110 HR 6024 IH: Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Act
U.S. House of Representatives
2008-05-12
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.This Act may be cited as the Rio Grande Pueblos Irrigation Infrastructure Improvement Act
.
2.Congress finds that—
(1)drought, population increases, and environmental needs are exacerbating water supply issues across the western United States, including the Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico;
(2)a report developed by the Bureau of Reclamation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 2000 identified a serious need for the rehabilitation and repair of irrigation infrastructure of the Rio Grande Pueblos;
(3)inspection of existing irrigation infrastructure of the Rio Grande Pueblos shows that many key facilities, such as diversion structures and main conveyance ditches, are unsafe and barely, if at all, operable;
(4)the benefits of rehabilitating and repairing irrigation infrastructure of the Rio Grande Pueblos include—
(A)water conservation;
(B)extending available water supplies;
(C)increased agricultural productivity;
(D)economic benefits;
(E)safer facilities; and
(F)the preservation of the culture of Indian Pueblos in the State;
(5)certain Indian Pueblos in the Rio Grande Basin receive water from facilities operated or owned by the Bureau of Reclamation; and
(6)rehabilitation and repair of irrigation infrastructure of the Rio Grande Pueblos would improve—
(A)overall water management by the Bureau of Reclamation; and
(B)the ability of the Bureau of Reclamation to help address potential water supply conflicts in the Rio Grande Basin.
3.In this Act:
(1)The term 2004 Agreement means the agreement titled Agreement By and Between the United States of America and the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, Providing for the Payment of Operation and Maintenance Charges on Newly Reclaimed Pueblo Indian Lands in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico
and executed in September 2004 (including any successor agreements and amendments to the agreement).
(2)The term designated engineer means a Federal employee designated under the Act of February 14, 1927 (69 Stat. 1098, chapter 138), to represent the United States in any action involving the maintenance, rehabilitation, or preservation of the condition of any irrigation structure or facility on land located in the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos.
(3)The term District means the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, a political subdivision of the State established in 1925.
(4)Pueblo irrigation infrastructureThe term Pueblo irrigation infrastructure means any diversion structure, conveyance facility, or drainage facility located on land of a Rio Grande Pueblo that is associated with the delivery of water for the irrigation of agricultural land.
(5)The term Rio Grande Basin means the headwaters of the Rio Chama and the Rio Grande Rivers (including any tributaries) from the State line between Colorado and New Mexico downstream to the elevation corresponding with the spillway crest of Elephant Butte Dam at 4,457.3 feet mean sea level.
(6)The term Rio Grande Pueblo means any of the 18 Pueblos that—
(A)occupy land in the Rio Grande Basin; and
(B)are included on the list of federally recognized Indian tribes published by the Secretary in accordance with section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a–1).
(7)The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation.
(8)Six Middle Rio Grande PueblosThe term Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos means each of the Pueblos of Cochiti, Santo Domingo, San Felipe, Santa Ana, Sandia, and Isleta.
(9)The term special project has the meaning given the term in the 2004 Agreement.
(10)The term State means the State of New Mexico.
4.Irrigation infrastructure study
(a)The Secretary, in accordance with consultation requirements under subsection (c), shall—
(1)conduct a study of Pueblo irrigation infrastructure; and
(2)based on the results of the study, develop a list of projects (including a cost estimate for each project) that are recommended to be implemented over a 10-year period to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct Pueblo irrigation infrastructure.
(b)Consideration of factors; priorityIn developing the list of projects under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall prioritize the projects recommended for implementation based on consideration of the following factors:
(1)The extent of disrepair of the Pueblo irrigation infrastructure.
(2)The effect of the disrepair on the ability of the applicable Rio Grande Pueblo to irrigate agricultural land using Pueblo irrigation infrastructure.
(3)The extent that the repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of the Pueblo irrigation infrastructure would provide an opportunity to conserve water.
(4)The economic and cultural impacts that the disrepair of the Pueblo irrigation infrastructure has on the applicable Rio Grande Pueblo.
(5)The economic and cultural benefits that the repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of the Pueblo irrigation infrastructure would have on the applicable Rio Grande Pueblo.
(6)The opportunity to address water supply or environmental conflicts in the applicable river basin if the Pueblo irrigation infrastructure is repaired, rehabilitated, or reconstructed.
(7)The overall benefits of the project to efficient water operations on the land of the applicable Rio Grande Pueblo.
(c)
(1)Not later than 3 months after funds are made available for this Act, the Secretary shall notify each Rio Grande Pueblo, in writing, that—
(A)the Secretary shall be conducting the study required by subsection (a)(1);
(B)the Pueblo is invited to consult with the Secretary regarding the study; and
(C)the Pueblo shall only be eligible to consult if, not more than 3 months after recieving notice from the Secretary, the Pueblo notifies the Secretary, in writing, of the Pueblo’s intent to consult.
(2)In developing list of projectsIn developing the list of projects under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall consult with the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (including the designated engineer with respect to each proposed project that affects the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos), the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Chief of Engineers to evaluate the extent to which programs under the jurisdiction of the respective agencies may be used—
(A)to assist in evaluating projects to repair, rehabilitate, or reconstruct Pueblo irrigation infrastructure; and
(B)to implement—
(i)a project recommended for implementation under subsection (a)(2); or
(ii)any other related project (including on-farm improvements) that may be appropriately coordinated with the repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of Pueblo irrigation infrastructure to improve the efficient use of water in the Rio Grande Basin.
(d)Not later than 18 months after funds are made available for this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that includes—
(1)the list of projects recommended for implementation under subsection (a)(2); and
(2)any findings of the Secretary with respect to—
(A)the study conducted under subsection (a)(1);
(B)the consideration of the factors under subsection (b); and
(C)the consultations under subsection (c).
(e)Not later than 2 years after the date on which the Secretary submits the report under subsection (d) and biennially thereafter, the Secretary, in consultation with each Rio Grande Pueblo, shall—
(1)review the report submitted under subsection (d); and
(2)update the list of projects described in subsection (d)(1) in accordance with each factor described in subsection (b), as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
5. Irrigation infrastructure grants
(a)The Secretary may provide grants to, and enter into cooperative agreements with, the Rio Grande Pueblos to plan, design, construct, or otherwise implement projects to repair, rehabilitate, reconstruct, or replace Pueblo irrigation infrastructure that are recommended for implementation under section 4(a)(2)—
(1)to increase water use efficiency and agricultural productivity for the benefit of a Rio Grande Pueblo;
(2)to conserve water; or
(3)to otherwise enhance water management or help avert water supply conflicts in the Rio Grande Basin.
(b)Assistance provided under subsection (a) shall not be used for—
(1)the repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of any major impoundment structure;
(2)any on-farm improvements; or
(3)the rehabilitation of any Pueblo irrigation infrastructure for the purpose of irrigating Rio Grande Pueblo land that has not been historically irrigated.
(c)In carrying out a project under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1)consult with, and obtain the approval of, the applicable Rio Grande Pueblo;
(2)consult with the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and
(3)as appropriate, coordinate the project with any work being conducted under the irrigation operations and maintenance program of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
(d)
(1)
(A)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the total cost of carrying out a project under subsection (a) shall be not more than 75 percent.
(B)The Secretary may waive or limit the non-Federal share required under subparagraph (A) if the Secretary determines, based on a demonstration of financial hardship by the Rio Grande Pueblo, that the Rio Grande Pueblo is unable to contribute the required non-Federal share.
(2)
(A)The Secretary may accept from the District a partial or total contribution toward the non-Federal share required for a project carried out under subsection (a) on land located in any of the Six Middle Rio Grande Pueblos if the Secretary determines that the project is a special project.
(B)Nothing in subparagraph (A) requires the District to contribute to the non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under subsection (a).
(3)
(A)The Secretary may accept from the State a partial or total contribution toward the non-Federal share for a project carried out under subsection (a).
(B)Nothing in subparagraph (A) requires the State to contribute to the non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under subsection (a).
(4)Form of non-federal shareThe non-Federal share under paragraph (1)(A) may be in the form of in-kind contributions, including the contribution of any valuable asset or service that the Secretary determines would substantially contribute to a project carried out under subsection (a).
(e)Operation and maintenanceThe Secretary may not use any amount made available under section 8(b) for operation or maintenance of any project carried out under subsection (a).
6.Effect on existing authority and responsibilitiesNothing in this Act—
(1)affects any existing project-specific funding authority; or
(2)limits or absolves the United States from any responsibility to any Rio Grande Pueblo (including any responsibility arising from a trust relationship or from any Federal law (including regulations), Executive order, or agreement between the Federal Government and any Rio Grande Pueblo).
7.Effect on Pueblo water rights or State water law
(a)Nothing in this Act (including the implementation of any project carried out in accordance with this Act) affects the right of any Pueblo to receive, divert, store, or claim a right to water, including the priority of right and the quantity of water associated with the water right under Federal or State law.
(b)Nothing in this Act preempts or affects—
(1)State water law; or
(2)an interstate compact governing water.
8.Authorization of appropriations
(a)There is authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 to carry out section 4.
(b)There is authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2019 to carry out section 5.