[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18307-18308]
[From the U.S. 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

[[Page 18308]]

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.
  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.
  Mrs. WILSON of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the 
New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act, H.R. 1904.
  The New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act would assist the State 
of New Mexico with the development of comprehensive State water plans 
that will help the State more effectively manage our most precious 
natural resource--water.
  I introduced the New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act on April 
17, 2007, and Senator Domenici and Senator Bingaman introduced 
companion legislation in the Senate on January 10, 2007.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior 
to: provide to New Mexico technical assistance and grants for the 
development of comprehensive State water plans; conduct water resources 
mapping in New Mexico; and conduct comprehensive studies of groundwater 
resources in New Mexico to assess the quantity, quality, and 
interaction of groundwater and surface water resources.
  The legislation also directs the Secretary, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, to allocate: $5 million to develop 
hydrologic models of eight New Mexico river systems; $2.5 million to 
complete the hydrologic models for the San Juan River and other 
Southwest New Mexico river systems; and $4.5 million for statewide 
digital orthophotography mapping. The Federal cost share shall be on a 
50-50 match basis, and all Federal funds are to be non-reimbursable.
  Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico was the home to many 
indigenous southwestern peoples from A.D. 850 to 1250. Unfortunately, 
the Chacoans ingenuity in storing and channeling water was not enough 
to save them from a 50-year drought that began in 1130. The Chacoan 
pueblo people left Chaco Canyon in stages and established a string of 
pueblos along the Rio Grande and a few other desert rivers.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of 
Reclamation, and State conservancy and irrigation districts flood 
control and reclamation projects along New Mexico's river systems that 
store water during wet years for use during dry years help ensure that 
New Mexico's current population will not have to relocate during 
extended periods of drought--like the Chacoans were forced to do more 
than eight centuries ago.
  However, like much of the West, the demands on New Mexico's ground 
and fresh water resources are immense and growing. For example, the 
First Congressional District of New Mexico is bisected by the Rio 
Grande. The flows of the Middle Rio Grande serve the biggest city in 
New Mexico, Albuquerque, many smaller cities, six Indian pueblos, and a 
network of agriculture users. Many of these farmers irrigate the same 
land as their Spanish ancestors did over 4 centuries ago. In addition 
there is the endangered silvery minnow, which, under a 2003 U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion, requires 180 miles of 
continuous minimum river flow in the Middle Rio Grande.
  New Mexico has an average allotment of 393,000 acre-feet of Rio 
Grande water under the 1938 interstate compact that apportions the Rio 
Grande between Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. These demands 
have stretched this allotment to the limit. Further complicating the 
picture is the fact that Article VII of the Rio Grande Compact severely 
restricts New Mexico's ability to store native water upstream at Heron, 
Abiquiu, El Vado, or Cochiti Reservoir.
  Thus far, New Mexico's water managers have been able to stretch New 
Mexico limited water supplies to meet the expanding demands of New 
Mexico cities, industries, Indian pueblos, and endangered species, 
without widespread displacement of its historical agriculture users. By 
providing Federal water planning assistance to New Mexico's water 
managers this important legislation will help stretch New Mexico's 
limited water resources; and, as a result, will help prevent waters 
conflict in New Mexico well into the future.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1904.
  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
1904, the New Mexico Water Planning Assistance Act. I would like to 
thank my colleague from New Mexico for her work on this legislation and 
on the issue. It is an extremely important issue to us in New Mexico, 
and throughout the Southwest.
  Like other states in the arid west, New Mexico suffers from water 
scarcity. Drought often impacts municipal water supply, agricultural 
water supply, and increases volatility in high fire-risk areas. 
Economies and ecologies alike are threatened when scarce water 
resources are not properly managed. Ensuring careful management of this 
precious resource is a top priority in communities throughout New 
Mexico. This bill would allow New Mexico communities to unite under 
statewide water plans, formulated from comprehensive statewide research 
and quantification of water resources.
  Through grants and technical assistance from the Bureau of 
Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey, this bill authorizes 
funding for resource mapping and studies assessing the quality and 
quantity of both surface and groundwater throughout the state. The bill 
further allocates funds to develop models for several of the state's 
rivers, many of which are threatened by overuse and excessive 
impoundment. This year, the Rio Grande was included in the World 
Wildlife Fund's list of the world's top 10 most threatened rivers, and 
the Santa Fe River was listed as the Nation's Most Endangered River 
this year by American Rivers. Research and conservation along these 
rivers will positively impact New Mexicans and the greater southwest 
region.
  This bill will provide New Mexico with information and resources that 
will enable the state to sustainably manage and conserve its precious 
water resources. By facilitating comprehensive surface and groundwater 
studies, this bill will allow New Mexicans to make sound decisions on 
water resource management that will impact the entire southwestern 
United States.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is an important step towards sustainable water 
management in New Mexico and the Southwest. A comprehensive approach to 
hydrologic resource management is necessary to confront the challenges 
of New Mexico's growing communities and precarious fluctuations in 
climate. This bill provides New Mexico with the tools needed to meet 
these challenges in a sustainable manner, and I urge its passage.
  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.

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