PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Secretary of Commerce must lead a study, through the Economic Development Administration and working with the Secretary of the Army (through the Chief of Engineers), other federal, state, and local agencies, and private groups. The study must look at how falling water from the Ogallala aquifer affects parts of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska and must make plans to increase water supplies so food and the region’s economy stay strong. The study must review past work, test possible fixes (including moving water from nearby areas, with the Chief of Engineers handling that part), and report costs, benefits, and the cost of doing nothing. If moving water is recommended, the report must include a fair plan to share water that respects current water rights and future growth. An interim report was due by October 1, 1978, a final report by July 1, 1980, and up to $6,000,000 was authorized to carry out the work.

Title 42, §1962d–18

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In order to assure an adequate supply of food to the Nation and to promote the economic vitality of the High Plains Region, the Secretary of Commerce (hereinafter referred to in this section as the “Secretary”), acting through the Economic Development Administration, in cooperation with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, and appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and the private sector, is authorized and directed to study the depletion of the natural resources of those regions of the States of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska presently utilizing the declining water resources of the Ogallala acquifer,11 So in original. Probably should be “aquifer,”. and to develop plans to increase water supplies in the area and report thereon to Congress, together with any recommendations for further congressional action. In formulating these plans, the Secretary is directed to consider all past and ongoing studies, plans, and work on depleted water resources in the region, and to examine the feasibility of various alternatives to provide adequate water supplies in the area including, but not limited to, the transfer of water from adjacent areas, such portion to be conducted by the Chief of Engineers to assure the continued economic growth and vitality of the region. The Secretary shall report on the costs of reasonably available options, the benefits of various options, and the costs of inaction. If water transfer is found to be a part of a reasonable solution, the Secretary, as part of his study, shall include a recommended plan for allocating and distributing water in an equitable fashion, taking into account existing water rights and the needs for future growth of all affected areas. An interim report, with recommendations, shall be transmitted to the Congress no later than October 1, 1978, and a final report, with recommendations, shall be transmitted to Congress not later than July 1, 1980. A sum of $6,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for the purposes of carrying out this section.

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1976, and not as part of the Water Resources Planning Act which comprises this chapter.

§1962d–18 Study of Depletion of Natural Resources of Regions of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska Utilizing Ogallala Aquifer; Plans; Reports to Congress; Authorization of Appropriation

Summary

Title 42, §1962d–18

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Citations & Metadata