HR 331

This bill amends the Aquifer Recharge Flexibility Act to clarify how existing water rights and authorizations can be used for aquifer recharge on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Specifically, it allows holders of these authorizations – including states, tribes, and public entities – to use them for recharge without needing additional BLM approval, as long as it doesn’t expand or modify the original authorization. The bill also requires 30 days’ notice to the BLM before using these authorizations and exempts certain uses from rental fees, though for-profit activities are excluded. Finally, it waives certain environmental regulations for these recharge activities.