Protect the Lower Rio Grande - Federal Action Needed Now

Rio Grande, Texas | Rio Grande International Study Center

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The Rio Grande is the lifeblood of our borderlands, supplying drinking water to over six million people. Communities, farms, ecosystems, and economies all rely on this river. But in South Texas, the Lower Rio Grande is running dry.

Prolonged droughts, outdated infrastructure, and decades of under-investment have pushed the Lower Rio Grande to a breaking point. Wildlife habitats are disappearing, communities are facing water insecurity, and the region’s cultural and ecological connection to the river is fading. Despite this, the Lower Rio Grande received no significant investment through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), while other river systems secured billions.

But there is hope. Minute 331 — a newly signed binational agreement between the U.S. and Mexico — presents an opportunity to restore flows, improve water management, and strengthen environmental cooperation. But without strong leadership and dedicated federal funding, the future of the river and its people hangs in the balance.

Now is the time to act. We urge policymakers — including Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz — to prioritize dedicated federal funding for water security, ecological restoration, and critical repairs to dam infrastructure. South Texans must also recognize the river’s essential role in providing drinking water, sustaining biodiversity, and supporting local economies.

Without immediate investment and action, the Rio Grande’s decline will continue, threatening millions who depend on it. The future of our river — and the communities it sustains — depends on us.

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Dear {contact_data~salutation}.

The Rio Grande is the third longest river in the U.S. and the source of water for over 6 million people. For those in Texas and the lower basin, it is often the only source of drinking water. The springs and streams that feed the river support an invaluable agricultural economy, with the waters from the Rio Grande Valley helping to feed, clothe, and fuel populations and industry across the United States, and beyond.

Moreover, South Texans rely on the Lower Rio Grande and its reservoirs, Amistad and Falcon, for their drinking water and critical recreational and ecological assets. Despite this, investment in the Rio Grande basin remains low compared to other major U.S. river systems, and severe water scarcity driven by prolonged drought, intensifying heat, and unsustainable water use has left the Rio Grande in a near-permanent human-induced megadrought, threatening all life that depends on it.

However, the recently signed Minute 331, signed by the International Boundary and Water commission, presents a major opportunity to enhance river flows and water security for the people and wildlife that depend on the Rio Grande. The agreement focuses on improving the reliability of river flows and establishes a long-awaited Binational Environmental Working Group, allowing for coordinated conservation efforts, scientific assessments, and water management strategies. Yet, despite this progress, the Rio Grande received little to no federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), while other domestic river basins secured billions for water conservation and infrastructure.

If the federal government does not prioritize investments in this river, continued neglect will further threaten the communities and ecosystems that rely on it.

We urgently appeal to you to take decisive action in securing the federal investment needed to protect the Lower Rio Grande and the communities that depend on it. Conservation efforts and ongoing and future repairs of Amistad Dam must be prioritized, for river health and public safety. We ask you to protect the region’s water supply and the safety of the communities you serve. We need your continued support to secure federal appropriations and ensure investments to the Lower Rio Grande are prioritized.

A thriving river supports thriving communities — protecting the Rio Grande means securing clean, reliable drinking water for millions and restoring its natural hydrological functions.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}
{user_data~Address}
{user_data~City}, {user_data~State}
{user_data~Zip Code}
{user_data~Email Address}

Protect the Lower Rio Grande - Federal Action Needed Now

***Due to maintenance on the Regulations.gov website over the weekend, this policy alert may not work. If that happens, please check back on Monday, April 28 to try again.***

Due to maintenance on the Regulations.gov website over the weekend, this policy alert may not work. If that happens, please check back on Monday, April 28 to try again.