Bill > S1570

This bill, the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, authorizes the use of certain Bureau of Reclamation facilities and federal land, excluding facilities and land in California, to convey water to recharge certain aquifers. It allows the Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner to permit the use of excess capacity in Reclamation facilities for aquifer recharge of non-Reclamation project water, subject to certain conditions. The bill also enables holders of water service or repayment contracts for Reclamation projects to directly use or transfer water under their contracts for aquifer recharge on eligible land, provided certain requirements are met. Additionally, the bill allows the holder of a right-of-way, easement, permit, or other authorization to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management to do so for aquifer recharge purposes without requiring additional authorization, as long as the use does not expand or modify the operation of the existing authorization.