Stansbury, fellow U.S. Rep introduce Bill to Reauthorize Binational Water Research Program

New Mexico U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury partnered with an Arizona colleague to introduce a bill Thursday that would reauthorize a federal program to support a water research program.

Stansbury (D-N.M.-01) and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (TAAP), a federal program that supports binational research on groundwater security, quantity, and quality in border communities.

“In New Mexico, we know that water is life,” Stansbury said. “We also know that water security is not assured. The reauthorization of this program will allow us to continue in taking critical steps to support groundwater research in the Southwest and ensure the long-term water security of our communities.”

The TAAP Act, which was originally authorized in 2006 by U.S. Sen. Jon Kyle (R-AZ) and U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ-05), facilitates studies between the U.S. Geological Service, the University of Arizona, the University of New Mexico, Texas A&M and universities and agencies in Mexico.

“By collaborating with our regional neighbors across state lines and international borders, we are able to expand our understanding of our water resources while strengthening our binational partnership with Mexico,” Ciscomani said. “This legislation will allow the crucial research between our countries to continue, ultimately benefitting water security in both the United States and Mexico.”