SECTION 595 AUTHORITY & PURPOSE: Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 1999 Section 595 authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide design and construction assistance for water supply, wastewater treatment, environmental restoration, and surface water protection to rural communities. Section 4008 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2022 amended WRDA 1999 Section 595, authorizing $490M for technical assistance to small and rural communities in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. WRDA 2020 added a $150M authorization for Arizona projects with WRDA 2022 increasing the authorization by $50M ($200M total). Projects are to be cost shared 75% Federal and 25% non-Federal. The Federal share may be in the form of reimbursements.
LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION: Blue Diamond: Blue Diamond is approximately 10 miles southwest of the City of Las Vegas. The Project would rehabilitate a water supply system in this rural community.
Searchlight: Searchlight is approximately 60 miles south of the City of Las Vegas, Nevada. The Project will focus on design and construction of Searchlight Water and Wastewater System.
AUTHORIZATION: Section 595, WRDA 1999 (113 Stat. 383; 117 Stat. 139; 117 Stat. 142; 117 Stat. 1836; 118 Stat. 440; 121 Stat 1219; 123 Stat. 2851; 128 Stat. 1316; 130 Stat. 1681) amended by WRDA 2020 Section 331
ACTIVITIES FOR FY 2023:
Searchlight: Carryover funds will be used to reimburse 75% of the construction cost. The Sponsor is expected to complete the construction of water supply system in FY23.
Blue Diamond: Carryover funds to be used to reimburse design and construction expenses on the water supply project. Reimbursements are made following sponsor submission of invoices and validation of project progress.
FY 2024 PLANNED ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Searchlight: Incoming Project Reimbursements packages will continue to be processed accordingly working toward physical completion of the project.
Blue Diamond: Complete Increment 1 replacement pipeline construction. Initiate construction of the Increment 1 pump station feature. Approve scope of work for Increment 2 replacement tanks, discharge/distribution pipelines, and associated features. Future Increment 3 will include equipping future wells.
ISSUES AND OTHER INFORMATION: GOLDFIELD completed in 2007.
MESQUITE completed in 2009.
TONOPAH completed in 2007.
VIRGIN VALLEY completed in 2011.
MOAPA completed in 2012.
BOULDER completed in 2018.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
As of: 01 Mar 23 CONSTRUCTION
Estimated Federal Cost $83,112,000
Estimated Non-Federal Cost $27,705,000
Total Estimated Project Cost $110,817,000
Allocation thru FY22 $59,813,000
President’s Budget for FY23 $0
Conference for FY23 $0
Approved IIJA FY23 $0
Workplan for FY23 $0
President’s Budget for FY24 $0
Workplan for FY24 TBD
Balance to Complete After FY24 $23,299,000
CONGRESSIONAL INTEREST: Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen; Representatives: Lee (NV-3) Boulder, Searchlight, Blue Diamond; and Horsford (NV-4) Goldfield, Mesquite, Moapa, Tonopah, Virgin Valley and Representative Stanton (AZ-04)
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS – LOS ANGELES DISTRICT
915 WILSHIRE BLVD., SUITE 1109, LOS ANGELES, CA 90017
http://www.spl.usace.army.mil