Alamogordo NM
8-04-2024 1:08pm

Vasquez Secures Flood Mitigation Funding for Otero County

Representative Gabe Vasquez has secured funding for Otero County flood mitigation.  Otero County Flood Risk Mitigation Project which would direct the Army Corps of Engineers to work with Otero County to develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan. Thanks to Vasquez’s advocacy, this was listed as a “Priority Project” in the legislation. 

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.

“Agua es vida. Water is life. That’s 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,” said Vasquez. “These investments will address long-standing issues and provide the resources needed to manage our water infrastructure effectively. From Otero to Doña Ana to Bernalillo County, I will continue to deliver support for the projects that our district depends on.”

The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA) included multiple stormwater management projects across New Mexico, including for a master stormwater management plan in Doña 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.

Rep. Vasquez secured a $50 million increase in the Army Corps’ 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.

Vasquez 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’s project to protect the Pottery Mound, a site of great cultural significance threatened by erosion.

Full legislative text can be found: HERE.

Background:

WRDA Details for NM-02

Authorizations of Studies for New Projects

  • Dona Ana Water Supply Project which would direct the Corps to work with Dona Ana County on a master stormwater management plan.
  • Hatch Flood Control Project which would continue work on a project to prevent major flooding in Hatch.
  • Otero 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’s advocacy, this was listed as a “Priority Project” in the legislation.

Project Modifications

  • Central 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.
  • Western Rural Water (Section 595) increased by $50 million to $850 million.

Funding Requests:

  • Increases the funding authorization for the Tribal Partnership Program by $2 million and extends the program to include stormwater management.

Post-Disaster Watershed Assessment

  • Areas near Belen, N.M. impacted by April 2022 fires.
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