Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2002
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 107-351.
Official Summary
Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2002 - Amends the Lower Rio Grande Valley Water Resources Conservation and Improvement Act of 2000 to: (1) authorize the construction of 20 additional specified projects in Texas; (2) require the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to undertake the Lower Rio Grande Water Conservation and Improvement Program through cooperative agreements; (3) require that project proposals be reviewed and evaluated under the guidelines set forth in a specified Bureau of Reclamation document; (4) require the Secretary to determine that a non-Federal project sponsor is financially capable of funding the non-Federal share of the project's costs, including operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement, and whether the project meets the guidelines; (5) permit project sponsors to contract with the Secretary to have the Secretary prepare the reports required under the Act (at a Federal cost share not to exceed 50 percent); (6) increase the authorization of appropriations for carrying out the Program; and (7) limit the non-Federal share of the total cost of any project carried out under or with assistance provided under the Act to 50 percent.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™This bill amends a previous 2000 law to authorize the construction of 20 additional water conservation projects in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. It directs the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, to manage the program via cooperative agreements and sets financial and procedural guidelines for project approval and cost-sharing. The bill also increases authorized funding and limits non-Federal cost shares to 50 percent for projects under the program.
The bill expands and updates a water conservation program in Texas, aiming to improve water resource management through federally supported projects with shared costs.
- Authorizes construction of 20 additional water conservation projects in Texas.
- Requires project proposals to be reviewed under specific Bureau of Reclamation guidelines.
- Limits non-Federal cost share of projects to 50 percent and increases authorized appropriations.
Potential beneficiaries include local water resource managers, project sponsors in Texas, the Bureau of Reclamation, and communities in the Lower Rio Grande Valley who rely on improved water conservation and infrastructure.
Possible concerns include the financial capacity requirements for non-Federal sponsors, the adequacy of funding levels, and the effectiveness of cooperative agreements. The bill text does not provide detailed information on long-term maintenance responsibilities or environmental impacts.
The bill was introduced in the House during the 107th Congress, falls under the Water Resources Development policy area, and has passed into law as Public Law No: 107-351 as of December 17, 2002.
No hidden impact flags detected
GovScope reviewed 11 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.
The bill may lead to improved water conservation infrastructure and management in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, potentially benefiting regional water supply and environmental conditions. It could also influence future cooperative federal-local water projects by setting cost-sharing and review standards.
The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed analysis. Citizens may want to review the specific Bureau of Reclamation guidelines referenced and monitor the financial capacity assessments of non-Federal sponsors. Tracking actual appropriations and project outcomes will be important for transparency and accountability.
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