United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act

Bill: 109-s-214
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2005-01-31 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Aquifers
Arizona
Boundaries
California
Communication in science
Data banks
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to research
Federal-Indian relations
Federal-state relations
Geographic information systems
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Governmental investigations
Groundwater
Hydrology
Indian lands
Infrastructure
International Affairs
International cooperation in science
Laboratories
Latin America
Maps
Mexico
Minorities
Native Americans
New Mexico
Regional planning
Research and development facilities
Research centers
Research grants
Saline waters
Science, Technology, Communications
Texas
Treaties
Water supply
Water use

Summary:
action_date: 2005-01-31
text: 
United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act - Establishes a United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program to characterize, map, and model groundwater resources along the border. Describes as the program's objectives to: (1) develop an integrated approach to assess transboundary groundwater resources, including identifying fresh and saline aquifers, prioritizing the aquifers for further analysis, and creating a geographic information system database for each priority aquifer; (2) expand existing agreements between the U.S. Geological Survey, the Border States (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas), the Water Resources Research Institutes, and appropriate U.S. and Mexican authorities to conduct joint scientific investigations and archive and share relevant data; and (3) produce scientific products for each priority aquifer to provide water managers and natural resource agencies with necessary information. 
 
Designates as priority transboundary aquifers the: (1) Hueco Bolson and Mesilla aquifers; (2) Santa Cruz River Valley aquifers; and (3) San Pedro aquifers.
 
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) develop partnerships with relevant organizations in Mexico; and (2) coordinate activities with water resource agencies in the Border States and affected Indian tribes. Prohibits the Secretary from initiating any field studies before consulting and coordinating with the Border State water resource agency with jurisdiction over the aquifer.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with water resource agencies and Border States to carry out the program. 

action_date: 2005-03-07
text: 

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

 
United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act - (Sec. 4) Establishes a United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program to characterize, map, and model groundwater resources along the border. Describes as the program's objectives to: (1) develop an integrated approach to assess transboundary groundwater resources, including identifying fresh and saline aquifers, prioritizing the aquifers for further analysis, and creating a geographic information system database for each priority aquifer; (2) expand existing agreements between the U.S. Geological Survey, the Border States (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas), the Water Resources Research Institutes, and appropriate U.S. and Mexican authorities to conduct joint scientific investigations and archive and share relevant data; and (3) produce scientific products for each priority aquifer to provide water managers and natural resource agencies with necessary information.
 
Designates as priority transboundary aquifers the: (1) Hueco Bolson and Mesilla aquifers; and (2) Santa Cruz River Valley aquifers. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to designate additional aquifers.
 
(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to: (1) develop partnerships with relevant organizations in Mexico; and (2) coordinate activities with water resource agencies in the Border States and affected Indian tribes. Prohibits the Secretary from initiating any field studies before consulting and coordinating with the Border State water resource agency with jurisdiction over the aquifer.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and enter into cooperative agreements with water resource agencies and Border States to carry out the program.
 
(Sec. 8) Authorizes FY2006-FY2015 appropriations. Obligates 50% of such funds for entities in the Border States (including Sandia National Laboratories, State agencies, universities, the Tri-Regional Planning Group, and other relevant organizations) and Mexico to conduct program activities, including the binational collection and exchange of scientific data.

action_date: 2005-07-26
text: 
United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act - (Sec. 4) Establishes a United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program to characterize, map, and model groundwater resources along the border. Describes as the program's objectives to: (1) develop an integrated approach to assess transboundary groundwater resources, including identifying fresh and saline aquifers, prioritizing the aquifers for further analysis, and creating a geographic information system database for each priority aquifer; (2) expand existing agreements between the U.S. Geological Survey, the Border States (Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas), the Water Resources Research Institutes, and appropriate U.S. and Mexican authorities to conduct joint scientific investigations and archive and share relevant data; and (3) produce scientific products for each priority aquifer to provide water managers and natural resource agencies with necessary information. 
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to designate as priority transboundary aquifers the: (1) Hueco Bolson and Mesilla aquifers; (2) Santa Cruz River Valley aquifers; and (3) San Pedro aquifers. 
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) designate additional aquifers; and (2) develop partnerships with relevant organizations in Mexico to carry out the program. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants or enter into agreements with water resources research institutes and Border State entities to carry out the program. 
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate activities with water resource agencies in the Border States, affected Indian tribes, and other entities conducting monitoring and metering activities; and (2) work with Border State water resource agencies, water resources research institutes, and other relevant entities to develop a study plan, timeline, and cost estimate for each priority transboundary aquifer to be studied under the program.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from initiating any field studies before consulting and coordinating with the Border State water resource agency with jurisdiction over the aquifer.
 
(Sec. 6) Prohibits anything in this Act from affecting: (1) the jurisdiction or responsibility of a Border State with respect to managing its surface or groundwater resources; or (2) the water rights of any person or entity using water from a transboundary aquifer. 
 
(Sec. 7) Sets forth program reporting requirements.
 
(Sec. 8) Authorizes FY2006-FY2015 appropriations. Obligates 50% of such funds for entities in the Border States (including Sandia National Laboratories, state agencies, universities, the Tri-Regional Planning Group, and other relevant organizations) and Mexico to conduct program activities, including the binational collection and exchange of scientific data. 

action_date: 2006-12-22
text: United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act - (Sec. 3) Defines specified terms. 
(Sec. 4) Establishes a United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program to characterize, map, and model groundwater resources along the border. Describes as the program's objectives to: (1) develop an integrated approach to assess priority transboundary aquifers, including creating or enhancing a geographic information system database for each priority aquifer; (2) consider expanding existing agreements between the U.S. Geological Survey, the participating states (Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas), the water resources research institutes, and appropriate U.S. and Mexican authorities to conduct joint scientific investigations and archive and share relevant data; and (3) produce scientific products for each priority aquifer to provide water managers and natural resource agencies with necessary information. 
 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to designate as priority transboundary aquifers the: (1) Hueco Bolson and Mesilla aquifers; (2) Santa Cruz River Valley aquifers; and (3) San Pedro aquifers. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate additional aquifers which underlie Texas or New Mexico; and (2) provide grants or enter into agreements with water resources research institutes and participating state entities to carry out the program.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop partnerships with relevant organizations in Mexico to carry out the program. 
 
(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate activities with water resource agencies in the participating states, affected Indian tribes, and other entities conducting monitoring and metering activities, including the International Boundary and Water Commission; and (2) work with participating state water resource agencies, water resources research institutes, and other relevant entities to develop a study plan, timeline, and cost estimate for each priority transboundary aquifer to be studied under the program.
 
Prohibits the Secretary from initiating any field studies before consulting and coordinating with the participating state water resource agency with jurisdiction over the aquifer.
 
(Sec. 6) Prohibits anything in this Act from affecting: (1) the jurisdiction or responsibility of a participating state with respect to managing its surface or groundwater resources; (2) the water rights of any person or entity using water from a transboundary aquifer; or (3) state water law, or an interstate compact or international treaty governing water.
 
Prohibits anything in this Act from delaying or altering the implementation or operation of any works constructed, modified, acquired, or used within the territorial limits of the United States relating to the waters governed by the Treaty Between the United States and Mexico Regarding Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, Treaty Series 994.
 
(Sec. 7) Sets forth program reporting requirements.
 
(Sec. 8) Authorizes FY2006-FY2016 appropriations. Obligates 50% of such funds for entities in the participating states (including Sandia National Laboratories, state agencies, universities, the Tri-Regional Planning Group, and other relevant organizations) and Mexico to conduct program activities, including the binational collection and exchange of scientific data. 
 
(Sec. 9) Terminates the Secretary's authority under this Act 10 years after its enactment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Became Public Law No: 109-448.
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Became Public Law No: 109-448.
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-12-22
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-12-20
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR 12/8/2006 S11830-11831; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR 12/8/2006 S11830-11831)
action_date: 2006-12-09
text: Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR 12/8/2006 S11830-11831; text as Senate agreed to House amendment: CR 12/8/2006 S11830-11831)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR 12/7/2006 H8853-8854)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR 12/7/2006 H8853-8854)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 214.
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR 12/7/2006 H8853-8855)
action_date: 2006-12-06
text: Mrs. Drake moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2006-05-10
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2005-08-01
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 with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S9018-9052; text as passed Senate: CR S9024-9026)
action_date: 2005-07-26
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S9018-9052; text as passed Senate: CR S9024-9026)
action_date: 2005-07-26
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
action_date: 2005-03-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 28.
action_date: 2005-03-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 109-17.
action_date: 2005-03-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Domenici without amendment. With written report No. 109-17.
action_date: 2005-02-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2005-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S659-660)
action_date: 2005-01-31
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3280)
action_date: 2005-01-31
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 109-448