---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 390g–2"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "390g–2"
heading: "Phase II of groundwater recharge demonstration program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/390g-2"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — Reclamation and Irrigation of Lands by Federal Government"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §390g–2. Phase II of groundwater recharge demonstration program

- (a) **Design, construction, and operation of projects—** During phase II, and subject to [State](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) water laws and interstate water compacts, the Bureau is authorized and directed to design, construct, and operate demonstration projects in the High Plains [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) and other Reclamation Act [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) to recharge groundwater systems as recommended in the report referred to in [subsection (c)](#c).
- (b) **Alternative means of cost allocation; economic feasibility of projects—** During phase II the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7), acting through the Bureau, shall contract with the various High Plains [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) and other Reclamation Act [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) to conduct a study to identify and evaluate alternative means by which the costs of groundwater recharge projects could be allocated among the beneficiaries of the projects within the respective [States](/usc/43/31b.md?p=8) and identify and evaluate the economic feasibility of and the legal authority for utilizing groundwater recharge in water resource development projects.
- (c) **Reports to Congress—**
  - (1) Within twelve months after the initiation of phase II, and at annual intervals thereafter, the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall submit interim reports to Congress. Each report shall contain a detailed statement of his findings and progress respecting the design, construction, and operation of the demonstration projects referred to in [subsection (a)](#a) and the study referred to in [subsection (b)](#b).
  - (2) Within five years after the initiation of phase II, the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall submit a summary report to Congress. The summary report shall contain—
    - (A) a detailed evaluation of the demonstration projects referred to in [subsection (a)](#a);
    - (B) the results of the studies referred to in [subsection (b)](#b);
    - (C) specific recommendations regarding the location, scope, and feasibility of operational groundwater recharge projects to be constructed and maintained by the Bureau; and
    - (D) an evaluation of the feasibility of integrating these groundwater recharge projects into existing [reclamation projects](/usc/43/373c.md?p=2).
  - (3) In addition to recommendations made under [section 390g–1 of this title](/usc/43/390g–1.md), the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall make additional recommendations for design, construction, and operation of demonstration projects. Such projects are authorized to be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with [subsection (a)](#a).
  - (4) Each project under this section shall terminate five years after the date on which construction on the project is completed.
  - (5) At the conclusion of phase II the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) shall submit a final report to the Congress which shall include, but not be limited to, a detailed evaluation of the projects under this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–434, § 4, Sept. 28, 1984, 98 Stat. 1676; Pub. L. 102–575, title XXVI, § 2601(1), (2), Oct. 30, 1992, 106 Stat. 4689.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–575 substituted “summary report” for “final report” in two places in introductory provisions of par. (2) and added pars. (3) to (5).