Delegation from Congress Utilizes $60M from Inflation Reduction Act to Boost Water Security in Rio Grande Basin

By Better Today On May 16, 2024

TL/DR –

U.S. Senators and Representatives from New Mexico have announced $60 million in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to assist residents and farmers in Doña Ana and Sierra County with drought mitigation and climate adaptation efforts, enhancing water security in the Rio Grande Basin. The funding will support measures such as aquifer recharge, irrigation demand reduction, and riparian habitat improvement, aimed at addressing the decreasing water resources and negative impacts of climate change on the Rio Grande. This comes after several recent efforts by the delegation pressing the Biden administration to back up drought mitigation measures, especially for the Rio Grande.

Congressional News:

U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez are announcing a $60 million funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. This fund is intended to assist Doña Ana and Sierra County residents and farmers with drought mitigation and climate adaptation, thereby enhancing water security in the Rio Grande Basin.

“This significant investment will empower our communities with more tools to safeguard the Rio Grande by focusing on aquifer recharge, reducing irrigation demands, and upgrading riparian habitat,” Heinrich emphasized.

“I am pleased that the Inflation Reduction Act will be used to mitigate the drought impact on the Rio Grande Basin, which is crucial for New Mexico and neighboring states,” Luján added.

Leger Fernández expressed gratitude to Secretary Haaland for understanding the importance of protecting the Rio Grande Basin. This funding will allocate $60 million in federal dollars to this cause.

Stansbury highlighted the necessity of water for combatting drought, controlling wildfire damage, and supporting agricultural communities. “This funding means that New Mexico communities will now have more resources to conserve the Rio Grande and the clean water it provides to the state.”

Vasquez acknowledged the Rio Grande as the state’s lifeblood, providing necessary surface water and agricultural opportunities. “This funding is critical for protecting the Rio and ensuring our farmers can continue doing their best work.”

Background:

The funding announcement follows several recent efforts by the delegation to encourage the Biden administration to support drought mitigation, particularly for the Rio Grande. An April letter requested further investments to tackle long-term drought caused by climate change.

In December, Heinrich and Luján requested Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to devise a comprehensive funding plan to assist drought mitigation and climate adaptation in the Rio Grande Basin.

In 2022, Heinrich and Luján appealed to DOI Assistant Secretary Tanya Trujillo for the allocation of funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to aid drought mitigation, resilience, and Tribal and Pueblo irrigation in the Rio Grande Basin.