[Pages H3278-H3283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

NEWLANDS PROJECT HEADQUARTERS AND MAINTENANCE YARD FACILITY TRANSFER
ACT

Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill
(H.R. 540) to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey the
Newlands Project Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility to the
Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:

H.R. 540

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Table of contents.

TITLE I--NEWLANDS PROJECT HEADQUARTERS AND MAINTENANCE YARD FACILITY
TRANSFER

Sec. 101. Short title.
Sec. 102. Conveyance of Newlands Project Headquarters and Maintenance
Yard Facility.

TITLE II--INLAND EMPIRE AND CUCAMONGA VALLEY RECYCLING PROJECTS

Sec. 201. Inland Empire and Cucamonga Valley recycling projects.

TITLE III--RIVERSIDE-CORONA FEEDER WATER PROJECT

Sec. 301. Planning, design, and construction of the Riverside-Corona
Feeder.
Sec. 302. Project authorizations.

TITLE IV--AINSWORTH UNIT, SANDHILLS DIVISION, PICK-SLOAN MISSOURI BASIN
PROGRAM

Sec. 401. Ainsworth Unit, Sandhills Division, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin
Program.

TITLE V--WICHITA PROJECT EQUUS BEDS DIVISION

Sec. 501. Short title.
Sec. 502. Equus Beds Division.

TITLE VI--LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND
IMPROVEMENT

Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. Authorization of additional projects and activities under the
lower rio grande water conservation and improvement
program.
Sec. 603. Reauthorization of appropriations for lower rio grande
construction.
Sec. 604. Sunset provision.

TITLE VII--BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD WATER RECYCLING AND
DESALINIZATION PROJECT

Sec. 701. Brownsville Public Utility Board water recycling and
desalinization project.

[[Page H3279]]

TITLE VIII--EL PASO, TEXAS, WATER RECLAMATION, REUSE, AND
DESALINIZATION PROJECT

Sec. 801. El Paso, Texas, water reclamation, reuse, and desalinization
project.
TITLE I--NEWLANDS PROJECT HEADQUARTERS AND MAINTENANCE YARD FACILITY
TRANSFER

SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``Newlands Project
Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility Transfer Act''.

SEC. 102. CONVEYANCE OF NEWLANDS PROJECT HEADQUARTERS AND
MAINTENANCE YARD FACILITY.

(a) Conveyance.--The Secretary of the Interior shall convey
to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, Nevada, as soon as
practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act and
in accordance with all applicable law and the terms of the
memorandum of agreement between the District and the
Secretary dated June 9, 2003 (Contract No. 3-LC-20-8052), all
right, title, and interest of the United States in and to
real property within the Newlands Projects, Nevada, known as
2666 Harrigan Road, Fallon, Nevada, and identified for
disposition on the map entitled ``Newlands Project
Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility''.
(b) Treatment of Proceeds From Fallon Freight Yard as
Consideration.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law to
the contrary, amounts received by the United States for the
lease and sale of Newlands Project lands comprising the
Fallon Freight Yard shall, for purposes of this section, be
treated as payment in full of consideration for the property
conveyed under subsection (a).
(c) Report.--If the Secretary has not completed such
conveyance within 12 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress
explaining the reasons the conveyance has not been completed
and stating the date by which the conveyance will be
completed.
(d) Environmental Review, Remediation, and Removal.--The
Secretary may not make any conveyance under this section
until the completion with respect to the conveyance, in
accordance with the memorandum of agreement referred to in
subsection (a), of--
(1) compliance with requirements relating to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. et seq. 4321 et
seq.) and cultural resources; and
(2) environmental site assessments, remediation, or
removal.
(e) Liability.--The United States shall not be liable for
damages of any kind arising out of any act or omission by, or
occurrence relating to, the Truckee-Carson Irrigation
District or its employees, agents, or contractors relating to
the property conveyed under this section and occurring prior
to, on, or after the date of such conveyance.
TITLE II--INLAND EMPIRE AND CUCAMONGA VALLEY RECYCLING PROJECTS

SEC. 201. INLAND EMPIRE AND CUCAMONGA VALLEY RECYCLING
PROJECTS.

(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Inland
Empire Regional Water Recycling Initiative''.
(b) 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. 1637. INLAND EMPIRE REGIONAL WATER RECYCLING PROJECT.

``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the
Inland Empire Utilities Agency, may participate in the
design, planning, and construction of the Inland Empire
regional water recycling project described in the report
submitted under section 1606(c).
``(b) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--Funds provided by the Secretary shall
not be used for operation and maintenance of the project
described in subsection (a).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000.
``(e) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.

``SEC. 1638. CUCAMONGA VALLEY WATER RECYCLING PROJECT.

``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the
Cucamonga Valley Water District, may participate in the
design, planning, and construction of the Cucamonga Valley
Water District satellite recycling plants in Rancho
Cucamonga, California, to reclaim and recycle approximately 2
million gallons per day of domestic wastewater.
``(b) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25
percent of the capital cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--Funds provided by the Secretary shall
not be used for operation and maintenance of the project
described in subsection (a).
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this section, $10,000,000.
``(e) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections in
section 2 of Public Law 102-575 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 1636 the following:

``1637. Inland Empire Regional Water Recycling Program.
``1638. Cucamonga Valley Water Recycling Project.''.
TITLE III--RIVERSIDE-CORONA FEEDER WATER PROJECT

SEC. 301. PLANNING, DESIGN, AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE
RIVERSIDE-CORONA FEEDER.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, in
cooperation with the Western Municipal Water District, may
participate in a project to plan, design, and construct a
water supply project, the Riverside-Corona Feeder, which
includes 20 groundwater wells and 28 miles of pipeline in San
Bernardino and Riverside Counties, California.
(b) Agreements and Regulations.--The Secretary may enter
into such agreements and promulgate such regulations as are
necessary to carry out this section.
(c) Federal Cost Share.--
(1) Planning, design, construction.--The Federal share of
the cost to plan, design, and construct the project described
in subsection (a) shall be the lesser of 35 percent of the
total cost of the project or $50,000,000.
(2) Studies.--The Federal share of the cost to complete the
necessary planning study associated with the project
described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 50 percent of
the total study cost.
(d) In-Kind Services.--In-kind services performed by the
Western Municipal Water District shall be considered a part
of the local cost share to complete the project described in
subsection (a).
(e) Limitation.--Funds provided by the Secretary under this
section shall not be used for operation or maintenance of the
project described in subsection (a).
(f) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.

SEC. 302. PROJECT AUTHORIZATIONS.

(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. 163_. YUCAIPA VALLEY REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY RENEWAL
PROJECT.

``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with
the Yucaipa Valley Water District, may participate in the
design, planning, and construction of projects to treat
impaired surface water, reclaim and reuse impaired
groundwater, and provide brine disposal within the Santa Ana
Watershed described in the report submitted under section
1606.
``(b) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--Funds provided by the Secretary 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 $20,000,000.
``(e) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.

``SEC. 163_. CITY OF CORONA WATER UTILITY, CALIFORNIA, WATER
RECYCLING AND REUSE PROJECT.

``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with
the City of Corona Water Utility, California, is authorized
to participate in the design, planning, and construction of,
and land acquisition for, a project to reclaim and reuse
wastewater, including degraded groundwaters, within and
outside of the service area of the City of Corona Water
Utility, California.
``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project authorized by this section shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds
for the operation and maintenance of the project authorized
by this section.
``(d) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections in
section 2 of Public Law 102-575 is amended by inserting after
the item relating to section 163_ the following:

``Sec. 163_. Yucaipa Valley Regional Water Supply Renewal Project.
``Sec. 163_. City of Corona Water Utility, California, water recycling
and reuse project.''.
TITLE IV--AINSWORTH UNIT, SANDHILLS DIVISION, PICK-SLOAN MISSOURI BASIN
PROGRAM

SEC. 401. AINSWORTH UNIT, SANDHILLS DIVISION, PICK-SLOAN
MISSOURI BASIN PROGRAM.

(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior shall extend
for the period described in subsection (b) the water service
contract for the Ainsworth Unit, Sandhills Division, Pick-
Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Nebraska, consisting of--
(1) the water service contract entered into by the
Secretary of the Interior under--
(A) section 9(e) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 (43
U.S.C. 485h(e));

[[Page H3280]]

(B) section 9(c) of the Act of December 22, 1944 (58 Stat.
887, chapter 665);
(C) the Act of August 21, 1954 (68 Stat. 757, chapter 781);
and
(D) the Act of May 18, 1956 (70 Stat. 160, chapter 285);
and
(2) the water service contract for the set project located
in Cherry, Brown, and Rock Counties, Nebraska, for the use of
a part of the waters of the Snake River, a tributary of the
Niobrara River.
(b) Period of Extension.--The water service contract
described in subsection (a) shall be extended for 4 years
after the date on which the contract expires under the water
service contract and law in existence before the date of
enactment of this Act.
TITLE V--WICHITA PROJECT EQUUS BEDS DIVISION

SEC. 501. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``Wichita Project Equus Beds
Division Authorization Act of 2005''.

SEC. 502. EQUUS BEDS DIVISION.

The Act entitled ``An Act to provide for the construction
of the Cheney division, Wichita Federal reclamation project,
Kansas, and for other purposes'' (Public Law 86-787; 74 Stat.
1026) is amended by adding the following new section:

``SEC. 10. EQUUS BEDS DIVISION.

``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary of the Interior may
assist in the funding and implementation of the Equus Beds
Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Component which is a part of
the `Integrated Local Water Supply Plan, Wichita, Kansas'
(referred to in this section as the `Equus Beds Division').
Construction of the Equus Beds Division shall be in
substantial accordance with the plans and designs.
``(b) Operation, Maintenance, and Replacement.--Operation,
maintenance, and replacement of the Equus Beds Division,
including funding for those purposes, shall be the sole
responsibility of the City of Wichita, Kansas. The Equus Beds
Division shall be operated in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations.
``(c) Agreements.--The Secretary of the Interior may enter
into, or agree to amendments of, cooperative agreements and
other appropriate agreements to carry out this section.
``(d) Administrative Costs.--From funds made available for
this section, the Secretary of the Interior may charge an
appropriate share related to administrative costs incurred.
``(e) Plans and Analyses Consistent With Federal Law.--
Before obligating funds for design or construction under this
section, the Secretary of the Interior shall work
cooperatively with the City of Wichita, Kansas, to use, to
the extent possible, plans, designs, and engineering and
environmental analyses that have already been prepared by the
City for the Equus Beds Division. The Secretary of the
Interior shall assure that such information is used
consistent with applicable Federal laws and regulations,
including principles and guidelines used in preparing
feasibility level project studies.
``(f) Title; Responsibility; Liability.--Nothing in this
section or assistance provided under this section shall be
construed to transfer title, responsibility, or liability
related to the Equus Beds Division (including portions or
features thereof) to the United States.
``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated as the Federal share of the total cost of
the Equus Beds Division, an amount not to not exceed 25
percent of the total cost or $30,000,000 (January, 2003
prices), whichever is less, plus or minus such amounts, if
any, as may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuations
in construction costs as indicated by engineering cost
indexes applicable to the type of construction involved
herein, whichever is less. Such sums shall be
nonreimbursable.
``(h) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.''.
TITLE VI--LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY WATER RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND
IMPROVEMENT

SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the ``Lower Rio Grande Valley
Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2005''.

SEC. 602. AUTHORIZATION OF ADDITIONAL PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
UNDER THE LOWER RIO GRANDE WATER CONSERVATION
AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

(a) Additional Projects.--Section 4(a) of the Lower Rio
Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement
Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-576; 114 Stat. 3067) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(20) In Cameron County, Texas, Bayview Irrigation
District No. 11, water conservation and improvement projects
as identified in the March 3, 2004, engineering report by NRS
Consulting Engineers at a cost of $1,425,219.
``(21) In the Cameron County, Texas, Brownsville Irrigation
District, water conservation and improvement projects as
identified in the February 11, 2004, engineering report by
NRS Consulting Engineers at a cost of $722,100.
``(22) In the Cameron County, Texas Harlingen Irrigation
District No. 1, water conservation and improvement projects
as identified in the March, 2004, engineering report by
Axiom-Blair Engineering at a cost of $4,173,950.
``(23) In the Cameron County, Texas, Cameron County
Irrigation District No. 2, water conservation and improvement
projects as identified in the February 11, 2004, engineering
report by NRS Consulting Engineers at a cost of $8,269,576.
``(24) In the Cameron County, Texas, Cameron County
Irrigation District No. 6, water conservation and improvement
projects as identified in an engineering report by Turner
Collie Braden, Inc., at a cost of $5,607,300.
``(25) In the Cameron County, Texas, Adams Gardens
Irrigation District No. 19, water conservation and
improvement projects as identified in the March, 2004,
engineering report by Axiom-Blair Engineering at a cost of
$2,500,000.
``(26) In the Hidalgo and Cameron Counties, Texas, Hidalgo
and Cameron Counties Irrigation District No. 9, water
conservation and improvement projects as identified by the
February 11 engineering report by NRS Consulting Engineers at
a cost of $8,929,152.
``(27) In the Hidalgo and Willacy Counties, Texas, Delta
Lake Irrigation District, water conservation and improvement
projects as identified in the March, 2004, engineering report
by Axiom-Blair Engineering at a cost of $8,000,000.
``(28) In the Hidalgo County, Texas, Hidalgo County
Irrigation District No. 2, a water conservation and
improvement project identified in the engineering reports
attached to a letter dated February 11, 2004, from the
district's general manager, at a cost of $5,312,475.
``(29) In the Hidalgo County, Texas, Hidalgo County
Irrigation District No. 1, water conservation and improvement
projects identified in an engineering report dated March 5,
2004, by Melden and Hunt, Inc. at a cost of $5,595,018.
``(30) In the Hidalgo County, Texas, Hidalgo County
Irrigation District No. 6, water conservation and improvement
projects as identified in the March, 2004, engineering report
by Axiom-Blair Engineering at a cost of $3,450,000.
``(31) In the Hidalgo County, Texas Santa Cruz Irrigation
District No. 15, water conservation and improvement projects
as identified in an engineering report dated March 5, 2004,
by Melden and Hunt, Inc. at a cost of $4,609,000.
``(32) In the Hidalgo County, Texas, Engelman Irrigation
District, water conservation and improvement projects as
identified in an engineering report dated March 5, 2004, by
Melden and Hunt, Inc. at a cost of $2,251,480.
``(33) In the Hidalgo County, Texas, Valley Acres Water
District, water conservation and improvement projects as
identified in an engineering report dated March, 2004, by
Axiom-Blair Engineering at a cost of $500,000.
``(34) In the Hudspeth County, Texas, Hudspeth County
Conservation and Reclamation District No. 1, water
conservation and improvement projects as identified in the
March, 2004, engineering report by Axiom-Blair Engineering at
a cost of $1,500,000.
``(35) In the El Paso County, Texas, El Paso County Water
Improvement District No. 1, water conservation and
improvement projects as identified in the March, 2004,
engineering report by Axiom-Blair Engineering at a cost of
$10,500,000.
``(36) In the Hidalgo County, Texas, Donna Irrigation
District, water conservation and improvement projects
identified in an engineering report dated March 22, 2004, by
Melden and Hunt, Inc. at a cost of $2,500,000.
``(37) In the Hidalgo County, Texas, Hidalgo County
Irrigation District No. 16, water conservation and
improvement projects identified in an engineering report
dated March 22, 2004, by Melden and Hunt, Inc. at a cost of
$2,800,000.
``(38) The United Irrigation District of Hidalgo County
water conservation and improvement projects as identified in
a March 2004, engineering report by Sigler Winston, Greenwood
and Associates at a cost of $6,067,021.''.
(b) Inclusion of Activities To Conserve Water or Improve
Supply; Transfers Among Projects.--Section 4 of such Act
(Public Law 106-576; 114 Stat. 3067) is further amended by
redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e), and by
inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Inclusion of Activities To Conserve Water or Improve
Supply.--In addition to the activities identified in the
engineering reports referred to in subsection (a), each
project that the Secretary conducts or participates in under
subsection (a) may include any of the following:
``(1) The replacement of irrigation canals and lateral
canals with buried pipelines.
``(2) The impervious lining of irrigation canals and
lateral canals.
``(3) Installation of water level, flow measurement, pump
control, and telemetry systems.
``(4) The renovation and replacement of pumping plants.
``(5) Other activities that will result in the conservation
of water or an improved supply of water.
``(d) Transfers Among Projects.--Of amounts made available
for a project referred to in any of paragraphs (20) through
(38) of subsection (a), the Secretary may transfer and use
for another such project up to 10 percent.''.

SEC. 603. REAUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR LOWER RIO
GRANDE CONSTRUCTION.

Section 4(e) of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources
Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-576;

[[Page H3281]]

114 Stat. 3067), as redesignated by section 602(b) of this
title, is further amended by inserting before the period the
following: ``for projects referred to in paragraphs (1)
through (19) of subsection (a), and $42,356,145 (2004
dollars) for projects referred to in paragraphs (20) through
(38) of subsection (a)''.

SEC. 604. SUNSET PROVISION.

The authority of the Secretary to carry out the projects
added by paragraphs (20) through (38) of the amendment made
by section 602(a) of this title shall terminate 10 years
after the date of the enactment of this section.
TITLE VII--BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD WATER RECYCLING AND
DESALINIZATION PROJECT

SEC. 701. BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD WATER RECYCLING
AND DESALINIZATION PROJECT.

(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 new section:

``SEC. 163__. BROWNSVILLE PUBLIC UTILITY BOARD WATER
RECYCLING AND DESALINIZATION PROJECT.

``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the
Brownsville Public Utility Board, may participate in the
design, planning, and construction of facilities to reclaim,
reuse, and treat impaired waters in the Brownsville, Texas,
area.
``(b) Cost Sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project described in subsection (a) shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--Funds provided by the Secretary shall
not be used for operation and maintenance of the project
described in subsection (a).
``(d) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections in section
2 of Public Law 102-575 is amended by inserting after the
last item relating to title XVI the following:

``163_. Brownsville Public Utility Board water recycling and
desalinization project.''.
TITLE VIII--EL PASO, TEXAS, WATER RECLAMATION, REUSE, AND
DESALINIZATION PROJECT

SEC. 801. EL PASO, TEXAS, WATER RECLAMATION, REUSE, AND
DESALINIZATION PROJECT.

(a) Authorization.--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 new section:

``SEC. 16XX. EL PASO, TEXAS, WATER RECLAMATION, REUSE, AND
DESALINIZATION PROJECT.

``(a) Authorization.--The Secretary, in cooperation with
the State and local authorities, is authorized to participate
in the design, planning, and construction of the El Paso
Water Reclamation, Reuse, and Desalinization project to
reclaim and reuse wastewater and to treat and reuse impaired
and brackish groundwater in the service area of the El Paso
Water Utilities Public Service Board, El Paso, Texas.
``(b) Cost Share.--The Federal share of the cost of the
project authorized by this section shall not exceed 25
percent of the total cost of the project.
``(c) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not provide funds
for the operation and maintenance of the project authorized
by this section.
``(d) Sunset.--The authority of the Secretary to carry out
any provisions of this section shall terminate 10 years after
the date of the enactment of this section.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections in section 2
of such Act is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 16xx the following:

``Sec. 16xx. El Paso, Texas, water reclamation, reuse, and
desalinization project.''.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arizona (Mr. Renzi) and the gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi).

General Leave

Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H.R. 540.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arizona?
There was no objection.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 540 directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer 35 acres
of the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District as soon as practicable.
Before the transfer takes place, all environmental analyses will be
completed in accordance with Federal, State and local laws.
As amended, this important bill also includes a number of other
bipartisan water measures either favorably reported by the Committee on
Resources in the waning days of the 108th Congress or those which were
passed in the last Congress but were not considered by the Senate.
Today's effort is an attempt to make it easier for Senate to pass these
measures.
These bipartisan bills include H.R. 386, legislation offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa) and some of his lower Rio Grande,
Texas colleagues, to help local irrigation districts and communities
preserve their water supplies; H.R. 802, a bill authored by the
gentleman from California (Mr. Dreier) and the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Napolitano), to authorize Federal assistance for a
water recycling project in California's Inland Empire; H.R. 855,
legislation introduced by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ortiz), to
provide Federal dollars to the City of Brownsville's desalinization
project; H.R. 863, a bill sponsored by the gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Reyes), to provide Federal assistance to the City of El Paso's
alternative water supply project; H.R. 1008, legislation authored by
the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert) and the gentleman from
California (Mr. Lewis), to allow Federal assistance for water projects
in southern California; H.R. 1197, a bill sponsored by the gentleman
from Nebraska (Mr. Osborne), to extend irrigation contracts in
Nebraska; and finally, H.R. 1327, legislation offered by the gentleman
from Kansas (Mr. Tiahrt), to provide Federal assistance to the City of
Wichita's aquifer recharge project.

{time} 1500

Mr. Speaker, these are bipartisan bills and deserve unanimous
support.
Once again, I urge my colleagues to pass H.R. 540 and the measures
included therewith.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
(Mr. UDALL of New Mexico asked and was given permission to revise and
extend his remarks.)
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, we support passage of H.R. 540
and the amendment to the bill which adds seven new titles. The
amendment authorizes several important projects for water recycling,
improvements to irrigation efficiency, conservation of groundwater and
surface water, and desalination of water.
I particularly want to draw attention to titles VI, VII and VIII of
this legislation. These titles incorporate the text of H.R. 386, H.R.
855 and H.R. 863, respectively.
These bills, introduced by the gentlemen from Texas (Mr. Hinojosa,
Mr. Ortiz, and Mr. Reyes), my colleagues, will help finance projects to
stretch the limited water supplies in their districts. I commend my
friends from Texas for their leadership in introducing these bills and
for working hard to secure their passage.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank my good friend and
colleague from Arizona for allowing me the privilege to rise today in
support of legislation I introduced, the Newlands Project Headquarters
and Maintenance Yard Facility Transfer Act, H.R. 540.
This legislation passed the House under suspension of the rules last
year, but was not considered in the Senate prior to the adjournment of
the 108th Congress. I truly appreciate the opportunity to stand before
my colleagues again in support of this legislation that is so important
for the people of the Second District of the State of Nevada.
The purpose of this legislation is to transfer all right, title, and
interest in the Newlands Project to the Truckee-Carson Irrigation
District, otherwise known as TCID. This conveyance consists of
approximately 35 acres and will allow TCID to make permanent
improvements on this land for the continued operation of the Newlands
Reclamation Project.
In 1996, the Bureau of Reclamation certified that TCID had repaid the
original construction costs designated for repayment to the United
States. The original construction costs included the cost of the land
on which the initial headquarter facilities were located. In the late
1970s, however, TCID had outgrown the original facilities and moved to
the current site, which is the area to be conveyed through this
legislation.

[[Page H3282]]

TCID paid for the land where the original facilities were located;
however, they were never compensated when they vacated these lots,
despite the fact that a Federal post office now sits on the original
tract of land that housed the project headquarters.
Critics will charge that this bill unfairly favors the TCID and that
the land is a taxpayer asset and should be treated accordingly. Those
assertions simply do not make sense.
The Bureau of Reclamation certified that the Newlands Project had
been paid for and asking the TCID to pay for their land that their
headquarters is currently located on would be in effect asking them to
pay for it twice.
To say that H.R. 540 is a giveaway is simply incorrect and
misrepresents the intent of this important legislation. This bill is a
fair solution to an unfair situation.
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me and Senator John Ensign
and Senator Harry Reid and Governor Kenny Guinn of Nevada and the local
leaders of Churchill County and the city of Fallon, Nevada, in
supporting this legislation.
I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Renzi), my good
friend and colleague, once again for allowing me to speak on this bill.
I appreciate the consideration of this legislation that is so very
important to my constituents in Nevada.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the gentleman
from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) for his leadership on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman
from El Paso, Texas (Mr. Reyes), and also recognize his crucial
leadership on water issues in the border area.
Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time
this afternoon.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation which will
help several local communities around the country address their water
management issues.
Like many communities in the West, one of the greatest challenges
facing my congressional district of El Paso, Texas, has been providing
an adequate water supply to our rapidly growing population.
Fortunately, our community is meeting this challenge successfully, in
part through the construction of a major inland desalination plant that
will treat the brackish water of the Hueco Bolson so it can be utilized
by the people of El Paso and the surrounding region, as well as Fort
Bliss military base. The project, which is a partnership of the El Paso
Water Utilities and the Department of Defense, is set to begin
construction and should be completed within the year.
I am proud to say that El Paso is leading the way when it comes to
inland desalination, in addition to our ongoing conservation and
reclamation initiatives. This bill will further our efforts by
authorizing the city of El Paso to expand the soon-to-be constructed
desalination plant or to construct an additional plant if and when
additional capacity is required over the next 10 years.
Ensuring a reliable, long-term water source for El Paso and the El
Paso region is essential for the community's future. Desalination, and
therefore, this legislation, is an integral part of that effort.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. Rahall),
the chairman and ranking member of the full committee, and the
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich) and the gentlewoman from
California (Mrs. Napolitano), the chairman and ranking member of the
Subcommittee on Water and Power, for their assistance in moving this
important legislation forward.
I would also like to thank my two colleagues from Arizona and from
New Mexico for granting me the opportunity to speak this afternoon. Mr.
Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. HINOJOSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 540, a bill that
will authorize a variety of water projects including several in my
congressional district. I want to thank Chairman Pombo and Ranking
Member Rahall for including my legislation, H.R. 386, in this bill.
I represent a region of the country that is subject to periodic
droughts and yet is experiencing phenomenal population growth.
The 2000 Census showed that the population of Hidalgo County, in my
district, increased by 48 percent. On the Mexican side of the border,
millions have come to work in the maquiladoras and to take advantage of
the economic boom that has come from NAFTA.
This growth has placed an enormous strain on water delivery systems
along the Texas-Mexico border. Agriculture irrigation water often flows
through open dirt ditches and studies show that much is lost to seepage
and evaporation.
Municipalities rely on the water from the irrigation delivery systems
to meet the water needs of growing communities.
H.R. 540 will authorize 19 projects that will allow border water
districts to continue upgrading and modernizing our antiquated water
delivery systems through the installation of water pipes and canal
linings. Similar projects were authorized in the 106th and 107th
Congresses.
We have already made a great deal of progress because this has been a
collaborative effort. The irrigation districts have provided matching
funds. The Texas Water Development Board and Texas A&M University have
paid for many of the engineering studies. Federal appropriators have
provided more than $10 million. As a result, we are seeing water
savings of almost 80 percent in the projects that have been completed.
Most importantly, Federal authorization has allowed us to tap into
the resources of the North American Development Bank. To date, NADBank
has approved almost $24 million for these projects and passage of H.R.
540 will make these new projects eligible for NADBank assistance.
These funds are being put to good use. Numerous projects are already
underway and some are almost completed.
When the metering system is fully installed, irrigation districts
will have a much clearer picture of water usage and water savings. This
data will be vital to improving water management throughout the region.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank House Resources
Chairman Richard Pombo and Subcommittee on Water and Power Chairman
George Radanovich, for their hard work in moving H.R. 802 as a part of
this larger resources package bill, H.R. 540 as amended, to the House
floor.
I introduced this Inland Empire Water Recycling Initiative, H.R. 802,
to authorize $30 million total for the Inland Empire Utilities Agency
(IEUA) and the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD) to assist in
constructing two water recycling projects which will nearly 100,000
acre-feet of new water annually to the area's water supply.
It is imperative that we continue to approve measures preventing
water supply shortages in the Western United States. This recycling
initiative will help meet the water needs of the Inland Empire and
begin a strategic federal-local partnership to bring a significant
amount of new water supply to the region.
I am pleased that this initiative has the support of all member
agencies of the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, as well as the water
agencies downstream in Orange County. IEUA encompasses approximately
242 square miles and serves the cities of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana,
Ontario, Upland, Montclair, and Rancho Cucamonga.
IEUA and CVWD are replacing water-intensive applications like
landscape and agricultural irrigation, construction, and industrial
cooling with high-quality recycled water, fresh water can be conserved
or used for drinking, thereby reducing the dependence on expensive
imported water.
In addition, by recycling water which would otherwise be wasted and
unavailable, these agencies provide that the water available goes
through at least one more cycle of beneficial use before it is
ultimately returned to the environment.
I want to reiterate my thanks to the House Resources Committee, as
well as to my colleagues, Ken Calvert, Grace Napolitano, Gary Miller,
and Joe Baca for cosponsoring H.R. 802.
And last but certainly not least, I appreciate the visionary
leadership of Mr. Robert DeLoach, General Manager of the Cucamonga
Valley Water District and Mr. Rich Atwater, CEO and General Manager of
the Inland Empire Utilities Agency.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, having no additional speakers,
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Daniel E. Lungren of California). The
question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Arizona (Mr.
Renzi) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 540, as
amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof)

[[Page H3283]]

the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to
authorize the Secretary of the Interior to convey the Newlands Project
Headquarters and Maintenance Yard Facility to the Truckee-Carson
Irrigation District.''.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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