Klamath Basin Water Recovery and Economic Restoration Act of 2015
A BILL
To approve and implement the Klamath Basin agreements, to improve natural resource management, support economic development, and sustain agricultural production in the Klamath River Basin in the public interest and the interest of the United States, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Definitions
Sec. 3 Authorization, execution, and implementation of settlements
Sec. 4 Klamath project authorized purposes
Sec. 5 Tribal commitments; release of claims
Sec. 6 Water and power provisions
“4. Water management and planning activities
“(a) Definitions—In this section:
“(1) Off-project area—The term Off-Project Area means—
“(A) the areas within the Sprague River, Sycan River, Williamson River, and Wood Valley (including Crooked Creek, Sevenmile Creek, Fourmile Creek, and Crane Creek) subbasins referred to in Exhibit B of the Upper Basin Agreement; and
“(B) to the extent provided for in the Upper Basin Agreement, any other areas for which claims described by section 1.3 or 2.5.1 of the Upper Basin Agreement are settled as provided for in section 2.5.1 of the Upper Basin Agreement.
“(2) On-project power user—The term On-Project Power User has the meaning given the term in the Restoration Agreement.
“(3) Restoration agreement—The term Restoration Agreement means the agreement entitled “Klamath River Basin Restoration Agreement for the Sustainability of Public and Trust Resources and Affected Communities” and dated February 18, 2010 (including any amendments adopted prior to the date of enactment of this Act and any further amendment to that agreement approved pursuant to section 3(a) of the Klamath Basin Water Recovery and Economic Restoration Act of 2015).
“(4) Upper basin agreement—The term Upper Basin Agreement means the agreement entitled “Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement” and dated April 18, 2014 (including any amendment to that agreement).
“(b) Action by Secretary
“(1) In general—The Secretary may carry out any activities, including by entering into an agreement or contract or otherwise making financial assistance available—
“(A) to align water supplies with demand, including activities to reduce water consumption and demand, consistent with the Restoration Agreement or the Upper Basin Agreement;
“(B) to limit the net costs of power used to manage water (including by arranging for delivery of Federal power, consistent with the Restoration Agreement and the Upper Basin Agreement) for—
“(i) the Klamath Project (within the meaning of section 2);
“(ii) the On-Project Power Users;
“(iii) irrigators in the Off-Project Area; and
“(iv) the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex; and
“(C) to restore any ecosystem and otherwise protect fish and wildlife in the Klamath Basin watershed, including tribal fishery resources held in trust, consistent with Restoration Agreement and the Upper Basin Agreement.
“(2) Inclusion—Purchases of power by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(B) shall be considered an authorized sale under section 5(b)(3) of the Pacific Northwest Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act (16 U.S.C. 839c(b)(3)).”