[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 15, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9353-S9354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NEW MEXICO WATER PLANNING ASSISTANCE ACT

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (S. 2460) to provide 
assistance to the State of New Mexico for the development of 
comprehensive State water plans, and for other purposes, which had been 
reported from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, with an 
amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert in lieu 
thereof the following:
  (Strike the part shown in black brackets and insert the part shown in 
italic.)

                                S. 2460

       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.--On the request of the Governor of the 
     State and subject to subsections (b) through (e), 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;

[[Page S9354]]

       [(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 Rio 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) Non-Reimbursable and No Cost-Sharing.--Any assistance 
     or grants provided to the State under this Act shall be made 
     on a non-reimbursable basis and without a cost-sharing 
     requirement.
       [(e) 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 $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009.]

     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 2005 through 2009.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The bill (S. 2460), as amended, was read the third time and passed.

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