Sec. 324. Study of Indian irrigation program and project management
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Before beginning to conduct the study required under subsection (b), the Secretary shall— consult with the Indian tribes that have jurisdiction over the land on which an irrigation project eligible to receive funding under section 322 is located; and solicit and consider the input, comments, and recommendations of— the landowners served by the irrigation project; and irrigators from adjacent irrigation districts. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, shall complete a study that evaluates options for improving programmatic and project management and performance of irrigation projects managed and operated in whole or in part by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
On completion of the study under subsection (b), the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, shall submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that— describes the results of the study; determines the cost to financially sustain each project; recommends whether management of each project could be improved by transferring management responsibilities to other Federal agencies or water user groups; and includes recommendations for improving programmatic and project management and performance— in each qualifying project area; and for the program as a whole.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, shall submit to the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that includes a description of— the progress made toward addressing the deferred maintenance needs of the Indian irrigation projects described in section 322, including a list of projects funded during the fiscal period covered by the report; the outstanding needs of those projects that have been provided funding to address the deferred maintenance needs pursuant to this part; the remaining needs of any of those projects; how the goals established pursuant to section 323 have been met, including— an identification and assessment of any deficiencies or shortfalls in meeting those goals; and a plan to address the deficiencies or shortfalls in meeting those goals; and any other subject matters the Secretary of the Interior, to the maximum extent practicable consistent with tribal and user recommendations received pursuant to the consultation and input process under this section, determines to be appropriate.