Sec. 3153. Increasing opportunities for agricultural conservation

330 words·~2 min read·/bill/114/s/2089/pcs/section-3153

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this section as the Secretary ) shall offer to enter into voluntary agreements with public water agencies or other entities that receive water from any project operated by the Bureau of Reclamation to implement water conservation programs. Except as provided in paragraph (2), of the quantity of water conserved as a result of an agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a)— 25 percent shall be retained by the public water agency or entity with which the Secretary has entered into the agreement; and 75 percent shall be retained by the Secretary, of which— 33 percent shall be used or marketed on an annual basis for purposes that will promote groundwater recharge and conservation; and 67 percent shall be used on an annual basis for refuge water supply or other authorized project purposes.

For good reason in a particular instance, the Secretary and the public water agency or entity with which the Secretary has entered into an agreement may agree to modify the percentages referred to in paragraph (1). Any existing water service or repayment contractor within the project service area of a water conservation agreement under this section may contribute funds for the implementation of the agreement. The Secretary shall provide to each contractor that contributes funds under paragraph

(1)such portion of the water described in subsection (b)(1)(B)(ii) as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, but not to exceed the proportion of funds contributed by the contractor. If a contractor contributes more than 50 percent of the cost of a project carried out under an agreement under this section, the Secretary may enter into an agreement with the contractor to provide to the contractor such portion of the water described in subsection (b)(1)(B)(i) for groundwater recharge and conservation as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, subject to the condition that the contractor shall not receive a higher proportion of the water conserved than the proportion of funds contributed by the contractor.