{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/vasquez-secures-major-investments-water-infrastructure-projects-across-new", "Vasquez Secures Major Investments for Water Infrastructure Projects Across New Mexico", "2024-07-23", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Gabe Vasquez", "V000136", "vasquez.house.gov", "vasquez", "https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 On July 22, 2024, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) voted to pass the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act, which included his priorities to fund water infrastructure projects throughout New Mexico. Vasquez also authored $50 million increases in funding available for projects in New Mexico through two key Army Corps of Engineers programs dedicated to the state.\n\n\u201cAgua es vida. Water is life. That\u2019s especially true for New Mexico. The projects that I secured in the Water Resources Development Act will help communities across New Mexico better handle droughts and floods while supporting our agricultural communities. My top priority in Congress is delivering federal support to New Mexico, and this bipartisan legislation does just that,\u201d said Vasquez. \u201cThese investments will address long-standing issues and provide the resources needed to manage our water infrastructure effectively. From Otero to Do\u00f1a Ana to Bernalillo County, I will continue to deliver support for the projects that our district depends on.\u201d\n\nThe Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) included multiple stormwater management projects across New Mexico, including for a master stormwater management plan in Do\u00f1a Ana and Otero Counties and authorization for a new dam in Hatch that would help prevent disasters like the major flood the community experienced in 2006.\n\nRep. Vasquez secured a $50 million increase in the Army Corps\u2019 Central New Mexico Project (Corps) (Section 593) which funds projects specifically in Bernalillo, Valencia and Sandoval Counties, as well as a $50 million increase in the Western Rural Water program which supports New Mexico-specific drinking, waste and stormwater projects.\n\nVasquez also worked to increase the funding authorization for the Tribal Partnership Program by $2 million and expanded the program to include stormwater management. This program has been instrumental in supporting tribal infrastructure, including supporting the Pueblo of Isleta\u2019s project to protect the Pottery Mound, a site of great cultural significance threatened by erosion.\n\nFull legislative text can be found: HERE.\n\nBackground:\n\nWRDA Details for NM-02\n\nAuthorizations of Studies for New Projects\n\nDona Ana Water Supply Project which would direct the Corps to work with Dona Ana County on a master stormwater management plan.\n\nHatch Flood Control Project which would continue work on a project to prevent major flooding in Hatch.\n\nOtero County Flood Risk Mitigation Project which would direct the Corps to work with Otero County to develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan. Thanks to Vasquez\u2019s advocacy, this was listed as a \u201cPriority Project\u201d in the legislation.\n\nProject Modifications\n\nCentral NM Project (Section 593) increased by $50 million to $150 million. This funding can be used for projects specifically in Bernalillo, Valencia and Sandoval Counties.\n\nWestern Rural Water (Section 595) increased by $50 million to $850 million.\n\nFunding Requests:\n\nIncreases the funding authorization for the Tribal Partnership Program by $2 million and extends the program to include stormwater management.\n\nPost-Disaster Watershed Assessment\n\nAreas near Belen, N.M. impacted by April 2022 fires.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://vasquez.house.gov/media/press-releases/vasquez-secures-major-investments-water-infrastructure-projects-across-new"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.849003903567791, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}