The U.S. Senate approved on Thursday $11.7 million requested by Sen. Pete Domenici for improvements to the aging levee system in Doña Ana County.
The funding, part of a larger appropriations bill, is awaiting final approval of a House/Senate conference committee and a signature by the president. The funding is not currently included in the House version of the bill.
But the Senate bill includes $21.7 million for levee repairs in
Officials say the county needs between $600 million and $2 billion to upgrade its flood system.
“It is important that these resources be made available as soon as possible so work can begin on shoring up this aging levee system,” Domenici said in a news release. “I’m pleased with Senate approval of this funding, and now I will work to see that it remains in the final bill we send to the president.”
The 60-year-old levee system in the Doña Ana County/El Paso area, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is not only in disrepair but is of inadequate height to protect against flooding. Domenici has pushed for more funding since last summer’s floods that devastated Hatch and affected other parts of the county.
“Sen. Domenici’s announcement today has great potential to be welcome news to thousands of Doña Ana County residents whose properties will require flood insurance if this levee system is not reinforced and recertified,” county spokesman Jess Williams said. “We urge all property owners to write to President Bush and the
A prior version of this posting misstated what the estimated $600 million to $2 billion was needed for.