jobs in the process,” Udall said. “Last year’s flooding is a reminder of how important it is to shore up our dams and levees and do badly needed acequia maintenance and bosque and river habitat restoration. I’m very glad the Army Corps agreed to add these projects to their work plan following our request.”

“The Army Corps of Engineers has been integral in helping New Mexico’s most vulnerable communities address flood and water projects, particularly those surrounding our rivers, dams, and bosques,” Heinrich said. “These infrastructure investments will help protect our communities from devastating floods, restore critical environmental resources, and help spur New Mexico’s economy. I’m pleased the Army Corps of Engineers heeded our call to make these smart investments a part of their work plan. I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure these water and flood management programs remain a priority.”

New Mexico projects funded in the Army Corps of Engineers’ work plan for 2014 include:

• $10 million for phase two of the Rio Grande floodway project from San Acacia to Bosque Del Apache.

• $6 million for flood prevention projects in Alamogordo.

• $6 million for ecosystem restoration of the bosque and other habitats along the Middle Rio Grande.

• $5.2 million for flood damage reduction in the Southwest Valley of Albuquerque, including improved drainage and storage ponds.

• $530,000 for a diversion for the Villanueva acequia in San Miguel County.

• $315,000 for flood protection on the Middle Rio Grande.

• $300,000 for a study in partnership with the Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Clara, and San Ildefonso pueblos to identify environmental, flood risk, and recreation issues in the Espanola Valley.

• $300,000 for a study of the causes and possible remediation of salinity on the main stem of the Rio Grande and the Pecos River.