HR 200

112th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. R. 200

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the Rialto-Colton Basin in the State of California, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 6, 2011

Mr. BACA (for himself and Mrs. NAPOLITANO) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

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A BILL

To direct the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of water resources in the Rialto-Colton Basin in the State of California, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Inland Empire Perchlorate Ground Water Plume Assessment Act of 2011'.

SEC. 2. RIALTO-COLTON BASIN, CALIFORNIA, WATER RESOURCES STUDY.

(a) In General- Not later than 2 years after funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Geological Survey, shall complete a study of water resources in the Rialto-Colton Basin in the State of California (in this section referred to as the `Basin'), including--

(1) a survey of ground water resources in the Basin, including an analysis of--

(A) the delineation, either horizontally or vertically, of the aquifers in the Basin, including the quantity of water in the aquifers;

(B) the availability of ground water resources for human use;

(C) the salinity of ground water resources;

(D) the identification of a recent surge in perchlorate concentrations in ground water, whether significant sources are being flushed through the vadose zone, or if perchlorate is being remobilized;

(E) the identification of impacts and extents of all source areas that contribute to the regional plume to be fully characterized;

(F) the potential of the ground water resources to recharge;

(G) the interaction between ground water and surface water;

(H) the susceptibility of the aquifers to contamination, including identifying the extent of commingling of plume emanating within surrounding areas in San Bernardino County, California; and

(I) any other relevant criteria; and

(2) a characterization of surface and bedrock geology of the Basin, including the effect of the geology on ground water yield and quality.

(b) Coordination- The Secretary shall carry out the study in coordination with the State of California and any other entities that the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including other Federal agencies and institutions of higher education.

(c) Report- Upon completion of the study, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report that describes the results of the study.

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