WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) today filed an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (H.R. 5303) to require the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission to provide resources for Nogales Sanitation Project, including the International Outfall Interceptor (IOI), a major sewage line that runs from Nogales, Sonora under the Nogales Wash to a treatment plant in Rio Rico, Arizona. The amendment needs to gain approval from the Republican majority on the Rules Committee to receive a vote on the House floor.

The Army Corps of Engineers recommended a critical update to address issues of uncontrolled storm waters transporting garbage and contaminants to the U.S. city of Nogales. The pollutants pose public health risks and are exacerbated by annual storms and the unique problems associated with an international sewer line.

“For too long, the people of Nogales have faced unnecessary health risks from uncontrolled waters and pollutants flowing through the Santa Cruz River,” Rep. Grijalva said. “The amendment I submitted today would help ease the financial burden the City of Nogales faces in addressing this situation, and ensure the federal government upholds its responsibility to protect our citizens.”

Prior to the ban on earmarks, Rep. Grijalva worked each year since 2004 to secure funding for the Nogales Wash / Chula Vista and International Outflow Inceptor projects through the appropriations process.  He included an authorization for additional appropriations in his Border Infrastructure and Jobs Act, first introduced in 2011.

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