Jeff Bingaman: “I am pleased to be co-sponsoring a bill which Senator Domenici and I are introducing today, that would authorize the…”

“I am pleased to be co-sponsoring a bill which Senator Domenici and I are introducing today, that would authorize the Bureau of Reclamation to help communities in eastern New Mexico develop the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System (ENMRWS). The water supply and long-term security to be made available by this project is absolutely critical to the region's future. I look forward to working with my colleagues here in the Senate to help make this project a reality. This bill is very similar to a bill I introduced in June 2004 which was the subject of a hearing before the Water & Power Subcommittee of the Energy & Natural Resources Committee. At that hearing, the Bureau of Reclamation raised a number of issues that needed to be addressed by the Project sponsors prior to securing Reclamation's support. I'm happy to say that the sponsors have worked diligently to address those issues, and it is time, once again, to move this project towards authorization. I realize that there is little time left in the 109th Congress. Nonetheless, introduction of this bill now is important to ensure an ongoing dialogue with the Bureau of Reclamation and maintain progress as we head towards the 110th Congress.”