H.R. 331 · Passed House · Water Resources Development

To amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

Sponsor: Russ Fulcher (R-ID)

What it does

• Allow holders of existing water transport rights-of-way or permits on Bureau of Land Management land to use those authorizations for aquifer recharge without seeking additional authorization from the Department of Interi
• Permit rights-of-way holders to act on behalf of states, Indian Tribes, or public entities for aquifer recharge purposes using existing authorizations.
• Exempt holders from paying additional rents to the Bureau of Land Management when using existing authorizations for aquifer recharge, except for for-profit uses or for-profit entities.
• Require holders to notify the Bureau of Land Management of intended aquifer recharge use under existing authorizations.

Official summary

This bill modifies the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to expand provisions concerning authorizations (e.g., rights-of-way) to transport water across public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for aquifer recharge purposes. Under the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act, the holder of existing rights-of-way, easements, permits, or other authorizations to transport water across BLM land may transport the water for aquifer recharge purposes without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior so long as the use does not expand or modify the operation of such authorizations across public land. The bill allows the holders of such authorizations to act not only on behalf of themselves, but also on behalf of states, Indian Tribes, or public entities, to use the existing authorizations for aquifer recharge without additional authorization from the Department of the Interior. Further, the bill states that this use may not be considered an expansion, modification, major federal action, or substantial deviation. Additionally, the bill exempts holders from paying additional rents to the BLM for any use of such authorizations; however, the exemption does not…

Latest action

Sep 30, 2026: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources