House Report 109-442 - CENTRAL TEXAS WATER RECYCLING ACT OF 2006

[House Report 109-442]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 109-442

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CENTRAL TEXAS WATER RECYCLING ACT OF 2006

_______

April 27, 2006.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed

_______

Mr. Pombo, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following

R E P O R T

[To accompany H.R. 3418]

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 3418) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to participate in the Central Texas Water Recycling
and Reuse Project, and for other purposes, having considered
the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and
recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:

SEC. 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Central Texas Water Recycling Act of
2006''.

SEC. 2. PROJECT AUTHORIZATION.

(a) In General.--The Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and
Facilities Act (Public Law 102-575; 43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended
by inserting after section 16__ the following new section:

``SEC. 16__. CENTRAL TEXAS WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE PROJECT.

``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the City of
Waco and other participating communities in the Central Texas Water
Recycling and Reuse Project is authorized to participate in the design,
planning, and construction of permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse
water in McLennan County, Texas.
``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the costs of the project
described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 percent of the total
cost.
``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds for the
operation and maintenance of the project described in subsection (a).
``(d) Sunset of Authority.--The authority of the Secretary to carry
out any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after the
date of enactment of this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections in section 2 of Public
Law 102-575 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section
16__ the following:

``Sec. 16__. Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project.''.

Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of H.R. 3418 is to amend the Reclamation
Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the
Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and for other
purposes.

Background and Need for Legislation

Central Texas cities are experiencing rapid population
growth and increased water demand. With water treatment plants
approaching capacity, area water planners have done initial
studies for constructing the McLennan County/Waco Regional
Satellite and Reuse Project. Located in the Flat Creek Drainage
Area near Lake Waco, the project will be used to treat and
recycle wastewater generated by the City of Waco and six
neighboring communities. The project's overall cost is
estimated to be approximately $25 million. Under H.R. 3418, the
federal share of the project will not exceed 25 percent (or
$6.25 million) of the overall cost of the project. McLennan
County estimates that the project could provide up to 10
million gallons per day of reused water. Along with decreasing
the strain on older treatment plants in the area and reducing
effluent flows into Lake Waco, the water recycling project will
help meet future demands, providing reclaimed water for golf
courses, landscaping, and other industrial uses.

Committee Action

H.R. 3418 was introduced on July 25, 2005, by Congressman
Chet Edwards (D-TX). The bill was referred to the Committee on
Resources, and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on
Water and Power. On October 6, 2005, the Subcommittee held a
hearing on the bill. On March 29, 2006, the Full Resources
Committee met to consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Water
and Power was discharged from further consideration of the bill
by unanimous consent. Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA)
offered an amendment to place a 10-year sunset on the bill's
authorization. The amendment was adopted by unanimous consent.
The bill, as amended, was then ordered favorably reported to
the House of Representatives by unanimous consent.

Section-by-Section Analysis

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This section cites the short title of the bill as the
``Central Texas Water Recycling Act of 2006.''

SECTION 2. PROJECT AUTHORIZATION.

This section amends the Reclamation Wastewater and
Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (Public Law 102-575) to
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate with the
City of Waco and other participating communities in the design,
planning, and construction of permanent facilities to reclaim
and reuse water in McLennan County, Texas. As amended, this
section also specifies that the federal cost share of the
project cannot exceed 25 percent, prohibits federal funds for
project operations and maintenance, and limits the federal
authorization of this project to ten years.

Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of Rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations
are reflected in the body of this report.

Constitutional Authority Statement

Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.

Compliance with House Rule XIII

1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B)
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. As required by
clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general performance goal or
objective of this bill is to amend the Reclamation Wastewater
and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the
Secretary of the Interior to participate in the Central Texas
Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and for other purposes.
4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate. Under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office:

H.R. 3418--Central Texas Water Recycling Act of 2006

Summary: H.R. 3418 would authorize the Secretary of the
Interior to participate in the design, planning, and
construction of facilities to recycle water in McLennan County,
Texas. The bill would limit the federal share of this project
to 25 percent of its total cost.
Assuming appropriation of the necessary funds, CBO
estimates that implementing H.R. 3418 would cost $5 million
over the 2007-2011 period and an additional $1 million after
that period. Enacting this legislation would not affect direct
spending or revenues. H.R. 3418 contains no intergovernmental
or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates
Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or
tribal governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary Impact of H.R. 3418 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
--------------------------------------------
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Estimated Authorization Level...................................... 1 1 1 1 1
Estimated Outlays.................................................. 1 1 1 1 1
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R.
3418 will be enacted near the start of fiscal year 2007 and
that the necessary amounts will be appropriated in equal
installments over the 2007-2012 period.
The Bureau of Reclamation has not yet reviewed any of the
planning documents for the Central Texas Water Recycling
Project. According to the nonfederal partner for this project,
the city of Waco, Texas, the total estimated cost of the
project is $25 million. For this estimate, CBO assumes the
federal share of the project would be $6 million. Based on
historical spending patterns of similar projects, CBO estimates
that implementing this bill would cost $5 million over the
2007-2011 period and an additional $1 million after that
period.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 3418
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or
tribal governments. The bill would authorize the Secretary of
the Interior to design, plan, and construct a system for
recycling water that would benefit local governments
participating in the Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse
Project. Any costs they might incur to provide matching funds
would result from complying with conditions for receiving
federal assistance.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Julie Middleton;
Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Lisa Ramirez-
Branum; Impact on the Private Sector: Craig Cammarata.
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.

Compliance with Public Law 104-4

This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

Preemption of State, Local or Tribal Law

This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or
tribal law.

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):

RECLAMATION PROJECTS AUTHORIZATION AND ADJUSTMENT ACT OF 1992

(Public Law 102-575)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Reclamation Projects
Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

For purposes of this Act, the term ``Secretary'' means the
Secretary of the Interior.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sec. 1. Short title.
* * * * * * *

TITLE XVI--RECLAMATION WASTEWATER AND GROUND WATER STUDIES

Sec. 1601. Short title.

* * * * * * *

Sec. 16__. Central Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project.

* * * * * * *

TITLE XVI--RECLAMATION WASTEWATER AND GROUNDWATER STUDIES

SEC. 1601. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be referred to as the ``Reclamation Wastewater
and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act''.

* * * * * * *

SEC. 16__. CENTRAL TEXAS WATER RECYCLING AND REUSE PROJECT.

(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the
City of Waco and other participating communities in the Central
Texas Water Recycling and Reuse Project is authorized to
participate in the design, planning, and construction of
permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse water in McLennan
County, Texas.
(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the costs of the
project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25 percent
of the total cost.
(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds for
the operation and maintenance of the project described in
subsection (a).
(d) Sunset of Authority.--The authority of the Secretary to
carry out any provisions of this section shall terminate 10
years after the date of enactment of this section.

* * * * * * *