A bill to authorize and direct the Secretary of the Interior to engage in a special study of the potential for groundwater recharge in the High Plains States, and for other purposes.
High Plains States Groundwater Demonstration Program Act of 1983 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation (Bureau), to conduct, in two phases, an investigation of and to establish demonstration projects for groundwater recharge of aquifers in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming (the High Plains States) as well as in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah and Washington (the other Reclamation Act States). Directs the Bureau to consult with the U.S. Geological Survey, other appropriate Federal agencies and departments, the High Plains States, and the other Reclamation Act States to carry out this Act.
Prohibits the use of funds made available by this Act for the study or construction of groundwater recharge demonstration projects in the High Plains States and other Reclamation Act States which would utilize water originating in the drainage basin of the Great Lakes.
Directs the Bureau, during phase I, to develop a detailed plan for not less than 12 demonstration projects in the High Plains States and for not more than 9 demonstration projects in the other Reclamation Act States. Requires such plan to determine whether various recharge technologies may be applied to diverse geologic and hydrologic conditions. Directs the Bureau to recommend the demonstration projects to be designed, constructed, and operated during phase II. Requires the Bureau to make maximum use of data, planning studies, and other technical assistance available from State and local entities in the preparation and development of such plan.
Requires the Secretary, within six months after the enactment of an appropriation Act to carry out phase I, to make a preliminary selection of projects to receive further planning and to initiate such further planning for selected projects.
Requires the Secretary, within 24 months of enactment of an appropriation Act to carry out phase I, to transmit a report to Congress containing recommendations for phase II and a detailed statement of findings and conclusions.
Directs the Bureau during phase II to design, construct, and operate such demonstration projects as are recommended in the Secretary's report to Congress.
Directs the Secretary, acting through the Bureau, to contract with the High Plains States and the other Reclamation Act States to conduct a study to: (1) identify and evaluate alternative means by which the costs of groundwater recharge projects could be allocated among the project beneficiaries; and (2) identify and evaluate the economic feasibility of and the legal authority for utilizing groundwater recharge in water resource development projects.
Requires the Secretary to submit interim reports to Congress on the progress of provisions of this Act within 12 months after the initiation of phase II and a final report within five years.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to enter into a memorandum of understanding to provide for an evaluation of the impacts to surface water and groundwater quality resulting from the groundwater recharge demonstration projects constructed pursuant to this Act.
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1983 for phase I, and phase II.
Requires the four-to-one matching of Federal funds appropriated for phase II by the States, their political subdivisions or other non-Federal entities. States that inkind services or other contributions by such non-Federal entities shall be considered in the determination of the matching non-Federal share. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into memoranda of agreement with the High Plains States and the other Reclamation Act States to meet the costs of phase II.
Prohibits the use of funds appropriated by this Act for any activities associated with: (1) the interstate transfer of water from the State of Arkansas; or (2) the study or demonstration of the potential for the interstate transfer of water from Arkansas.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Interior Department, OMB.
Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 98-469.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources received executive comment from OMB. Favorable.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported in lieu of S. 1811 without amendment favorably.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator McClure without amendment. With written report No. 98-372.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator McClure without amendment. With written report No. 98-372.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 732.
Considered by Senate.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.
Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.
Enacted as Public Law 98-434
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Resolving differences -- House actions: House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Unanimous Consent.
House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Unanimous Consent.
Measure Signed in Senate.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 98-434.
Became Public Law No: 98-434.