New Mexico Delegation
Introduces Water Conservation Legislation to Safeguard Water Resources for
Future Generations
Western Water Security Act
of 2019 will equip New Mexico and Western states and communities with the
research, infrastructure, and technology they need to secure their water
resources in a time of climate change
WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senators
Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S.
Representatives Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.),Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), and Ben
Ray Luján (D-N.M.), introduced the Western Water Security Act of 2019,
legislation to improve water management in the West through investments in
water infrastructure, a focus on conservation, efficiency, and environmental
restoration, and tailored funding for local communities. The forward-looking
legislation will arm communities with the federal funding and research
necessary to grapple with the potential of a long-term drying trend in the West
and changes in water availability exacerbated by climate change.
“Make
no mistake about it: we are in the midst of a water crisis in the West.
Communities in New Mexico and across the country depend on fragile water
ecosystems that are struggling to adapt to the wild swings in weather caused by
climate change,” said Udall. “In New Mexico and in the West, we are
trying to cash checks from an account that is overdrawn, by relying on
diminishing snowpacks and over-allocated surface water supplies and drawing on
precious and dwindling groundwater resources. It is past time that Congress
address this problem, which is hitting our most vulnerable communities the
hardest, to ensure that future generations can sustain life in the American
West. In New Mexico, we know how vital water is to preserving our economy, our
environment, and our way of life. I will continue to fight for legislation like
the Western Water Security Act to ensure we are making smart investments in
water infrastructure and meeting the needs of our changing climate.”
“In New Mexico, we know that water is life. Particularly in an era
of prolonged droughts and climate disruption, we must use the best available
science to protect and conserve our limited freshwater supplies. I’m proud to
support this legislation to make smart investments in watershed restoration, scientific
research, and infrastructure that will help our communities use water more
efficiently,” said Heinrich.
“Water
is life, and few places have felt the impact of its scarcity like New Mexico.
The future of our state and the rest of the West depends on communities and
industries’ ability to adapt in the face of a dwindling water supply. Smart
investments in water management will ensure that our way of life, economy, and
environment are preserved for generations to come,” said Torres Small.
“In
New Mexico, water is life. This precious resource fuels our traditional way of
life and economy. We know the climate crisis is threatening the West -
perpetuating a drought that puts these vital resources at risk. I’m proud to
work with my colleagues to put forward a bold solution to improve water
management by ensuring investments in water infrastructure, a focus on
conservation, and targeted funding for rural communities,” said Luján.
“Water
is essential to life, but in the desert we’re constantly struggling to ensure
we have the water resources to sustain our communities. Our delegation is
working to address the water shortages that result from a changing climate. Our
bill will empower local communities including Pueblos along the Rio Grande,
conserve water resources, and prepare for a future of climate change,” said
Haaland.
The
Western Water Security Act is supported by a number of organizations including
the Audubon Society, the Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, the National
Wildlife Federation, the State of New Mexico, the Elephant Butte Irrigation
District, and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District.
"Trout
Unlimited supports Senator Udall’s legislation because it brings a portfolio
approach to addressing water security in the West, and advances the Bureau of
Reclamation’s WaterSMART program as a leader in this effort,” said Laura
Ziemer, Senior Counsel and Water Policy Advisor for Trout Unlimited.
“The
Western Water Security Act helps address a number of major issues facing water
users in the Southwest where the warming climate is predicted to have major
impacts to an already water stressed region,” said Karen Dunning, Chair of
the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board of Directors. “The Rio
Grande valley is in the epicenter of water supply variability with vulnerable
agricultural economies and ecosystems and this bill provides vital support to
this region in a proactive approach. The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy
District supports the passage of this critical legislation.”
“The
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission
strongly support the Western Water Security Act,” said New Mexico State
Engineer John D’Antonio. “The bill will provide technical support and
funding to many New Mexico communities to address current and future water
security issues. In particular, the portions of the bill on rural water
desalinization, technical support for water conservation, and projects to
improve river conditions and habitat for endangered species are aligned with the
Governor's vision for New Mexico's water future.”
“The
Western Water Security Act of 2019 will help to plant the opportunity and
stimulate investments in water infrastructure as well as advance the focus on
conservation and the needs of environmental enhancement. Long term solutions
take time to develop and Senator Udall has stepped up to initiate action now
through tailored funds designed to improve groundwater and surface water
assessments during a time of needed response to an emerging long-lasting drought
in the West. The Elephant Butte Irrigation is in full support of this Bill and
the overwhelming impact it will have up and down the river in the Rio Grande
Basin of New Mexico,” said Gary Esslinger, Manager and Treasurer of the
Elephant Butte Irrigation District.
The
full text of the legislation is available
HERE. A one-page summary of the bill is available HERE.
A section-by-section summary of the legislation is available HERE.
The
Western Water Security Act of 2019 would:
Expand
and Enhance Water Infrastructure
- Invest in WaterSMART-this bill will give an additional $120 million to the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program, which helps water users throughout the West tackle water security through common-sense solutions, such as investments in conservation and efficiency. The bill would also build on the success of this popular program and make eligible for grants non-governmental organizations—who have played an invaluable role throughout the West helping to promote water efficiency. The bill also expands the authority of States and Indian Tribes to declare a drought emergency and access vital drought emergency funds when confronted with any water crisis or conflict. This federal assistance could then go towards projects designed to secure reliable water supplies for vulnerable communities and restore the environment to benefit imperiled fish and wildlife.
- Groundwater Management - Through the re-authorization and expansion of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP), Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, in partnership with water institutes throughout the West and the U.S. Geological Survey, can collaborate with Mexican water management officials to study this shared resource.
- Water Conservation and Environmental Restoration- The legislation reauthorizes the Cooperative Watershed Management Program, an important program that brings together stakeholders from throughout the basin to find local solutions for their local water management needs. The bill also creates a pilot water leasing program that provides the Bureau of Reclamation and local water districts with increased flexibility to move water where it can be of the most use, including for environmental purposes—a potential model for other water districts throughout the west.
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Contacts: Ned Adriance
(Udall) 202.228.6870 / Whitney Potter (Heinrich) 202.228.1578 / Lauren French
(Luján) 202.225.6190 / Felicia Salazar (Haaland) 202.981.1594 / Paloma Perez
(Torres Small) 202.225.7890
