Detailed Summary

Platte River Recovery Implementation Program and Pathfinder Modification Authorization Act - <b>Title I: Platte River Recovery Implementation Program - </b>(Sec. 102) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation and in cooperation with the Governance Committee established under the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program Cooperative Agreement, to: (1) participate in such Program; (2) carry out any projects or activities that are designated for implementation during the Program's first 13 years (First Increment); (3) acquire interests in land, water, and facilities from willing sellers; (4) transfer acquired interests; and (5) accept or provide grants.

(Sec. 104) Allows the Program to be modified before the completion of the First Increment if the Secretary and the states of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado determine that the modifications are consistent with Program purposes.

(Sec. 105) Declares that no action carried out under this Act, with respect to the acreage limitation provisions of the reclamation laws, shall: (1) be considered in determining whether a district has discharged its obligation to repay the construction cost of project facilities used to make irrigation water available for delivery to land in the district; (2) serve as the basis for reinstating acreage limitation provisions in a district that has completed payment of its construction obligations; or (3) serve as the basis for increasing the construction repayment obligation of the district, which would extend the period during which the acreage limitation provisions would apply.

Declares that nothing in this Act creates federal water rights or requires the grant of water rights to federal entities.

(Sec. 106) Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 107) Terminates the Secretary's authority to implement the First Increment on September 30, 2020.

<b>Tittle II: Pathfinder Modification Project -</b> (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, to: (1) modify the Pathfinder Dam and Reservoir; and (2) enter one or more agreements with the state of Wyoming to implement the Pathfinder Modification Project.

(Sec. 202) Authorizes the capacity of the Pathfinder Reservoir to be used for municipal, environmental, and other purposes, as described in Appendix F to the final settlement stipulation in <i>Nebraska v. Wyoming</i>.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/11/2008: Senate floor actions. Status: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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