§3205 Competitive Grant Program for Large-scale Water Recycling and Reuse Program

Summary

Creates a competitive grant program run by the Secretary to fund planning, design, and construction of very large water recycling and reuse projects for the Reclamation States. Eligible entity: a State, Indian Tribe, city, irrigation/water/wastewater district, a joint powers agency, or a regional/local authority that includes such groups. Eligible project: a project that reclaims municipal, industrial, domestic, or agricultural wastewater or impaired groundwater or surface water; costs at least $500,000,000; is in a Reclamation State (per the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391)); is built and run by an eligible entity; and provides a Federal benefit under reclamation laws. To get a grant, the project needs a feasibility or similar study that the eligible entity prepares and the Secretary agrees shows the project is technically and financially workable, provides a Federal benefit, and follows applicable Federal and State laws. The entity must have enough non-Federal money and be financially solvent, as the Secretary decides. The Secretary must tell Congress in writing within 30 days after agreeing with those findings. Priority goes to projects that give multiple benefits (like more reliable water in drought areas, fish and wildlife gains, and improved water quality), reduce environmental harms from other water projects, help multi-State water plans, are regional, or have broad stakeholder support. The Federal share cannot be more than 25% of a project’s total cost; there is no overall dollar cap across projects; Federal funds are nonreimbursable. Receiving other federal help under the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.), section 4(a) of the Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 10301 note; Public Law 104–298), or section 1602(e) of the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h(e)) does not bar eligibility. The Secretary must follow environmental laws including the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), issue guidance within 1 year after November 15, 2021, post an annual list of awarded projects on the Department of the Interior website, and the Comptroller General must assess and report on the selection process to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources within 1 year after the first grants. Planning or building conveyance systems is eligible. The authority to run the program ends 5 years after November 15, 2021.