I 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 551 

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner 

of Reclamation, to conduct a feasibility study of water augmentation 

alternatives in the Sierra Vista Subwatershed. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 15, 2009 

Ms. GIFFORDS introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 

Committee on Natural Resources 

A BILL 

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through 

the Commissioner of Reclamation, to conduct a feasibility 

study of water augmentation alternatives in the Sierra 

Vista Subwatershed. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Sierra Vista Subwater5 shed Feasibility Study Act’’. 

6 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

7 In this Act: 


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1 (1) APPRAISAL REPORT.—The term ‘‘appraisal 

2 report’’ means the appraisal report concerning the 

3 augmentation alternatives for the Sierra Vista Sub4 watershed in the State of Arizona, dated June 2007 

5 and prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation. 

6 (2) PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES.—The term 

7 ‘‘principles and guidelines’’ means the report entitled 

8 ‘‘Economic and Environmental Principles and 

9 Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources 

10 Implementation Studies’’ issued on March 10, 1983, 

11 by the Water Resources Council established under 

12 title I of the Water Resources Planning Act (42 

13 U.S.C. 1962a et seq.). 

14 (3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 

15 the Secretary of the Interior. 

16 SEC. 3. SIERRA VISTA SUBWATERSHED FEASIBILITY STUDY. 

17 (a) STUDY.— 

18 (1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the rec19 lamation laws and the principles and guidelines, the 

20 Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Rec21 lamation, may complete a feasibility study of alter22 natives to augment the water supplies within the Si23 erra Vista Subwatershed in the State of Arizona 

24 that are identified as appropriate for further study 

25 in the appraisal report. 


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1 (2) INCLUSIONS.—In evaluating the feasibility 

2 of alternatives under paragraph (1), the Secretary 

3 shall— 

4 (A) include— 

5 (i) any required environmental re6 views; 

7 (ii) the construction costs and pro8 jected operations, maintenance, and re9 placement costs for each alternative; and 

10 (iii) the economic feasibility of each 

11 alternative; 

12 (B) take into consideration the ability of 

13 Federal, tribal, State, and local government 

14 sources and private sources to fund capital con15 struction costs and annual operation, mainte16 nance, energy, and replacement costs; 

17 (C) establish the basis for— 

18 (i) any cost-sharing allocations; and 

19 (ii) anticipated repayment, if any, of 

20 Federal contributions; and 

21 (D) perform a cost-benefit analysis. 

22 (b) COST SHARING REQUIREMENT.— 

23 (1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of the 

24 total costs of the study under subsection (a) shall 

25 not exceed 45 percent. 


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1 (2) FORM OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—The non2 Federal share required under paragraph (1) may be 

3 in the form of any in-kind service that the Secretary 

4 determines would contribute substantially toward the 

5 conduct and completion of the study under sub6 section (a). 

7 (c) STATEMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL INTENT RELAT8 ING TO COMPLETION OF STUDY.—It is the intent of Con9 gress that the Secretary complete the study under sub10 section (a) by a date that is not later than 30 months 

11 after the date of enactment of this Act. 

12 (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 

13 authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 

14 out this section $1,260,000. 

15 SEC. 4. WATER RIGHTS. 

16 Nothing in this Act affects— 

17 (1) any valid or vested water right in existence 

18 on the date of enactment of this Act; or 

19 (2) any application for water rights pending be20 fore the date of enactment of this Act. 

Æ 


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