This proposal would change a section of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (section 40903) to expand which surface water and groundwater storage projects can be considered for grants. It sets two size and function categories: a general capacity category with projects that store between 200 and 30,000 acre-feet and that increase or convey surface or groundwater, and an average annual project life recharge category that recharges between 200 and 150,000 acre-feet and that increase, convey, recover, or stabilize groundwater. The text also changes a numeric figure from 5 to 10 in section 40903(e). The bill says its changes do not override State water law, federal water law, interstate compacts, or treaty obligations; do not authorize the federal government to acquire water; and do not affect water rights.
If you plan, operate, or fund water storage or recharge projects, this proposal describes which projects could be eligible for grant consideration under the amended section. Projects must meet the size ranges and the listed functions (increase storage, convey water, recharge aquifers, recover water, or stabilize groundwater levels). The text does not include application steps, who will receive grants, or specific funding amounts or timelines.
No publicly available information on total costs, federal spending changes, or specific grant amounts in the provided text. The bill changes a numeric limit from 5 to 10 in section 40903(e), but the text does not explain what that number controls in dollar terms.
The sponsors frame the purpose as increasing surface water and groundwater storage and widening which projects may be eligible for grants. The text includes protections to avoid changing State water law, water rights, interstate compacts, or treaty obligations.
No publicly available information on opposition or arguments against the proposal in the provided text.