,i #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dhia ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,october #bh1 #bjai,ms4 ,torres ,small of ,new ,mexico 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,lujn1 ,ms4 ,haaland1 ,mrs4 ,kirkpatrick1 ,mr4 ,hurd of ,texas1 and ,ms4 ,de,gette7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide for the conduct of certain water security measures in the ,western ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,western ,water ,security ,act of #bjai4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,definitions4 ,,title ,i--,infrastructure and water management improvement ,sec4 #aja4 ,watersmart extension and expansion4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,rural desalination4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,emergency drought funding4 ,sec4 #ajd4 ,rio ,grande ,pueblo irrigation infrastructure reauthorization4 ,,title ,,ii--,groundwater management ,sec4 #bja4 ,reauthorization and expansion of the ,transboundary ,aquifer ,assessment ,program4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,groundwater management assessment and improvement4 ,sec4 #bjc4 ,surface and groundwater water availability and the energy nexus4 ,,title ,,iii--,water ,conservation and ,environmental ,restoration ,sec4 #cja4 ,definitions4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,water acquisition program4 ,sec4 #cjc4 ,middle ,rio ,grande water conservation4 ,sec4 #cjd4 ,sustaining biodiversity during droughts4 ,sec4 #cje4 ,reauthorization of cooperative watershed management program4 ,,title ,,iv--,effect on existing law ,sec4 #dja4 ,effect on existing law4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,rio grande compact ,the term ,rio ,grande ,compact means the compact approved by ,congress under the ,act of ,may #ca1 #aici 7#ec ,stat4 #ghe1 chapter #aee74 7#b7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7#c7 ,state ,the term ,state means the ,state of ,new ,mexico4 ,i ,infrastructure and water management improvement #aja4 ,watersmart extension and expansion 7a7 ,definition of eligible applicant ,section #iejb of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcfb7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking section and inserting subtitle2 7#b7 by striking paragraph 7#g7 and inserting the following3 7#g7 ,eligible applicant ,the term eligible applicant means-- 7,a7 any ,state1 ,indian tribe1 irrigation district1 or water district2 7,b7 any ,state1 regional1 or local authority1 the members of which include one or more organizations with water or power delivery authority2 7,c7 any other organization with water or power delivery authority2 and 7,d7 any nonprofit conservation organization4 2 7#c7 in paragraph 7#aj71 by striking #dej;b and inserting #ecjd2 7#d7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#ac7 through 7#ag7 as paragraphs 7#ad7 through 7#ah71 respectively2 and 7#e7 by inserting after paragraph 7#ab7 the following3 7#ac7 ,natural water recharge infrastructure ,the term natural water recharge infrastructure means a single project1 a number of distributed projects across a watershed1 or the redesign and replacement1 or removal1 of built infrastructure to incorporate natural aquatic elements1 in which the project-- 7,a7 uses natural materials appropriate to the specific site and landscape setting2 7,b7 mimics natural riverine1 floodplain1 riparian1 wetland1 hydrologic1 or other ecological processes2 and 7,c7 results in aquifer recharge1 transient floodplain water retention1 or restoration of water in the landscape such that the water returns to a wetland1 riparian area1 or surface water channel4 4 7b7 ,research agreements ,section #iejd7;b77#a7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcfd7;b77#a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting nonprofit conservation organization1 before or organization2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking or at the end2 7#c7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,c7 as subparagraph 7,d72 and 7#d7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,b7 the following3 7,c7 to increase natural water recharge infrastructure2 or 4 7c7 ,water management improvement ,section #iejd7;e7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcfd7;e77 is amended by striking #dhj1jjj1jjj and inserting #fej1jjj1jjj1 subject to the condition that #ej1jjj1jjj of that amount shall be used to carry out section #bjf of the ,energy and ,water ,development and ,related ,agencies ,appropriations ,act1 #bjae 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #fbj note2 ,public ,law #aac-bce74 7d7 ,conforming amendment ,section #djji7;d7 of ,public ,law #aad-cbb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcfd note7 is amended by striking on the condition that of that amount1 #ej1jjj1jjj of it is used to carry out section #bjf of the ,energy and ,water ,development and ,related ,agencies ,appropriation ,act1 #bjae 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #fbj note2 ,public ,law #aac-bce74 #ajb4 ,rural desalination ,section #d7;a7 of the ,water ,desalination ,act of #aiif 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja note2 ,public ,law #ajd-bih7 is amended by striking the second paragraph 7#a7 7relating to projects7 and inserting the following3 7#b7 ,projects 7,a7 ,definitions ,in this paragraph3 7i7 ,eligible desalination project ,the term eligible desalination project means any project located in a ,reclamation ,state1 or for which the construction1 operation1 sponsorship1 or funding is the responsibility of1 and the primary water supply benefit accrues to1 one or more entities in a ,reclamation ,state1 that-- 7,i7 involves an ocean or brackish water desalination facility-- 7aa7 constructed1 operated1 and maintained by a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 irrigation district1 water district1 or other organization with water or power delivery authority2 or 7bb7 sponsored or funded by any combination of a ,state1 department of a ,state1 political subdivision of a ,state1 or public agency organized pursuant to ,state law1 including through-- 7,,aa7 direct sponsorship or funding2 or 7,,bb7 indirect sponsorship or funding1 such as by paying for the water provided by the facility2 and 7,,ii7 provides a ,federal benefit in accordance with the reclamation laws4 7ii7 ,rural desalination project ,the term rural desalination project means an eligible desalination project that is designed to serve a community or group of communities1 each of which has a population of not more than #dj1jjj inhabitants4 7,b7 ,cost-sharing requirement 7i7 ,in general ,subject to the requirements of this subsection and notwithstanding section #g1 the ,federal share of an eligible desalination project carried out under this subsection shall be-- 7,i7 not more than #be percent of the total cost of the eligible desalination project2 or 7,,ii7 in the case of a rural desalination project1 the applicable percentage determined in accordance with clause 7ii74 7ii7 ,rural desalination projects 7,i7 ,cost-sharing requirement for appraisal studies ,subject to subclause 7,,iv71 in the case of a rural desalination project carried out under this subsection1 the ,federal share of the cost of appraisal studies for the rural desalination project shall be-- 7aa7 #ajj percent of the total costs of the appraisal studies1 up to #bjj1jjj2 and 7bb7 if the total costs of the appraisal studies are more than #bjj1jjj1 #ej percent of any amounts over #bjj1jjj4 7,,ii7 ,cost-sharing requirement for feasibility studies ,subject to subclause 7,,iv71 in the case of a rural desalination project carried out under this subsection1 the ,federal share of the cost of feasibility studies for the rural desalination project shall be not more than #ej percent4 7,,iii7 ,cost-sharing requirement for construction costs ,in the case of a rural desalination project carried out under this subsection1 the ,federal share of the cost of construction of the rural desalination project shall be not more than #ge percent1 unless-- 7aa7 the ,secretary determines during the feasibility study phase1 on a project-by-project basis1 that the non-,federal share should be increased2 or 7bb7 the ,secretary determines that the non-,federal share should be reduced under subclause 7,,iv74 7,,iv7 ,reduction in non-,federal share ,the ,secretary may reduce the non-,federal share of a rural desalination project required under subclause 7,i71 7,,ii71 or 7,,iii7 if the ,secretary determines1 after consultation with the heads of any other ,federal agencies that are partners in the rural desalination project and in accordance with applicable ,reclamation standards1 that the reduction is appropriate due to-- 7aa7 an overwhelming ,federal interest in the rural desalination project2 and 7bb7 the sponsor of the rural desalination project demonstrating financial hardship4 7,c7 ,state role ,participation by the ,secretary in an eligible desalination project under this subsection shall not occur unless-- 7i7 7,i7 the eligible desalination project is included in a ,state-approved plan2 or 7,,ii7 the participation has been requested by the ,governor of the ,state in which the eligible desalination project is located2 7ii7 the ,state or local sponsor of the eligible desalination project determines1 and the ,secretary concurs1 that-- 7,i7 the eligible desalination project-- 7aa7 is technically and financially feasible2 and 7bb7 provides a ,federal benefit in accordance with the reclamation laws2 and 7,,ii7 the non-,federal project sponsor is financially capable of funding the non-,federal share of the project costs2 and 7iii7 the ,secretary submits to ,congress a written notification of the determinations under clause 7ii7 by not later than #cj days after the date of the determinations4 7,d7 ,environmental laws ,in participating in an eligible desalination project under this paragraph1 the ,secretary shall comply with all applicable environmental laws1 including the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq474 7,e7 ,information ,in participating in an eligible desalination project under this subsection1 the ,secretary-- 7i7 may rely on reports prepared by the sponsor of the eligible desalination project1 including feasibility or equivalent studies1 environmental analyses1 and other pertinent reports and analyses2 but 7ii7 shall retain responsibility for making the independent determinations described in subparagraph 7,c74 7,f7 ,funding 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph #fe1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd1 of which not less than #ae1jjj1jjj shall be made available during that period for rural desalination projects4 7ii7 ,funding opportunity announcement ,the ,commissioner of ,reclamation shall release a funding opportunity announcement for a grant program under this paragraph by not later than #ge days after the date of enactment of an ,act that provides funding for the program4 7iii7 ,congressional approval initially required 7,i7 ,in general ,each initial award under this paragraph for design and study1 or for construction1 of an eligible desalination project shall be approved in an appropriations ,act4 7,,ii7 ,reclamation recommendations ,the ,commissioner of ,reclamation shall submit recommendations regarding the initial award of design and study funding and construction funding for consideration under subclause 7,i7 to-- 7aa7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7bb7 the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate2 7cc7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7dd7 the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives4 7iv7 ,subsequent funding awards ,after approval by ,congress of an initial award of design and study funding or construction funding for an eligible desalination project under clause 7iii71 the ,commissioner of ,reclamation may award additional design and study funding or construction funding1 respectively1 for the eligible desalination project without further congressional approval4 4 #ajc4 ,emergency drought funding 7a7 ,financial assistance 7#a7 ,in general ,financial assistance may be made available under the ,reclamation ,states ,emergency ,drought ,relief ,act of #aiia 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #bbja et seq47 for eligible water projects to assist ,western ,states and ,tribal governments to address drought-related impacts to water supplies or any other immediate water-related crisis or conflict1 including through voluntary1 temporary1 and compensated programs to reduce water demands for the purpose of increasing water available in a system or reducing water supply-demand imbalances4 7#b7 ,additional availability ,financial assistance may be made available under this subsection to organizations and entities with water delivery authority that are-- 7,a7 engaged in collaborative processes to restore the environment2 or 7,b7 part of a basin-wide solution for restoration4 7#c7 ,types of assistance ,assistance under paragraph 7#a7 may include a range of projects1 including-- 7,a7 the installation of pumps1 temporary barriers1 or operable gates for water diversion and fish protection2 7,b7 the installation of drought-relief groundwater wells for ,indian ,tribes and in wildlife refuges and other environmentally sensitive areas requiring emergency surface water flow augmentation2 7,c7 the acquisition or assistance in the acquisition of water from willing sellers1 including on a voluntary1 temporary1 and compensated basis1 to enhance stream flow for the benefit of fish and wildlife 7including endangered species71 water quality1 river ecosystem restoration1 and other beneficial purposes1 to be carried out in accordance with the water acquisition program established under section #cjb2 7,d7 agricultural and urban conservation and efficiency projects2 7,e7 exchanges with any water district willing to provide water to meet the emergency water needs of other water districts in return for the delivery of equivalent quantities of water later that year or in future years2 7,f7 maintenance of cover crops to prevent public health impacts from severe dust storms2 7,g7 emergency pumping projects for critical health and safety purposes2 7,h7 activities to reduce water demand consistent with a comprehensive program for environmental restoration and settlement of water rights claims2 7,i7 the use of new or innovative on-farm water conservation technologies or methods that may-- 7i7 assist in sustaining permanent crops in areas with severe water shortages2 and 7ii7 make water available for other beneficial uses1 provided that the assistance cannot be used to increase the consumptive use of water or increase depletions under an interstate compact1 as determined in accordance with the applicable laws of the ,state in which the eligible project is located2 7,j7 activities that protect1 restore1 or enhance fish and wildlife habitat or otherwise improve environmental conditions1 including water quantity or quality concerns and improved fish passage2 7,k7 activities reducing or preventing groundwater depletion or promoting groundwater recharge2 7,l7 technical assistance to improve existing irrigation practices to provide water supply benefits2 7,m7 the investigation of1 and pilot projects for1 brackish water development and aquifer storage and recovery2 7,n7 the lining of irrigation ditches and canals to reduce water loss and improve efficiency2 7,o7 assistance to municipal water management entities for water supply planning in preparation for and in response to dry1 critically dry1 and below normal water years1 including-- 7i7 hydrological forecasting2 7ii7 identification of alternative water supply sources2 and 7iii7 guidance on potential water transfer partners2 and 7,p7 any other assistance the ,secretary determines to be necessary-- 7i7 to increase available water supplies2 7ii7 to reduce water supply-demand imbalances in a hydrologic system2 7iii7 to maintain the health of river ecosystems2 or 7iv7 to mitigate drought impacts4 7#d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to provide financial assistance under this subsection not more than #ahj1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjjf through #bjbd1 of which not more than #cj1jjj1jjj shall be made available during that period for the conduct of actions authorized under title ,i of the ,reclamation ,states ,emergency ,drought ,relief ,act of #aiia 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #bbaa et seq47 to benefit imperiled fish and wildlife4 7b7 ,applicable period of drought program ,section #ajd of the ,reclamation ,states ,emergency ,drought ,relief ,act of #aiia 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #bbad7 is amended by striking subsection 7a7 and inserting the following3 7a7 ,in general ,the programs and authorities established under this title shall become operative in any ,reclamation ,state and in the ,state of ,hawaii only-- 7#a7 after the ,governor or ,governors of the affected ,state or ,states1 or the governing body of an affected ,indian ,tribe with respect to a reservation1 has made a request for temporary drought assistance and the ,secretary has determined that the temporary assistance is merited2 7#b7 after a drought emergency has been declared by the ,governor or ,governors of the affected ,state or ,states2 or 7#c7 on approval of a drought contingency plan as provided in title ,,ii4 4 7c7 ,reauthorization ,section #ajd7;c7 of the ,reclamation ,states ,emergency ,drought ,relief ,act of #aiia 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #bbad7;c77 is amended by striking #bjbj and inserting #bjcj4 #ajd4 ,rio ,grande ,pueblo irrigation infrastructure reauthorization ,section #iajf of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7,public ,law #aaa-aa2 #abc ,stat4 #acjd7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#d71 by striking #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,resources and inserting ,december #ca1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7g77#b71 by striking #bjaj through #bjai and inserting #bjai through #bjbi4 ,,ii ,groundwater management #bja4 ,reauthorization and expansion of the ,transboundary ,aquifer ,assessment ,program 7a7 ,designation of priority transboundary aquifers ,section #d7;c77#b7 of the ,united ,states-,mexico ,transboundary ,aquifer ,assessment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aifb note2 ,public ,law #aji-ddh7 is amended by striking ,new ,mexico or ,texas and inserting ,new ,mexico1 ,texas1 or ,arizona 7other than an aquifer underlying ,arizona and ,sonora1 ,mexico1 that is partially within the ,yuma groundwater basin designated by the order of the ,director of the ,arizona ,department of ,water ,resources dated ,june #ba1 #aihd74 7b7 ,reauthorization 7#a7 ,authorization of appropriations ,section #h7;a7 of the ,united ,states-,mexico ,transboundary ,aquifer ,assessment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aifb note2 ,public ,law #aji-ddh7 is amended by striking fiscal years #bjjg through #bjaf and inserting fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbi4 7#b7 ,sunset of authority ,section #i of the ,united ,states-,mexico ,transboundary ,aquifer ,assessment ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aifb note2 ,public ,law #aji-ddh7 is amended by striking enactment of this ,act and inserting enactment of the ,western ,water ,security ,act of #bjai4 #bjb4 ,groundwater management assessment and improvement ,section #iejd7;a7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcfd7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by inserting or carrying out any activity after any improvement2 7,b7 by striking subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,e72 7,c7 by redesignating subparagraphs 7,f7 through 7,h7 as subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,d71 respectively2 7,d7 by inserting before subparagraph 7,b7 7as so redesignated7 the following3 7,a7 to assist ,states and water users in complying with interstate compacts or reducing basin water supply-demand imbalances1 including through temporary1 voluntary1 and compensated transactions that decrease consumptive water use at a regional or watershed scale2 2 7,e7 in subparagraph 7,b7 7as so redesignated71 by striking to prevent and inserting to achieve the prevention of2 7,f7 in subparagraph 7,c7 7as so redesignated71 by striking to accelerate and inserting to achieve the acceleration of2 and 7,g7 in subparagraph 7,d7 7as so redesignated7-- 7i7 by striking clause 7i7 and inserting the following3 7i7 to increase ecological resilience to climate change1 including by enhancing natural water storage within a floodplain or riparian wetland1 by addressing climate-related impacts or vulnerability to the water supply of the ,united ,states2 2 7ii7 in clause 7ii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7iii7 to plan for or address the impacts of drought4 2 7#b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 as paragraphs 7#c7 and 7#d71 respectively2 7#c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following3 7#b7 ,eligible projects ,the improvements or activities eligible for assistance under paragraph 7#a7 may include improvements or activities-- 7,a7 using an approach-- 7i7 to conserve water2 7ii7 to increase water use efficiency2 7iii7 to facilitate water markets2 or 7iv7 to enhance water management1 including increasing the use of renewable energy in the management and delivery of water or increasing natural water storage2 7,b7 to improve the condition of natural water recharge infrastructure2 or 7,c7 to achieve the acceleration of the adoption and use of advanced water treatment technologies to increase water supply4 2 and 7#d7 in paragraph 7#d7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,b77i71 by striking subclause 7,,ii7 and inserting the following3 7,,ii7 to use the assistance provided under a grant or agreement to increase the consumptive use of water for agricultural operations above the pre-project levels1 as determined pursuant to the law of the ,state in which the operation of the eligible applicant is located4 2 and 7,b7 in subparagraph 7,e7-- 7i7 by striking clause 7i7 and inserting the following3 7i7 ,federal share 7,i7 ,in general ,except as provided in subclause 7,,ii71 the ,federal share of the cost of any infrastructure improvement or activity that is the subject of a grant or other agreement entered into between the ,secretary and an eligible applicant under paragraph 7#a7 shall not exceed #ej percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity4 7,,ii7 ,increased ,federal share for certain infrastructure improvements and activities 7aa7 ,in general ,the ,federal share of the cost of an infrastructure improvement or activity described in item 7bb7 shall not exceed #ge percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity4 7bb7 ,infrastructure improvements and activities described ,an infrastructure improvement or activity referred to in item 7aa7 is an infrastructure improvement or activity that provides benefits to consumptive water users and nonconsumptive ecological or recreational values in which-- 7,,aa7 in the case of an infrastructure improvement or activity that conserves water1 the conserved water is returned to a surface water source with ecological or recreational benefits2 or 7,,bb7 in the case of other infrastructure improvements or activities1 the majority of the benefits are nonconsumptive ecological or recreational benefits4 2 and 7ii7 in clause 7ii71 in the matter preceding subclause 7,i71 by striking paragraph 7#b7 and inserting paragraph 7#c74 #bjc4 ,surface and groundwater water availability and the energy nexus ,section #iejh7;d77#c7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcfh7;d77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking the semicolon and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,f7 oil1 gas1 and mineral development under the ,mineral ,leasing ,act 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #aha et seq471 the ,act of ,may #aa1 #aich 7commonly known as the ,indian ,mineral ,leasing ,act of #aich7 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #cif;a et seq471 sections #bcai through #bcdd of the ,revised ,statutes 7commonly known as the ,mining ,law of #ahgb7 7#cj ,u4,s4,c4 #bb et seq471 and the ,outer ,continental ,shelf ,lands ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #acca et seq472 4 ,,iii ,water ,conservation and ,environmental ,restoration #cja4 ,definitions ,in this title3 7#a7 ,basin ,the term ,basin-- 7,a7 is limited to areas within the ,state2 and 7,b7 means each of-- 7i7 the ,upper ,rio ,grande ,basin2 7ii7 the ,middle ,rio ,grande ,basin2 7iii7 the ,lower ,rio ,grande ,basin2 7iv7 the ,lower ,pecos ,river ,basin2 7v7 the ,gila ,river ,basin2 7vi7 the ,canadian ,river ,basin2 7vii7 the ,san ,francisco ,river ,basin2 and 7viii7 the ,san ,juan ,river ,basin4 7#b7 ,district ,the term ,district means the ,middle ,rio ,grande ,conservancy ,district4 7#c7 ,pueblo ,the term ,pueblo means each of the following pueblos in the ,state3 7,a7 ,cochiti4 7,b7 ,santo ,domingo4 7,c7 ,san ,felipe4 7,d7 ,santa ,ana4 7,e7 ,sandia4 7,f7 ,isleta4 #cjb4 ,water acquisition program 7a7 ,authorization ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,commissioner of ,reclamation1 shall carry out in the ,basins a water acquisition program in coordination with the other appropriate ,federal agencies1 ,state agencies1 and non-,federal stakeholders1 under which the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 make acquisitions1 or assist the ,state or the ,district in making acquisitions1 of water in the ,basins by lease or purchase of water rights or contractual entitlements from willing lessors or sellers1 consistent with section #h of the ,act of ,june #ag1 #aijb 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #chc71 the ,rio ,grande ,compact1 and applicable ,state law relating to the acquisition and administration of water rights2 and 7#b7 take any other actions1 consistent with section #h of the ,act of ,june #ag1 #aijb 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #chc71 the ,rio ,grande ,compact1 and applicable ,state law1 that the ,secretary determines would achieve the purposes of the water acquisition program described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,purposes ,the purposes of the water acquisition program are-- 7#a7 to enhance stream flow to benefit fish and wildlife 7including endangered species71 water quality1 and river ecosystem restoration in the ,basins2 7#b7 to enhance stewardship and conservation of working land1 water1 and watersheds in the ,basins1 consistent with the purpose described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7#c7 to address water supply-demand imbalances in the ,basins1 consistent with ,state law and the purpose described in paragraph 7#a74 7c7 ,coordination ,to assist in developing and administering the program1 the ,secretary may provide funds to the ,state1 the ,district1 or a federally established nonprofit entity with particular expertise in western water transactions4 7d7 ,district projects ,subject to the ,rio ,grande ,compact and applicable ,state law1 the ,secretary may develop programs to provide-- 7#a7 cost-share assistance to the ,district to reduce water depletions by agricultural producers and irrigators in the ,district to reduce water depletions by making irrigation system improvements and increasing system efficiency2 7#b7 incentives to the ,district for the establishment of a water leasing program from willing lessors for agricultural producers and irrigators in the ,district to temporarily lease pre-#aijg water rights 7instead of permanent severance from irrigable land7 for the purpose of providing benefits to species listed as threatened or endangered under the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aeca et seq47 and other river ecosystem benefits2 and 7#c7 cost-share assistance to the ,district to implement infrastructure or operational changes that will allow for effective management of a leasing program1 while maintaining adequate water deliveries to other agricultural producers and irrigators4 #cjc4 ,middle ,rio ,grande water conservation 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 in cooperation with the ,district and in consultation with the ,pueblos1 may provide funding and technical assistance for the installation of metering and measurement devices and the construction of check structures on irrigation diversions1 canals1 laterals1 ditches1 and drains-- 7#a7 to ensure the conservation and efficient use of water within the ,district by-- 7,a7 reducing actual consumptive use2 or 7,b7 not increasing the use of water2 and 7#b7 to improve the measurement and allocation of water1 including water acquired through the water acquisition program established under section #cjb4 7b7 ,rio ,grande1 ,san ,acacia1 and ,isleta reaches 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall provide for the development of a comprehensive plan for the ,san ,acacia and ,isleta reaches to plan1 design1 permit1 construct1 and prioritize projects that balance river maintenance1 water availability1 use1 and delivery1 and ecosystem benefits1 including-- 7,a7 planning1 permitting1 and construction of a pumping station at ,bosque del ,apache ,national ,wildlife ,refuge for the purpose of more efficiently using water to provide-- 7i7 a stable supply for the ,refuge2 and 7ii7 an efficient and reliable supply of water to the ,rio ,grande for the benefit of the endangered silvery minnow and ,southwestern willow flycatcher2 7,b7 planning1 permitting1 and construction of a river channel realignment project near the ,rio ,grande mile-#hc for the purpose of conveying water and sediment through the reach to ,elephant ,butte ,reservoir and addressing river channel aggradation while maintaining floodplain connectivity during the snowmelt runoff2 7,c7 planning1 permitting1 and construction of a controlled outlet for the low flow conveyance channel to the ,rio ,grande between ,fort ,craig1 ,new ,mexico1 and ,rio ,grande mile-#fj for the purpose of water use and delivery1 enhancement and development of habitat areas1 and possible creation of a single-channel river ecosystem2 and 7,d7 development of a ,lower ,reach plan-- 7i7 to identify additional projects and maintenance activities with water use1 sediment management1 and delivery and ecosystem benefits2 and 7ii7 to prioritize implementation of all projects and activities4 7#b7 ,public participation ,in carrying out this subsection1 the ,secretary shall provide a process for public participation and comment during plan development and alternative analysis4 #cjd4 ,sustaining biodiversity during droughts ,section #iejc7;b7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcfc7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c77;,d71 by inserting and native biodiversity after wildlife habitat2 and 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d77;,b71 by inserting and drought biodiversity plans to address sustaining native biodiversity during periods of drought after restoration plans4 #cje4 ,reauthorization of cooperative watershed management program ,section #fjjb7;g77#d7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;a7g77#d77 is amended by striking #bjbj and inserting #bjca4 ,,iv ,effect on existing law #dja4 ,effect on existing law 7a7 ,in general ,an action taken by the ,secretary or another entity under this ,act or an amendment made by this ,act shall comply with applicable ,state laws in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act4 7b7 ,state law ,nothing in this ,act or an amendment made by this ,act affects1 is intended to affect1 or interferes with a law of the ,state relating to the control1 appropriation1 use1 or distribution of water1 or any vested right acquired under the law4 7c7 ,rio ,grande compact ,nothing in this ,act or an amendment made by this ,act affects or is intended to affect or interfere with any obligation of a ,state under the ,rio ,grande ,compact or any litigation relating to the ,rio ,grande ,compact4