Heinrich, Luján Announce Over $6.4 Million for Drought Resiliency Projects in N.M.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced $6,464,685 in funding from the Infrastructure Law to help communities in New Mexico prepare for and respond to the challenges of drought and help bring clean, reliable drinking water to households.

Infrastructure Law delivering critical federal funding to help New Mexico prepare and respond to the challenges of drought and bring clean, reliable drinking water to communities

City of Gallup Drought Resiliency Ground Water Well to receive $5,000,000; New Mexico Acequia Association to receive $1,464,685

The City of Gallup will receive $5,000,000 for its drought resiliency ground water well project, and the New Mexico Acequia Association will receive $1,464,685 to adapt to water scarcity and guide implementation of strategies to increase acequia community and water resilience.

“I’m pleased to help secure over $6.4 million in federal funding for our state that will help the City of Gallup tap into additional groundwater resources and assist the New Mexico Acequias Association with responding and adapting to growing water scarcity. As New Mexico continues to grapple with the impacts of long-term drought and aridification, I remain focused on delivering the infrastructure investments that our communities need to access our most precious resource,” said Heinrich.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to make a real difference in New Mexico communities. As New Mexicans continue to deal with drought, this critical funding will support the City of Gallup’s drought resiliency and help the New Mexico Acequia Association respond to water scarcity,” said Luján. “I will continue fighting for investments across New Mexico to protect our resources and combat climate change.”

The Infrastructure Law, championed by Heinrich and Lujan, allocates $8.3 billion for Reclamation water infrastructure projects over the next five years to advance drought resilience and expand access to clean water for families, farmers and wildlife. Today’s funding announcement by the Biden-Harris administration is part of $1 billion provided through the law for the innovative WaterSMART program, which supports states, Tribes, and local entities as they plan for and implement actions to increase water supply through investments to modernize existing infrastructure and avoid potential water conflicts.

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