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Dakota Water Resources Act of 2000

Held at the desk.

Official summary

Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Nov 1, 1999

Dakota Water Resources Act of 1999 - Amends Federal provisions relating to the Garrison water diversion unit, North Dakota (part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program), to include within authorized unit purposes the development of municipal, rural, and industrial water systems, fish, wildlife, and other natural resource conservation and development, recreation, flood control, ground water recharge, and augmented stream flows (currently, only irrigation is authorized). Authorizes the State of North Dakota (currently, only the Secretary of the Interior) to plan and construct within the State a multipurpose water resource development irrigation project. Directs the Secretary to estimate the actual construction cost of unit facilities already in existence, as well as their annual operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. Makes the Secretary responsible for operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of that portion of the capacity of existing unit facilities that remain unused. Makes the State responsible for: (1) O&M costs of the proportionate share of existing used unit facilities, as well as the full O&M costs of any facility constructed after the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) the costs of providing energy to authorized unit facilities. Requires the Secretary to enter into one or more contracts with North Dakota to carry out this Act, including O&M of the completed unit facilities and design and construction of new facilities. Authorizes water systems constructed under this Act to deliver Missouri River water into the Hudson Bay basin, after a certain required determination concerning adequate treatment of such water.(Sec. 3) Revises provisions concerning unit operational costs to make nonreimbursable: (1) all fish and wildlife enhancement costs incurred in connection with waterfowl refuges or production areas, as well as wildlife conservation areas proposed for Federal or State administration; and (2) 50 percent of recreation area costs, if non-Federal public bodies assume the remainder of such costs. Provides for the determination of such non-Federal share.Deauthorizes Taayer Reservoir and Lonetree Dam and Reservoir as project features.(Sec. 4) Allows the calculation of interest during construction of a feature only until such feature is substantially complete, and regardless of whether it is placed into service.(Sec. 5) Includes certain areas of North Dakota within the area in which the Secretary is authorized to develop irrigation facilities, but prohibits the development of any such facility in the Hudson Bay-Devils Lake Basin. Allows such developed irrigation to receive Pick-Sloan pumping power. Directs the Secretary to: (1) maintain the Snake Creek Pumping Plant, New Rockford Canal, and McClusky Canal features of the principal supply works, and to rehabilitate such features consistent with this Act; and (2) select a preferred alternative to implement this Act after considering connecting the existing principal supply works. Directs the Secretary to investigate and report on an undesignated 28,000 acres of irrigation areas in North Dakota.(Sec. 6) Prohibits any reallocation of project costs to Pick-Sloan customers.(Sec. 7) Revises provisions authorizing the construction of municipal, rural, and industrial water systems in North Dakota to: (1) authorize the State to use Federal and non-Federal funds for grants or loans for such systems (requiring proceeds from loan repayments and interest thereon to be treated as Federal funds); (2) make additional projects eligible for such funding; (3) authorize the State to develop and implement a water conservation program; (4) make nonreimbursable the costs of features constructed on the Missouri River by the Secretary of the Army before the date of enactment of this Act; and (5) add Turtle Mountain to the areas in which the Secretary is required to maintain necessary water systems.(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to select and construct a feature or features to deliver Missouri River water to the Sheyenne River water supply and release facility. Directs the Secretary and the State to jointly report to Congress on the comprehensive water quality needs of the Red River Valley and options for meeting those needs. Requires environmental impact statements to be provided. Directs the Secretary to construct, operate, and maintain a Sheyenne River water supply and release feature capable of delivering a specified water supply for the cities of Fargo and Grand Forks and surrounding communities.(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the State to convey U.S. rights and interests in the Oakes Test Area.(Sec. 10) Authorizes additional appropriations to carry out provisions added by this Act.(Sec. 11) Directs the Secretary, from funds authorized under this Act, to make an annual Federal contribution to the Natural Resources Trust (previously named the Wetlands Trust), limiting such annual contribution to $12 million. Directs the Secretary to make additional annual contributions equal to five percent of the total amount appropriated for such Trust in a fiscal year. Adds to authorized Trust uses the enhancement, restoration, and management of grassland conservation and riparian areas. Adds to Trust authority the power to fund incentives for conservation practices by landowners.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Conrad, Kent [D-ND] · D–ND

Committees

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  • Environment and Public Works Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Held at the desk.

  2. Received in the House.

  3. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S10535-10538)

  5. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S10535-10538)

  6. Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S10530-10538; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S10530-10535)

  7. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 359.

  8. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with amendments. With written report No. 106-203.

  9. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported to Senate by Senator Murkowski with amendments. With written report No. 106-203.

  10. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

  11. Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 106-208.

  12. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources requested executive comment from Department of the Interior, OMB.

  13. Referred to Subcommittee on Water and Power.

  14. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

  15. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  16. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  17. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

  18. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2733-2734)

  19. Introduced in Senate

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