Western Water Security Act of 2020

To provide for the conduct of certain water security measures in the Western United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Western Water Security Act of 2020 (b) Table of contents The table of contents of this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Definitions. Title I—INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT Sec. 101. Watersmart extension and expansion. Sec. 102. Emergency drought funding. Sec. 103. Rio Grande Pueblo Irrigation Infrastructure Reauthorization. Title II—GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT Sec. 201. Reauthorization and expansion of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program. Sec. 202. Groundwater management assessment and improvement. Sec. 203. Surface and groundwater water availability and the energy nexus. Title III—WATER CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION Sec. 301. Definitions. Sec. 302. Water acquisition program. Sec. 303. Middle Rio Grande Water Conservation. Sec. 304. Sustaining biodiversity during droughts. Sec. 305. Reauthorization of cooperative watershed management program. Title IV—EFFECT ON EXISTING LAW Sec. 401. Effect on existing law. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Rio grande compact The term Rio Grande Compact (2) Secretary The term Secretary (3) State The term State I INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT 101. Watersmart extension and expansion (a) Definition of eligible applicant Section 9502 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 10362 (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking section subtitle (2) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the following: (7) Eligible applicant The term eligible applicant (A) any State, Indian tribe, irrigation district, or water district; (B) any State, regional, or local authority, the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority; (C) any other organization with water or power delivery authority; or (D) any nonprofit conservation organization. ; (3) by redesignating paragraphs (13) through (17) as paragraphs (14) through (18), respectively; and (4) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following: (13) Natural water recharge infrastructure The term natural water recharge infrastructure (A) uses natural materials appropriate to the specific site and landscape setting; (B) mimics natural riverine, floodplain, riparian, wetland, hydrologic, or other ecological processes; and (C) results in aquifer recharge, transient floodplain water retention, or restoration of water in the landscape such that the water returns to a wetland, riparian area, or surface water channel. . (b) Research agreements Section 9504(b)(1) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 10364(b)(1) (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting nonprofit conservation organization, or organization (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking or (3) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); and (4) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: (C) to increase natural water recharge infrastructure; or . (c) Water management improvement Section 9504(e) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 10364(e) $530,000,000 $700,000,000, subject to the condition that $50,000,000 of that amount shall be used to carry out section 206 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 ( 43 U.S.C. 620 Public Law 113–235 (d) Conforming amendment Section 4009(d) of Public Law 114–322 42 U.S.C. 10364 on the condition that of that amount, $50,000,000 of it is used to carry out section 206 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2015 ( 43 U.S.C. 620 Public Law 113–235 102. Emergency drought funding (a) Authorization of appropriations Section 301 of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2241 (1) by striking 120,000,000 180,000,000 (2) by striking 2020 2025, of which not more than $30,000,000 shall be made available during that period for the conduct of actions authorized under title I of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2211 (b) Applicable period of drought program Section 104 of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2214 (a) In general The programs and authorities established under this title shall become operative in any Reclamation State and in the State of Hawaii only— (1) after the Governor or Governors of the affected State or States, or the governing body of an affected Indian Tribe with respect to a reservation, has made a request for temporary drought assistance and the Secretary has determined that the temporary assistance is merited; (2) after a drought emergency has been declared by the Governor or Governors of the affected State or States; or (3) on approval of a drought contingency plan as provided in title II. . (c) Reauthorization Section 104(c) of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2214(c) 2020 2030 103. Rio Grande Pueblo Irrigation Infrastructure Reauthorization Section 9106 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( Public Law 111–11 (1) in subsection (c)(4), by striking 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources December 31, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources (2) in subsection (g)(2)— (A) by striking $6,000,000 such sums as may be necessary (B) by striking 2010 through 2019 2020 through 2029 II GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT 201. Reauthorization and expansion of the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program (a) Designation of priority transboundary aquifers Section 4(c)(2) of the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1962 Public Law 109–448 New Mexico or Texas New Mexico, Texas, or Arizona (other than an aquifer underlying Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, that is partially within the Yuma groundwater basin designated by the order of the Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources dated June 21, 1984) (b) Reauthorization (1) Authorization of appropriations Section 8(a) of the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1962 Public Law 109–448 fiscal years 2007 through 2016 fiscal years 2021 through 2029 (2) Sunset of authority Section 9 of the United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1962 Public Law 109–448 enactment of this Act enactment of the Western Water Security Act of 2020 202. Groundwater management assessment and improvement Section 9504(a) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 10364(a) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting or carrying out any activity any improvement (B) by striking subparagraphs (A) through (E); (C) by redesignating subparagraphs (F) through (H) as subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively; (D) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated) the following: (A) to assist States and water users in complying with interstate compacts through temporary, voluntary, and compensated transactions that decrease consumptive water use at a regional or watershed scale; ; (E) in subparagraph (B) (as so redesignated), by striking to prevent to achieve the prevention of (F) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated), by striking to accelerate to achieve the acceleration of (G) in subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated)— (i) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following: (i) to increase ecological resilience to climate change, including by enhancing natural water recharge infrastructure within a floodplain or riparian wetland, by addressing climate-related impacts or vulnerability to the water supply of the United States; ; (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (iii) by adding at the end the following: (iii) to plan for or address the impacts of drought. ; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following: (2) Eligible projects The improvements or activities eligible for assistance under paragraph (1) may include improvements or activities— (A) using an approach— (i) to conserve water; (ii) to increase water use efficiency; (iii) to facilitate water markets; or (iv) to enhance water management, including increasing the use of renewable energy in the management and delivery of water or increasing natural water recharge infrastructure; (B) to improve the condition of natural water recharge infrastructure; or (C) to achieve the acceleration of the adoption and use of advanced water treatment technologies to increase water supply. ; and (4) in paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)— (A) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following: (II) to use the assistance provided under a grant or agreement to increase the consumptive use of water for agricultural operations above the pre-project levels, as determined pursuant to the law of the State in which the operation of the eligible applicant is located. ; and (B) in subparagraph (E)— (i) by striking clause (i) and inserting the following: (i) Federal share (I) In general Except as provided in subclause (II), the Federal share of the cost of any infrastructure improvement or activity that is the subject of a grant or other agreement entered into between the Secretary and an eligible applicant under paragraph (1) shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity. (II) Increased federal share for certain infrastructure improvements and activities (aa) In general The Federal share of the cost of an infrastructure improvement or activity described in item (bb) shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity. (bb) Infrastructure improvements and activities described An infrastructure improvement or activity referred to in item (aa) is an infrastructure improvement or activity that provides benefits to consumptive water users and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values in which— (AA) in the case of an infrastructure improvement or activity that conserves water, the conserved water is returned to a surface water source with ecological or recreational benefits; or (BB) in the case of other infrastructure improvements or activities, the majority of the benefits are nonconsumptive ecological or recreational benefits. ; and (ii) in clause (ii), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking paragraph (2) paragraph (3) 203. Surface and groundwater water availability and the energy nexus Section 9508(d)(3) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 10368(d)(3) (1) in subparagraph (D), by striking and (2) in subparagraph (E), by striking the semicolon and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (F) oil, gas, and mineral development under the Mineral Leasing Act ( 30 U.S.C. 181 Indian Mineral Leasing Act of 1938 25 U.S.C. 396a Mining Law of 1872 30 U.S.C. 22 43 U.S.C. 1331 . III WATER CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION 301. Definitions In this title: (1) Basin The term Basin (A) is limited to areas within the State; and (B) means each of— (i) the Upper Rio Grande Basin; (ii) the Middle Rio Grande Basin; (iii) the Lower Rio Grande Basin; (iv) the Lower Pecos River Basin; (v) the Gila River Basin; (vi) the Canadian River Basin; (vii) the San Francisco River Basin; and (viii) the San Juan River Basin. (2) District The term District (A) the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District; (B) the Elephant Butte Irrigation District; (C) the Carlsbad Irrigation District; (D) the Arch Hurley Conservancy District; (E) the Pecos Valley Artesian Conservation District; or (F) the San Juan Water Commission. (3) Pueblo The term Pueblo (A) Cochiti. (B) Santo Domingo. (C) San Felipe. (D) Santa Ana. (E) Sandia. (F) Isleta. 302. Water acquisition program (a) Authorization The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, shall carry out in the Basins a water acquisition program in coordination with the other appropriate Federal agencies, State agencies, and non-Federal stakeholders, under which the Secretary shall— (1) make acquisitions, or assist the State or a District in making acquisitions, of water in the Basins by lease or purchase of water rights or contractual entitlements from willing lessors or sellers, consistent with section 8 of the Act of June 17, 1902 ( 43 U.S.C. 383 (2) take any other actions, consistent with section 8 of the Act of June 17, 1902 ( 43 U.S.C. 383 (b) Purposes The purposes of the water acquisition program are— (1) to enhance stream flow to benefit fish and wildlife (including endangered species), water quality, and river ecosystem restoration in the Basins; (2) to enhance stewardship and conservation of working land, water, and watersheds in the Basins, consistent with the purpose described in paragraph (1); and (3) to address water supply-demand imbalances in the Basins, consistent with State law and the purpose described in paragraph (1). (c) Coordination To assist in developing and administering the program, the Secretary may provide funds to the State, a District, or a federally established nonprofit entity with particular expertise in western water transactions. (d) District projects Subject to the Rio Grande Compact and applicable State law, the Secretary may develop programs to provide— (1) cost-share assistance to a District to reduce water depletions by agricultural producers and irrigators in that District by making irrigation system improvements and increasing system efficiency; (2) incentives to a District for the establishment of a water leasing program from willing lessors for agricultural producers and irrigators in that District to temporarily lease pre-1907 water rights (instead of permanent severance from irrigable land) for the purpose of providing benefits to species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 (3) cost-share assistance to a District to implement infrastructure or operational changes that will allow for effective management of a leasing program, while maintaining adequate water deliveries to other agricultural producers and irrigators. 303. Middle Rio Grande Water Conservation (a) In general The Secretary, in cooperation with a District and in consultation with the Pueblos, may provide funding and technical assistance for the installation of metering and measurement devices and the construction of check structures on irrigation diversions, canals, laterals, ditches, and drains— (1) to ensure the conservation and efficient use of water within that District by— (A) reducing actual consumptive use; or (B) not increasing the use of water; and (2) to improve the measurement and allocation of water, including water acquired through the water acquisition program established under section 302. (b) Rio grande, san acacia, and isleta reaches (1) In general The Secretary shall provide for the development of a comprehensive plan for the San Acacia and Isleta reaches to plan, design, permit, construct, and prioritize projects that balance river maintenance, water availability, use, and delivery, and ecosystem benefits, including— (A) planning, permitting, and construction of a pumping station at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge for the purpose of more efficiently using water to provide— (i) a stable supply for the Refuge; and (ii) an efficient and reliable supply of water to the Rio Grande for the benefit of the endangered silvery minnow and Southwestern willow flycatcher; (B) planning, permitting, and construction of a river channel realignment project near the Rio Grande mile-83 for the purpose of conveying water and sediment through the reach to Elephant Butte Reservoir and addressing river channel aggradation while maintaining floodplain connectivity during the snowmelt runoff; (C) planning, permitting, and construction of a controlled outlet for the low flow conveyance channel to the Rio Grande between Fort Craig, New Mexico, and Rio Grande mile-60 for the purpose of water use and delivery, enhancement and development of habitat areas, and possible creation of a single-channel river ecosystem; and (D) development of a Lower Reach plan— (i) to identify additional projects and maintenance activities with water use, sediment management, and delivery and ecosystem benefits; and (ii) to prioritize implementation of all projects and activities. (2) Public participation In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall provide a process for public participation and comment during plan development and alternative analysis. 304. Sustaining biodiversity during droughts Section 9503(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 10363(b) (1) in paragraph (3)(D), by inserting and native biodiversity wildlife habitat (2) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting and drought biodiversity plans to address sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought restoration plans 305. Reauthorization of cooperative watershed management program Section 6002(g)(4) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 ( 16 U.S.C. 1015a(g)(4) 2020 2031 IV EFFECT ON EXISTING LAW 401. Effect on existing law (a) In general An action taken by the Secretary or another entity under this Act or an amendment made by this Act shall comply with applicable State laws in effect on the date of enactment of this Act. (b) State law Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act affects, is intended to affect, or interferes with a law of the State relating to the control, appropriation, use, or distribution of water, or any vested right acquired under the law. (c) Rio grande compact Nothing in this Act or an amendment made by this Act affects or is intended to affect or interfere with any obligation of a State under the Rio Grande Compact or any litigation relating to the Rio Grande Compact. December 18, 2020 Reported from the Committee on Natural Resources December 18, 2020 Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

Summary: Western Water Security Act of 2020 This bill addresses water management infrastructure and improvement, groundwater management, and water conservation and environmental restoration in certain western states. Specifically, the bill increases the authorization of appropriations to fund research agreements between the Bureau of Reclamation and eligible entities for water management improvement. The bill expands eligibility for such agreements to include nonprofit conservation organizations. Further, the bill allows certain financial assistance made available under an existing drought relief program to be used to assist state and tribal governments in addressing drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crises. The bill reauthorizes the program through FY2030. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum federal share of costs for certain infrastructure improvements and activities for groundwater management that provide benefits to consumptive water users (i.e., users of water that is not returned to a stream, river, or water treatment plant) and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values. The bill also requires Reclamation to carry out a water acquisition program in specified river basins. Further, Interior must analyze the extent to which changes in water supply will affect native biodiversity and must produce strategies for sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought.