§ 2403. Rural water programs assessment

(a) In general In consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the Indian Health Service, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary shall develop an assessment of—

(1) the status of all rural water supply projects under the jurisdiction of the Secretary authorized but not completed prior to December 22, 2006, including appropriation amounts, the phase of development, total anticipated costs, and obstacles to completion;

(2) the current plan (including projected financial and workforce requirements) for the completion of the projects identified in paragraph (1) within the time frames established under the provisions of law authorizing the projects or the final engineering reports for the projects;

(3) the demand for new rural water supply projects;

(4) rural water programs within other agencies and a description of the extent to which those programs provide support for rural water supply projects and water treatment programs in Reclamation States, including an assessment of the requirements, funding levels, and conditions of eligibility for the programs assessed;

(5) the extent of the demand that the Secretary can meet with the Program;

(6) how the Program will complement authorities already within the jurisdiction of the Secretary and the heads of the agencies with whom the Secretary consults; and

(7) improvements that can be made to coordinate and integrate the authorities of the agencies with programs evaluated under paragraph (4), including any recommendations to consolidate some or all of the activities of the agencies with respect to rural water supply.

(b) Consultation with States

Before finalizing the assessment developed under subsection (a), the Secretary shall solicit comments from States with identified rural water needs.

(c) Report

Not later than 2 years after December 22, 2006, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a detailed report on the assessment conducted under subsection (a).

(Pub. L. 109–451, title I, § 104, Dec. 22, 2006, 120 Stat. 3348.)