A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the High Plains Aquifer States in conducting a Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, and Modeling Program for the High Plains Aquifer, and for other purposes.

Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on March 19, 2003. The summary of that version is repeated here.)High Plains Aquifer Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, and Modeling Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the United States Geological Survey and in cooperation with the High Plains Aquifer States (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming), to establish and carry out the High Plains Aquifer Comprehensive Hydrogeologic Program to characterize, map, and model the High Plains Aquifer.Lists as Program objectives to: (1) provide for the hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling of the Aquifer through a cooperative partnership effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the High Plains Aquifer States; (2) coordinate Federal, State, and local data, maps, and models into an integrated physical characterization of the Aquifer; (3) support State and local activities with scientific and technical specialists; and (4) undertake activities and provide technical capabilities not available at State and local levels, as may be requested by a participating State's Governor.Directs the Secretary to establish a Review Panel to: (1) evaluate the proposals submitted for funding under this Act; and (2) review and coordinate Program priorities. Requires the Panel to consult with the Association of American State Geologists and the Western States Water Council.Requires that 50 percent of the funds appropriated to carry out the Program be allocated equally by the Secretary for the participation of State and local agencies and institutions of higher education within each of the participating States. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants from such funds based on proposals that have been recommended by a Governor and reviewed by the Panel. Requires proposals for multistate activities to be recommended by the Governors of all the affected States.(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary to: (1) include reports on the Program in the annual budget documents for the Interior Department (the initial report to contain a Program plan developed with the concurrence of the Review Panel); and (2) submit an interim and final status report to the Governors of the High Plains Aquifer States.(Sec. 5) Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``High Plains Aquifer Hydrogeologic 
Characterization, Mapping, and Modeling Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act:
            (1) Association.--The term ``Association'' means the 
        Association of American State Geologists.
            (2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Western States 
        Water Council.
            (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the United States Geological Survey.
            (4) High plains aquifer.--The term ``High Plains Aquifer'' 
        is the groundwater reserve depicted as Figure 1 in the United 
        States Geological Survey Professional Paper 1400-B, titled 
        ``Geohydrology of the High Plains Aquifer in Parts of Colorado, 
        Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, 
        and Wyoming.''
            (5) High plains aquifer states.--The term ``High Plains 
        Aquifer States'' means the States of Colorado, Kansas, 
        Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and 
        Wyoming.
            (6) Review panel.--The term ``Review Panel'' means the 
        panel provided for by section 3(d).
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) Program.--The Secretary, through the United States Geological 
Survey, and in cooperation with the High Plains Aquifer States, shall 
establish and carry out the High Plains Aquifer Comprehensive 
Hydrogeologic Program, to characterize, map, and model the High Plains 
Aquifer. The Program shall undertake at the most detailed levels 
determined to be appropriate on a state-by-state basis, 
characterization, mapping and modeling of the hydrogeological 
configuration of the High Plains Aquifer.
    (b) Objectives.--The objectives of the Program are to:
            (1) provide for the hydrogeologic characterization, mapping 
        and modeling of the High Plains Aquifer through a cooperative 
        partnership effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the 
        High Plains Aquifer States;
            (2) coordinate Federal, State, and local data, maps, and 
        models into an integrated physical characterization of the High 
        Plains Aquifer;
            (3) support State and local activities with scientific and 
        technical specialists; and
            (4) undertake activities and provide technical capabilities 
        not available at the State and local levels as may be requested 
        by a Governor of a High Plains Aquifer State within such state.
    (c) Requests From Governors.--The Governor of a High Plains Aquifer 
State may submit a proposal to the Secretary requesting the Secretary 
to undertake activities and provide financial and technical 
capabilities not available at the State and local levels to carry out 
the purposes of the Program.
    (d) Review Panel.--Not later than six months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Review Panel to: 
(1) evaluate the proposals submitted for funding under subsection (f); 
and (2) review and coordinate Program priorities. In performing its 
functions, the Review Panel shall consult with the Association and the 
Council.
    (e) Composition and Support.--The Review Panel shall be comprised 
of: (1) five representatives of the United States Geological Survey, at 
least two of which shall be hydrologists or hydrogeologists; and (2) 
one representative who is knowledgeable regarding hydrogeologic data 
and information from each of the High Plains Aquifer States that elects 
to participate in the Program. Each representative of a High Plains 
Aquifer State shall be recommended by the Governor of such State. The 
Secretary shall provide technical and administrative support to the 
Review Panel. Expenses for the Review Panel shall be paid from Program 
funds other than those referred to in subsection (f).
    (f) Funding.--Fifty percent of the funds appropriated to carry out 
this Program shall be allocated equally by the Secretary for the 
participation of State and local agencies and institutions of higher 
education within each of the High Plains Aquifer States that elects to 
participate in the Program. Grants may be made by the Secretary from 
the funds described in this subsection based on proposals that have 
been recommended by the Governor and reviewed by the Review Panel. 
Proposals for multistate activities must be recommended by the 
Governors of all the affected States.

SEC. 4. REPORTS.

    (a) Report on Program Implementation.--One year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter through fiscal year 
2011, the Secretary shall include a report on the Program in the annual 
budget documents for the Department of the Interior. The initial report 
submitted by the Secretary shall contain a Program plan developed with 
the concurrence of the Review Panel.
    (b) Report on High Plains Aquifer.--No later than four years after 
the date of enactment of this Act and upon completion of the Program in 
fiscal year 2011, the Secretary shall submit an interim and final 
report, respectively, to the Governors of the High Plains Aquifer 
States on the status of the High Plains Aquifer.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2011 to carry out 
this Act.

            Passed the Senate April 7, 2003.

            Attest:

                                             EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

                                                             Secretary.