PUBLIC LAW 102-575—(Xrr. 30, 1992 106 STAT. 4713 into, renewed, or amended under any provision of Federal Reclamation law after the date of enactment of this title shall provide that all project water subject to contract shall be made available to districts, agencies, and other contracting entities pursuant to a system of tiered water pricing. Such a system shall specify rates for each district, agency or entity based on an inverted block rate structure with the following provisions: (1) the first rate tier shall apply to a quantity of water up to 80 percent of the contract total and shall not be less than the applicable contract rate; (2) the second rate tier shall apply to that quantity of water over 80 percent and under 90 percent of the contract total and shall be at a level halfway between the rates established under paragraphs (1) and (3) of this subsection; (3) the third rate tier shall apply to that quantity of water over 90 percent of the contract total and shall not be less than the mil cost rate; and (4) the Secretary shall charge contractors only for water actually delivered. The Secretary shall waive application of this subsection as it relates to any project water delivered to produce a crop which the Secretary determines will provide significant and quantifiable habitot values for watorfowl in fields where the water is used and the crops are produced: Provided, That such waiver shall apply only if such habitot values can be assured consistent with the purposes of this title through binding agreements executed with or approved by the Secretary. (e) WATER CONSERVATION STANDARDS.—The Secretary shall estoblish and administer an office of Central Valley Project water conservation best management practices that shall, in consultotion with the Secretary of Agriculture, the California Department of Water Resources, California academic institutions, and Central Valley Project water users, develop criteria for evaluating the adequacy of all water conservation plans developed by project contractors, including those plans required by section 210 of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982. (1) Critoria developed pursuant to this subsection shall be established within six months following enactment of this title and shall be reviewed periodically thereafter, but no less than every three years, with the purpose of promoting the highest level of water use efficiency reasonably achievable by project contractors using best available cost-effective technology and best management practices. The criteria shall include, but not be limited to agricultural water suppliers' efficient water management practices developed pursuant to California Stoto law or reasonable alternatives. (2) The Secretary, through the ofRce established under this subsection, shall review and evaluate within 18 months following enactment of this title all existing conservation plans submitted by project contractors to determine whether they meet the conservation and efficiency criteria established pursuant to this subsection. (3) In developing the water conservation best management practice criteria required by this subsection, the Secretary shall take into account and grant substontial deference to the recommendations for action specific to water conservation and drainage source reduction proposed in the Final Report of the
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