,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hbei ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,april #ad1 #bjbf,mr4 ,bentz 7for himself and ,mr4 ,fulcher7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to ensure meaningful consultation and cooperation between ,federal and local entities in the operation of ,federal water projects in the ,reclamation ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,federal ,water ,projects ,consultation ,improvement ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,consultation with affected contractors of ,federal water projects 7a7 ,resolution of water resource issues ,in furtherance of the policy established by section #b7;c77#b7 of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aeca7;c77#b771 in a consultation or reconsultation under section #g of that ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7 with respect to the operation of a ,federal water project1 the head of each action agency1 the ,secretary1 or the head of an action agency and the ,secretary working in coordination1 as applicable1 shall ensure that each covered entity that so requests shall-- 7#a7 have routine and continuing opportunities-- 7,a7 to discuss and submit information to the action agency for consideration during the development of any biological assessment2 and 7,b7 engage with the action agency with respect to the preparation of the biological assessment2 7#b7 if the head of an action agency suggests or considers an agency action that would not result in full delivery of water pursuant to a contract for contractors of the ,federal water project1 be informed and engaged as to-- 7,a7 the legal authority invoked by the action agency to support that such agency action would be within the scope of the authority of the action agency2 7,b7 how each component of the agency action would contribute to avoiding jeopardizing the continued existence of any threatened species or endangered species and destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat and the scientific data or information that supports each component of the agency action under consideration2 and 7,c7 why any other agency actions that would have fewer adverse water supply and economic impacts are inadequate to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of any threatened species or endangered species and destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat2 7#c7 be informed by the head of the action agency of the schedule for preparation of a biological assessment2 7#d7 be informed by the ,secretary of the schedule for preparation of the biological opinion at such time as the biological assessment is submitted to the ,services by the action agency2 7#e7 receive a copy of draft biological opinion and have the opportunity to review each such draft biological opinion and provide comment to the ,secretary through engagement with the action agency1 which comments shall be afforded due consideration during the consultation2 7#f7 have the opportunity to confer and engage with the head of the action agency and applicant1 if any1 with respect to reasonable and prudent alternatives prior to the identification of any reasonable and prudent alternative for consideration2 7#g7 if the ,secretary suggests a reasonable and prudent alternative1 be informed and engaged with respect to-- 7,a7 how each component of the reasonable and prudent alternative will contribute to avoiding jeopardizing the continued existence of any threatened species or endangered species and destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat and the scientific data or information that supports each component of the reasonable and prudent alternative2 and 7,b7 why any other proposed reasonable and prudent alternatives that would have fewer adverse water supply and economic impacts are inadequate to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence of any threatened species or endangered species and destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat2 and 7#h7 if the ,secretary proposes a reasonable and prudent measure to avoid or minimize take of threatened species or endangered species1 or terms and conditions to implement such reasonable and prudent measure1 be informed and engaged with respect to-- 7,a7 how the reasonable and prudent measure or terms and conditions relate to avoiding or minimizing such take2 and 7,b7 whether the reasonable and prudent measure or terms and conditions conform to any applicable limitations4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,action agency ,the term action agency means the ,federal agency responsible for authorizing1 funding1 or carrying out an action subject to consultation under section #g of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf74 7#b7 ,agency action ,the term agency action has the meaning given the term in section #g7;a77#b7 of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7;a77#b774 7#c7 ,biological assessment ,the term biological assessment means a biological assessment conducted under section #g7;c7 of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7;c774 7#d7 ,biological opinion ,the term biological opinion means a written statement provided by the ,secretary under section #g7;b77#c7 of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7;b77#c774 7#e7 ,contractor ,the term contractor means any public agency1 quasi-municipal corporation1 irrigation district1 water users association1 or similar entity that has entered into a water service1 repayment1 or other contract with the ,united ,states related to storage1 diversion1 or delivery of water from a ,federal water project4 7#f7 ,covered entity ,the term covered entity means a public or quasi-municipal agency or water users association that has a contract with the ,bureau of ,reclamation for municipal or agricultural water supply from a ,federal water project4 7#g7 ,critical habitat ,the term critical habitat has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb74 7#h7 ,endangered species ,the term endangered species has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb74 7#i7 ,engage ,the term engage means to conduct direct written and in-person communications recognizing the unique interest of the contractor and promoting maximum candor and cooperation4 7#aj7 ,federal water project ,the term ,federal water project means any project or facility-- 7,a7 in a ,reclamation ,state described in subparagraphs 7,b7 through 7,r7 of section #abh7;a77#g7 of the ,,explore ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #hdbf7;a77#g772 and 7,b7 operated or managed by a ,federal agency for the authorized purpose of municipal or agricultural water supply4 7#aa7 ,reasonable and prudent alternative ,the term reasonable and prudent alternative means a reasonable and prudent alternative suggested by the ,secretary under section #g7;b77#c7 of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7;b77#c774 7#ab7 ,reasonable and prudent measure ,the term reasonable and prudent measure means a reasonable and prudent measure specified by the ,secretary under section #g7;b77#d7 of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecf7;b77#d774 7#ac7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb74 7#ad7 ,take ,the term take has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb74 7#ae7 ,threatened species ,the term threatened species has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aecb74