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H.R. 186House110th Congress (2007-2009)In Committee

Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

Sponsored by Marilyn N. MusgraveRep. Marilyn N. Musgrave (R-CO)
Introduced January 4, 2007

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

February 7, 2007

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 4, 2007

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

January 4, 2007

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

February 7, 2007

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 4, 2007

I

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 186

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 4, 2007

Mrs. Musgrave introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To authorize the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act.

2.

Findings and purposes

(a)

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 389) authorized the Fryingpan-Arkansas project, including construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, a pipeline extending from Pueblo Reservoir, Pueblo, Colorado to Lamar, Colorado;

(2)

the Arkansas Valley Conduit was never built, partly because of the inability of local communities to pay 100 percent of the costs of construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit;

(3)

in furtherance of the goals and authorization of the Fryingpan-Arkansas project, it is necessary to provide separate authorization for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit;

(4)

the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit is necessary for the continued viability of southeast Colorado; and

(5)

the Arkansas Valley Conduit would provide the communities of southeast Colorado with safe, clean, and affordable water.

(b)

Purposes

The purposes of this Act are—

(1)

to ensure a safe and adequate water supply for the beneficiaries identified in Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 389) and related authorizing documents and subsequent studies; and

(2)

to establish a cost-sharing requirement for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.

3.

Arkansas Valley Conduit, Colorado

(a)

In general

The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the Secretary) shall plan, design, and construct a water delivery pipeline, and branch lines as needed, from a location in the vicinity (as determined by the Secretary) of Pueblo Reservoir, Pueblo, Colorado to a location in the vicinity (as determined by the Secretary) of Lamar, Colorado, to be known as the Arkansas Valley Conduit, without regard to the cost-ceiling for the Fryingpan Arkansas Project established under section 7 of Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 393).

(b)

Lead non-Federal entity

(1)

Designation

The Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District, or a designee of the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District that is recognized under State law as an entity that has taxing authority, shall be the lead non-Federal entity for the Arkansas Valley Conduit.

(2)

Duties

The lead non-Federal entity shall—

(A)

act as the official agent of the Arkansas Valley Conduit;

(B)

pay—

(i)

the non-Federal share of any increased costs required under subsection (e)(2)(C); and

(ii)

the non-Federal share of construction costs under subsection (e)(2); and

(C)

pay costs relating to, and perform, the operations, maintenance, and replacement of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.

(c)

Cooperation

To the maximum extent practicable during the planning, design, and construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, the Secretary shall collaborate and cooperate with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, other Federal agencies, and non-Federal entities.

(d)

Cost estimate

(1)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in cooperation with the lead non-Federal entity, shall prepare an estimate of the total costs of constructing the Arkansas Valley Conduit.

(2)

Actual costs

If the actual costs of construction exceed the estimated costs, the difference between the actual costs and the estimated costs shall be apportioned in accordance with subsection (e)(2)(C).

(3)

Agreement on estimate and design

The estimate prepared under paragraph (1), and the final design for the Arkansas Valley Conduit, shall be—

(A)

subject to the agreement of the Secretary and the lead non-Federal entity;

(B)

developed in cooperation with the lead non-Federal entity; and

(C)

consistent with commonly accepted engineering practices.

(e)

Cost-sharing requirement

(1)

Federal share

(A)

In general

The Federal share of the total costs of the planning, design, and construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit shall be 80 percent.

(B)

Increased costs

The Federal share of any increased costs that are a result of fundamental design changes conducted at the request of any person other than the lead non-Federal entity shall be 100 percent.

(2)

Non-federal share

(A)

Non-federal share

The non-Federal share of the total costs of the planning, design, and construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit shall be 20 percent.

(B)

Form

Up to 100 percent of the non-Federal share may be in the form of in-kind contributions or tasks that are identified in the cost estimate prepared under subsection (d)(1) as necessary for the planning, design, and construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.

(C)

Increased costs

(i)

Fundamental design changes

The lead non-Federal entity shall pay any increased costs that are a result of fundamental design changes conducted at the request of the lead non-Federal entity.

(ii)

Other causes

For any increased costs that are from causes (including increased supply and labor costs and unforseen field changes) other than fundamental design changes referred to in clause (i) and paragraph (1)(B)—

(I)

the Federal share shall be 80 percent; and

(II)

the non-Federal share shall be 20 percent.

(D)

Up-front payment

Not later than 180 days after the date of completion of the cost-estimate under subsection (d), the Secretary and the non-Federal entity may enter into an agreement under which—

(i)

the Secretary pays 100 percent of the non-Federal share on behalf of the non-Federal entity; and

(ii)

the non-Federal entity reimburses the Secretary for the funds paid by the Secretary in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

(E)

Timing

Except as provided in subparagraph (D), the non-Federal share shall be paid in accordance with a schedule established by the Secretary that—

(i)

takes into account the capability of the applicable non-Federal entities to pay; and

(ii)

provides for full payment of the non-Federal share by a date that is not later than 50 years after the date on which the Arkansas Valley Conduit is capable of delivering water.

(f)

Transfer on completion

On completion of the Arkansas Valley Conduit, as certified in an agreement between the Secretary and the lead non-Federal entity, the Secretary shall transfer ownership of the Arkansas Valley Conduit to the lead non-Federal entity.

(g)

Applicable law

Except as provided in this Act, Public Law 87–590 (76 Stat. 389) and related authorizing documents and subsequent studies shall apply to the planning, design, and construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.

(h)

Water rights

Nothing in this Act affects any State water law or interstate compact.

4.

Authorization of appropriations

(a)

In general

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.

(b)

Limitation

Amounts made available under subsection (a) shall not be used for the operation or maintenance of the Arkansas Valley Conduit.