A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to assist in the implementation of fish passage and screening facilities at non-Federal water projects, and for other purposes.

Bill: 109-s-232
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2005-02-01 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Animals
Columbia River development
Construction costs
Dams
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to water resources development
Federal-Indian relations
Federal-state relations
Fishery management
Government Operations and Politics
Habitat conservation
Idaho
Irrigation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Minorities
Oregon
Salmon
Washington State
Water storage

Summary:
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), directly or through financial assistance to non-Federal parties, to plan, design, and construct fish passage and screening facilities or habitat improvements at any non-Federal water diversion or storage project located anywhere in the Columbia River Basin. Provides such authority when the Secretary determines that such facilities would enable Reclamation to meet its obligations under specified Federal law regarding the construction and continued operation and maintenance of all Federal reclamation projects located in the Columbia River Basin, excluding the Federal reclamation projects located in the Snake River Basin. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of project costs, requiring the non-Federal party to pay the remaining share. Sets forth other limitations and requirements relating to the authority under this Act.
 
Makes the Reclamation Act of 1902 and other Federal reclamation laws inapplicable to the non-Federal water projects at which the fish passage and screening facilities authorized by this Act are located, and to the lands which such projects irrigate. Declares that expenditures made by the Secretary under this Act shall not be a project cost assignable to any Federal reclamation project and shall be non-reimbursable and non-returnable to the U.S. Treasury.

action_date: 2005-03-10
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, directly or through financial assistance to non-Federal parties, to plan, design, and construct fish passage and screening facilities or habitat improvements at any non-Federal water diversion or storage project located anywhere in the Columbia River Basin. Provides such authority when the Secretary determines that such facilities would enable the Bureau to meet its obligations for the construction, operation, and maintenance of Federal reclamation projects in the Columbia River Basin, excluding the projects located in the Snake River Basin. Limits the Federal share to 75 percent of project costs.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to assist a non-Federal party who owns, operates, or maintains a non-Federal water diversion or storage project and associated lands to obtain and comply with any required State, local, or tribal permits. Makes the Secretary subject to all Federal laws applicable to activities associated with the construction of a fish passage and screening facility or habitat improvements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) comply with any applicable State water laws; and (2) coordinate with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, appropriate agencies of the States of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and appropriate federally recognized Indian tribes in carrying out the program authorized by this Act. 
 
Makes the Reclamation Act of 1902 and other Federal reclamation laws inapplicable to the non-Federal water projects at which the fish passage and screening facilities authorized by this Act are located and the lands such projects irrigate. Declares that expenditures made by the Secretary under this Act shall not be a project cost assignable to any Federal reclamation project and shall be non-reimbursable and non-returnable to the Treasury.

action_date: 2005-07-26
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, directly or through financial assistance to non-federal parties, to plan, design, and construct fish passage and screening facilities or habitat improvements at any non-federal water diversion or storage project located anywhere in the Columbia River Basin. Provides such authority when the Secretary determines that such facilities would enable the Bureau to meet its obligations for the construction, operation, and maintenance of federal reclamation projects in the Columbia River Basin, excluding the projects located in the Snake River Basin. Limits the federal share to 75% of project costs.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to assist a non-federal party who owns, operates, or maintains a non-federal water diversion or storage project and associated lands to obtain and comply with any required state, local, or tribal permits. Makes the Secretary subject to all federal laws applicable to activities associated with the construction of a fish passage and screening facility or habitat improvements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) comply with any applicable state water laws; and (2) coordinate with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, appropriate agencies of the states of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and appropriate federally recognized Indian tribes in carrying out the program authorized by this Act. 
 
Makes the Reclamation Act of 1902 and other federal reclamation laws inapplicable to the non-federal water projects at which the fish passage and screening facilities authorized by this Act are located and the lands such projects irrigate. Declares that expenditures made by the Secretary under this Act shall not be a project cost assignable to any federal reclamation project and shall be non-reimbursable and non-returnable to the Treasury.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2005-08-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans.
action_date: 2005-08-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
action_date: 2005-07-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2005-07-27
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2005-07-27
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2005-07-26
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9018-9052; text as passed Senate: CR S9033-9034)
action_date: 2005-07-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9018-9052; text as passed Senate: CR S9033-9034)
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 44.
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 109-31.
action_date: 2005-03-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 109-31.
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2005-02-01
text: Introduced in Senate