Heinrich Announces Nearly $7 million to New Mexico for Wildfire Mitigation, Water Reliability

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, announced a $6.95 million investment from the Infrastructure Law he passed for two projects aimed at reducing the risk of severe wildfires by enhancing forest and watershed health, and supporting agricultural production while reducing water losses in New Mexico.

"Across the West, growers are feeling the undeniable strain of less predictable rainfall and extended droughts, while our communities are facing the growing threats of more severe, erratic wildfires," said Ranking Member Heinrich. "I'm pleased to welcome nearly $7 million in Infrastructure Law funding to invest in water-smart solutions to help producers keep putting healthy food on our tables and supporting rural economies, investing in the proactive work necessary to bolster our watersheds and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires - all while boosting New Mexico's long-term water security."

New Mexico Projects Selected:

• Chama Peak Land Alliance, Cross Boundary Watershed Protection in the San Juan Rio Chama Region: $5,000,000
  • The funding will support a variety of strategies to reduce fire risk in watersheds that supply drinking water to Albuquerque, Santa Fe, numerous Tribes and Pueblos, and many rural and disadvantaged communities. Mitigating the risk of severe wildfire will improve forest health and create greater resilience in the region's water supply. This project is proposed in partnership with the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and numerous stakeholders that have been involved in the development process.
• NM Acequia Association, Supporting Agroecological Capacity in Traditional Agricultural Acequia Communities: $1,950,000
  • The New Mexico Acequia Association, in partnership with the Acequia del Llano, will restore resilient ecologic function supported by traditional farming practices to the middle reach of Santa Cruz River, a tributary to the Rio Grande. This project will restore the riparian ecosystem and reconnect floodplains along 1.6 miles of the Santa Cruz River, install brush weirs and other structures to attenuate floodwaters in surrounding uplands, and update and strengthen acequia infrastructure to improve access and flood resilience. This project will build the capacity of the local land and water managers to mitigate flood energy in the upland watershed, restore recharge in the riparian floodplain, and increase ecological health and habitat in the riparian area, while protecting traditional agricultural practices.

To read more about the selected projects, click here.

To see a map of funding and announced projects in New Mexico through the Infrastructure Law, click here.

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