[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE EASTERN NEW MEXICO RURAL WATER SYSTEM ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Act of 2006. This is companion 
legislation to a bill being introduced today by Senator Domenici and 
Senator Bingaman.
  This legislation is very similar to H.R. 4623, which I introduced 
during the 108th Congress. It contains, however, slight revisions that 
were suggested during hearings held both in the House and the Senate in 
2004. There has long been a recognized need for a reliable and safe 
supply of potable water for eastern New Mexico.
  In fact, Mr. Speaker, the recognized need goes back to the late 
1950's when the New Mexico Legislature and Interstate Stream Commission 
authorized the construction of a dam on the Canadian River, thus 
establishing the Ute Reservoir. Soon after construction, numerous 
Congressionally-authorized studies were conducted to explore the 
feasibility of a project that would utilize the Ute Reservoir as a 
reliable water supply for communities in eastern New Mexico. Finally, 
in the late 1990's, several communities, concerned about the 
increasingly urgent need, came together to begin planning for the 
development of a regional water system.
  Out of those meetings came the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Supply 
Authority. The ENMRWS, as it is known, consists of six communities and 
two counties in eastern New Mexico. This Authority has expeditiously 
and effectively finalized the studies and planning necessary to move 
forward with this project.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, we build upon the efforts of the citizens of 
eastern New Mexico who have both proven the critical need and completed 
the necessary steps that must form the basis for a project of this 
magnitude. This project is not new and the need for water is becoming 
increasingly more urgent. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this 
legislation and help provide a positive, long-term solution to a 
pressing water need in the rural West.

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