39–010

Calendar No. 46

109TH CONGRESS REPORT " SENATE ! 1st Session 109–33

HAWAII WATER RESOURCES ACT OF 2005

MARCH 10, 2005.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. DOMENICI, from the Committee on Energy and Natural 

Resources, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 264]

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 

referred the bill (S. 264) to amend the Reclamation Wastewater 

and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize certain 

projects in the State of Hawaii, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that 

the bill do pass. 

PURPOSE OF THE MEASURE

The purpose of S. 264 is to amend the Reclamation Wastewater 

and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize certain 

projects in the State of Hawaii. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED

S. 264 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake three 

water projects in the State of Hawaii. 

Hawaii has areas on the leeward sides of all its islands that are 

dry and have very limited water supplies. Many of these areas 

have remarkable similarities to the high deserts in the Western 

United States. Additionally, Hawaii is also experiencing varying 

degrees of drought conditions both on the Big Island and in other 

parts of the state. The Honolulu Board of Water Supply projects 

that on Oahu freshwater use will exceed recharge rates in 2018. 

The three projects authorized in S. 264 would help Hawaii better 

manage its water resources, particularly in some of the areas 

where water is becoming increasingly scarce. The first project, in 

Honolulu County, would provide a reliable source of water through 

resource diversification to meet existing and future water demands 

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in the Ewa area of Oahu, where water demands are exceeding the 

availability of drinking water. Specifically, the proposed project is 

a 5 million gallon per day seawater desalination facility. Seawater 

Reverse Osmosis Membrane Technology is proposed, in which approximately 11 million gallons per day of seawater is needed to 

produce 5 million gallons per day of potable water. Seawater source 

wells, rather than direct ocean intake, will be used to ensure higher water quality. Brine disposal will be through shallow cap rock 

wells with temporary brine holding ponds. 

The second project, north of Kona, would address the issue of effluent being discharged into a temporary disposal sump from the 

Kealakehe Wastewater Treatment Plant. The effluent has a particularly high suspended solids content. The proposed project will 

utilize subsurface wetlands to reduce the suspended solids prior to 

disinfection. Retrofitting an existing lagoon and completing construction of an additional lagoon would create subsurface wetlands. 

An open surface wetland would also be constructed to reduce the 

effluent disposal, create habitat for two endangered species, and 

provide recreational opportunities for the public. Once the effluent 

water quality has been upgraded and the maximum amount of flow 

diverted for use onsite in the constructed wetlands, a distribution 

system would be needed to convey the recycled water to potential 

users. 

The final project, in Lahaina, would facilitate the use of recycled 

water by extending the County of Maui’s main recycled water pipeline. The county has been one of the water recycling leaders in the 

State of Hawaii; however, increased use of recycled water is limited 

by the lack of adequate infrastructure to distribute recycled water 

to additional users. Specifically, a lack of adequate recycled water 

storage and associated pipelines are the main constraints to increased use of recycled water in the area.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

S. 264 was introduced by Senator Akaka on February 2, 2005 for 

himself and Senator Inouye. S. 264 is identical to S. 960 as passed 

by the Senate in the 108th Congress. 

During the 108th Congress, S. 960 was introduced by Senators 

Akaka and Inouye on April 30, 2003. The Water and Power Subcommittee held a hearing on S. 960 on May 13, 2003. S. Hrg. 108–

64. On February 11, 2004, the Committee ordered S. 960 favorably 

reported, with an amendment. S. Rept. 108–232. The Senate 

passed S. 960, as amended, by unanimous consent on May 19, 

2004. 

At a business meeting on February 9, 2005, the Committee on 

Energy and Natural Resources ordered S. 264 favorably reported. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in an open 

business session on February 9, 2005, by unanimous vote of a 

quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 264. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1 states the short title. 

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Section 2(a) amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act by adding a new section 1637. 

Section 1637(a)(1) provides authorization for the Secretary, in cooperation with the Board of Water Supply, City and County of 

Honolulu, to participate in the design, planning, and construction 

of a project in Kalaeola, Hawaii, to desalinate and distribute seawater for direct potable use. 

Section 1637(a)(2) authorizes the Secretary, in cooperation with 

the County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management, 

to participate in the design, planning and construction of facilities 

in Kealakehe, for the treatment and distribution of recycled water 

for environmental purposes. 

Section 1637(a)(3) authorizes the Secretary in cooperation with 

the County of Maui Wastewater Reclamation Division, to participate in the design, planning, and construction of, and to acquire 

land for, facilities in Lahaina, Hawaii, for the distribution of recycled water for non-potable uses. 

Section 1637(b) provides a Federal cost share of no more than 25 

percent of the total cost of the project. 

Section 1637(c) provides that the Federal funds shall not be used 

for the operation and maintenance of the facilities. 

Section 1637(d) authorizes appropriations. 

Section 2(b) makes a conforming amendment to the table of contents. 

COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

The following estimate of costs of this measure has been provided 

by the Congressional Budget Office.

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, February 14, 2005. 

Hon. PETE V. DOMENICI, 

Chairman, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 264, the Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2005. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Julie Middleton. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS HOLTZ-EAKIN, Director. 

Enclosure. 

S. 264—Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2005 

Summary: S. 264 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior 

to participate in three separate reclamation projects in Hawaii. The 

Bureau of Reclamation estimates that these projects would cost $66 

million. The bill would limit the federal share of project costs to 25 

percent and would prohibit the use of federal funds for operating 

or maintaining the projects. 

Assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts, CBO estimates that implementing S. 264 would cost $16 million over the 

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2006–2010 period. Enacting S. 264 would not affect direct spending 

or revenues. 

S. 264 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. The 

federal funds authorized by this bill would benefit local governments in Hawaii. Any costs incurred by those governments to provide the required matching funds would be incurred voluntarily. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of S. 264 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—

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Estimated Authorization Level ...................................................... 0 5 4 4 4 0

Estimated Outlays ........................................................................ 0 3 4 4 4 1

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 264 

will be enacted before the end of fiscal year 2005 and that the necessary amounts will be appropriated in each fiscal year starting in 

2006. Based on information from the Bureau of Reclamation and 

historical spending patterns of similar construction projects, CBO 

estimates that implementing the construction projects outlined in 

this bill would cost $16 million over the 2006–2010 period. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 264 contains no 

intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA 

and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

The federal funds authorized by this bill would benefit local governments in Hawaii. Any costs incurred by those governments to 

provide the required matching funds would be incurred voluntarily. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Julie Middleton. Impact on 

State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Marjorie Miller. Impact on 

the Private Sector: Paige Piper/Bach. 

Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following evaluation 

of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in carrying out 

S. 264. The bill is not a regulatory measure in the sense of imposing Government established standards or significant economic responsibilities on private individuals and businesses. 

No personal information would be collected in administering the 

program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal privacy. 

Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the enactment of S. 264, as ordered reported. 

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

The testimony provided by the Department of the Interior at the 

Subcommittee hearing on S. 960 in the 108th Congress, before the 

Committee adopted technical amendments, follows:

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STATEMENT OF JOHN W. KEYS III, COMMISSIONER, BUREAU

OF RECLAMATION, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

My name is John Keys and I am the Commissioner of 

the Bureau of Reclamation. I am pleased to appear before 

this Subcommittee to provide the Department’s views on S. 

960. 

S. 960 would amend two Acts—the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (43 

U.S.C. 390h et seq.), commonly called Title XVI, and the 

Hawaii Water Resources Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–566, 

Title I). 

Because S. 960 was introduced as recently as April 30, 

2003, we have had little time to thoroughly analyze the 

merits of the legislation. Therefore, until we have had that 

opportunity, we cannot support S. 960. We do note that 

Section 2 of the proposed legislation adds three additional 

projects to Title XVI. Due to the tremendous backlog of 

current projects already authorized under this program, 

we currently oppose the addition of any new projects. And, 

based on recent funding levels, it could take Reclamation 

more than 15 years to complete funding of the 27 currently 

authorized projects. 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on S. 960. 

That concludes my statement and I would be happy to answer any questions.

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill S. 

264, as ordered reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is 

printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is 

shown in roman): 

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 GROUNDWATER STUDIES 

Sec. 1601. Short title. 

* * * * * * *

Sec. 1635. Lakehaven, Washington, Water Reclamation and Reuse Project. 

Sec. 1637. Hawaii reclamation projects. 

* * * * * * *

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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. 1637. HAWAII RECLAMATION PROJECTS. 

(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary may— 

(1) in cooperation with the Board of Water Supply, City and 

County of Honolulu, Hawaii, participate in the design, planning, and construction of a project in Kalaeloa, Hawaii, to 

desalinate and distribute seawater for direct potable use within 

the service area of the Board; 

(2) in cooperation with the County of Hawaii Department of 

Environmental Management, Hawaii, participate in the design, 

planning, and construction of facilities in Kealakehe, Hawaii, 

for the treatment and distribution of recycled water and for environmental purposes within the County; and 

(3) in cooperation with the County of Maui Wastewater Reclamation Division, Hawaii, participate in the design, planning, 

and construction of, and acquire land for, facilities in Lahaina, 

Hawaii, for the distribution of recycled water from the Lahaina 

Wastewater Reclamation Facility for non-potable uses within 

the County. 

(b) COST SHARE.—The Federal share of the costs of a 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 the operation and maintenance of a project described in 

subsection (a). 

(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to 

be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

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