Reclamation Recycling and Water Conservation Act of 1996

Reclamation Recycling and Water Conservation Act of 1996 - Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 (the Act) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in the design, planning, and construction of the following water reclamation and reuse projects: the North San Diego County Area Water Recycling Project, the Calleguas Municipal Water District Recycling Project, the Central Valley Water Recycling Project, the St. George Area Water Recycling Project, the Watsonville Area Water Recycling Project, the Southern Nevada Water Recycling Project, the Albuquerque Metropolitan Area Water Reclamation and Reuse Study, the El Paso Water Reclamation and Reuse Project, the Pasadena, California, reclaimed water project, phase I of the Orange County Regional Water Reclamation Project, the City of West Jordan Water Reuse Project, the Hi-Desert Water District wastewater collection and reuse facility in Yucca Valley, California, the Mission Basin Brackish Groundwater Desalting Demonstration Project in Oceanside, California, an effluent treatment project from the sanitation districts of Los Angeles County through the city of Long Beach, the San Joaquin Area Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and the Tooele Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Project. Limits the Federal share to 25 percent of total project costs. Prohibits the Secretary from providing funds for project operation and maintenance.

(Sec. 3) Authorizes either the Secretary or the non-Federal project sponsor to undertake water reclamation and reuse appraisal investigations.

(Sec. 4) Adds elements to be considered under water reclamation and reuse feasibility studies.

(Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary to participate in the design, planning, and construction of the Long Beach Desalination Research and Development Project in Los Angeles County, California, and the Las Vegas Area Shallow Aquifer Desalination Research and Development Project. Limits the Federal share to 50 percent of total project costs. Prohibits the Secretary from providing funds for project operation and maintenance.

(Sec. 6) Extends by one year the due date of a report from the Secretary to specified congressional committees with regard to the San Francisco Area Water Reclamation Study.

(Sec. 7) Conditions the appropriation of funds for the construction of any project authorized under the Act on: (1) the completion of an appraisal investigation and a feasibility study; (2) a determination by the Secretary that the non-Federal project sponsor is financially capable of funding its share of project costs; and (3) approval by the Secretary of a cost-sharing agreement with such non-Federal sponsor. Excludes from such conditions those projects for which funds were appropriated prior to January 1, 1996. Directs the Secretary to notify specified congressional committees within 30 days after the signing of a cost-sharing agreement under this section. Limits to $20 million (October 1996 prices) the total Federal share of the cost of each individual project authorized under the Act. Provides a limit for the Federal share of costs for projects authorized before January 1, 1996.