USDA AWARDS OVER $6.2 MILLION IN GRANTS TO NEW MEXICO COLONIAS

                                              Release No. 0158.98

                                       Roger Salazar (202) 720-4623
                                                  rsalazar@usda.gov
                                      Dan Campbell (202) 720-6483
                                          dcampbell@rurdev.usda.gov

USDA AWARDS OVER $6.2 MILLION IN GRANTS TO NEW MEXICO COLONIAS

     LAS CRUCES, N.M., April 7, 1998--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced over $6.2 million in grants for domestic water and wastewater projects
in impoverished New Mexico border communities, known as "Colonias."  As a result
of these grants, eight Colonias will be able to improve or expand their water
systems.

     "These projects will have an impact on the daily lives of thousands of New
Mexico rural residents," said Vice President Al Gore. "President Clinton and I
are committed to extending modern water and wastewater services to rural homes. 
Bringing safe, drinkable water to families and children not only promotes
physical health in our rural areas, it promotes economic health as well."

     "USDA is committed to providing rural communities with basic services,"
Glickman said.  "Residents in these border communities deserve to have clean,
safe drinking water."

     Colonias are generally small communities along the border between Mexico
and four states: Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.  They usually suffer
from  inadequate drinking water, poor sanitary waste disposal facilities and
substandard housing.  The Clinton administration has consistently targeted funds
toward these distressed areas to strengthen their economy and infrastructure.

     "Since 1993, USDA has invested $101.9 million in water and wastewater
projects in the Colonias region," said Jill Long Thompson, under secretary for
USDA Rural Development. "This $6.2 million investment demonstrates USDA's
continued commitment toward ensuring Colonia residents have clean and safe water
facilities."
     
     Water projects being funded by USDA are: 

     Town of Hurley - $1,000,000--Replacement of existing water mains;
     City of Bayard - $667,100--Replacement of the wastewater collection
     system;
     Village of Columbus - $866,900--Construction of a sewer collection system
     and renovation of existing wastewater treatment plant;
     Rodeo Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Mutual Sewage Works Association
     - $595,000--Refurbishment of existing water system;
                       
     Organ Water and Sewer Association - $990,000--Expansion and renovation of
     existing wastewater treatment plant;
     Arenas Valley Water Development Association - $492,000--Extension of
     existing water distribution system;
     Vado Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Mutual Sewage Works - $700,000
     --Expansion of distribution system; and
     Brazito Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association - $924,000--Extension of existing water
     distribution system.
     Desert Aire Mutual Domestic Water and Sewer Work - $265,000

     For more information on USDA and Rural Development Programs, check out our
web site at: www.rurdev.usda.gov

                                 
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