A bill to authorize the Colorado River Indian Tribes to enter into lease or exchange agreements and storage agreements relating to water of the Colorado River allocated to the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and for other purposes.
Committees
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Bill Summary
Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Colorado River Indian tribes (CRIT) to enter into an agreement or option to lease or exchange a portion of the consumptive use of water to be used off the tribe's reservation if the use off the reservation is located in the Lower Basin of the Colorado River, Colorado. The CRIT is authorized to enter into an agreement, including with the Arizona Water Banking Authority, for the storage of a portion of the consumptive use, or the water received under an exchange pursuant to an exchange agreement under this bill, at one or more underground storage facilities or groundwater savings facilities off the reservation if the facility is located in the Lower Basin. The Department of the Interior, when approving a lease or exchange or storage agreement, must ensure that such agreement complies with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and other federal environmental laws.
A bill to authorize the Colorado River Indian Tribes to enter into lease or exchange agreements and storage agreements relating to water of the Colorado River allocated to the Colorado River Indian Tribes, and for other purposes.
Colorado River Indian Tribes Water Resiliency Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Colorado River Indian tribes (CRIT) to enter into an agreement or option to lease or exchange a portion of the consumptive use of water to be used off the tribe's reservation if the use off the reservation is located in the Lower Basin of the Colorado River, Colorado. The CRIT is authorized to enter into an agreement, including with the Arizona Water Banking Authority, for the storage of a portion of the consumptive use, or the water received under an exchange pursuant to an exchange agreement under this bill, at one or more underground storage facilities or groundwater savings facilities off the reservation if the facility is located in the Lower Basin. The Department of the Interior, when approving a lease or exchange or storage agreement, must ensure that such agreement complies with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and other federal environmental laws.