I
109th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 6088
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2006
Mrs. Wilson of New Mexico introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the State of New Mexico, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
New Mexico Aquifer Assessment Act of
2006
.
New mexico water resources study
In general
The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Director of the United States Geological Survey (referred to in this Act as the
Secretary
), in coordination with the State of New Mexico
(referred to in this Act as the State
), shall, in accordance
with this Act and any other applicable law, conduct a study of water resources
in the State, including the following:
A survey of groundwater resources, including an analysis of—
aquifers in the State, including the quantity of water in the aquifers;
the availability of groundwater resources for human use;
the salinity of groundwater resources;
the potential of the groundwater resources to recharge;
the interaction between groundwater and surface water;
the susceptibility of the aquifers to contamination; and
any other relevant criteria; and
A characterization of surface and bedrock geology, including the effect of the geology on groundwater yield and quality.
Study areas
The study carried out under subsection (a) shall include the Salt Basin, the Tularosa Basin, and the middle Rio Grande Aquifer in the State.
Report
Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes the results of the study.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.