On the Banks of the Rio Grande, Rep. Stansbury Calls on the Senate to Pass Urgent Water Security Legislation

VIDEO: Click here to view the press conference livestream.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) held a pressconference on the banks of the Rio Grande with New Mexico State Engineer Mike Hamman, Acting Director of the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and State Geologist Michael Timmons and Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Chair Stephanie Russo Baca to celebrate the House passage of her game-changing water security legislation and call on the Senate to bring this urgently-needed legislation across the finish line.

Rep. Stansbury has worked to pass legislation to address water needs across the West throughout her career, and recently secured the passage of the Rio Grande Water Security Act, the Water Data Act, and the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act. Rep. Stansbury fought to pass the three bills during her first term in Congress as the West faces the worst drought in 1,200 years.

“Just a few weeks ago, we saw stretches of the river behind us go dry for the first time in decades, as our wildlife biologists and water conservationists were scrambling to save endangered species out of the river,” said Rep. Stansbury. “This is not sustainable long term and that is why we need to pass the Water Data Act, Rio Grande Water Security Act, and WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act out of the Senate.”

Rep. Stansbury was joined by Board Chair Russo Baca, who highlighted the impact of the funding that the Rio Grande Water Security Act will have for the needs of the Rio Grande Conservancy District. Acting Director Michael Timmons outlined how New Mexico’s Water Data Act, which Rep. Stansbury sponsored during her service in the state legislature, is already helping water managers plan for resilience. State Engineer Hamman also highlighted his support for the legislation, emphasizing the necessity of Rep. Stansbury’s suite of water legislation during a time of extreme drought in New Mexico. 

Rep. Stansbury was also joined by over 30 representatives from the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, Conservation Voters of New Mexico, Trout Unlimited, and the New Mexico Farm Bureau who expressed their support of her slate of water security legislation.

“What we cannot measure, we cannot effectively manage, and what we cannot manage, we cannot proactively plan for and adapt to rapidly changing conditions,” said State Engineer Mike Hamman. “The Water Data Act and the Rio Grande Security Act represent important steps toward standardizing the collection, use, and access to the critical water data we need, as well as providing resources and direction to assist states, tribes, and communities within the Rio Grande basin with the growing crises of water shortages and environmental impacts.”

“The demands on our water resources continues to stress this delicate natural system and the health and livelihoods of millions,” said New Mexico Bureau of Geology Acting Director Mike Timmons.“From the perspective of the science agency, we need the resources and coordination across multiple jurisdictions to bring the very best data and science to the water management table. And the Rio Grande Water Security Act will bring vital coordination and resources to address water security needs across the Rio Grande. I want to thank Representative Stansbury for her leadership on both of these critical water initiatives.”

“The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District is pleased to support and congratulate Congresswoman Stansbury on her legislation: the Water Data Act, The Rio Grande Security Act, and WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act.” said Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District Board Chair Stephanie Russo Baca. “Congresswoman Stansbury’s national leadership in addressing drought and water security is appreciated by the MRGCD board and staff andI urge the Senate to take up and pass this legislation.”

The first-of-its-kind Water Data Act (H.R. 7792) will unlock the power of data and technology to transform water management across the country through the creation of a Water Data Council to establish a framework for standardizing water data across federal agencies so the data is interoperable and openly accessible to water managers and communities. 

The landmark Rio Grande Water Security Act (H.R. 7793) will bring game-changing support to the communities of the Rio Grande River Basin, one of the West’s most iconic rivers. For the first time in history, the Rio Grande Water Security Act will create the resources and authorization needed to develop a plan to address the water security needs of the region. The bill will also reauthorize a vital lifeline to address the irrigation infrastructure needs of Pueblos who have used and managed these waters for countless generations.

The WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act (H.R. 6238) will unlock millions of dollars of funding to help address Tribal water management needs. This bipartisan legislation will give the U.S. Secretary of the Interior the authority to waive or reduce cost-share requirements for Tribes for WaterSMART, a suite of programs under the Bureau of Reclamation designed to improve water security across the West. 

A fact sheet on the Water Data Act is available here. The full text of the Water Data Act can be found here.

A fact sheet on the Rio Grande Water Security Act is available here. The full text of the Rio Grande Water Security Act can be found here.

The full text of the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act can be found here.