-- El Paso Mayor John Cook is behind major plans for the Rio Grande river.

FEMA is on the verge of releasing a report saying the levees aren't up to par, because there is too much silt building up on the river.

That new map would put thousands of more homes in a flood zone, requiring the owners to purchase flood insurance.

Cook told KFOX Tuesday that the city has requested that the International Boundary and Water Commission take immediate action. That would involve working to raise the levee and dredge the river.

Cook said, "What that will do is take the houses out of the flood plain that otherwise would be in the flood plain. In the Upper Valley, that's basically everything three miles on each side of the Rio Grande."

Cook also said he's confident that Rep. Silvestre Reyes will be able to raise the estimated $2.5 million or so needed for both projects.

According to the mayor, the levee project can be started right away. However, the project to dredge the river of silt will be more of a long-term effort.