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Federal Government
Senator Pete Domenici Press Release
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DOMENICI NEWS RELEASE: 1997 AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS


       The Senate Appropriations Committee, on which Domenici
          serves, today approved the 1997 Agriculture Appropriations
          Bill.  The bill encourages the USDA to fund a number of
          rural development projects in northern New Mexico.

          Thank you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    CONTACT:  CHRIS GALLEGOS
July 11, 1996                                      (202) 224-7082

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SUPPORTS
NORTHERN NEW MEXICO RURAL ECONOMIC PROJECTS

1997 Agriculture Appropriations Bill Sent to Senate WASHINGTON -- Senator Pete Domenici today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the 1997 Agriculture Appropriations Bill with language urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to fund several rural economic development projects in northern New Mexico.

Domenici, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, had requested support for the projects. The Senate will next consider the bill, which will fund USDA program in fiscal year 1997, which begins October 1.

The bill includes language urging the USDA to use funding within its Rural Business Cooperative Assistance Program (RBCAP) to support: the Estranosa Water and Wastewater Cooperative for a $700,000 fire and water protection project in the Edgewood area; a $420,000 grant application by the Northern New Mexico Apple Cooperative for a cold storage facility in Velarde; and, $1 million industrial/business park application by the Pueblo of Pojoaque.

The bill contains $53.8 million for the RBCAP program in 1997.

"The fact that the bill specifically endorses these project may give them a leg up on the competition when these rural development grants are awarded," Domenici said. "I will continue to encourage the USDA to begin giving New Mexico its fair share from this pot."

In 1996, New Mexico is expected to get only about $250,000 from the RBEG, although there are $20 million worth of eligible projects in the state.

In addition, the bill also includes language asking the USDA to provide funding through the $661.5 million appropriation for the Rural Utilities Advancement Program for $3 million needed to complete a $5.5 million wastewater project at Angel Fire.

Also included is report language urging the USDA to consider an application for the Agua Sana Water Users Association drinking water project.