To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 1 or more contracts with the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the storage of water in the Kendrick Project, Wyoming.

April 29, 2003

Mr. ENZI introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into 1 or more contracts with the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, for the storage of water in the Kendrick Project, Wyoming.

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

SECTION 1. WATER STORAGE CONTRACTS.

(a) DEFINITIONS- In this Act:

(1) CITY- The term `city' means--

(A) the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming;

(B) the Board of Public Utilities of the city; and

(C) any agency, public utility, or enterprise of the city.

(2) KENDRICK PROJECT-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term `Kendrick Project' means the Bureau of Reclamation project on the North Platte River in the State constructed for irrigation and the generation of electric power.

(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `Kendrick Project' includes--

(i) the Seminoe dam, reservoir, and powerplant; and

(ii) the Alcova dam and powerplant.

(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation.

(4) STATE- The term `State' means the State of Wyoming.

(b) CONTRACTS-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Secretary may enter into 1 or more contracts with the city for the annual storage in Seminoe dam and reservoir of the Kendrick Project of water for municipal and industrial uses.

(2) TERM; RENEWAL- A contract under paragraph (1)--

(A) shall have a term of not more than 40 years; and

(B) may be renewed, subject to any terms agreed to by the Secretary and the city, for additional 40-year terms.

(3) DISPOSITION OF PROCEEDS-

(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), any proceeds received under a contract under paragraph (1) shall--

(i) be deposited in the reclamation fund established under the first section of the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391); and

(ii) be available for the Kendrick Project.

(B) OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE- Any amounts collected as payments for the operation and maintenance charges of the Kendrick Project under the contract under paragraph (1) shall be credited against applicable operation and maintenance costs of the Kendrick Project.

(4) EFFECT- A contract under paragraph (1) shall not affect Kendrick Project contractors or any other existing reclamation contractors on the North Platte River system.

END