I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 3051
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.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 7, 1999
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico (for himself, Mr. SKEEN, Mrs. WILSON, Mr. KIL-
DEE, Mr. HAYWORTH, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. YOUNG of
Alaska, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, and Mr. BECERRA) intro-
duced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Re-
sources
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior, the Bureau of Rec-
lamation, 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 Representa-
tives 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 Af-
fairs and is outdated, dilapidated, and cannot ade-
quately 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 Fed-
eral discharge permit;
(4) the federally owned municipal water system
that serves the Jicarilla Apache Reservation has
been cited by the United States Environmental Pro-
tection Agency for violations of Federal safe drink-
ing 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-suffi-
ciency of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe;
(6) due to the severe health threats and impedi-
ments 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 Res-
ervation; 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 Rec-
lamation and 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 sup-
ply for the residents of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Res-
ervation 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 $250,000 to
carry out this Act.
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