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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Sierra Vista Subwater-
shed Feasibility Study Act’’. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
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(1) APPRAISAL REPORT.—The term ‘‘appraisal 
report’’ means the appraisal report concerning the 
augmentation alternatives for the Sierra Vista Sub-
watershed in the State of Arizona, dated June 2007 
and prepared by the Bureau of Reclamation. 
(2) PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES.—The term 
‘‘principles and guidelines’’ means the report entitled 
‘‘Economic 
and 
Environmental 
Principles 
and 
Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources 
Implementation Studies’’ issued on March 10, 1983, 
by the Water Resources Council established under 
title I of the Water Resources Planning Act (42 
U.S.C. 1962a et seq.). 
(3) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means 
the Secretary of the Interior. 
SEC. 3. SIERRA VISTA SUBWATERSHED FEASIBILITY STUDY. 
(a) STUDY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with the rec-
lamation laws and the principles and guidelines, the 
Secretary, acting through the Commissioner of Rec-
lamation, may complete a feasibility study of alter-
natives to augment the water supplies within the Si-
erra Vista Subwatershed in the State of Arizona 
that are identified as appropriate for further study 
in the appraisal report. 
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(2) INCLUSIONS.—In evaluating the feasibility 
of alternatives under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall— 
(A) include— 
(i) any required environmental re-
views; 
(ii) the construction costs and pro-
jected operations, maintenance, and re-
placement costs for each alternative; and 
(iii) the economic feasibility of each 
alternative; 
(B) take into consideration the ability of 
Federal, tribal, State, and local government 
sources and private sources to fund capital con-
struction costs and annual operation, mainte-
nance, energy, and replacement costs; 
(C) establish the basis for— 
(i) any cost-sharing allocations; and 
(ii) anticipated repayment, if any, of 
Federal contributions; and 
(D) perform a cost-benefit analysis. 
(b) COST SHARING REQUIREMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Federal share of the 
total costs of the study under subsection (a) shall 
not exceed 45 percent. 
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(2) FORM OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—The non- 
Federal share required under paragraph (1) may be 
in the form of any in-kind service that the Secretary 
determines would contribute substantially toward the 
conduct and completion of the study under sub-
section (a). 
(c) STATEMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL INTENT RELAT-
ING TO COMPLETION OF STUDY.—It is the intent of Con-
gress that the Secretary complete the study under sub-
section (a) by a date that is not later than 30 months 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 
out this section $1,260,000. 
SEC. 4. WATER RIGHTS. 
Nothing in this Act affects— 
(1) any valid or vested water right in existence 
on the date of enactment of this Act; or 
(2) any application for water rights pending be-
fore the date of enactment of this Act. 
Æ 
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