Union Calendar No. 213
118th CONGRESS 1st Session |
[Report No. 118–264]
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
November 3, 2023
Additional sponsors: Mrs. Lesko, Mr. Gallego, and Mr. Ciscomani
November 3, 2023
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on March 14, 2023]
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, as amended.
(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 the Bureau of Reclamation purposes extending an additional 2 miles from the Salt River at Roosevelt Dam to 18.25 river miles downstream, in the State of Arizona, not including the Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area and the Tonto National Monument, as depicted on the Map.
(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.
(d) Facilities.—With respect to facilities constructed by SRP on the covered land for the development, generation, and transmission of electrical power and energy—
(1) the design and specifications shall conform to Bureau of Reclamation standards, and final designs shall be subject to review and approval by the Secretary of the Interior;
(2) all construction work shall be subject to inspection and approval by the Secretary of the Interior;
(3) upon a determination of substantial completion of such facilities, the Secretary of the Interior shall accept title on behalf of 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
(e) Map.—
(f) Management of covered land.—Management of the covered lands shall be in accordance with the Management Memorandum among the District, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation, dated April 27, 1979, as amended.
(g) Relation to other law.—
(1) COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.—The Secretary of the Interior is directed to carry out all necessary environmental compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq.), and all other applicable environmental laws and regulations, prior to construction of facilities on the covered land for the development, generation, and transmission of electrical power and energy.
(2) LEAD AGENCY.—The Bureau of Reclamation shall be the lead agency with respect to environmental compliance.
(3) WITHDRAWAL NOT MAJOR FEDERAL ACTION.—The withdrawal of the covered land shall not constitute a major Federal action under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.).
(4) ANTIDEFICIENCY.—The United States shall not be liable for failure to carry out any obligation or activity authorized to be carried out under this title (including any such obligation or activity under the Agreement) if adequate appropriations are not provided by Congress expressly to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Union Calendar No. 213 | |||||
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[Report No. 118–264] | |||||
A BILL | |||||
To clarify jurisdiction with respect to certain Bureau of Reclamation pumped storage development, and for other purposes. | |||||
November 3, 2023 | |||||
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed |