Amend the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify a provision relating to conveyances for aquifer recharge purposes.

This bill makes it easier to use existing pipelines, ditches, and canals on federal land to move and store water underground (aquifer recharge). If you hold a right-of-way, easement, or permit, you can use it for recharge for yourself or on behalf of a state, local government, Tribe, or public agency without getting new federal approval. This kind of use is not treated as an expansion or a “major” federal action.

Key points

• Who is affected: Holders of rights-of-way/easements/permits; states, local governments, Tribes, and public entities; Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
• What changes: At least 30 days before using an existing route for recharge, the holder must notify BLM and include who will use it, which route, details of the use, and a copy of the agreement. Using these routes for recharge does not require extra rent to BLM, unless the use or user is for-profit. The notice can cover recognized uses of older ditches and canals built on public land before October 21, 1976.
• Other: The bill also makes small wording fixes to the underlying law.