Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has marked a significant victory for Arizona's water conservation efforts with the reinstatement of critical Colorado River conservation funds, previously halted under the Trump Administration. Gallego, having placed pressure on the current Administration through correspondence and direct communication, acknowledged the responsive actions of the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation. "I'd like to thank the Department of Interior and Bureau of Reclamation for having open lines of communication and for listening when I explained how this funding freeze would negatively impact Arizona’s cities, tribes, and farmers – not to mention our state’s long-term water security," Gallego said, according to a statement.
The funding Gallego championed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, now unfrozen, will bolster a variety of crucial projects, including the Gila River Indian Community's water conservation initiatives. Celebrating the financial release, Gila River Indian Community Governor Stephen Roe Lewis articulated his community's gratitude. "The Gila River Indian Community appreciates Senator Gallego’s persistent commitment to ensuring the drought relief funds from the Inflation Reduction Act were released," he told Gallego's team. Acknowledging the senator's foresight in the need for drought funding, Lewis affirmed the Community's dedication as stewards of that investment.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, elated by the recent development, praised both Senator Gallego and Senator Kelly for their leadership, expressed gratitude for the resources that are set to advance Tucson Water’s planned purification plant. "I want to thank Senator Gallego for his steadfast commitment to Arizona’s water future," Romero said in a statement. She heralded the secured funds as critical for the project, offering a long-term sustainable water supply for the region.
The newly released funds are anticipated to conserve an impressive 64,500 acre-feet over the next decade, starting with projects announced by Gallego back in January.
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