[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4810]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE FORT PECK RURAL COUNTY WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM ACT OF 1996

  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of calendar 348, S. 1467.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 1467) to authorize the construction of the Fort 
     Peck Rural County Water Supply System, to authorize 
     assistance to the Fort Peck Rural County Water District, 
     Inc., a nonprofit corporation, for the planning, design, and 
     construction of the water supply system, and for other 
     purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the bill?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be 
deemed read a third time, passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and any statements relating to the bill be placed at the 
appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 1467) was deemed read a third time and passed, as 
follows:

                                S. 1467

       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 ``Fort Peck Rural County Water 
     Supply System Act of 1995''.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       For the purposes of this Act:
       (1) Construction.--The term ``construction'' means such 
     activities associated with the actual development or 
     construction of facilities as are initiated on execution of 
     contracts for construction.
       (2) District.--The term ``District'' means the Fort Peck 
     Rural County Water District, Inc., a non-profit corporation 
     in Montana.
       (3) Feasibility study.--The term ``feasibility study'' 
     means the study entitled ``Final Engineering Report and 
     Alternative Evaluation for the Fort Peck Rural County Water 
     District'', dated September 1994.
       (4) Planning.--The term ``planning'' means activities such 
     as data collection, evaluation, design, and other associated 
     preconstruction activities required prior to the execution of 
     contracts for construction.
       (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       (6) Water supply system.--The term ``water supply system'' 
     means the Fort Peck Rural County Water Supply System, to be 
     established and operated substantially in accordance with the 
     feasibility study.

     SEC. 3. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM.

       (a) In General.--Upon request of the District, the 
     Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the 
     District for the planning, design, and construction by the 
     District of the water supply system.
       (b) Service Area.--The water supply system shall provide 
     for safe and adequate rural water supplies under the 
     jurisdiction of the District in Valley County, northeastern 
     Montana (as described in the feasibility study).
       (c) Amount of Federal Contribution.--
       (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (3), under the 
     cooperative agreement, the Secretary shall pay the Federal 
     share of--
       (A) costs associated with the planning, design, and 
     construction of the water supply system (as identified in the 
     feasibility study); and
       (B) such sums as are necessary to defray increases in the 
     budget.
       (2) Federal share.--The Federal share referred to in 
     paragraph (1) shall be 80 percent and shall not be 
     reimbursable.
       (3) Total.--The amount of Federal funds made available 
     under the cooperative agreement shall not exceed the amount 
     of funds authorized to be appropriated under section 4.
       (4) Limitations.--Not more than 5 percent of the amount of 
     Federal funds made available to the Secretary under section 4 
     may be used by the Secretary for activities associated with--
       (A) compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
     of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
       (B) oversight of the planning, design, and construction by 
     the District of the water supply system.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     Act $5,800,000, to remain available until expended. The funds 
     authorized to be appropriated may be increased or decreased 
     by such amounts as are justified by reason of ordinary 
     fluctuations in development costs incurred after October 1, 
     1994, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to 
     the type of construction project authorized under this Act.

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