S.887 - Basin Fund Preservation Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The Basin Fund Preservation Act (S.887) directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Energy to create a memorandum of understanding (MOU). This MOU aims to address the impacts of the "Supplement to the 2016 Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Record of Decision" on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. The MOU will include a plan to address the effects on fund obligations, hydropower production, and endangered species.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to a more detailed understanding of the financial and ecological impacts of the Glen Canyon Dam's operational decisions. This understanding could inform future management strategies and resource allocation. It also ensures that existing administrative procedures are not preempted.
Potential Benefits
- Ensures a plan is in place to address the impact on the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund.
- Addresses the impact on hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam.
- Identifies impacts on threatened or endangered species.
- Promotes collaboration between the Department of Interior and Department of Energy.
- Could lead to more sustainable management of the Colorado River Basin.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The Act primarily focuses on studying the impacts rather than directly implementing solutions.
- The effectiveness of the Act depends on the willingness of the involved agencies to cooperate and implement the MOU's findings.
- The Act may not fully address all concerns related to water rights and resource allocation in the Colorado River Basin.
- Potential for delays in implementation due to the need for inter-agency coordination.
- The Act does not provide specific funding mechanisms to address the identified impacts.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the constitutional authority of Congress to legislate on matters related to interstate commerce and the management of federal lands and resources. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 (the Commerce Clause) grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the several states, which includes the management of water resources that flow across state lines. The Act also does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments. The savings clause explicitly protects adherence to the Administrative Procedure Act.
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).