U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) voted to pass the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in the House of Representatives.

“Water is ground zero for climate change, and communities across New Mexico and the West are facing rapid hydrologic change,” Stansbury said.

As part of the National Defense Authorization Act, she sent $84.5 million she secured for critical New Mexico water infrastructure investments to the Senate.

This includes a reduced cost-share for the Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection Project from Bernalillo to Belen.

Bernalillo has a history of flooding, especially during the fall . In 2013 several homes were destroyed in a flood caused by runoff.

Every two years, the biannual WRDA provides authorization for activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in working to build sustainable infrastructure to meet New Mexico’s water management needs, support the restoration of our ecosystems and reduce the damages caused by floods.

In addition to the investments secured by Stansbury, the legislation includes a provision by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (N.M.) in the Senate to increase funding for the Western Rural Water Program by $365 million to provide communities across New Mexico and the West with funds for critical drinking, waste and storm water projects.

The full text of the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is available here.