December 20, 2002

Press release from Rep. Hinojosa

nwra@nwra.org

National Water Resources Association (NWRA)

President signs Hinojosa's $47 million water conservation legislation (12/17/2002) Washington, DC

Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) today announced that President George W. Bush signed his bill, H.R. 2990, The Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2001 into law. "I am pleased that President Bush has recognized South Texas' dire water situation and have taken action to bring relief to our farmers, ranchers, and municipalities facing an ongoing drought and water shortage crisis," said Hinojosa.

The Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2001 amends the legislation Hinojosa and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison passed in December 2000. The original legislation passed in 2000 authorized the federal government to fund $10 million for the implementation of new South Texas water conservation projects. The new legislation, HR 2990, will authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct 15 additional specified projects in Texas and authorizes the use of $47 million dollars in federal funding to the South Texas Border Region. The legislation mandates a 50% non-federal match for each project. In addition to the $47 million authorized for project funding, H.R. 2990 will also fund $8 million for the study and creation of additional water conservation projects in South Texas.

"I would like to thank the President and my border colleagues Congressman Henry Bonilla (TX-23), Congressman Solomon Ortiz (TX-27), Congressman Ciro Rodriguez (TX-28), and Congressman Silvestre Reyes (TX-16) for their strong and steadfast support in the passage of this legislation. I especially would like to thank Congressman Ortiz whose leadership and perseverance was a key component in sparking today's success," said Hinojosa.

"I have been working with my colleagues in the Texas State Legislature and South Texas municipal representatives to secure the matching funds for this project. Currently, we expect that the State will cover 40% of the matching cost and the local governments will cover the remaining 10%," said Hinojosa. All together, HR 2990 will spark over $95 million of water infrastructure improvements for South Texas. The South Texas water infrastructure system currently loses 25% of the transported water to evaporation and seepage. This legislation would allow the Bureau of Reclamation to construct projects that would significantly improve the conservation of our scare water resources. "I hope that this legislation will help stop the devastating agricultural and economic losses our community and our farmers have had to endure over the last decade. Economists have estimated that the water shortage has cost the Texas economy almost one billion dollars in the last ten years, and costs are now mounting at a pace of more than "This federal legislation is one more step in solving our water shortage issues. I remain dedicated to helping our farmers and ranchers address our water shortage crisis by exploring every possible avenue. In addition to this legislation, I am currently working with my colleagues in Congress to craft legislation that will put greater pressure on Mexico to repay its water debt to South Texas now and not later. Water is the life blood of the South Texas agricultural industry and I am diligently working to secure a quick infusion of resources," concluded Hinojosa.