Udall, Heinrich Welcome More Than $2.2 Million in Funding for New Mexico Drought Response

Press Release

Today, U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich heralded the Bureau of Reclamation's more than $2.2 million investment in drought relief projects in New Mexico, which was made possible by funding Udall secured in last December's "omnibus" funding bill. The funds recently released for Western drought response include $700,000 for construction of the Eastern New Mexico Water Supply Project, $1 million for voluntary water leasing in the Middle Rio Grande and $500,000 for voluntary water leasing within the Pecos River's Carlsbad Project.

"Water is the lifeblood of the West, but persistent drought has hurt farmers and ranchers, and kept many New Mexico communities from reaching their full potential," Udall said. "That's why I've advocated smart investments in our water infrastructure and immediate relief for communities hit hardest by drought. These new funds for water leasing in the Middle Rio Grande and the Pecos directly benefit farmers with an extra source of income and preserve our living rivers, while the Eastern New Mexico project will ensure Clovis and Cannon Air Force Base have reliable access to water well into the future."

"The ongoing drought has taken a heavy toll on our state," Heinrich said. "Resources to construct a new water project in eastern New Mexico will help provide a reliable water supply for local communities and Cannon Air Force Base. And investments in water leasing in Carlsbad and Middle Rio Grande will give much needed flexibility to water managers in a time of increasing water scarcity. I'm committed to ensuring these kinds of investments remain funded so communities can count on future water supplies."

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