[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 10, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H7445-H7446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NEW MEXICO WATER PLANNING ASSISTANCE ACT

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1904) to provide assistance to the State of New Mexico for 
the development of comprehensive State water plans, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1904

       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) Nonreimbursable 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.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Maryland.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  The purpose of H.R. 1904, as introduced by our colleague from New 
Mexico (Mrs. Wilson), is to provide assistance to the State of New 
Mexico for the development of comprehensive State water plans.
  The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide New Mexico 
with technical assistance and grants for the development of a 
comprehensive State water plan. This includes a survey and mapping of 
water resources in New Mexico, a study of groundwater quality and 
quantity, and a study on the relationships between groundwater and 
surface water in the State.
  A key understanding of our most precious resource is required if we 
are to meet the water supply needs of our growing communities and our 
environment. H.R. 1904 seeks just such an understanding from New 
Mexico.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 1904.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. COLE of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1904 and 
yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H.R. 1904, introduced by our colleague, Heather Wilson, directs the 
Secretary of the Interior to provide New Mexico with technical 
assistance and grants for the development of comprehensive State water 
plans and to assess the quality, quantity and interaction of 
groundwater and surface water resources in the State.

[[Page H7446]]

  This legislation recognizes that States have primacy over groundwater 
but provides limited Federal assistance to help the State carry out its 
efforts and help water consumers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Sarbanes) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 1904.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________