Bill > S2260

This bill establishes comprehensive programs to address water quality and environmental challenges in two cross-border river watersheds: the Tijuana River and the New River, both located between the United States and Mexico. The bill creates two primary Geographic Programs under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop action plans, provide grants, and coordinate efforts to restore and protect water quality in these watersheds. For the Tijuana River, the program aims to address significant pollution issues, including untreated sewage, stormwater runoff, and transboundary contamination that has caused extensive beach closures and environmental damage in Southern California. Similarly, for the New River, the program seeks to mitigate longstanding water pollution problems that have made it one of the most polluted rivers in the United States. The bill authorizes $50 million annually through 2036 for each program, allows for interagency and international cooperation, and requires the development of detailed action plans and priority project lists. The legislation also establishes a United States-Mexico Border Water Infrastructure Program to provide financial and technical assistance for infrastructure projects that improve water quality, prioritizing efforts with the greatest positive environmental and public health impacts. Importantly, the bill mandates regular reporting to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these programs, reflecting a comprehensive approach to addressing cross-border water quality challenges.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2260/all-info