To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.
Plain Language Summary
# HR 331 Summary **What the Bill Does** HR 331 amends an existing law called the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to make it easier for water to be transported across federal land owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the purpose of recharging underground water supplies (aquifers). Currently, companies or organizations with permits to move water across public lands can only do so for their own use. This bill would allow them to also transport water on behalf of states, Native American tribes, or local government agencies—all without needing to get additional permission from the federal government—as long as they're using existing water pipes or pathways and not expanding them. **Who It Affects** This primarily affects water users in western states (particularly Idaho, where the sponsor is from) who rely on underground aquifers for drinking water and agriculture.
It impacts the BLM, water companies, state and local governments, and Native American tribes involved in water management. The bill could make it simpler and faster for communities to recharge aquifers during wet periods to store water for drier times. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is pending further action in the Senate.
CRS Official Summary
This bill modifies the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to expand provisions concerning authorizations (e.g., rights-of-way) to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for aquifer recharge purposes.Under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, the holder of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations to transport water across BLM land may transport the water for aquifer recharge purposes without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior so long as the use does not expand or modify the operation of such authorizations across public land.The bill allows the holders of such authorizations to act not only on behalf of themselves, but also on behalf of states, Indian Tribes, or public entities, to use the existing authorizations for aquifer recharge without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior. Further, the bill states that this use may not be considered an expansion, modification, major federal action, or substantial deviation.Additionally, the bill exempts holders from paying additional rents to the BLM for any use of such authorizations; however, the exemption does not apply to for-profit uses of aquifer recharge or for-profit entities. Finally, holders of rights-of-way or other authorizations must provide notice to the BLM of the intended use of authorization as specified by the bill.
Latest Action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.