[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 212 Referred in House (RFH)]
1st Session
S. 212
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 8, 2003
Referred to the Committee on Resources
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AN ACT
To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the High
Plains Aquifer States in conducting a Hydrogeologic Characterization,
Mapping, and Modeling Program for the High Plains Aquifer, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``High Plains Aquifer Hydrogeologic
Characterization, Mapping, and Modeling Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this Act:
(1) Association.--The term ``Association'' means the
Association of American State Geologists.
(2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Western States
Water Council.
(3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the United States Geological Survey.
(4) High plains aquifer.--The term ``High Plains Aquifer''
is the groundwater reserve depicted as Figure 1 in the United
States Geological Survey Professional Paper 1400-B, titled
``Geohydrology of the High Plains Aquifer in Parts of Colorado,
Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas,
and Wyoming.''
(5) High plains aquifer states.--The term ``High Plains
Aquifer States'' means the States of Colorado, Kansas,
Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and
Wyoming.
(6) Review panel.--The term ``Review Panel'' means the
panel provided for by section 3(d).
(7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) Program.--The Secretary, through the United States Geological
Survey, and in cooperation with the High Plains Aquifer States, shall
establish and carry out the High Plains Aquifer Comprehensive
Hydrogeologic Program, to characterize, map, and model the High Plains
Aquifer. The Program shall undertake at the most detailed levels
determined to be appropriate on a state-by-state basis,
characterization, mapping and modeling of the hydrogeological
configuration of the High Plains Aquifer.
(b) Objectives.--The objectives of the Program are to:
(1) provide for the hydrogeologic characterization, mapping
and modeling of the High Plains Aquifer through a cooperative
partnership effort between the U.S. Geological Survey and the
High Plains Aquifer States;
(2) coordinate Federal, State, and local data, maps, and
models into an integrated physical characterization of the High
Plains Aquifer;
(3) support State and local activities with scientific and
technical specialists; and
(4) undertake activities and provide technical capabilities
not available at the State and local levels as may be requested
by a Governor of a High Plains Aquifer State within such state.
(c) Requests From Governors.--The Governor of a High Plains Aquifer
State may submit a proposal to the Secretary requesting the Secretary
to undertake activities and provide financial and technical
capabilities not available at the State and local levels to carry out
the purposes of the Program.
(d) Review Panel.--Not later than six months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Review Panel to:
(1) evaluate the proposals submitted for funding under subsection (f);
and (2) review and coordinate Program priorities. In performing its
functions, the Review Panel shall consult with the Association and the
Council.
(e) Composition and Support.--The Review Panel shall be comprised
of: (1) five representatives of the United States Geological Survey, at
least two of which shall be hydrologists or hydrogeologists; and (2)
one representative who is knowledgeable regarding hydrogeologic data
and information from each of the High Plains Aquifer States that elects
to participate in the Program. Each representative of a High Plains
Aquifer State shall be recommended by the Governor of such State. The
Secretary shall provide technical and administrative support to the
Review Panel. Expenses for the Review Panel shall be paid from Program
funds other than those referred to in subsection (f).
(f) Funding.--Fifty percent of the funds appropriated to carry out
this Program shall be allocated equally by the Secretary for the
participation of State and local agencies and institutions of higher
education within each of the High Plains Aquifer States that elects to
participate in the Program. Grants may be made by the Secretary from
the funds described in this subsection based on proposals that have
been recommended by the Governor and reviewed by the Review Panel.
Proposals for multistate activities must be recommended by the
Governors of all the affected States.
SEC. 4. REPORTS.
(a) Report on Program Implementation.--One year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 3 years thereafter through fiscal year
2011, the Secretary shall include a report on the Program in the annual
budget documents for the Department of the Interior. The initial report
submitted by the Secretary shall contain a Program plan developed with
the concurrence of the Review Panel.
(b) Report on High Plains Aquifer.--No later than four years after
the date of enactment of this Act and upon completion of the Program in
fiscal year 2011, the Secretary shall submit an interim and final
report, respectively, to the Governors of the High Plains Aquifer
States on the status of the High Plains Aquifer.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary for each of the fiscal years 2003 through 2011 to carry out
this Act.
Passed the Senate April 7, 2003.
Attest:
EMILY J. REYNOLDS,
Secretary.