April 2022
FACT SHEET
Rio Guanajibo PR (I)
Investigation (I)
Congressional Districts: Puerto Rico
1. DESCRIPTION
The Rio Guayanilla study area comprises the Guayanilla coastal flood plain located about 16 kilometers west of the city of Ponce. Within the flood plain lies the Town of Guayanilla with an urban population of 4,000 as per 2010 Census, the Playa de Guayanilla sector and other rural communities. A serious flood problem exists as the river passes directly through the middle of Town. Damages associated with flooding have been reported by the Municipality ten times in the last twenty-five years. In addition to property damages, a serious risk exists to the lives and wellbeing of those residing within the flood plain. Frequent flooding seriously impedes the socio-economic development of the community. Previous studies have evaluated possible flood control measures that would protect the northern, southern and central sections of the Town of Guayanilla, Playa de Guayanilla, as well as the Piedras Blancas sector. These communities would be protected against a 100-year flood event. The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has completed a project in the lower portions of the flood area in 2006.
2. FUNDING
a. P.L. 115-123: Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018, Supplemental:
| Current Working Estimate |
$55,000 |
| Allocation thru FY21 |
$38,900 |
| Allocation for FY22 |
$0 |
3. SPONSOR
Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources
P.O. Box 9066600
Puerta de Tierra
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00906-6600
4. STATUS
The project has been authorized for construction under WRDA 2020 Section 401(2). The FY21 Work Plan did not provide funds to initiate the PED phase. The next opportunity to compete for funding is the FY22 Work Plan, if provided by Congress in the FY22 Appropriations Bill.
