Washington Metropolitan Area, Washington, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia

(a) In general In carrying out the feasibility study for the project for water supply, Washington, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, authorized by section 8201(a)(14) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (136 Stat. 3745; 138 Stat. 3160), the Secretary shall carry out a second phase of the study focused on the identification of a secondary water source and additional water storage capability or other long-term and large-scale backup water supply solutions necessary to meaningfully reduce the structural water supply risk of the region. (b) Treatment of study In carrying out the second phase of the study under this section, the Secretary— (1) shall treat such study as a continuation of the first phase of the study carried out under section 8201(a)(14) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022; and (2) shall continue such study without a new investment decision.