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Press release: Udall talks Santa Clara grant

WASHINGTON - On his weekly radio call today, U.S. SEN. TOM UDALL discussed FEMA's release of $11 million for Santa Clara Pueblo's recovery efforts and New Mexico resident Richard Olson's nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan.

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BELOW ARE HIGHLIGHTS FROM UDALL'S REMARKS:

0:00 - Udall opens the call discussing the release of funds for Santa Clara Pueblo's recovery efforts. The $11 million grant from FEMA will go towards removing sediment from ponds within the boundaries of the Pueblo, which is 75 percent of that project's projected cost.

0:22 - "This is an issue that I have been following closely, and I am glad to see that FEMA has gotten these funds out the door. The pueblo has done its best to deal with these extreme weather events. Now, Governor Dasheno and the pueblo can finally start to clear the sediment that has washed down from the Las Conchas fire burn scar with every monsoon. These waters flowing down have ruined the ponds and funneled the rain down into the pueblo."

1:37 - "The pueblo has waited almost a year for this money. There are still other flood prevention and rehabilitation projects that need funding. My office will continue to work with FEMA to try to get more of this funding processed. The state has received the FEMA funds, and I hope they do a quick turnaround to get the funds to the pueblo."

1:59 - Udall discusses Ambassador Richard Olson's nomination to be U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan. Ambassador Olson is currently a resident of Albuquerque.

2:39 - "As Ambassador to Pakistan, Ambassador Olson will face many challenges. He will be responsible for dealing with some of the most pressing issues facing the United States and the world."

3:18 - "As a nuclear power state, Pakistan has a responsibility to prevent the spread of nuclear materials to other countries. Ambassador Olson, if confirmed, will play a lead role in our nonproliferation efforts in the region. New Mexico should be proud of Ambassador Olson, and I hope his nomination is confirmed quickly."

3:55 - Udall fields a couple questions on the Los Alamos National Lab and National Nuclear Security Administration's Surplus Plutonium Disposition Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

6:05 - In response to a question, Udall gives an update on his campaign finance reform efforts.