,,ii #aagth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bccd ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #ac1 #bjba,ms4 ,cortez ,masto 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,padilla1 and ,ms4 ,rosen7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,secretary of the ,interior to establish a grant program to provide grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities for large-scale water recycling and reuse projects1 to amend the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji to make certain modifications to the ,cooperative ,watershed ,management ,program1 to provide emergency drought funding1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,large ,scale ,water ,recycling ,project and ,drought ,resiliency ,investment ,act4 #b4 ,large-scale water recycling project investment 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 municipality1 irrigation district1 water district1 wastewater district1 or other organization with water or power delivery authority2 7,b7 a ,state1 regional1 or local authority1 the members of which include #a or more organizations with water or power delivery authority2 and 7,c7 an agency established under ,state law for the joint exercise of powers or a combination of entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b74 7#b7 ,eligible project ,the term eligible project means a project described in subsection 7c74 7#c7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian ,tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#d7 ,program ,the term program means the grant program established under subsection 7b74 7#e7 ,reclamation state ,the term ,reclamation ,state means a ,state or territory described in the first section of the ,act of ,june #ag1 #aijb 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #cia2 #cb ,stat4 #chh1 chapter #ajic74 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to eligible entities on a competitive basis for the planning1 design1 and construction of large-scale water recycling and reclamation projects that provide substantial water supply and other benefits to drought-stricken regions in the ,reclamation ,states4 7c7 ,eligible project ,a project shall be eligible for a grant under the program if the project-- 7#a7 reclaims and reuses-- 7,a7 municipal1 industrial1 domestic1 or agricultural wastewater2 or 7,b7 impaired groundwater or surface water2 7#b7 has a total estimated cost of #ejj1jjj1jjj or more2 7#c7 is located in a ,reclamation ,state2 7#d7 is constructed1 operated1 and maintained by an eligible entity2 and 7#e7 provides a ,federal benefit in accordance with the reclamation laws4 7d7 ,project evaluation ,the ,secretary may provide a grant to an eligible entity for an eligible project under the program if-- 7#a7 the eligible entity determines through the preparation of a feasibility study or equivalent study1 and the ,secretary concurs1 that the eligible project-- 7,a7 is technically and financially feasible2 7,b7 provides a ,federal benefit in accordance with the reclamation laws2 and 7,c7 is consistent with applicable ,federal and ,state laws2 7#b7 the eligible entity has sufficient non-,federal funding available to complete the eligible project1 as determined by the ,secretary2 7#c7 the eligible entity is financially solvent1 as determined by the ,secretary2 and 7#d7 not later than #cj days after the date on which the ,secretary concurs with the determinations under paragraph 7#a7 with respect to the eligible project1 the ,secretary submits to ,congress written notice of the determinations4 7e7 ,priority ,in funding eligible projects under the program1 the ,secretary shall give funding priority for eligible projects that meet #a or more of the following criteria3 7#a7 ,the eligible project provides multiple benefits1 including-- 7,a7 water supply reliability benefits for drought-stricken ,states and communities2 7,b7 fish and wildlife benefits2 and 7,c7 water quality improvements4 7#b7 ,the eligible project is likely to reduce impacts on environmental resources from water projects owned or operated by ,federal and ,state agencies1 including through measurable reductions in water diversions from imperiled ecosystems4 7#c7 ,the eligible project would advance water management plans across a multi-,state area1 such as drought contingency plans in the ,colorado ,river ,basin4 7#d7 ,the eligible project is regional in nature4 7#e7 ,the eligible project is collaboratively developed or supported by multiple stakeholders4 7f7 ,federal assistance 7#a7 ,federal cost share ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,federal share of the cost of any eligible project provided a grant under the program shall not exceed #be percent of the total cost of the eligible project4 7#b7 ,increased federal cost share for eligible projects with additional measurable benefits ,the ,secretary may increase the ,federal share of the cost of an eligible project under paragraph 7#a7 to not more that #ge percent of the total costs of the eligible project1 if the eligible project advances at least a proportionate share of nonreimbursable benefits authorized under the reclamation laws1 including fish and wildlife benefits provided through measurable reductions in water diversions from imperiled ecosystems4 7#c7 ,total cap ,the ,secretary shall not impose a total dollar cap on ,federal contributions that applies to all individual eligible projects provided a grant under the program4 7#d7 ,nonreimbursable funds ,funds provided by the ,secretary to an eligible entity under the program shall be considered nonreimbursable4 7#e7 ,funding eligibility ,an eligible project shall not be considered ineligible for assistance under this section because the eligible project has received assistance authorized under-- 7,a7 the ,reclamation ,wastewater and ,groundwater ,study and ,facilities ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #cij;h et seq472 7,b7 section #d7;a7 of the ,water ,desalination ,act of #aiif 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcja note2 ,public ,law #ajd-bih7 for eligible desalination projects2 or 7,c7 section #afjb7;e7 of the ,reclamation ,wastewater and ,groundwater ,study and ,facilities ,act 7#dc ,u4,s4,c4 #cij;h7e774 7g7 ,environmental laws ,in providing a grant for an eligible project under the program1 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 7h7 ,guidance ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall issue guidance on the implementation of this section1 including guidelines for the preparation of feasibility studies or equivalent studies by eligible entities4 7i7 ,congressional approval 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #fj days before the date on which a grant is provided for an eligible project under this section1 the ,secretary shall notify the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives1 in writing1 of the proposed grant4 7#b7 ,requirements ,a notification under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 an evaluation and justification for the eligible project2 and 7,b7 a description of the amount of the proposed grant award4 7#c7 ,congressional disapproval ,the ,secretary shall not make a grant or any other obligation or commitment to fund an eligible project under this section that exceeds #ajj1jjj1jjj1 if1 by not later than the end of the #fj-;day period described in paragraph 7#a71 a joint resolution is enacted disapproving the funding for the eligible project4 7j7 ,reports 7#a7 ,annual report ,at the end of each fiscal year1 the ,secretary shall make available on the website of the ,department of the ,interior an annual report that lists each eligible project for which a grant has been provided under this section during the fiscal year4 7#b7 ,comptroller general 7,a7 ,assessment ,the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall conduct an assessment of the administrative establishment1 solicitation1 selection1 and justification process with respect to the funding of grants under this section4 7,b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of the initial award of grants under the program1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives a report that describes-- 7i7 the adequacy and effectiveness of the process by which each eligible project was selected1 if applicable2 and 7ii7 the justification and criteria used for the selection of each eligible project1 if applicable4 7k7 ,treatment of conveyance ,the ,secretary shall consider the planning1 design1 and construction of a conveyance system for an eligible project to be eligible for grant funding under the program4 7l7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #gej1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjbc through #bjbg4 #c4 ,drought resiliency 7a7 ,cooperative watershed management program 7#a7 ,definitions ,section #fjja7g7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae7g77 is amended-- 7,a7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking or at the end2 7,b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,e7 as subparagraph 7,f72 and 7,c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,d7 the following3 7,e7 provides for the conduct of emergency drought planning2 or 4 7#b7 ,funding procedure ,section #fjjb7;c77#b77;,a7 of the ,omnibus ,public ,land ,management ,act of #bjji 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;a7c77#b77;,a77 is amended by inserting or emergency drought plan after restoration plan each place it appears4 7b7 ,emergency drought funding 7#a7 ,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 paragraph to organizations and entities that are-- 7i7 engaged in collaborative processes to restore the environment2 or 7ii7 part of a basin-wide solution for restoration4 7,c7 ,types of assistance ,assistance under subparagraph 7,a7 may include a range of projects1 including-- 7i7 the installation of pumps1 temporary barriers1 or operable gates for water diversion and fish protection2 7ii7 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 7iii7 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 purposes2 7iv7 agricultural and urban conservation and efficiency projects2 7v7 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 7vi7 emergency pumping projects for critical health and safety purposes2 7vii7 activities to reduce water demand consistent with a comprehensive program for environmental restoration and settlement of water rights claims2 and 7viii7 activities that protect1 restore1 or enhance fish and wildlife habitat or otherwise improve environmental conditions1 including water quantity or quality concerns and improved fish passage4 7,d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to provide financial assistance under this paragraph not more than #ej1jjj1jjj for the period of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf1 of which not more than #bj1jjj1jjj 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 7#b7 ,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 7#c7 ,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 #bjba and inserting #bjca4