Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) helped secure over $90 million in funding for international efforts to control water pollution at the southern border and combating harmful algae blooms in the Gulf of Mexico and our intercoastal waterways. This includes over $85 million in funding for the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) and over $11.4 million for research on algal bloom formation, detection, and remediation to enhance protection of vital U.S. water resources.

“Restoring the Rio Grande will create incredible benefits for wildlife, agriculture, recreation and communities on U.S.-Mexico border,” said Congressman Cuellar. “That’s why I worked hard to secure funding for these critical programs. These funds will finance environmental projects that will address water pollution, flood mitigation, and sediment problems along the border. As an Appropriator, I will continue to fund environmental projects that enhance the quality of life for people living in communities on both sides of the border.”

International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC)

The IBWC is an international body created to provide solutions to issues between the United States and Mexico regarding boundary demarcation, national ownership of waters, sanitation, water quality, and flood control in the border region.

As a Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar was able to help secure a total of $85,070,000 for the IBWC in this year’s final spending bill. This represents an overall increase of $7,536,000 from last year’s funding levels. He also secured language directing this funding to focus on reducing the amount of sediment runoff and eradication and mechanical control of carrizo cane to maintain the health of the river. 

Congressman Cuellar secured language directing IBWC funding to the Rio Grande Flood Control System Rehabilitation Project to continue and maintain levee projects along the Rio Grande, including environmental, hydrologic, hydraulic, and low water weir studies. He also secured language directing the U.S. Commissioner to the IBWC to work with officials in Mexico to address the adverse impacts of effluent from Mexico on communities in the United States.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Program (ANSRP)

The Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Program (ANSRP) is managed by the U.S. Army Engineer Research & Development Center (ERDC), and was established to address all invasive aquatic animals, as well as, harmful algae species that are problematic to the nation's waterways, infrastructure, and associated resources.

Congressman Cuellar helped secure $4,000,000 for the ANSRP to supplement activities related to harmful algal blooms. In addition, he helped secure $5,675,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to develop next-generation ecological models to aid in algal bloom detection, prevention, and management techniques.

Congressman Cuellar also secured language directing the Army Corps of Engineers to work collaboratively, through this program, with appropriate university partners to address harmful algal blooms formation, detection, and remediation to enhance protection of vital U.S. water resources. This language acknowledged the critical need to develop next generation ecological models to maintain inland and intracoastal waterways, which contribute over $649,000,000,000 annually to the U.S. economy.

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

Finally, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $23,495,000 for Environmental Health programs, including $10,397,000 for Contaminant Biology research, through the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This included an increase of $200,000 from last year’s funding for research on the impacts of unconventional oil and gas. He also helped secure $13,098,000 for toxic substances hydrology, which includes $1,750,000 for research on harmful algal blooms, an increase of $500,000 from last year’s funding for unconventional oil and gas research.

The USGS is the sole science agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior. It is tasked with providing reliable scientific information to minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and protect quality of life for Americans.

The USGS Contaminant Biology Program develops and applies advanced laboratory methods, field investigations, and modeling capabilities to understand toxicity and effects of environmental contaminant exposure. They are integrated with Toxic Substances Hydrology Program efforts to determine sources, movement, and exposure pathways of contaminants in the environment.