118th CONGRESS 1st Session |
To clarify jurisdiction with respect to certain Bureau of Reclamation pumped storage development, and for other purposes.
March 14, 2023
Mr. Schweikert (for himself and Mr. Stanton) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources
To clarify jurisdiction with respect to certain Bureau of Reclamation pumped storage development, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. Land withdrawal and reservation.
(a) Definitions.—In this section:
(1) AGREEMENT.—The term “Agreement” means the agreement between the United States and the Association dated September 6, 1917.
(2) ASSOCIATION.—The term “Association” means the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association.
(3) COVERED LAND.—The term “covered land” means the portion of the National Forest System land located on the south side of the Salt River from the March 9, 1903, 1-mile withdrawal area for Reclamation purposes extending an additional 2 miles from the Salt River at Roosevelt Dam to 18.25 river miles downstream, not including the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area and the Tonto National Monument, as depicted on the Map.
(4) DISTRICT.—The term “District” means the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District.
(5) MAP.—The term “Map” means the map prepared under subsection (e)(1).
(6) SRP.—The term “SRP” means—
(A) the District; and
(B) the Association.
(b) Reservation of covered land.—Subject to valid existing rights, the covered land is reserved to the United States, through the Secretary of the Interior, for the exclusive right to use the covered land and interests in the covered land for the development, generation, and transmission of electrical power and energy for the use and benefit of the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project pursuant to the Agreement.
(c) Withdrawal of covered land.—The covered land is permanently withdrawn from—
(1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws;
(2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and
(3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
(d) Title to facilities.—With respect to facilities constructed by SRP on the covered land for the development, generation, and transmission of electrical power and energy—
(1) title shall be held by the United States as part of the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project pursuant to—
(A) section 6 of the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 389, chapter 1093; 43 U.S.C. 498); and
(B) the Agreement; and
(2) SRP shall be responsible for the care, operation, and maintenance pursuant to the Agreement.
(1) IN GENERAL.—As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall prepare a map depicting the boundary of the covered land.
(2) AVAILABILITY.—The Map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Reclamation.