Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act

Bill: 110-s-2814
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2008-04-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Animals
Construction costs
Economics and Public Finance
Endangered species
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Federal aid to water resources development
Infrastructure
New Mexico
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Reservoirs
Water rates
Water supply

Summary:
action_date: 2008-04-03
text: 
Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial and technical assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority to assist in planning, designing, conducting preconstruction activities for, and constructing the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System. 
 
Limits the federal share of the cost of any activity to 75%. Provides that the total cost of the System shall include any costs incurred by the Authority or the state of New Mexico on or after October 1, 2003, for System development.
 
Makes the Authority responsible for annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. Directs the Authority to develop an operation, maintenance, and replacement plan that establishes rates and fees necessary to ensure that the System is properly maintained and capable of delivering approximately 16,500 acre-feet of water per year. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act until such plan is developed and until the Secretary and the Authority have complied with applicable requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Directs the Secretary to consult with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the Authority in preparing any required biological assessment under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

action_date: 2008-06-16
text: 

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

Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System Authorization Act - (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide financial and technical assistance to the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water Authority to assist in planning, designing, conducting preconstruction activities for, and constructing the Eastern New Mexico Rural Water System. 

Limits the federal share of the cost of any activity to 75%. Provides that the total cost of the System shall include any costs incurred by the Authority or the state of New Mexico on or after October 1, 2003, for System development.

(Sec. 4) Makes the Authority responsible for annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. Directs the Authority to develop an operation, maintenance, and replacement plan that establishes rates and fees necessary to ensure that the System is properly maintained and capable of delivering approximately 16,500 acre-feet of water per year. Prohibits the use of funds under this Act until such plan is developed and until the Secretary and the Authority have complied with applicable requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. 

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to: (1) enter into a cooperative agreement to provide financial and any other assistance requested by the Authority for planning, design, related preconstruction activities, and construction of the System, subject to specified requirements; and (2) consult with the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission and the Authority in preparing any required biological assessment under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Authorizes the Secretary, at the Authority's request, to provide technical assistance in planning, designing, constructing, and operating the System.

(Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations. Requires: (1) the amount made available to be adjusted to reflect changes in construction costs occurring after January 1, 2007, as indicated by engineering cost indices applicable to the types of construction necessary to carry out this Act; (2) amounts made available to the Authority in accordance with the cost-sharing requirement to be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable to the United States; and (3) any unexpended appropriated funds to be retained for use in future fiscal years consistent with this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 805.
action_date: 2008-06-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-373.
action_date: 2008-06-16
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Bingaman without amendment. With written report No. 110-373.
action_date: 2008-05-07
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2008-04-24
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 110-494.
action_date: 2008-04-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2439-2440)
action_date: 2008-04-03
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2439)
action_date: 2008-04-03
text: Introduced in Senate