HR7287-119

What This Bill Does

The Lewis and Clark Regional Water System Expansion Feasibility Study Act directs the Secretary, in coordination with the non-federal project entity, to study whether a proposed rural water supply project should be authorized for construction. After the study, the Secretary must prepare a report recommending whether construction should be authorized and what non-federal construction share should apply. That share must be at least 25 percent and must be based on the project entity's ability to pay allocated construction, operations, maintenance, and replacement costs. The report goes to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and House Natural Resources Committee and must be public along with associated study documents. The federal study share is capped at 50 percent, $10 million is authorized, and the authority expires after 10 years.

Who Benefits and How

Rural water users in the Lewis and Clark service region benefit if the study moves an expansion closer to authorization and identifies a financially workable cost-share. The non-federal project entity benefits from federal technical review and up to a 50 percent federal study contribution. State, Tribal, regional, and local water authorities benefit because they must be consulted and can shape the recommended plan. Congressional natural-resources committees benefit from a public report with a construction recommendation and cost-share analysis.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Bureau of Reclamation and Interior Department must coordinate the study, consult federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local authorities, negotiate a cost-sharing or financial-assistance agreement, prepare the feasibility report, and publish the supporting documents. The non-federal project entity must pay at least half of study costs and would face at least 25 percent of construction costs if the project advances. Federal taxpayers bear the authorized $10 million study exposure while Congress receives the report before deciding on construction authorization.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a feasibility study for expanding the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System rural water supply project.
• Requires a public feasibility report recommending whether construction should be authorized and what non-federal construction share should apply.
• Provides a federal study cost share capped at 50 percent and authorizes $10 million for the study.
• Requires consultation with federal, State, Tribal, regional, and local authorities and sunsets the authority after 10 years.