[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 255 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 255

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

                            January 10, 2007

 Mr. Domenici (for himself and Mr. Bingaman) 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.--Upon the request of the Governor of the State and 
subject to subsections (b) through (f), 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 Rios Pueblo de 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) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--
            (1) In general.--The non-Federal share of the total cost of 
        any activity carried out using a grant provided under 
        subsection (a) shall be 50 percent.
            (2) Form of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share under 
        paragraph (1) may be in the form of any in-kind services that 
        the Secretary determines would contribute substantially toward 
        the conduct and completion of the activity assisted.
    (e) Non-Reimbursable Basis.--Any assistance or grants provided to 
the State under this Act shall be made on a non-reimbursable basis.
    (f) 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 
$3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.

SEC. 5. SUNSET OF AUTHORITY.

    The authority of the Secretary to carry out any provisions of this 
Act shall terminate 10 years after the date of the enactment of this 
Act.
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