[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 73 (Thursday, May 15, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S6512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN:
  S. 1071. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, through 
the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct a feasibility study on a water 
conservation project within the Arch Hurley Conservancy District in the 
State of New Mexico, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, today I am pleased to introduce a bill 
to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to study a proposed water 
conservation project in eastern New Mexico. This project, involving the 
Arch Hurley Conservancy District near Tucumcari, NM, could play a 
significant role in helping to address the chronic water supply issues 
that exist in the eastern part of the state.
  The Conservancy District receives its water supply from Conchas Lake 
on the Canadian River, and delivers it through an unlined canal to 
irrigate approximately 41,400 acres of farmland in the area. The 
district has suggested that it might be possible to line its canal, 
eliminate a large amount of seepage, and convey a portion of the saved 
water to address water supply needs in the Pecos River basin. The non-
conveyed portion of the conserved water would be available to shore up 
the district's supply in times of drought.
  While further investigation is warranted to test the feasibility of 
the proposed project and any issues associated with its implementation, 
the project does hold significant promise, making this legislation 
timely. I appreciate the district's leadership in developing this 
proposal which represents a creative effort to improve water management 
and efficiency within New Mexico. If, in the 21st century, we are to 
maintain the standard of life that we've grown accustomed to in the 
arid West, creative solutions to our water supply problems are 
necessary. This bill is a step in the right direction by encouraging 
efforts to develop, analyze, and ultimately implement those creative 
solutions. I hope my colleagues will support this modest effort to 
address New Mexico's water needs.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1071

       Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives of the United States of America in Congress 
     assembled,

     SECTION 1. STUDY AUTHORIZATION.

       (a) Authorization.--Pursuant to reclamation laws, the 
     Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, 
     and in consultation and cooperation with the Arch Hurley 
     Conservancy District and the State Engineer in New Mexico, is 
     authorized to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of 
     implementing a water conservation project that will minimize 
     water losses from the irrigation conveyance works of the Arch 
     Hurley Conservancy District, and to consider--
       (1) options for utilizing any saved water made available 
     from the conservation project including the possible 
     conveyance of such water, in accordance with State law, to 
     the Pecos River basin to address water supply issues in that 
     basin;
       (2) the impacts that the conservation project could have on 
     the local water supply in and around the Arch Hurley 
     Conservancy District and any appropriate mitigation that may 
     be necessary if the project is implemented; and
       (3) appropriate cost-sharing options for implementation of 
     the project based on the use and possible allocation of any 
     conserved water.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) Upon completion of the feasibility study authorized by 
     this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall transmit to 
     Congress a report containing the results of the study.
       (2) In developing the report, the Secretary shall utilize 
     reports or any other relevant information supplied by the 
     Arch Hurley Conservancy District or the State Engineer in New 
     Mexico.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Amount.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     $500,000 to carry out this Act.
       (b) Cost Share.--
       (1) The federal share of the costs of the feasibility study 
     shall not exceed 50 percent of the total, except that the 
     Secretary of the Interior is authorized to waive or limit the 
     required non-Federal cost share for the feasibility study if 
     the Secretary determines, based upon a demonstration of 
     financial hardship on the part of the Arch Hurley Conservancy 
     District, that the District is unable to contribute such 
     required share.
       (2) The Secretary of the Interior may accept as part of the 
     non-Federal cost share the contribution of such in-kind 
     services by the Arch Hurley Conservancy District as the 
     Secretary determines will contribute substantially toward the 
     conduct and completion of the study.
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