H.R. 8389 — Introduced in House

I 117th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8389 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 14, 2022Mr. Stewart (for himself, Mr. Owens, and Mr. Curtis) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To study how the Great Salt Lake and other saline lakes are affected by drought and to require a feasibility study on drought solutions, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Great Salt Lake Recovery Act. 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Program The term program means the program established under section 3(a). (2) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army. 3. Great Salt Lake monitoring and assessment program (a) In general The Secretary is authorized to carry out a program to monitor and assess the hydrology of saline lake ecosystems in the Great Basin, including the Great Salt Lake, to inform and support Federal and non-Federal management and conservation activities to benefit those ecosystems. (b) Coordination The Secretary shall coordinate implementation of the program with relevant— (1) Federal and State agencies; (2) Indian Tribes; (3) local governments; and (4) nonprofit organizations. (c) Contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts, grant agreements, and cooperative agreements with institutions of higher education and with entities described in subsection (b) to implement the program. (d) Update Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an update on the progress of the Secretary in carrying out the program. (e) Additional information In carrying out the program, the Secretary may use available studies, information, literature, or data on the Great Basin region published by relevant Federal, State, or local entities, including the United States Geological Survey. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000. 4. Drought solutions feasibility study The Secretary is authorized to investigate the feasibility of a project for ecosystem restoration and water supply in the Great Salt Lake, which may include an identification of— (1) technology capabilities currently in practice or expected to be commercialized within the next 10 years that can redirect water sources to drought-impacted saline lakes, or conserve and increase water supply and delivery, including— (A) pipelines; (B) coastal desalination plants; and (C) canal reinforcement; and (2) necessary permitting to redirect water sources across State borders.