Western Waters and Farm Lands Protection Act

Summary

Western Waters and Farm Lands Protection Act - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require operators producing oil or gas (including coalbed methane) to: (1) replace water supplies affected by drilling; and (2) submit water management plans along with their lease applications. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to require state permits for pollution discharge of waters extracted from a subsurface formation in connection with oil or gas, including coalbed methane. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing exploration and drilling operations on lands where title to oil and gas resources is owned by the United States but the surface estate is owned by a non-federal entity unless: (1) an agreement has been reached with the surface owner (with the possibility of arbitration); or (2) the operator has made a good faith attempt to secure such an agreement and meets other specified requirements. Permits the Secretary to authorize such operations, subject to certain conditions, in the absence of an agreement with the surface estate owner or owners. Requires the Secretary to give surface owners advance notice of lease sales. Requires operators to meet specified reclamation standards for lands affected by oil or gas production and to post reclamation bonds. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a federal remediation program for abandoned wells drilled to explore or develop federally owned minerals or located on federal lands; and (2) establish a technical assistance program for states and Indian tribes addressing environmental problems caused by abandoned wells on other lands.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 3 May 2005

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 3 May 2005

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 3 May 2005

   Introduced

   Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E856-857)

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 3 May 2005

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

5. 3 May 2005

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

6. 4 May 2005

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

   Source: Committee

7. 13 May 2005

   Committee

   Executive Comment Requested from Interior.

   Source: Committee

8. 13 May 2005

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

   Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

• Introduced in House · 3 May 2005 · Official file

Documents

3 official files

• Introduced in House (text)

  Introduced in House · EN · 3 May 2005

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House (PDF)

  Introduced in House · EN · 3 May 2005

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 3 May 2005

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO] · D · Sponsor
• · hsii00 · Standing
• · hspw00 · Standing

Related records

No cross-record relationships stored yet.