San Antonio Standard

U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, along with a group of Texas lawmakers, has called for the re-establishment of the North American Development Bank's (NADBank) Water Infrastructure Fund. The bipartisan group includes U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as Representatives Monica De La Cruz, Vincente Gonzalez, Veronica Escobar, and Henry Cuellar.

In a letter addressed to NADBank's board members, they highlighted the pressing need for sustainable water management in the U.S.-Mexico border region. "The need for sustainable water management in the U.S.-Mexico border region is greater than ever. Re-establishing the fund would be a significant step in ensuring long-term water security for both municipal and agricultural communities," they wrote.

The lawmakers urged NADBank to utilize retained earnings to provide concessional financing such as grants or subsidized loans aimed at water conservation and diversification projects. "This investment is essential to the well-being of our American municipalities and agricultural projects, and we fully support the Bank’s role in overseeing and implementing the fund to ensure these resources are allocated effectively."

They also emphasized that grant funding should target both municipal and agricultural projects that conserve water and create additional sources. The flexibility of the grant program was underscored as crucial for enabling various solutions.

Additionally, they advocated for leveraging resources from other federal and state agencies like USDA-Rural Development and the Texas Water Development Board to close funding gaps. The letter further encouraged U.S. Board members to urge Mexico to fulfill its capital commitments promptly.

"We are confident that the re-establishment of the Water Infrastructure Fund will greatly benefit both sides of the border, ensuring that our communities have the water resources they need for the future," concluded their appeal.