43 U.S.C. § 390h–14: Groundwater study

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior must use the Bureau of Reclamation and the Geological Survey to study how current Reclamation projects affect groundwater amount and quality. From that study the Secretary must write a report that explains the results and how the study was done, describes ways to change project operations to reduce harm to groundwater, and gives the Secretary’s recommendations plus the affected States’ Governors’ recommendations about creating a groundwater management and technical assistance program in the Department of the Interior to help federal and non‑federal groups manage groundwater. The Secretary must talk with the affected Governors while doing the study and writing the report. The report must go to the House Committees on Appropriations and Natural Resources and the Senate Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Natural Resources within three years after funds are appropriated under section 390h–15.

Title 43, §390h–14

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(a)Investigation, analysis, and report

In furtherance of the High Plains Groundwater Demonstration Program Act of 1983 (98 Stat. 1675) [43 U.S.C. 390g et seq.], the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation and the Geological Survey, shall conduct an investigation and analysis of the impacts of existing Bureau of Reclamation projects on the quality and quantity of groundwater resources. Based on such investigation and analysis, the Secretary shall prepare a reclamation groundwater management and technical assistance report which shall include—

(1)a description of the findings of the investigation and analysis, including the methodology employed;

(2)a description of methods for optimizing Bureau of Reclamation project operations to ameliorate adverse impacts on groundwater, and

(3)the Secretary’s recommendations, along with the recommendations of the Governors of the affected States, concerning the establishment of a groundwater management and technical assistance program in the Department of the Interior in order to assist Federal and non-Federal entity development and implementation of groundwater management plans and activities.

(b)Consultation with Governors

In conducting the investigation and analysis, and in preparation of the report referred to in this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Governors of the affected States.

(c)Report

The report shall be submitted to the Committees on Appropriations and Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations and Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate within three years of the appropriation of funds authorized by section 390h–15 of this title.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The High Plains Groundwater Demonstration Program Act of 1983, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 98–434, Sept. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1675, which is classified generally to sections 390g to 390g–8 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 390g of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–266, § 2(b)(2), made technical amendment to reference in original act which appears in text as reference to section 390h–15 of this title. 1994—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–437 substituted “Natural Resources” for “Interior and Insular Affairs” before “of the House”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Geological Survey redesignated United States Geological Survey by provision of title I of Pub. L. 102–154, Nov. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1000, set out as a note under section 31 of this title.

§390h–14 Groundwater Study