Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act

To amend the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to authorize additional projects related to the Salton Sea, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act 2. Research Project Section 1101 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 ( Public Law 102–575 (1) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as subsections (c) through (e), respectively; (2) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Additional project authorities (1) In general The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation, may provide grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to carry out projects located in the area of the Salton Sea in southern California to improve air quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and water quality, in partnership with— (A) State, Tribal, and local governments; (B) water districts; (C) joint powers authorities, including the Salton Sea Authority; (D) nonprofit organizations; and (E) institutions of higher education. (2) Included activities The projects described in paragraph (1) may include— (A) construction, operation, maintenance, permitting, and design activities required for the projects; and (B) dust suppression projects. ; and (3) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by striking $10,000,000 $250,000,000 (3) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated), by striking project referred to in subsection (a) projects referred to in subsections (a) and (b) (4) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by striking $10,000,000 $250,000,000 3. Extension of certain deadlines relating to pilot projects to increase Colorado River System water to address effects of historic drought conditions Section 206 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 ( 43 U.S.C. 620 Public Law 113–235 (1) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) by striking additional (B) by striking this Act the Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act (2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking 2022 2026 (3) in subsection (d), by striking 2018 2027 October 18, 2022 Reported under authority of the order of the Senate of October 14, 2022, with an amendment

Summary: Salton Sea Projects Improvements Act This bill provides the Bureau of Reclamation with additional project authorities for the Salton Sea research project in Southern California and reauthorizes a Department of Interior pilot program in the Colorado River Basin. Specifically, the bill authorizes Reclamation to provide grants and enter into contracts and cooperative agreements to carry out projects (e.g., construction activities and dust suppression projects) to improve air quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and water quality in the area of the Salton Sea. To carry out these projects, Reclamation may enter into partnerships with state, tribal, and local governments; water districts; joint powers authorities, including the Salton Sea Authority; nonprofit organizations; and institutions of higher education. The bill also reauthorizes Interior to fund or participate in pilot projects to increase Colorado River System water in Lake Mead and the Colorado River Storage Project reservoirs through FY2026. The bill further requires Interior to submit an updated report to Congress by the end of FY2027 on the effectiveness of the pilot projects and a recommendation on whether to continue the program.