View all text of Chapter 50 [§ 3201 - § 3208]
§ 3203. Small water storage and groundwater storage projects
(a) Establishment of a competitive grant program for small water storage and groundwater storage projects
(b) Eligibility and selection
(1) Submission to the Secretary
(A) In general
(B) Eligible projectsA project shall be considered eligible for consideration for a grant under this section if the project—
(i) has water storage capacity of not less than 200 acre-feet and not more than 30,000 acre-feet; and
(ii)(I) increases surface water or groundwater storage; or(II) conveys water, directly or indirectly, to or from surface water or groundwater storage.
(C) Guidelines
(2) Review by the SecretaryThe Secretary shall review each feasibility study received under paragraph (1)(A) for the purpose of determining whether—
(A) the feasibility study, and the process under which the study was developed, each comply with Federal laws (including regulations) applicable to feasibility studies of small storage projects;
(B) the project is technically and financially feasible, in accordance with—
(i) the guidelines developed under paragraph (1)(C); and
(ii) the reclamation laws; and
(C) the project provides a Federal benefit, as determined by the Secretary.
(3) Submission to CongressNot later than 180 days after the date of receipt of a feasibility study received under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes—
(A) the results of the review of the study by the Secretary under paragraph (2), including a determination of whether the project is feasible and provides a Federal benefit;
(B) any recommendations that the Secretary may have concerning the plan or design of the project; and
(C) any conditions the Secretary may require for construction of the project.
(4) Eligibility for funding
(A) In general
(B) Required determination
(5) PriorityIn awarding grants to projects under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that meet 1 or more of the following criteria:
(A) Projects that are likely to provide a more reliable water supply for States, Indian Tribes, and local governments, including subdivisions of those entities.
(B) Projects that are likely to increase water management flexibility and reduce impacts on environmental resources from projects operated by Federal and State agencies.
(C) Projects that are regional in nature.
(D) Projects with multiple stakeholders.
(E) Projects that provide multiple benefits, including water supply reliability, ecosystem benefits, groundwater management and enhancements, and water quality improvements.
(c) Ceiling on Federal shareThe Federal share of the costs of each of the individual projects selected under this section shall not exceed the lesser of—
(1) 25 percent of the total project cost; or
(2) $30,000,000.
(d) Environmental laws
(e) Termination of authority
(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title IX, § 40903, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1119; Pub. L. 117–328, div. CC, § 105, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5574.)