S.606 - Contaminated Wells Relocation Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Contaminated Wells Relocation Act (S.606) directs NASA to reimburse the Town of Chincoteague, Virginia, for costs associated with removing and replacing contaminated drinking water wells located on NASA property. The bill allows NASA to enter into an agreement with Chincoteague for up to five years for these reimbursements. It also mandates a report to Congress within 18 months of enactment detailing the agreement.
Expected Effects
This act will likely result in the relocation of the contaminated wells and the establishment of new, safe drinking water sources for the residents of Chincoteague. NASA will bear the financial responsibility for this relocation. Congress will receive a report outlining the details of the agreement between NASA and the town.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures access to clean drinking water for the residents of Chincoteague, Virginia.
- Addresses potential health hazards associated with contaminated wells.
- Provides financial relief to the town of Chincoteague by reimbursing relocation costs.
- Could improve the relationship between NASA and the local community.
- Demonstrates government responsiveness to local environmental concerns.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for cost overruns in the relocation project.
- Possible delays in project completion.
- Limited scope, focusing only on one specific location (Chincoteague, VA) rather than addressing broader water contamination issues.
- Opportunity costs: funds used for this project might be diverted from other NASA initiatives.
- Dependence on NASA's administrative capacity to effectively manage the reimbursement process.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause, as it aims to provide clean drinking water to a community. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to appropriate funds for the general welfare. The Act does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).