VERDE RIVER BASIN STUDIES.

SEC. 204. VERDE RIVER BASIN STUDIES. (a) Studies.—(1) In general.—The Partnership shall prepare a plan for conducting water resource studies in the Verde River Basin that identifies—(A) the primary study objectives to fulfill water resource planning and management needs for the Verde River Basin; and (B) the water resource studies, hydrologic models, surface and groundwater monitoring networks, and other analytical tools helpful in the identification of long-term water supply management options within the Verde River Basin. (2) Requirements.—At a minimum, the plan shall—(A) include a list of specific studies and analyses that are needed to support Partnership planning and management decisions; (B) identify any ongoing or completed water resource or riparian studies that are relevant to water resource planning and management for the Verde River Basin; (C) describe the estimated cost and duration of the proposed studies and analyses; and (D) designate as a study priority the compilation of a water budget analysis for the Verde Valley. (b) Verde Valley Water Budget Analysis.—119 STAT. 2360(1) In general.—Subject to the availability of appropriations, not later than 14 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Director, shall prepare and submit to the Partnership a report that provides a water budget analysis of the portion of the Verde River Basin within the Verde Valley. (2) Components.—The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—(A) a summary of the information available on the hydrologic flow regime for the portion of the Middle Verde River from the Clarkdale streamgauging station to the city of Camp Verde at United States Geological Survey Stream Gauge 09506000; (B) with respect to the portion of the Middle Verde River described in subparagraph (A), estimates of—(i) the inflow and outflow of surface water and groundwater; (ii) annual consumptive water use; and (iii) changes in groundwater storage; and (C) an analysis of the potential long-term consequences of various water use scenarios on groundwater levels and Verde River flows. (c) Preliminary Report and Recommendations.—(1) In general.—Not later than 16 months after the date of enactment of this Act, using the information provided in the report submitted under subsection (b) and any other relevant information, the Partnership shall submit to the Secretary, the Governor of Arizona, and representatives of the Verde Valley communities, a preliminary report that sets forth the findings and recommendations of the Partnership regarding the long-term available water supply within the Verde Valley. (2) Consideration of recommendations.—The Secretary may take into account the recommendations included in the report submitted under paragraph (1) with respect to decisions affecting land under the jurisdiction of the Secretary, including any future sales or exchanges of Federal land in the Verde River Basin after the date of enactment of this Act. (3) Effect.—Any recommendations included in the report submitted under paragraph (1) shall not affect the land exchange process or the appraisals of the Federal land and non-Federal land conducted under sections 103 and 104.