Tom Udall: “I rise today to speak to title III of H.R. 4708, which contains the Jicarilla Apache Rural Water System Act which I…”

“I rise today to speak to title III of H.R. 4708, which contains the Jicarilla Apache Rural Water System Act which I introduced on November 1, 2001, and which the Committee on Resources reported to the House on September 4, 2002. The Jicarilla Apache Rural Water System Act will greatly improve the quality of safe and reliable drinking water to the reservation. It will also support an adequate wastewater treatment system. This legislation addresses critical public health issues for the tribe and for North-Central New Mexico. For over 2 decades, the current system, the Dulce municipal water system, has deteriorated due to a lack of funds and capital improvements made by the Federal trustee. The Jicarilla Nation has invested $14 million in their efforts to improve the quality of its municipal water and waste water system. The Jicarilla's investment of over $14 million is roughly 25 percent of the total project cost.”