[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1636-E1637]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REGARDING THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE EMERGENCY WATER SUPPLY STABILIZATION 
                              ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. I rise today to introduce the ``Middle Rio 
Grande Emergency Water Supply Stabilization Act of 2003,'' a bill 
amending the Flood Control Act of 1948 with respect to the Middle Rio 
Grande Project to authorize programs for water conservation and control 
of phreatic vegetation, and for other purposes.
  On June 12, 2003, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the 
Federal District Court's opinion determining that the Bureau of 
Reclamation ``has the discretion to reduce deliveries of water . . . 
comply with the Endangered Species Act.''
  This lawsuit affirmation rekindled the passionate debate about how we 
use our water resources, about the sustainability of our current water 
practices, and whether we are using our water wisely.
  This is a very difficult situation for everyone involved. Some have 
painted the situation as a crisis, as a people versus fish issue. 
Others state that this ``crisis'' should be taken as an indication that 
it is time to recognize the bottomline of the matter: water is a scarce 
commodity in New Mexico and should be treated accordingly.
  In an effort to find a common-sense approach to sustainable water 
management in New Mexico and the west, I engaged in extensive 
discussions with the major stakeholders in the San Juan/Chama water 
dispute, and shared my concerns directly with United States Department 
of Interior Secretary Gale Norton, the person ultimately responsible 
for enforcing the 10th Circuit ruling.
  As a result of these conversations, I am introducing legislation 
today that will address our outmoded water principles and practices.
  First, the bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to 
contribute to a long-term solution for the Middle Rio Grande River in 
the State of New Mexico by preventing, reducing, or eliminating 
wasteful depletion of waters. This would entail the establishment of a 
water supply stabilization program at the local level. Under this 
program, the Secretary would provide financial and technical assistance 
to promote and encourage the adoption and implementation of water 
conservation measures within the Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico.
  To accomplish this, the Secretary would enter into cost sharing and 
other agreements with the State and other entities including 
organizations, municipalities, Indian Tribes and Pueblos, and 
individuals, who use agricultural or municipal and industrial water 
from the Rio Grande River and its tributaries in New Mexico, including 
water supplied directly or indirectly from the Middle Rio Grande 
Project or the San Juan-Chama Project. These collaborative agreements 
will result in localized decisions regarding sustainable water 
management along the Rio Grande.
  Second, the bill encourages the implementation of water conservation 
measures that will improve water quantity and water quality conditions 
needed to support a sustainable, living

[[Page E1637]]

river environment within the Middle Rio Grande Basin, and will result 
in conservation, recreation, and other public benefits.
  Third, the bill sets a goal to achieve, within three years of the 
date of enactment of this legislation, quantifiable improvements in 
irrigation efficiencies through the incorporation of measures such as 
lining canals and ditches, and the use of low-flow or drip irrigation 
systems and other modern hydrological technologies.
  Fourth, the bill directs the Secretary to cooperate with the State of 
New Mexico, water use organizations, and affected landowners to develop 
and implement a comprehensive program to identify, remove, and control 
salt cedar vegetation in the flood plain of the Rio Grande River and 
its tributaries, and to replant and reestablish native vegetation if 
appropriate.
  Fifth, the bill authorizes grants for basic research on technological 
solutions for accessing new sources of water including, but not limited 
to, desalinization, and the purification of brackish and other types of 
unpalatable water. Furthermore, the bill authorizes grants for basic 
research to increase water efficiency. For example, Los Alamos National 
Labs, located in my district, is working to improve technology so that 
less water will be required in manufacturing computer microchips. And, 
the bill authorizes funds to conduct studies to quantify the water 
needs, requirements and rights of tribes and pueblos in the Middle Rio 
Grande Basin.
  Finally, the bill confirms the original intentions of Congress as set 
forth in the Colorado River Storage Project Act of 1956, and the San 
Juan-Chama Project Act 1962. These Acts set forth the principle 
purposes underlying the furnishing of federal water supplies in New 
Mexico, including water for municipal, domestic, and industrial uses, 
and for the conservation of, and I quote from the original authorizing 
legislation, ``the scenery, the natural, historic, and archaeologic 
objects, and the wildlife'' on lands affected by the project, and ``to 
mitigate losses of, and improve conditions for, the propagation of fish 
and wildlife.''

  We are in the midst of a very serious drought, and in New Mexico and 
across the west. Our water resources are over-allocated, and an 
exploding growth in population is stretching these resources to the 
limits. This situation is compounded by a water infrastructure that is 
inefficient, outdated, and insufficient to meet our current needs.
  My bill deals with these realities and many other crucial issues. It 
sets up incentives to conserve our water resources and develop 
collaborative solutions at the local level. It restores and protects 
the Rio Grande River and the surrounding Bosque, and encourages 
technological solutions for new sources of water and methods to harness 
such technology to increase water efficiency.
  Considering the above, if we do not focus collaboratively and make 
every effort possible to conserve our water, I believe that New Mexico, 
and similarly situated western states, will continue to confront 
similar, if not worse, water scarcity problems indefinitely. We need 
greater and more conscientious efforts on the part of water users to 
conserve this precious commodity. And, these users must become more 
accountable for water waste. My bill provides the incentives to 
conserve our water resources to ensure that all New Mexicans will have 
water to use in the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I introduce this legislation as a first step to solve a 
critical problem. We need to act now to ensure sustainable water 
management and conservation in New Mexico. I invite and welcome the 
support of my colleagues in the New Mexico Congressional Delegation as 
we continue to confront this problem together.

                          ____________________