Kelly, Sinema Announce $25 Million Investment Coming from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Protect Yuma East Wetlands and Topock Marsh, Strengthen Drought Resilience

Bipartisan infrastructure law led by Sinema and shaped by Kelly provides $25 million for restoration and preservation efforts at Yuma East Wetlands and Topock Marsh

$25 million will be invested in restoring and preserving the Yuma East Wetlands and Topock Marsh—both important to Arizona’s long-term drought resilience—from the bipartisan infrastructure law led by Senator Kyrsten Sinema and shaped by Senator Mark Kelly. 

“This support from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will build up Arizona’s efforts to combat drought through nature-based solutions that also protect access to the Colorado River,” said Kelly. “I’ll keep working in Congress to ensure our state has the federal resources to secure our water future.” 

“Thanks to my bipartisan infrastructure law, we’re securing Arizona’s water future and strengthening our drought resiliency. By preserving the Yuma East Wetlands and Topock Marsh, our state will be able to thrive for generations to come,” said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure law. 

The Yuma East Wetlands will receive $5 million to upgrade infrastructure to preserve the marshes for future generations. The funds will be used to design and replace the system used to move water around the wetlands, replace pumps currently fueled by diesel with electrical pumps, extend concrete canals, and bring electrical power to the conservation area to allow for technology updates. The area is widely utilized for public recreation and provides habitat for wildlife including endangered species. 

The Topock Marsh – which spans 4,000 acres in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge – will receive $20 million to install two new screw pumps, replace a failing concrete canal with three miles of pipeline, design and build a new water control structure, and bring in electrical power for the pumps to increase efficiency of the marsh’s water delivery system. Topock Marsh provides habitat to multiple endangered species. 

Sinema led bipartisan Senate negotiations with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio that included Kelly and senators from both parties.  

The bipartisan infrastructure law was supported by groups including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, The AFL-CIO, The National Retail Federation, The Bipartisan Policy Center, North America’s Building Trades Unions, the Outdoor Industry Association, The American Hotel and Lodging Association, The National Education Association, as well as hundreds of mayors across all 50 states.