HR1419-119

What This Bill Does

The Contaminated Wells Relocation Act gives NASA authority to enter an agreement with the Town of Chincoteague, Virginia for up to five years. NASA may reimburse costs directly tied to developing a plan to remove drinking water wells from NASA-administered property and establishing alternative wells on property controlled by the town through ownership, lease, or easement. The agreement should cover removal and relocation of the three remaining wells, identify the relocation site, and include current estimated costs for property, engineering, design, permitting, and construction. The bill is a local infrastructure fix tied to drinking-water reliability near NASA property.

Who Benefits and How

Chincoteague residents benefit because the town can relocate drinking water wells off NASA-administered property. The Town of Chincoteague benefits because NASA can reimburse planning, property, engineering, permitting, and construction costs. Local water utility customers benefit if alternative wells improve reliability and reduce contamination or access concerns. NASA facility managers benefit from resolving drinking-water infrastructure located on agency-administered property.

Who Bears the Burden and How

NASA must negotiate and administer a reimbursement agreement lasting up to five years. Federal taxpayers bear the cost of reimbursing eligible relocation planning and construction expenses. Town water planners must identify replacement sites and document costs for the three remaining wells. Permitting offices must review engineering, design, and construction work for alternative wells.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes NASA to reimburse Chincoteague for drinking-water well relocation costs.
• Provides for a reimbursement agreement of up to five years.
• Requires planning for removal of three remaining wells from NASA-administered property.
• Covers property, engineering, design, permitting, and construction costs for alternative wells.