PUBLIC LAW 106–243—JULY 10, 2000 114 STAT. 497

Public Law 106–243

106th Congress

An Act

To direct the Secretary of the Interior, the Bureau of Reclamation, to conduct

a feasibility study on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in the State of New

Mexico, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of

the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that—

(1) there are major deficiencies with regard to adequate

and sufficient water supplies available to residents of the

Jicarilla Apache Reservation in the State of New Mexico;

(2) the existing municipal water system that serves the

Jicarilla Apache Reservation is under the ownership and control

of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and is outdated, dilapidated,

and cannot adequately and safely serve the existing and future

growth needs of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe;

(3) the federally owned municipal water system on the

Jicarilla Apache Reservation has been unable to meet the minimum Federal water requirements necessary for discharging

wastewater into a public watercourse and has been operating

without a Federal discharge permit;

(4) the federally owned municipal water system that serves

the Jicarilla Apache Reservation has been cited by the United

States Environmental Protection Agency for violations of Federal safe drinking water standards and poses a threat to public

health and safety both on and off the Jicarilla Apache Reservation;

(5) the lack of reliable supplies of potable water impedes

economic development and has detrimental effects on the

quality of life and economic self-sufficiency of the Jicarilla

Apache Tribe;

(6) due to the severe health threats and impediments to

economic development, the Jicarilla Apache Tribe has authorized and expended $4,500,000 of tribal funds for the repair

and replacement of the municipal water system on the Jicarilla

Apache Reservation; and

(7) the United States has a trust responsibility to ensure

that adequate and safe water supplies are available to meet

the economic, environmental, water supply, and public health

needs of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION.

(a) AUTHORIZATION.—Pursuant to reclamation laws, the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation and

July 10, 2000

[H.R. 3051]

114 STAT. 498 PUBLIC LAW 106–243—JULY 10, 2000

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 3051:

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:

Vol. 145 (1999): Nov. 19, considered and passed House.

Vol. 146 (2000): June 28, considered and passed Senate.

Æ

in consultation and cooperation with the Jicarilla Apache Tribe,

shall conduct a feasibility study to determine the most feasible

method of developing a safe and adequate municipal, rural, and

industrial water supply for the residents of the Jicarilla Apache

Indian Reservation in the State of New Mexico.

(b) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after funds are appropriated

to carry out this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall transmit

to Congress a report containing the results of the feasibility study

required by subsection (a).

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated $200,000 to carry

out this Act.

Approved July 10, 2000.

Deadline.