[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2460 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2460

To provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of 
        comprehensive State water plans, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 20, 2004

 Mr. Domenici introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
       referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of 
        comprehensive State water plans, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``New Mexico Water Planning Assistance 
Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and 
        the United States Geological Survey.
            (2) State.--The term ``State'' means the State of New 
        Mexico.

SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE WATER PLAN ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--On the request of the Governor of the State and 
subject to subsections (b) through (e), the Secretary shall--
            (1) provide to the State technical assistance and grants 
        for the development of comprehensive State water plans;
            (2) conduct water resources mapping in the State; and
            (3) conduct a comprehensive study of groundwater resources 
        (including potable, brackish, and saline water resources) in 
        the State to assess the quantity, quality, and interaction of 
        groundwater and surface water resources.
    (b) Technical Assistance.--Technical assistance provided under 
subsection (a) may include--
            (1) acquisition of hydrologic data, groundwater 
        characterization, database development, and data distribution;
            (2) expansion of climate, surface water, and groundwater 
        monitoring networks;
            (3) assessment of existing water resources, surface water 
        storage, and groundwater storage potential;
            (4) numerical analysis and modeling necessary to provide an 
        integrated understanding of water resources and water 
        management options;
            (5) participation in State planning forums and planning 
        groups;
            (6) coordination of Federal water management planning 
        efforts;
            (7) technical review of data, models, planning scenarios, 
        and water plans developed by the State; and
            (8) provision of scientific and technical specialists to 
        support State and local activities.
    (c) Allocation.--In providing grants under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, 
allocate--
            (1) $5,000,000 to develop hydrologic models and acquire 
        associated equipment for the New Mexico Rio Grande main stem 
        sections and Rio Taos and Hondo, Rios Nambe, Pojoaque and 
        Teseque, Rio Chama, and Lower Rio Grande tributaries;
            (2) $1,500,000 to complete the hydrographic survey 
        development of hydrologic models and acquire associated 
        equipment for the San Juan River and tributaries;
            (3) $1,000,000 to complete the hydrographic survey 
        development of hydrologic models and acquire associated 
        equipment for Southwest New Mexico, including the Animas Basin, 
        the Gila River, and tributaries;
            (4) $4,500,000 for statewide digital orthophotography 
        mapping; and
            (5) such sums as are necessary to carry out additional 
        projects consistent with subsection (b).
    (d) Non-Reimbursable and No Cost-Sharing.--Any assistance or grants 
provided to the State under this Act shall be made on a non-
reimbursable basis and without a cost-sharing requirement.
    (e) Authorized Transfers.--On request of the State, the Secretary 
shall directly transfer to 1 or more Federal agencies any amounts made 
available to the State to carry out this Act.

SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
$2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009.
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