Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/3359

 120 STAT. 3328

PUBLIC LAW 109–448—DEC. 22, 2006

Public Law 109–448 109th Congress An Act Dec. 22, 2006 [S. 214]

United StatesMexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act. 42 USC 1962 note. 42 USC 1962 note.

42 USC 1962 note.

VerDate 14-DEC-2004

12:05 Jul 13, 2007

To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the States on the border with Mexico and other appropriate entities in conducting a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, and modeling program for priority transboundary aquifers, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Act’’.

‘‘United

States-Mexico

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Act is to direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish a United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program to systematically assess priority transboundary aquifers. SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act: (1) AQUIFER.—The term ‘‘aquifer’’ means a subsurface water-bearing geologic formation from which significant quantities of water may be extracted. (2) IBWC.—The term ‘‘IBWC’’ means the International Boundary and Water Commission, an agency of the Department of State. (3) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian tribe’’ means an Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community— (A) that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians; and (B) the reservation of which includes a transboundary aquifer within the exterior boundaries of the reservation. (4) PARTICIPATING STATE.—The term ‘‘Participating State’’ means each of the States of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. (5) PRIORITY TRANSBOUNDARY AQUIFER.—The term ‘‘priority transboundary aquifer’’ means a transboundary aquifer that has been designated for study and analysis under the program. (6) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘program’’ means the United States-Mexico transboundary aquifer assessment program established under section 4(a). (7) RESERVATION.—The term ‘‘reservation’’ means land that has been set aside or that has been acknowledged as having been set aside by the United States for the use of an Indian

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