§390g–2 Phase Ii of Groundwater Recharge Demonstration Program

Summary

The Bureau must design, build, and run demonstration projects to recharge groundwater in the High Plains States and other Reclamation Act States, while following state water laws and interstate water compacts. The Secretary must have the Bureau work with those States to study how project costs could be shared among the people who benefit and to check the economic practicality and legal authority for using groundwater recharge in water projects. Within 12 months after phase II starts and then every year, the Secretary must send interim reports to Congress about progress and findings. Within five years of starting phase II, the Secretary must send a summary report with a detailed review of the demonstrations, the study results, recommendations on where and how to build full projects, and whether they can be added to existing reclamation projects. The Secretary must also give extra recommendations for design and operation. Each project ends five years after construction is finished. At the end of phase II, the Secretary must send a final report to Congress with a full evaluation of the projects.