
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC1962d-18]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                  CHAPTER 19B--WATER RESOURCES PLANNING
 
                 SUBCHAPTER IV--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
Sec. 1962d-18. Study of depletion of natural resources of 
        regions of Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and 
        Nebraska utilizing Ogallala aquifer; plans; reports to Congress; 
        authorization of appropriation
        
    In order to assure an adequate supply of food to the Nation and to 
promote the economic vitality of the High Plains Region, the Secretary 
of Commerce (hereinafter referred to in this section as the 
``Secretary''), acting through the Economic Development Administration, 
in cooperation with the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief 
of Engineers, and appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, and 
the private sector, is authorized and directed to study the depletion of 
the natural resources of those regions of the States of Colorado, 
Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Nebraska presently utilizing 
the declining water resources of the Ogallala acquifer,\1\ and to 
develop plans to increase water supplies in the area and report thereon 
to Congress, together with any recommendations for further congressional 
action. In formulating these plans, the Secretary is directed to 
consider all past and ongoing studies, plans, and work on depleted water 
resources in the region, and to examine the feasibility of various 
alternatives to provide adequate water supplies in the area including, 
but not limited to, the transfer of water from adjacent areas, such 
portion to be conducted by the Chief of Engineers to assure the 
continued economic growth and vitality of the region. The Secretary 
shall report on the costs of reasonably available options, the benefits 
of various options, and the costs of inaction. If water transfer is 
found to be a part of a reasonable solution, the Secretary, as part of 
his study, shall include a recommended plan for allocating and 
distributing water in an equitable fashion, taking into account existing 
water rights and the needs for future growth of all affected areas. An 
interim report, with recommendations, shall be transmitted to the 
Congress no later than October 1, 1978, and a final report, with 
recommendations, shall be transmitted to Congress not later than July 1, 
1980. A sum of $6,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated for the 
purposes of carrying out this section.
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    \1\ So in original. Probably should be ``aquifer,''.
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(Pub. L. 94-587, Sec. 193, Oct. 22, 1976, 90 Stat. 2943.)

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act 
of 1976, and not as part of the Water Resources Planning Act which 
comprises this chapter.
