Sec. 102. Integrated water resources management plan for the Rio Grande Basin
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Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall convene a Federal Working Group, to be known as the “Rio Grande Basin Working Group”, to consult and collaborate with the Basin States, Indian Tribes, units of local government, irrigation districts, conservation districts, acequias, land grant-mercedes, and other local partners in the Rio Grande Basin to develop and implement an integrated water resources management plan for the Rio Grande Basin using the best available science, data, and local knowledge.
The purpose of the Basin Plan is to improve— water security and quality for communities throughout the Rio Grande Basin; river and watershed health for ecosystems, fish, and wildlife in the Rio Grande Basin; the resilience of communities and ecosystems in the Rio Grande Basin to drought and hydrologic change; and consultation, collaboration, and partnerships among Federal agencies, Basin States, Indian Tribes, and local partners within the Rio Grande Basin. The Basin Plan shall include— a list of recommended projects and activities to achieve the purpose described in subsection (b), using the best available science for current and future conditions in the Rio Grande Basin, including recommendations for— improving infrastructure design, maintenance, repair, planning, management, and operations throughout the Rio Grande Basin; improving science, data, monitoring, and collaboration to improve understanding of the Rio Grande Basin, including— the hydrology and other processes of the Rio Grande Basin; and the long-term availability of water across the Rio Grande Basin; increasing water conservation in the Rio Grande Basin through partnerships with communities and water users; investments in nature-based features, infrastructure, and habitat improvements to improve river health, resilience, water security, and hazard mitigation in the Rio Grande Basin; updating reservoir operations authorities and water control manuals; and improving consultation, collaboration, and partnerships throughout the Rio Grande Basin to achieve the objectives described in subparagraphs
(A)through (E); a list of potential changes to existing Federal authorities that may be needed to implement the Basin Plan; and a timeline for implementing the Basin Plan over a 30-year period. Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— submit the Basin Plan to— the appropriate committees of Congress; and the Basin States, Indian Tribes located within the Rio Grande Basin, and local partners; and make the Basin Plan publicly available online. On submission of the Basin Plan to Congress under subsection (d)(1)(A), the relevant agencies of the Working Group may implement recommended projects and activities from the Basin Plan to achieve the purposes of this title, including— water conservation and restoration projects; streamflow and groundwater recharge improvements; optimization of Federal project management, including— improvements and flexibility in reservoir, irrigation, and flood control project operations; and updates and amendments to particular reservoir operations authorities, contracts, and water control manuals within the Rio Grande Basin, consistent with the recommendations provided in subsection (c)(1)(E); studies of relevant projects and activities requiring further authorization; the establishment of a collaborative science, data, and monitoring program for the Rio Grande Basin; and the establishment of a coordinated technical assistance program to support Rio Grande Basin stakeholders in accessing resources and programs to achieve the purposes of this title. In implementing this subsection, the relevant agencies of the Working Group may waive or reduce Federal cost-share requirements for projects and activities that demonstrate significant public benefits in accordance with the purpose described in subsection (b). The projects and activities implemented pursuant to subsection
(e)shall be— subject to required authorization and appropriation by Congress; contingent on the completion of applicable feasibility studies, environmental reviews, and cost-benefit analyses that include favorable recommendations for the proposed projects and activities; and implemented— in accordance with applicable law, including— the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. ); the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ); and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. ); in consultation with and in accordance with State, Tribal, and local authorities in the Basin States; in accordance with interstate and international agreements applicable to the Rio Grande Basin; and in accordance with the water rights of any Indian Tribe or agreements between any Indian Tribe and the United States. There are authorized to be appropriated to the heads of the agencies represented on the Working Group such sums as are necessary to carry out this title for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2052.
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Sec. 102
Integrated water resources management plan for the Rio Grande Basin
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