Rubén Hinojosa: “the people in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas are facing what looks to be one of the worst drought years of all…”

“the people in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas are facing what looks to be one of the worst drought years of all time. After 6 years of record low rainfall levels this summer, for the first time in recorded history, the once mighty Rio Grande River stopped flowing completely before it reached the Gulf of Mexico. The region's two reservoirs are currently at less than one-third of capacity, with no relief in sight. Today, several of my South Texas colleagues and I have introduced the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2001. Our legislation will help provide badly needed water relief to the farmers, ranchers, and communities of South Texas. This legislation incorporates modern technologies into our water management system to conserve and maximize our limited water resources. Much remains to be done. However, the legislation that we are introducing today will provide a valuable first step; and I hope that all my colleagues will join me in supporting it.”