109 HR 6088 IH: New Mexico Aquifer Assessment Act of U.S. House of Representatives 2006-09-14 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.

I 109th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6088 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 14, 2006 Mrs. Wilson of New Mexico introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the New Mexico Aquifer Assessment Act of 2006.

2.

New mexico water resources study

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey (referred to in this Act as the Secretary), in coordination with the State of New Mexico (referred to in this Act as the State), shall, in accordance with this Act and any other applicable law, conduct a study of water resources in the State, including the following: (1)A survey of groundwater resources, including an analysis of— (A)aquifers in the State, including the quantity of water in the aquifers; (B)the availability of groundwater resources for human use; (C)the salinity of groundwater resources; (D)the potential of the groundwater resources to recharge; (E)the interaction between groundwater and surface water; (F)the susceptibility of the aquifers to contamination; and (G)any other relevant criteria; and (2)A characterization of surface and bedrock geology, including the effect of the geology on groundwater yield and quality. (b)

Study areas

The study carried out under subsection (a) shall include the Salt Basin, the Tularosa Basin, and the middle Rio Grande Aquifer in the State. (c)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes the results of the study. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.