Department Of The Interior, Environment, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - June 26, 2007)

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Mr. CUELLAR. Madam Chairman, I commend Chairman NORM DICKS and Ranking Member TODD TIAHRT for putting forward a good piece of legislation.

I want to especially thank Chairman DICKS for offering his amendment to increase funds for Border Environment Infrastructure Fund (BEIF).

Since 1997, this important program has provided essential funding support for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in the U.S.-Mexico border region.

Every project receiving BEIF, whether located in the U.S. or Mexico, has provided an environmental and human health benefit for American citizens.

$491 million of BEIF, 54.2 percent to U.S. projects and 45.7 percent to projects in Mexico, for the implementation of 54 certified projects valued at $1.4 billion, many of which are located in rural communities and designated colonias.

The need in these communities is great.

The projects resulting from the BEIF allocations have provided a direct benefit to around 7.5 million people.

Even with such significant accomplishments, the need for water and wastewater infrastructure continues to exist along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Nearly $1 billion of existing water infrastructure needs have been documented.

Even with the leveraging strength of BEIF, which has historically brought $1.85 to each BEIF $1.00, we anticipate that less than 5 percent of these eligible needs will have an opportunity for funding without this amendment.

Without the opportunity to access these sources of funding, the health and environment of our communities will continue to suffer.

I want to once again thank Chairman DICKS for offering this amendment, and urge my colleagues to support his action.

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