Dear Chairs Murray and Cole, Vice Chair Collins, and Ranking Member DeLauro:
The undersigned organizations support funding necessary for the Environmental Protection Agency to effectively implement the Border Water Infrastructure Program (BWIP) at levels above the Administration’s request in the FY2025 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill.
Communities along the U.S.-Mexico border – home to more than ten million people,[1] – have the potential for significant economic growth, thanks in part to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the subsequent U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). As these communities continue to attract new industries, new investments are required to ensure water access and to enable wastewater infrastructure improvements.
For instance, the San Diego-Tijuana region faces a severe pollution crisis that poses an alarming threat to public health, the environment, tourism, and the regional economy. Similarly, the New River, located in the Calexico-Mexicali region, is one of the most polluted rivers in the nation. While BWIP has received ongoing annual funding fluctuating between $2 million and $5 million since 2012, the ongoing environmental conditions call for a return to mid-1990s annual funding levels of $100 million.
While we recognize and appreciate the $103 million provided by Congress for the completion of the South Bay Tijuana River project, much more work remains to be completed. The North American Development Bank currently has applications of more than $430 million with a funding deficit of at least $74 million.
We applaud your Committees’ continued attention to these issues, and we request you provide the funding necessary for BWIP in the FY25 bill.
Sincerely,
Arizona:
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
Nogales Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce
Sierra Vista Area Chamber of Commerce
Springerville-Eagar Regional Chamber of Commerce
Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce
California:
CalChamber
Coalition of California Chambers Orange County
National City Chamber of Commerce
North San Diego Business Chamber of Commerce
Orange County Business Council
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce
San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce
USA Minority Chamber of Commerce
West Ventura County Business Alliance
New Mexico:
New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
Red River Chamber of Commerce
Texas:
Del Rio Chamber of Commerce
Fulshear Katy Area Chamber of Commerce
McAllen Chamber of Commerce
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
Texas Association of Business
National:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
cc: Members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations
Members of the House Committee on Appropriations
[1]https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-12/20th-gneb-annual-report-508_2.pdf.
