By: Rodriguez S.C.R. No. 27
(Marquez)
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Rio Grande basin, a binational water resource,
is faced with serious environmental challenges due to increasing
development along the river in both Mexico and the United States;
and
WHEREAS, A vital source of water for municipalities,
industry, agriculture, and Native American tribes, the Rio Grande
also supports nationally significant ecosystems for fish and
wildlife; along the river, the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico and
Texas is home to tremendous biodiversity; and
WHEREAS, Nothing stated in this resolution is intended to
apply to the interpretation or application of any interstate
compact or treaty; and
WHEREAS, Recognizing the critical importance of the Rio
Grande basin, the federal government established the Rio Grande
Environmental Management Program under Section 5056 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 2007 and authorized funding of up to
$15 million annually for projects along the river's main stem and
tributaries; moreover, the Act instructed the secretary of the army
to direct the rehabilitation and enhancement of fish and wildlife
habitat in partnership with local sponsors and to implement
long-term monitoring, data collection and analysis, applied
research, and adaptive management; and
WHEREAS, The Rio Grande Environmental Management Program
authority expired in September 2011, before any funds were
appropriated to carry it out; since then, water quality and the
environment have continued to deteriorate, and the need for
coordinated and collaborative action has become ever more urgent;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby respectfully urge the United States Congress to reauthorize
Section 5056 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 and to
appropriate sufficient funds to carry out work related to that
legislation; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of
representatives of the United States Congress, to the commanding
general of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, to the
assistant secretary of the United States Army (Civil Works), to the
commanders of the Albuquerque, Fort Worth, and Galveston Districts
of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, to the chair of the
Council on Environmental Quality, and to all the members of the
Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution
be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to
the Congress of the United States of America.