Sec. 103. Emergency drought funding
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Financial assistance may be made available under the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.) for eligible water projects to assist Western States and Tribal governments to address drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crisis or conflict, including through voluntary, temporary, and compensated programs to reduce water demands for the purpose of increasing water available in a system or reducing water supply-demand imbalances.
Financial assistance may be made available under this subsection to organizations and entities with water delivery authority that are— engaged in collaborative processes to restore the environment; or part of a basin-wide solution for restoration. Assistance under paragraph
(1)may include a range of projects, including— the installation of pumps, temporary barriers, or operable gates for water diversion and fish protection; the installation of drought-relief groundwater wells for Indian Tribes and in wildlife refuges and other environmentally sensitive areas requiring emergency surface water flow augmentation; the acquisition or assistance in the acquisition of water from willing sellers, including on a voluntary, temporary, and compensated basis, to enhance stream flow for the benefit of fish and wildlife (including endangered species), water quality, river ecosystem restoration, and other beneficial purposes, to be carried out in accordance with the water acquisition program established under section 302; agricultural and urban conservation and efficiency projects; exchanges with any water district willing to provide water to meet the emergency water needs of other water districts in return for the delivery of equivalent quantities of water later that year or in future years; maintenance of cover crops to prevent public health impacts from severe dust storms; emergency pumping projects for critical health and safety purposes; activities to reduce water demand consistent with a comprehensive program for environmental restoration and settlement of water rights claims; the use of new or innovative on-farm water conservation technologies or methods that may— assist in sustaining permanent crops in areas with severe water shortages; and make water available for other beneficial uses, provided that the assistance cannot be used to increase the consumptive use of water or increase depletions under an interstate compact, as determined in accordance with the applicable laws of the State in which the eligible project is located; activities that protect, restore, or enhance fish and wildlife habitat or otherwise improve environmental conditions, including water quantity or quality concerns and improved fish passage; activities reducing or preventing groundwater depletion or promoting groundwater recharge; technical assistance to improve existing irrigation practices to provide water supply benefits; the investigation of, and pilot projects for, brackish water development and aquifer storage and recovery; the lining of irrigation ditches and canals to reduce water loss and improve efficiency; assistance to municipal water management entities for water supply planning in preparation for and in response to dry, critically dry, and below normal water years, including— hydrological forecasting; identification of alternative water supply sources; and guidance on potential water transfer partners; and any other assistance the Secretary determines to be necessary— to increase available water supplies; to reduce water supply-demand imbalances in a hydrologic system; to maintain the health of river ecosystems; or to mitigate drought impacts. There is authorized to be appropriated to provide financial assistance under this subsection not more than $180,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2006 through 2024, of which not more than $30,000,000 shall be made available during that period for the conduct of actions authorized under title I of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2211 et seq.) to benefit imperiled fish and wildlife. Section 104 of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2214 ) is amended by striking subsection
(a)and inserting the following: The programs and authorities established under this title shall become operative in any Reclamation State and in the State of Hawaii only— after the Governor or Governors of the affected State or States, or the governing body of an affected Indian Tribe with respect to a reservation, has made a request for temporary drought assistance and the Secretary has determined that the temporary assistance is merited; after a drought emergency has been declared by the Governor or Governors of the affected State or States; or on approval of a drought contingency plan as provided in title II. . Section 104(c) of the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 ( 43 U.S.C. 2214(c) ) is amended by striking 2020 and inserting 2030 .
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