Bill > HR4357

This bill establishes comprehensive water quality restoration and protection programs for two critical rivers along the US-Mexico border: the Tijuana River and the New River. The legislation creates two main Geographic Programs administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address significant water pollution issues, with each program focusing on a specific river watershed. For the Tijuana River, the bill highlights ongoing challenges such as untreated sewage, stormwater runoff, and pollutants flowing from Mexico into the United States, which have caused extensive environmental and public health problems, including over 1,000 consecutive days of beach closures in Imperial Beach. The New River program similarly targets water quality issues stemming from agricultural runoff, raw sewage, and industrial discharges. Both programs will develop comprehensive action plans, establish priority project lists, provide grants and technical assistance, and facilitate coordination between US and Mexican government agencies, local authorities, and other stakeholders. The bill authorizes $50 million annually through 2036 for each program and establishes a border water infrastructure improvement program to support eligible water-related infrastructure projects within 100 kilometers of the US-Mexico border. Additionally, the legislation empowers the International Boundary and Water Commission to study, design, construct, and maintain water quality improvement projects, with provisions for potential joint projects with Mexican authorities.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4357/all-info