§2357 Managed Aquifer Recharge Study and Working Group

Summary

The Secretary must carry out a national review, with non-Federal partners, of how to use managed aquifer recharge at authorized water resources projects to help with drought, make water supplies more resilient, and stop aquifers from shrinking. The review must spot ways to help non-Federal groups (including Tribes) do recharge projects, check local underground water conditions, and coordinate with other federal agencies, states, local governments, experts, and Tribes. At the request of a non-Federal partner, the Secretary may do up to 10 feasibility studies in places facing long drought, aquifer depletion, or water shortages. The federal share for each study is 90 percent, and the Secretary must use the national review’s findings when picking studies. Within 180 days after December 23, 2022, the Secretary must form a working group of Corps experts and outside stakeholders to advise, raise awareness, and help write a report. A report is due to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works within 2 years after December 23, 2022. The report must include the review and study results, a status update on the April 2020 IWR report “Managed Aquifer Recharge and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Water Security through Resilience” (2020–WP–01), and an evaluation of creating or changing a planning center of expertise with possible locations. This law does not change how much non-Federal partners must pay to build a recharge project under section 2213 or other laws. Managed aquifer recharge: intentionally storing and treating water underground for later use. Managed aquifer recharge project: adding recharge features to a water resources project.