I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 405 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 9, 2009 Mr. Heller introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To authorize appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation to carry out the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program in the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Act.

2.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Lower colorado river multi-species conservation program

The term Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program or LCR MSCP means the cooperative effort on the Lower Colorado River between Federal and non-Federal entities in Arizona, California, and Nevada approved by the Secretary of the Interior on April 2, 2005. (2)

Lower colorado river

The term Lower Colorado River means the Colorado River from Lake Mead to the Southerly International Boundary with Mexico, including its historic floodplain and its mainstem reservoirs to their full pool elevations. (3)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (4)

States

The term States means each of the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada.

3.

Implementation and water accounting

(a)

In general

The Secretary is authorized to participate in the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. (b)

Water accounting

The Secretary is authorized to enter into an agreement with the States providing for the use of water from the Lower Colorado River for habitat creation and maintenance.

4.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In General

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to participate in the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program, to remain available until expended. (b)

Nonreimbursable and Nonreturnable

All amounts appropriated to and expended by the Secretary for the LCR MSCP shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable.