U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:
U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) continued her district work month by discussing water-related policy wins and the positive impact around New Mexico.
“In New Mexico, when we say, ‘water is life,’ we mean it. Water is a vital life-saving, life-giving, and economy-growing resource that ensures our communities thrive,” Stansbury said. “I have focused on continued protection of the acequias and water rights of our communities and on the best ways to provide more clean water to people across the state for my entire career. Developing, introducing, and supporting water policy focusing on solutions is crucial to the future of New Mexico and Western states. I am proud of this work and the positive impact on the First Congressional District. I am ready to get more done!”
Stansbury’s Work on Water Projects
Legislative Actions:
- Passed the Water Data Act and the Rio Grande Water Security Act in the House
- Introduced the WaterSMART Access for Tribes Act
- Original co-sponsor of the Clean Water Act of 2023 to restore Clean Water Act protections to the 90% of New Mexico’s waters that lost protection under the Sackett decision
Co-sponsored several bills focused on water in the 117th and 118th Congress:
- Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act
- Co-led Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program Act
- Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act of 202
- Reclamation Climate Change and Water Program Reauthorization Act of 2023
- Desalination Research Advancement Act
- Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act
- Original cosponsor for Tribal Water Rights Settlements across New Mexico
- Original cosponsor of legislation to secure funding for the Indian Water Rights Settlement Completion Fund
Funding Actions for FY23 and FY24:
Secured
- Nearly $1 million for the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project.
- Nearly $1 million for the Los Lunas Corridor Water Lines
- $90.4 million to rebuild the To’Hajiilee Community School after years of flooding and unsafe water
- $186 million for Western drought programs including water conservation, reuse, and desalination.
- $9.6 million for acequia infrastructure under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
