109 HR 4891 RH: Western Water Security Act of 2020
U.S. House of Representatives
2020-12-18
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of contents(a)This Act may be cited as the Western Water Security Act of 2020
.(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.Sec. 2. Definitions.Title I—INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTSec. 101. Watersmart extension and expansion.Sec. 102. Emergency drought funding.Sec. 103. Rio Grande Pueblo Irrigation Infrastructure Reauthorization.Title II—GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENTSec. 201. Reauthorization and expansion of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program.Sec. 202. Groundwater management assessment and improvement.Sec. 203. Surface and groundwater water availability and the energy nexus.Title III—WATER CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATIONSec. 301. Definitions.Sec. 302. Water acquisition program.Sec. 303. Middle Rio Grande Water Conservation.Sec. 304. Sustaining biodiversity during droughts.Sec. 305. Reauthorization of cooperative watershed management program.Title IV—EFFECT ON EXISTING LAWSec. 401. Effect on existing law.2.In this Act:(1)The term Rio Grande Compact
means the compact approved by Congress under the Act of May 31, 1939 (53 Stat. 785, chapter 155).(2)The term Secretary
means the Secretary of the Interior.(3)The term State
means the State of New Mexico.<enum>I</enum><header>INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT</header><section id="H3A657C5731084FF3B833F60E36F21F73"><enum>101.</enum><header>Watersmart extension and expansion</header><subsection id="HF5C0C2A88518466BA5285969F2ED62E9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition of eligible applicant</header><text>Section 9502 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/10362">42 U.S.C. 10362</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H0929F36933484A7F96E34E081DC3F426"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking <quote>section</quote> and inserting <quote>subtitle</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2A271CA8A1B84E3EBF739489FDCC0D02"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block id="H1233C838E9F94CCF93741276E0249565" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><paragraph id="HB904D35802EC421BAF01DE6E5A33A115"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Eligible applicant</header><text>The term <quote>eligible applicant</quote> means—</text><subparagraph id="H3DD2DB8AC9DC4AF583B832CAEE2056A2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any State, Indian tribe, irrigation district, or water district;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H622024AD19A94911B45599381E898934"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any State, regional, or local authority, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8A0839C0257C46A087FBD048A1696136"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any other organization with water or power delivery authority; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6D7964B3F6104FBAA4B8F32FA61ACD64"><enum>(D)</enum><text>any nonprofit conservation organization.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="HFFF7F4AB0CC541F28850D90EDBE35834"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (17) as paragraphs (14) through (18), respectively; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H83A048DA1FF94921BF2441441DF9F3D9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:</text><quoted-block id="H4EF5B2A838B2450B89F8E0DDB7DE5C67" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><paragraph id="H3BD513A9E5B54607A7EE3FFFA78FFD7A"><enum>(13)</enum><header>Natural water recharge infrastructure</header><text>The term <quote>natural water recharge infrastructure</quote> means a single project, a number of distributed projects across a watershed, or the redesign and replacement, or removal, of built infrastructure to incorporate natural aquatic elements, in which the project—</text><subparagraph id="H91FC0C8C43474443A4FFA38AEA2DD559"><enum>(A)</enum><text>uses natural materials appropriate to the specific site and landscape setting;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE2C0314164A8494CA40BBFDF79528C39"><enum>(B)</enum><text>mimics natural riverine, floodplain, riparian, wetland, hydrologic, or other ecological processes; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7C4BB775738F48DEA39135D8C0779B15"><enum>(C)</enum><text>results in aquifer recharge, transient floodplain water retention, or restoration of water in the landscape such that the water returns to a wetland, riparian area, or surface water channel.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA201B33288824E0493F8E764C18E2AF3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Research agreements</header><text>Section 9504(b)(1) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/10364">42 U.S.C. 10364(b)(1)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="HE32D91F748114870BF1E831199ED706B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting <quote>nonprofit conservation organization, </quote> before <quote>or organization</quote>;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H1B33E9251B5F4EB1AE883C705BA9B4BA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B), by striking <quote>or</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCF860911E9414686A567AB6731D1F8CE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H9E4417ED90A6477F8CDAA938F2B73D45"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:</text><quoted-block id="H7694CDCFBECA4F76B4E5BB6047CC865A" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><subparagraph id="H2710FE3F981F4D4D924782B1A87C07EE"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to increase natural water recharge infrastructure; or</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA8C6C7CEDFE043719BECFDD46BB8E492"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Water management improvement</header><text>Section 9504(e) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/10364">42 U.S.C. 10364(e)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>$530,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>$700,000,000, subject to the condition that $50,000,000 of that amount shall be used to carry out section 206 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/620">43 U.S.C. 620</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/235">Public Law 113–235</external-xref>)</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="HDEBD7FFC0972456C9BAC86E94E861461"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Section 4009(d) of <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/114/322">Public Law 114–322</external-xref> (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/10364">42 U.S.C. 10364</external-xref> note) is amended by striking <quote>on the condition that of that amount, $50,000,000 of it is used to carry out section 206 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2015 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/620">43 U.S.C. 620</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/113/235">Public Law 113–235</external-xref>)</quote>.</text></subsection></section><section id="H326EF78E4E8F43AD9772860A96BC63B8"><enum>102.</enum><header>Emergency drought funding</header><subsection id="H7844A6BCEFCC408DB8E308DAA57FC7A9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>Section 301 of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/2241">43 U.S.C. 2241</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="HEE33F2ACA7354E37B746979C9DFBEB47"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking <quote>120,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>180,000,000</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HF7E15D8C8A1D44B9A9AF9BF77E3A1756"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by striking <quote>2020</quote> and inserting <quote>2025, of which not more than $30,000,000 shall be made available during that period for the conduct of actions authorized under title I of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/2211">43 U.S.C. 2211</external-xref> et seq.) to benefit imperiled fish and wildlife</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6F2AB3B1E3EA4154B7785D8598C435DD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Applicable period of drought program</header><text>Section 104 of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/2214">43 U.S.C. 2214</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block id="HB4FB2C4D9FE44B3D890461AF95C3D97D" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><subsection id="H767E6FCFD7D642328D425F4A81393DF9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The programs and authorities established under this title shall become operative in any Reclamation State and in the State of Hawaii only—</text><paragraph id="H82A1F54CE3E34F8B91A3937FA9BD5632"><enum>(1)</enum><text>after the Governor or Governors of the affected State or States, or the governing body of an affected Indian Tribe with respect to a reservation, has made a request for temporary drought assistance and the Secretary has determined that the temporary assistance is merited;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HC001E442277649E1A08F595273B2001F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>after a drought emergency has been declared by the Governor or Governors of the affected State or States; or</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H6043E53D8973471DA5717CDAA980B6FB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>on approval of a drought contingency plan as provided in title II.</text></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection><subsection id="HA91CFE49623440988C2BFF5D101542A2"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Reauthorization</header><text>Section 104(c) of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/2214">43 U.S.C. 2214(c)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2020</quote> and inserting <quote>2030</quote>.</text></subsection></section><section id="H65C941758ACD4604AAACC6FC5FDDD2DE"><enum>103.</enum><header>Rio Grande Pueblo Irrigation Infrastructure Reauthorization</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9106 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/111/11">Public Law 111–11</external-xref>; 123 Stat. 1304) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H83EFC3563BF24D9FB2E264AF50A3DD43"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (c)(4), by striking <quote>2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources</quote> and inserting <quote>December 31, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H43800F6EB47740E2BA7F72B66BEA009F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subsection (g)(2)—</text><subparagraph id="HF1D296E21BFB41FB96266C5AE458C3AD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by striking <quote>$6,000,000</quote> and inserting <quote>such sums as may be necessary</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4041A72EE08D4FD0896EA73F53D5C3B5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking <quote>2010 through 2019</quote> and inserting <quote>2020 through 2029</quote>.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><enum>II</enum><header>GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT</header><section id="H6A56AA21347F40858DADD0AA5CE65EAF"><enum>201.</enum><header>Reauthorization and expansion of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program</header><subsection id="HF03039A42FC243DB9E332A768FB26AB8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Designation of priority transboundary aquifers</header><text>Section 4(c)(2) of the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1962">42 U.S.C. 1962</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/109/448">Public Law 109–448</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>New Mexico or Texas</quote> and inserting <quote>New Mexico, Texas, or Arizona (other than an aquifer underlying Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, that is partially within the Yuma groundwater basin designated by the order of the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources dated June 21, 1984)</quote>.</text></subsection><subsection id="H26CE91324192464F8813B4C766C52D28"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Reauthorization</header><paragraph id="H9C768D07A20644958F6ABEF794ECA609"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>Section 8(a) of the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1962">42 U.S.C. 1962</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/109/448">Public Law 109–448</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>fiscal years 2007 through 2016</quote> and inserting <quote>fiscal years 2021 through 2029</quote>.</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H778AAFE4C8D0423FB1403B809F505734"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Sunset of authority</header><text>Section 9 of the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1962">42 U.S.C. 1962</external-xref> note; <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/109/448">Public Law 109–448</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>enactment of this Act</quote> and inserting <quote>enactment of the Western Water Security Act of 2020</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HD70B6F9EF40041E6B9C678A82E00BFF6"><enum>202.</enum><header>Groundwater management assessment and improvement</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9504(a) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/10364">42 U.S.C. 10364(a)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="HB206A99DE4BB41E5811F1719E2F9D86C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (1)—</text><subparagraph id="H130C7AE8EEB045FB9E7055AECCDC0ABD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting <quote>or carrying out any activity</quote> after <quote>any improvement</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H84BE8EB5C8264BCA9188DD9AE4D1FB5F"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking subparagraphs (A) through (E);</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7F566B235C9B471D8B5AEF598F04F999"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (H) as subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF625559062254BF2B0A87582601569AB"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) the following:</text><quoted-block id="H6D54EB004D6E4765B2475BB31AF6BD15" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><subparagraph id="H4B86D66C59094D1EA7D35B2B045FA0AA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to assist States and water users in complying with interstate compacts through temporary, voluntary, and compensated transactions that decrease consumptive water use at a regional or watershed scale;</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7F9979CBC1814771BD4AF0E1C072CBC0"><enum>(E)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), by striking <quote>to prevent</quote> and inserting <quote>to achieve the prevention of</quote>;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H164A47A25D684DA4AD0845291B3883E4"><enum>(F)</enum><text>in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking <quote>to accelerate</quote> and inserting <quote>to achieve the acceleration of</quote>; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HA6E78BF7A2CA4A84B99BF0924FBF2320"><enum>(G)</enum><text>in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated)—</text><clause id="H3074321333A140A6AD52B3F4E7DCCBDD"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block id="H5DA777572F274695B4D43674A4BD2484" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><clause id="H1DB75C15BA294F61A49F08CCECB24947"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to increase ecological resilience to climate change, including by enhancing natural water recharge infrastructure within a floodplain or riparian wetland, by addressing climate-related impacts or vulnerability to the water supply of the United States;</text></clause><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></clause><clause id="H6180D58EBB6043B2AA331E7C28DA379A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting <quote>; or</quote>; and</text></clause><clause id="HE84FE71855644BE7BD2537D1B01210AD"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="HC254B6239C42449FB21B329982D65F1A" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><clause id="H1763B8FFF64345A38AE6FFC1DA85B6A6"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to plan for or address the impacts of drought.</text></clause><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE446B7EE2B5E4007A49E5161C61681DA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H99B59802BC0741E38952581EFB4FACF6"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:</text><quoted-block id="H74EE9DF26EBA4D2EADFBD760A19058D1" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><paragraph id="H4C33778DC1E64AA4AF5EB92A125FDBED"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligible projects</header><text>The improvements or activities eligible for assistance under paragraph (1) may include improvements or activities—</text><subparagraph id="HDD952DA75D35455F940FC76BB5E3D451"><enum>(A)</enum><text>using an approach—</text><clause id="HAE324124564A45679D5C0BC30F37A46F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to conserve water;</text></clause><clause id="H1B581835D171452E8187D84C3C79D509"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to increase water use efficiency;</text></clause><clause id="HCC305992FABB4758BE9C67C8AD82AEA2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>to facilitate water markets; or</text></clause><clause id="H86B84703A0774EEEA04EAE6ADBA7392D"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>to enhance water management, including increasing the use of renewable energy in the management and delivery of water or increasing natural water recharge infrastructure;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H36038E757E6E492DA30DEC1771593FF5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to improve the condition of natural water recharge infrastructure; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H2B581A047A1A49C19CE719BD837C6133"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to achieve the acceleration of the adoption and use of advanced water treatment technologies to increase water supply.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph><paragraph id="HF80DC268CE0F4EFEA6B68CDD686B5BB9"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)—</text><subparagraph id="H3DDFFF2B9A344D4E868062DE8A102F36"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block id="HBF677F0A78454CEDB374B582E1463B55" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><subparagraph id="H93E570385D7D44E5A48BFCE3088DEDAE" indent="down2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>to use the assistance provided under a grant or agreement to increase the consumptive use of water for agricultural operations above the pre-project levels, as determined pursuant to the law of the State in which the operation of the eligible applicant is located.</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC0C901D9C8C44FDAB9AF571A1FF05108"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in subparagraph (E)—</text><clause id="HFCE6DBB324254105B8BE521AB525A4B2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by striking clause (i) and inserting the following:</text><quoted-block id="H61C1D4B462314EF9A463BE92C9640E38" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><clause id="HCCC3C7006D54488AB8F6B4744EF5B82B"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Federal share</header><subclause id="HABD437C5DB5C4D6F95DBFB1D88482038"><enum>(I)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Except as provided in subclause (II), the Federal share of the cost of any infrastructure improvement or activity that is the subject of a grant or other agreement entered into between the Secretary and an eligible applicant under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity.</text></subclause><subclause id="H5E0EAA1335744F71B28DBA68D3B88877"><enum>(II)</enum><header>Increased federal share for certain infrastructure improvements and activities</header><item id="H767783BF28FB48A0A4E8500999D7B3C7"><enum>(aa)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Federal share of the cost of an infrastructure improvement or activity described in item (bb) shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity.</text></item><item id="HCD7AF50D4CB2411F94E3003AAA326A0E"><enum>(bb)</enum><header>Infrastructure improvements and activities described</header><text>An infrastructure improvement or activity referred to in item (aa) is an infrastructure improvement or activity that provides benefits to consumptive water users and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values in which—</text><subitem id="HBCCD4AA79D8D486FAE59A491D8BA342C"><enum>(AA)</enum><text>in the case of an infrastructure improvement or activity that conserves water, the conserved water is returned to a surface water source with ecological or recreational benefits; or</text></subitem><subitem id="H2EAC776C045647F1B425960C3C946B38"><enum>(BB)</enum><text>in the case of other infrastructure improvements or activities, the majority of the benefits are nonconsumptive ecological or recreational benefits.</text></subitem></item></subclause></clause><after-quoted-block>; and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></clause><clause id="HE83A0B387D414E5EA8543EF0520802E7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in clause (ii), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking <quote>paragraph (2)</quote> and inserting <quote>paragraph (3)</quote>.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="H91888096E6E34937872A63D7F227118D"><enum>203.</enum><header>Surface and groundwater water availability and the energy nexus</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9508(d)(3) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/10368">42 U.S.C. 10368(d)(3)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="H3A0373669AEC4D4285F0672E2909E8C7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subparagraph (D), by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H00E0841274EF442281891B3630D8847D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in subparagraph (E), by striking the semicolon and inserting <quote>; and</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H2C26FFCDFC3344E0B4AEA31E019DC3D0"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by adding at the end the following:</text><quoted-block id="HCCD5661978674E9E912E95B3DDF2E6E4" style="OLC" changed="added" reported-display-style="italic" committee-id="HII00"><subparagraph id="HF66EFE5084DF4D669F9FA95D7CA37D66"><enum>(F)</enum><text>oil, gas, and mineral development under the Mineral Leasing Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/181">30 U.S.C. 181</external-xref> et seq.), the Act of May 11, 1938 (commonly known as the <quote>Indian Mineral Leasing Act of 1938</quote>) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/25/396a">25 U.S.C. 396a</external-xref> et seq.), sections 2319 through 2344 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the <quote>Mining Law of 1872</quote>) (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/22">30 U.S.C. 22</external-xref> et seq.), and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1331">43 U.S.C. 1331</external-xref> et seq.);</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></section><enum>III</enum><header>WATER CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION</header><section id="HA8D63E695884454EB5D4B634B8AF18FA"><enum>301.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text><paragraph id="HBBE5A04B7594447BBDDF31A75AE32A55"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Basin</header><text>The term <quote>Basin</quote>—</text><subparagraph id="H14B79489EB30433FBA75B00ECC4358A2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is limited to areas within the State; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HFFAE33020DDA41DFA452233892DEED75"><enum>(B)</enum><text>means each of—</text><clause id="H5A7F622BEB004B5BB7545FD9AFD9B0FE"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the Upper Rio Grande Basin;</text></clause><clause id="HEAEE777C473F49BBBE1DFD8BB7C8C9CC"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the Middle Rio Grande Basin;</text></clause><clause id="HAD8EF69B36904A56BD4A96F3EC11CEBD"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the Lower Rio Grande Basin;</text></clause><clause id="H4AE0F91E43424C84A0553B3C326D7344"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the Lower Pecos River Basin;</text></clause><clause id="HB6B268FCA31C46ABA7F6BAAEF19AF6A1"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the Gila River Basin;</text></clause><clause id="H09D58C34175E4AD69981410C0DE37823"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>the Canadian River Basin;</text></clause><clause id="H21E969A7BFF5408BBDD1C5A6E8E05B93"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>the San Francisco River Basin; and</text></clause><clause id="HFC78EF5FCDD0443EA14524E54B4B2125"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>the San Juan River Basin.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H803EEC200B7F4675B36E2E97F768CA2E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>District</header><text>The term <quote>District</quote> means—</text><subparagraph id="HD1B71624F61043D6B248899EAEC0B5DD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HF683FA2F31C24B14858A8926BC5AA428"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Elephant Butte Irrigation District;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HDF5792F7AB774B6990199FC210DBF26D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Carlsbad Irrigation District; </text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4447F0A363564E2999A41B9C99A45D71"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Arch Hurley Conservancy District;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H35082C7DD1B04442B92203BC7584BD38"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the Pecos Valley Artesian Conservation District; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAD26B8EED17348D4A5416D68DB6249D3"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the San Juan Water Commission.</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H9F4410D4F4CE481E87B2DF0A6E20753A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Pueblo</header><text>The term <quote>Pueblo</quote> means each of the following pueblos in the State:</text><subparagraph id="H5BEB8D94713344DFAD8325CD9636F88F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Cochiti.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9A217F75163246D9BB04C2FCD43A70FE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Santo Domingo.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1CA3F2959B8A4B00A8154C2AB3BE0473"><enum>(C)</enum><text>San Felipe.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8A6962E37A144AF9A08C7FF498C8F5FA"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Santa Ana.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H812BFA14ADA64E5DBF972FA7BFB48D8C"><enum>(E)</enum><text>Sandia.</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H4501873540AA4F2EBD2F515E6E51C05A"><enum>(F)</enum><text>Isleta.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></section><section id="HAB2EB5A3266E4F7EB9728A8F7645276F"><enum>302.</enum><header>Water acquisition program</header><subsection id="H82C35E6268EA42498EAAC3E40CA09FB6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text>The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, shall carry out in the Basins a water acquisition program in coordination with the other appropriate Federal agencies, State agencies, and non-Federal stakeholders, under which the Secretary shall—</text><paragraph id="H25C4B6E2EC0C4E5B86A8E305E74F50A3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>make acquisitions, or assist the State or a District in making acquisitions, of water in the Basins by lease or purchase of water rights or contractual entitlements from willing lessors or sellers, consistent with section 8 of the Act of June 17, 1902 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/383">43 U.S.C. 383</external-xref>), the Rio Grande Compact, and applicable State law relating to the acquisition and administration of water rights; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H215F0E82627E4A2F9399E9582EECD7D8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>take any other actions, consistent with section 8 of the Act of June 17, 1902 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/383">43 U.S.C. 383</external-xref>), the Rio Grande Compact, and applicable State law, that the Secretary determines would achieve the purposes of the water acquisition program described in subsection (b).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H514AC946804B485C9FF41803B7A261D4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purposes</header><text>The purposes of the water acquisition program are—</text><paragraph id="H8600AB9FB462470BBA2D7487B6DBD2EB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to enhance stream flow to benefit fish and wildlife (including endangered species), water quality, and river ecosystem restoration in the Basins;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCFF2050EEB3F4E1A8131D3C1DC21D11B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to enhance stewardship and conservation of working land, water, and watersheds in the Basins, consistent with the purpose described in paragraph (1); and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HAC74455F35C542EFB27AB2D22EC1B3A1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>to address water supply-demand imbalances in the Basins, consistent with State law and the purpose described in paragraph (1).</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HAF2A37FEB15D499AAEF7BAD5DC9996D1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Coordination</header><text>To assist in developing and administering the program, the Secretary may provide funds to the State, a District, or a federally established nonprofit entity with particular expertise in western water transactions.</text></subsection><subsection id="H9CAE356313DD403F8FAF09EE02534C18"><enum>(d)</enum><header>District projects</header><text>Subject to the Rio Grande Compact and applicable State law, the Secretary may develop programs to provide—</text><paragraph id="H443AB032E8B542C68E2E82BC6D195EBA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>cost-share assistance to a District to reduce water depletions by agricultural producers and irrigators in that District by making irrigation system improvements and increasing system efficiency;</text></paragraph><paragraph id="HCF66A6823BFB4E5AB35859E6BA34D906"><enum>(2)</enum><text>incentives to a District for the establishment of a water leasing program from willing lessors for agricultural producers and irrigators in that District to temporarily lease pre-1907 water rights (instead of permanent severance from irrigable land) for the purpose of providing benefits to species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1531">16 U.S.C. 1531</external-xref> et seq.) and other river ecosystem benefits; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H8D9862011D8A4AB5B1196DBF2C75F1C4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>cost-share assistance to a District to implement infrastructure or operational changes that will allow for effective management of a leasing program, while maintaining adequate water deliveries to other agricultural producers and irrigators.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H5716C00DB97A4B968DE642D05F7169BC"><enum>303.</enum><header>Middle Rio Grande Water Conservation</header><subsection id="H14D336C543C743D4A0E4BD6A1A77C5F8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary, in cooperation with a District and in consultation with the Pueblos, may provide funding and technical assistance for the installation of metering and measurement devices and the construction of check structures on irrigation diversions, canals, laterals, ditches, and drains—</text><paragraph id="H439A485BDAC54C039E8C8F1B1DB9EE4D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to ensure the conservation and efficient use of water within that District by—</text><subparagraph id="H2ECE2F7C736F46A49580F76E03833045"><enum>(A)</enum><text>reducing actual consumptive use; or</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HEE107E525DCC47679E989CE57CA02254"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not increasing the use of water; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HB8EFE5AB47F4491CBE7EC13FE0865C1B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to improve the measurement and allocation of water, including water acquired through the water acquisition program established under section 302.</text></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HCE69B9E57BDA49D6B010E3E1AF461015"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rio grande, san acacia, and isleta reaches</header><paragraph id="H51C679D244454E21A493C6D36B66D882"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall provide for the development of a comprehensive plan for the San Acacia and Isleta reaches to plan, design, permit, construct, and prioritize projects that balance river maintenance, water availability, use, and delivery, and ecosystem benefits, including—</text><subparagraph id="HA94FC444ED714835834452C8F3999AC0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>planning, permitting, and construction of a pumping station at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge for the purpose of more efficiently using water to provide—</text><clause id="H9D8789177E9F456995193636673B6EE5"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a stable supply for the Refuge; and</text></clause><clause id="H25BC4CFD479848A4B1C3D0E11B4A1AB0"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>an efficient and reliable supply of water to the Rio Grande for the benefit of the endangered silvery minnow and Southwestern willow flycatcher;</text></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE4994A79B158426497E872CFCDF2566C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>planning, permitting, and construction of a river channel realignment project near the Rio Grande mile-83 for the purpose of conveying water and sediment through the reach to Elephant Butte Reservoir and addressing river channel aggradation while maintaining floodplain connectivity during the snowmelt runoff;</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H5D36F97741894E75A23CD6916BCD5A38"><enum>(C)</enum><text>planning, permitting, and construction of a controlled outlet for the low flow conveyance channel to the Rio Grande between Fort Craig, New Mexico, and Rio Grande mile-60 for the purpose of water use and delivery, enhancement and development of habitat areas, and possible creation of a single-channel river ecosystem; and</text></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9B06889A61E447ECA18CEEEB36E3AB88"><enum>(D)</enum><text>development of a Lower Reach plan—</text><clause id="H1CDF0BCE6F964BCEB23AB344C0759FE2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to identify additional projects and maintenance activities with water use, sediment management, and delivery and ecosystem benefits; and</text></clause><clause id="HF85AE4A0149E430C98755F7594D98BAD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>to prioritize implementation of all projects and activities.</text></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7DBEFF251C4246CBAD1C3FEE02987AEB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Public participation</header><text>In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall provide a process for public participation and comment during plan development and alternative analysis.</text></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H558DBCF86CDE4299A791F9275EFEAD6A"><enum>304.</enum><header>Sustaining biodiversity during droughts</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 9503(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/10363">42 U.S.C. 10363(b)</external-xref>) is amended—</text><paragraph id="HF38B46FBA4264D72B4A1F90060603AD3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (3)(D), by inserting <quote>and native biodiversity</quote> after <quote>wildlife habitat</quote>; and</text></paragraph><paragraph id="H7A396453776B45778EEE97342970CD23"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting <quote>and drought biodiversity plans to address sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought</quote> after <quote>restoration plans</quote>.</text></paragraph></section><section id="HE148A34A9C084E269993EA1ED3D7FDED"><enum>305.</enum><header>Reauthorization of cooperative watershed management program</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 6002(g)(4) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/16/1015a">16 U.S.C. 1015a(g)(4)</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>2020</quote> and inserting <quote>2031</quote>.</text></section><enum>IV</enum><header>EFFECT ON EXISTING LAW</header><section id="H04D57C5C339446E4AE558116CF1E43DF"><enum>401.</enum><header>Effect on existing law</header><subsection id="H2ECAA08E18DA44129EE24A3C2ED16D2E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text>An action taken by the Secretary or another entity under this Act or an amendment made by this Act shall comply with applicable State laws in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection><subsection id="H582B03E1185A4AC0A204975928801107"><enum>(b)</enum><header>State law</header><text>Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act affects, is intended to affect, or interferes with a law of the State relating to the control, appropriation, use, or distribution of water, or any vested right acquired under the law.</text></subsection><subsection id="H2BF4F4AEA40B49A4BE095D19BFF13A30"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rio grande compact</header><text>Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act affects or is intended to affect or interfere with any obligation of a State under the Rio Grande Compact or any litigation relating to the Rio Grande Compact.</text></subsection></section>December 18, 2020Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources with an amendmentDecember 18, 2020Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed