S. 3743
A bill to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Mike Lee
1 cosponsor
Official summary
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Text of the bill
Where this section came from
Not in the first version (Introduced in Senate, Jan 29).
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Sep 17, 2026 · Reported to Senate Marked up by Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Jun 10 Reported by Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Sep 17 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
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(a) In general. The Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner of Reclamation) (referred to in this section as the Secretary), in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Colorado River Basin States, and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors, shall carry out a feasibility study (including all hydrological modeling) to analyze alternatives (including infrastructure upgrades) to address downstream invasive species at Glen Canyon Dam.
(b) Included alternatives. The alternatives analyzed under subsection (a) may include a thermal curtain or a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam to optimize hydropower generation when releasing cold water from Glen Canyon Dam, while also preventing entrainment of invasive species, pursuant to the 2016 Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision and section 1802 of the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–575; 106 Stat. 4669).
(c) Feasibility determination. If the Secretary determines that an alternative studied under subsection (a) is feasible under the reclamation laws, the Secretary may initiate design, construction, and associated activities of, as applicable, the recommended alternative, including any necessary policy actions allowable under the reclamation laws.
(d) Feasibility report. After completion of the feasibility study required under subsection (a), the Secretary shall develop a summarized feasibility study report that includes, at a minimum—
(1) an analysis of the alternatives analyzed and identification of the recommended alternative;
(2) an allocation of the construction, operation, maintenance, and replacement costs of the recommended alternative to the authorized purposes of the Colorado River Storage Project;
(3) the major structural features and nonstructural features of the recommended alternative, any special considerations for implementation of the recommended alternative, and the estimated cost of implementation of the recommended alternative;
(4) an analysis of the effects of the recommended alternative on hydropower production and rates, which shall be developed in consultation with the Western Area Power Administration;
(5) a recommendation of the Secretary on whether—
(A) the recommended alternative is found to be technically and financially feasible in accordance with the reclamation laws; and
(B) the recommended alternative should be authorized for construction; and
(6) any other recommendations determined to be necessary by the Secretary.
(e) Feasibility study and feasibility report deadlines. The Secretary shall—
(1) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, complete the feasibility study required under subsection (a); and
(2) not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary completes the feasibility report required under subsection (d), submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives the feasibility report required under that subsection.
(f) Funding
(1) In general. The costs of the feasibility study required under subsection (a) shall be paid for by the Secretary using appropriated funds.
(2) Treatment of funds. Any Federal funds made available to carry out this section shall be nonreimbursable and nonreturnable to the United States.
(3) Identification of funds. Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy and Colorado River Storage Project power contractors, shall identify sources of available funds to carry out this section.
(g) Effect. Nothing in this section affects the criteria for the coordinated long-range operations of Colorado River reservoirs pursuant to section 602 of the Colorado River Basin Project Act (Public Law 90–537; 82 Stat. 900).
(h) Termination of Authority. The authority provided by this section expires on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.