H.R. 2741 is being considered under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds vote for passage. The legislation was introduced by Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) on June 4, 2009.
H.R. 2741 would authorize the Department of the Interior to participate in the planning, design, and construction of permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse water in the city of Hermiston, Oregon. The federal share of the cost would not exceed 25 percent of the total cost, and the Department would not be permitted to provide operations or maintenance costs for the facilities.
The Committee on Natural Resources approved the bill by unanimous consent on September 10, 2009. According to the sponsor's office, the construction of the Hermiston Recycled Water Plant Improvement project would enable that city to comply with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit levels for the next 20-plus years. The existing facilities were constructed in 1979, and after 30 years, are in need of modernization that will help meet new pollution reduction requirements, add capacity and help put water in stream for salmon.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet produced a cost estimate for H.R. 2741.
