[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 81 (Tuesday, June 2, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H6019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      AVRA/BLACK WASH RECLAMATION AND RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECT

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass 
the bill (H.R. 325) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to 
participate in the Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration 
Project.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 325

       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 ``Avra/Black Wash Reclamation 
     and Riparian Restoration Project''.

     SEC. 2. PROJECT AUTHORIZATION.

       (a) In General.--The Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
     Study and Facilities Act (Public Law 102-575, title XVI; 43 
     U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 16__. AVRA/BLACK WASH RECLAMATION AND RIPARIAN 
                   RESTORATION PROJECT, PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA.

       ``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with 
     Pima County, Arizona, may participate in the planning, 
     design, and construction of water recycling facilities and to 
     enhance and restore riparian habitat in the Black Wash 
     Sonoran Desert ecosystem in Avra Valley west of the 
     metropolitan Pima County area.
       ``(b) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of the 
     project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 
     percent of the cost of the project.
       ``(c) Limitation.--Federal funds provided under this 
     section shall not be used for operation or maintenance of the 
     project described in subsection (a).
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $14,000,000.
       ``(e) Use of Funds.--Federal funds provided under this 
     section shall only be used for the design, planning and 
     construction of water-related infrastructure.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for Public 
     Law 102-575 is amended by inserting after the last item 
     relating to title XVI the following:

``Sec. 16__. Avra/Black Wash Reclamation and Riparian Restoration 
              Project, Pima County, Arizona.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) and the gentleman from Colorado 
(Mr. Lamborn) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands.

                              {time}  1415


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 325, sponsored by the National Parks, Forests and 
Public Lands Subcommittee chairman, Raul Grijalva, authorizes the 
Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Avra/Black Wash 
Reclamation and Riparian Restoration Project. The extremely arid 
conditions and climate of the Tucson, Arizona metropolitan area require 
the careful and innovative planning of both water supply and wastewater 
treatment systems.
  The proposed Avra Valley Reclamation and Riparian Restoration site 
would spread treated wastewater on the mesquite riparian forest in 
Black Wash, creating valuable riparian habitat for migrating birds 
while recharging groundwater for the greater Tucson area.
  I commend Mr. Grijalva for bringing this legislation to our 
attention, and I urge my colleagues to support the passage of H.R. 325.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LAMBORN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the Democratic bill manager has adequately explained 
this bill. An earlier version of the bill would have allowed water 
infrastructure funds to be expended for trails and a visitors center. 
The bill now targets funding for water recycling infrastructure only. 
As such, we have no objection to this narrowly focused bill.
  I would yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) that the House 
suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 325.
  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.

                          ____________________