Summary: Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to deauthorize the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area Critical Restoration Project upon execution of a transfer agreement between the Secretary of the Army and the South Florida Water Management District, under which the District shall operate the transferred project as an environmental restoration project to provide water storage and water treatment options.

amends water_resources_development_act mile creek water preserve area critical restoration project execution transfer agreement secretary army south_florida_water_management_district district shall operate transferred project environmental restoration project provide water storage water treatment options


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Authorizes any landowner within the Northport Irrigation District in Nebraska to repay, at any time, the construction costs of project facilities allocated to the landowner's land within the District. Provides that upon discharge in full of the obligation for repayment of all such costs, the parcels of land shall not be subject to the ownership and full-cost pricing limitations under federal reclamation law. Directs the Department of the Interior, upon request, to provide to the landowner who has repaid such costs in full a certificate acknowledging that the landholding is free of such limitations.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated authorizes landowner nebraska repay time construction costs project facilities allocated landowner land district provides discharge obligation repayment costs parcels land shall subject ownership cost pricing limitations federal reclamation law directs department_of_the_interior request provide landowner repaid costs certificate acknowledging free limitations


Summary:
Northern Virginia Metrorail Extension Act

 Authorizes project development for specified Metrorail new fixed guideway capital projects in Virginia.

extension act authorizes project development specified new fixed guideway capital projects virginia


Summary:
Fixing Operations of Reservoirs to Encompass Climatic and Atmospheric Science Trends Act or the FORECAST Act

Requires the Secretary of the Army, not later than one year after a request of a nonfederal sponsor of a reservoir, to review operation of such reservoir, including the water control manual and rule curves, using improved weather forecasts and run-off forecasting methods, including the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System of the National Weather Service and the Hydrometeorology Testbed program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Requires the Secretary to determine if a change in operations will improve core functions of the Army Corps of Engineers, including: (1) reducing risks to human life, public safety, and property; (2) reducing the need for future disaster relief; (3) improving local water storage capability and reliability in coordination with the nonfederal sponsor and other water users; (4) restoring, protecting, or mitigating the impacts of a water resources development project on the environment; or (5) improving fish species habitat or population within the boundaries and downstream of a water resources project.

Requires that if the Secretary determines from results of the review that using improved weather and run-off forecasting methods improves one or more core functions of the Corps at a reservoir, the Secretary shall incorporate such changes in its operation and update the water control manual.

encompass climatic trends act forecast act requires secretary army later year request nonfederal sponsor reservoir review operation reservoir including water control manual rule curves improved weather forecasts run forecasting methods including advanced hydrologic prediction system national_weather_service program national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration requires secretary determine change operations improve core functions army_corps_of_engineers including reducing risks human life public safety property reducing need future disaster relief improving local water storage capability reliability coordination nonfederal sponsor water users restoring protecting mitigating impacts water resources development project environment improving fish species habitat population boundaries downstream water resources project requires secretary determines results review improved weather run forecasting methods improves core functions corps reservoir secretary shall incorporate changes operation update water control manual


Summary:
Sacramento Valley Water Storage and Restoration Act of 2015

 Directs the Department of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of Reclamation, to: (1) finalize and publish in the Federal Register the feasibility study authorized in the Water Supply, Reliability, and Environmental Improvement Act, for enlargement of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir in Contra Costa County, California; (2) work with the Department of Commerce, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency, by June 30, 2015, to coordinate the efforts of the relevant agencies and work with the state of California, the Sites Project Authority, and other stakeholders to complete and issue the final joint environmental impact statement and report on the Sites Project (the Sites Reservoir in Glenn and Colusa Counties, California, and related facilities, including associated water conveyance and hydropower generation and transmission facilities); and (3) enter into agreements with the Authority to carry out such work as the Bureau and the Authority mutually agree is appropriate to ensure that all studies and environmental reviews are completed on an expeditious basis and that the shortest applicable process under the National Environmental Policy Act is utilized, including in the completion of the final feasibility study and final joint environmental impact statement and report on the Sites Project.

Amends the Calfed Bay-Delta Authorization Act to: (1) authorize construction of the Sites Reservoir in Colusa County if Interior determines that the project is feasible; and (2) direct the Bureau, at the Authority's request, to enter into a project partnership agreement for the Authority to provide full project management control for construction of the Sites Project, or a separable element of the Project, in accordance with plans approved by Interior.

Authorizes and directs: (1) the Bureau to advance the Sites Project as a non-federal project if the Bureau determines and Interior concurs that the Project can be expedited by the Authority as a non-federal project and that there is a demonstrable federal interest for the Project to be constructed and operated as a non-federal project, and (2) Interior to execute and implement a long-term agreement with the Authority for the coordination of operations of the Central Valley Project and the Sites Project.

Directs the Bureau to: (1) be the lead federal agency for the purposes of all federal reviews, analyses, opinions, statements, permits, licenses, or other approvals or decisions required under federal law to allow either the Bureau or the Authority to construct the Sites Project; and (2) take such steps as necessary to ensure that all such reviews, approvals, or decisions required to allow either the Bureau or the Authority to construct the Sites Project are completed on an expeditious basis and utilize the shortest applicable process.

sacramento valley water storage restoration act directs department_of_the_interior acting bureau_of_reclamation finalize publish federal_register feasibility study authorized water supply reliability environmental improvement act enlargement california work department_of_commerce army_corps_of_engineers environmental_protection_agency june coordinate efforts relevant agencies work state california stakeholders complete issue final joint environmental impact statement report sites reservoir california related facilities including associated water conveyance hydropower generation transmission facilities enter agreements authority carry work bureau authority mutually agree appropriate ensure studies environmental reviews completed expeditious basis shortest applicable process national_environmental_policy_act utilized including completion final feasibility study final joint environmental impact statement report amends calfed bay delta authorization act authorize construction interior determines project feasible direct bureau authority request enter project partnership agreement authority provide project management control construction separable element project accordance plans approved interior authorizes directs bureau advance non federal project bureau determines interior concurs project expedited authority non federal project demonstrable federal interest project constructed operated non federal project interior execute implement long term agreement authority coordination operations central_valley_project directs bureau lead federal agency purposes federal reviews analyses opinions statements permits licenses approvals decisions required federal law allow construct sites project steps necessary ensure reviews approvals decisions required allow construct completed expeditious basis utilize shortest applicable process


Summary:
Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Department of the Interior to submit to Congress, make publicly available, and biennially update an Asset Management Report that describes the Bureau of Reclamation's efforts to maintain in a reliable manner all reserved works (buildings, structures, facilities, or equipment owned by the Bureau for which operations and maintenance are performed by Bureau employees or through a contract with the Bureau) at Reclamation facilities (infrastructure assets that are owned by the Bureau at each Reclamation project owned by the Bureau) and to standardize and streamline data reporting and processes across regions and areas for the purpose of maintaining such works.

Such Report must include: (1) a detailed assessment of major repair and rehabilitation needs for all such works; and (2) an itemized list of major repair and rehabilitation needs of individual Reclamation facilities at each Reclamation project, including a budget level cost estimate of appropriations needed to complete each item and an assignment of a categorical rating for each item consistent with existing uniform categorization systems to inform the annual budget process and agency requirements.

Interior may exclude from the public version of the Report any information that it identifies as sensitive or classified, but shall make available to specified congressional committees a version of the report containing the sensitive or classified information.

(Sec. 5) Interior must: (1) coordinate with the non-federal entities responsible for the operation and maintenance of transferred works (Reclamation facilities at which operations and maintenance are carried out by a non-federal entity under a formal agreement with the Bureau) in developing reporting requirements for Asset Management Reports regarding major repair and rehabilitation needs for transferred works, and (2) develop and implement a categorical rating system for transferred works that incorporates the rating system for major repair and rehabilitation needs for reserved works.

sec bill directs department_of_the_interior submit congress publicly available biennially update asset management report describes bureau_of_reclamation efforts maintain reliable manner reserved works buildings structures facilities equipment owned bureau operations maintenance performed bureau employees contract bureau reclamation facilities infrastructure assets owned bureau reclamation project owned bureau standardize streamline data reporting processes regions areas purpose maintaining works report include detailed assessment major repair rehabilitation needs works itemized list major repair rehabilitation needs individual reclamation facilities reclamation project including budget level cost estimate appropriations needed complete item assignment categorical rating item consistent existing uniform categorization systems inform annual budget process agency requirements interior exclude public version report information identifies sensitive classified shall available specified congressional committees version report containing sensitive classified information sec interior coordinate non federal entities responsible operation maintenance transferred works reclamation facilities operations maintenance carried non federal entity formal agreement bureau developing reporting requirements major repair rehabilitation needs transferred works develop implement categorical rating system transferred works incorporates rating system major repair rehabilitation needs reserved works


Summary:
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to remove the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prohibit the specification, or restrict the use, of an area as a disposal site for discharges of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States once the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit for the discharge.

The bill applies to discharge permits issued: (1) after this bill's enactment, and (2) on or before enactment if the EPA failed to submit to the Army Corps a written objection to the permit prior to the Army Corps' issuance of the permit.

bill amends federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act remove authority environmental_protection_agency epa prohibit specification restrict use area disposal site discharges dredged fill materials waters united_states issued permit discharge bill applies discharge permits issued bill enactment enactment epa failed submit written objection permit prior issuance permit


Summary: Directs the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to revise the Missouri Mainstem Reservoir System Master Water Control Manual and any related regulations to delete fish and wildlife as an authorized purpose of the Corps and elevate flood control as the highest priority of authorized purposes of the Corps at all times.

directs chief army_corps_of_engineers revise master water control manual related regulations delete fish wildlife authorized purpose corps flood control highest priority authorized purposes corps times


Summary:
Drought Resilience Investment Act of 2015

Amends the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 to exempt a water resources infrastructure project receiving federal credit assistance under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, that is carried out in a state during any period in which a state of drought declaration issued by the state's governor is in effect, from the prohibition against being financed with proceeds of any: (1) obligation that is tax exempt; or (2) qualified tax credit bond or a Build America Bond.

Specifies that a state of drought declaration shall remain in effect until the date on which the governor rescinds the declaration.

Terminates this Act on September 30, 2018.

drought resilience investment act amends water_resources_reform_and_development_act exempt water resources infrastructure project receiving federal credit assistance water_infrastructure_finance innovation_act carried state period state drought declaration issued state governor effect prohibition financed proceeds obligation tax exempt qualified tax credit bond build america bond specifies state drought declaration shall remain effect date governor rescinds declaration terminates act september


Summary:
Delaware River Basin Conservation Act of 2015

Requires the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to establish a nonregulatory Delaware River Basin restoration program, under which it shall: (1) draw on management plans for the Basin or portions of the Basin and work in consultation with applicable management entities, including representatives of the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, the Delaware River Basin Commission, the federal government, other state and local governments, and regional and nonprofit organizations, to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities within the Basin; (2) adopt a Basin-wide strategy that supports the implementation of a shared set of science-based restoration and protection activities, targets cost-effective projects with measurable results, and maximizes conservation outcomes with no net gain of federal full-time equivalent employees; and (3) establish voluntary grant and technical assistance programs in accordance with this Act.

Defines "Basin" as the four-state Delaware Basin region, including all of Delaware Bay and portions of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania located in the Delaware River watershed.

Requires the USFWS to: (1) establish the Delaware River Basin restoration grant program to provide competitive matching grants to carry out restoration and protection activities within the Basin, and (2) develop criteria for such grant program to ensure that funded activities accomplish specified purposes and advance the implementation of priority actions or needs identified in the strategy adopted under this Act.

Authorizes the USFWS to contract with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation or another organization that offers grant management services.

delaware river basin conservation act requires united states fish_and_wildlife_service usfws establish nonregulatory delaware_river_basin restoration program shall draw management plans basin portions basin work consultation applicable management entities including representatives federal government state local governments regional nonprofit organizations identify prioritize implement restoration protection activities basin adopt basin wide strategy supports implementation shared set science based restoration protection activities targets cost effective projects measurable results maximizes conservation outcomes net gain federal time equivalent employees establish voluntary grant technical assistance programs accordance act defines basin state region including delaware bay portions delaware new_jersey new_york pennsylvania located delaware_river watershed requires usfws establish delaware_river_basin restoration grant program provide competitive matching grants carry restoration protection activities basin develop criteria grant program ensure funded activities accomplish specified purposes advance implementation priority actions needs identified strategy adopted act authorizes usfws contract national_fish_and_wildlife_foundation organization offers grant management services


Summary:
Innovative Stormwater Infrastructure Act of 2015

This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide grants to eligible higher education institutions and research institutions to establish and maintain between three and five centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure, which is any stormwater management technique that: (1) uses natural systems or engineered systems that mimic natural processes to infiltrate, evapotranspire, or capture stormwater; and (2) preserves, enhances, or mimics natural hydrology to protect or restore water quality. One of the centers must be the national electronic clearinghouse center and operate a website and a public database on the infrastructure.

The EPA must: (1) provide grants to eligible entities that manage stormwater, water resources, or wastewater resources to carry out innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects; and (2) give priority to applications from a community that has combined storm and sanitary sewers in its collection system or is low-income or disadvantaged, or from an eligible entity that will use at least 10% of the grant for a low-income or disadvantaged community.

The EPA must ensure that: (1) EPA's Office of Water, Office of Enforcement and Compliance, Office of Research and Development, and Office of Policy promote the use of the infrastructure in, and coordinate its integration into, permitting programs, planning efforts, research, technical assistance, and funding guidance; and (2) the Office of Water supports establishing innovative financing mechanisms in the implementation of the infrastructure. The EPA must: (1) direct each EPA regional office to promote and integrate the use of the infrastructure within the region, and (2) promote sharing information about the infrastructure approaches.

The EPA must establish the innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard of voluntary, measurable goals to increase the percentage of annual water managed by entities that use the infrastructure.

innovative stormwater infrastructure act bill requires environmental_protection_agency epa provide grants eligible higher education institutions research institutions establish maintain centers excellence innovative stormwater control infrastructure stormwater management technique uses natural systems engineered systems mimic natural processes capture stormwater preserves enhances natural hydrology protect restore water quality centers national electronic clearinghouse center operate website public database infrastructure epa provide grants eligible entities manage stormwater water resources wastewater resources carry innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects priority applications community combined storm sanitary sewers collection system low income disadvantaged eligible entity use grant low income disadvantaged community epa ensure epa promote use infrastructure coordinate integration permitting programs planning efforts research technical assistance funding guidance office_of_water supports establishing innovative financing mechanisms implementation infrastructure epa direct epa regional office promote integrate use infrastructure region promote sharing information infrastructure approaches epa establish innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard voluntary measurable goals increase percentage annual water managed entities use infrastructure


Summary:
Water Rights Protection Act

 Prohibits the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from:

 conditioning or withholding the issuance, renewal, amendment, or extension of any permit, approval, license, lease, allotment, easement, right-of-way, or other land use or occupancy agreement (permit) on the limitation or encumbrance of any water right or the transfer of any water right to the United States or any other designee, or any other impairment of any water right under state law by federal or state action; requiring any water user (including a federally recognized Indian tribe) to apply for or acquire a water right in the name of the United States under state law as a condition of such a permit; asserting jurisdiction over groundwater withdrawals or impacts on groundwater resources, unless consistent with state groundwater resource laws, regulations, and policies; or infringing on the rights and obligations of a state in evaluating, allocating, and adjudicating state waters originating on or under, or flowing from, land owned or managed by the federal government.

water rights protection act prohibits department interior department_of_agriculture conditioning withholding issuance renewal amendment extension permit approval license lease allotment easement right way land use occupancy agreement permit limitation encumbrance water right transfer water right united_states designee impairment water right state law federal state action requiring water user including federally recognized indian tribe apply acquire water right united_states state law condition permit asserting jurisdiction groundwater withdrawals impacts groundwater resources consistent state groundwater resource laws regulations policies infringing rights obligations state evaluating allocating adjudicating state waters originating flowing land owned managed federal government


Summary:
Directs the Department of the Interior to: (1) enter into negotiations for the transfer of ownership, control, and operation of the New Melones Unit, Central Valley Project to interested local water and power providers within California; (2) report to specified congressional committees every six months on such negotiations, on actions Interior recommends the United States take to finalize an agreement for such transfer, and on the terms of any agreement reached; and (3) transfer such Unit in accordance with such an agreement.

Defines: (1) the "New Melones Unit, Central Valley Project" to mean all federal reclamation projects located within or diverting water from or to the watershed of the Stanislaus and San Joaquin rivers and their tributaries; and (2) "interested local water and power providers" to include the Calaveras County Water District, Central San Joaquin Water Conservation District, Modesto Irrigation District, Oakdale Irrigation District, Stockton East Water District, South San Joaquin Irrigation District, Tuolumne Utilities District, Turlock Irrigation District, and Union Public Utilities District.

directs department_of_the_interior enter negotiations transfer ownership control operation central valley project interested local water power providers california report specified congressional committees months negotiations actions interior recommends united_states finalize agreement transfer terms agreement reached transfer unit accordance agreement defines central valley project mean federal reclamation projects located diverting water watershed san_joaquin rivers tributaries interested local water power providers include central san joaquin water conservation district irrigation district irrigation district east water district south san joaquin irrigation district irrigation district


Summary:
Directs the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Oakdale and South San Joaquin Irrigation Districts in California (the districts) to jointly develop and conduct a pilot program to remove non-native striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, black bass, and other non-native predator fish from the Stanislaus River. Requires the program to: (1) be scientifically based; (2) include methods to quantify the number and size of predator fish removed each year, the impact of such removal on the overall abundance of predator fish, and the impact of such removal on the populations of certain juvenile anadromous fish found in the Stanislaus River; and (3) be implemented for seven consecutive years.

Requires the districts to be responsible for the cost of such program. Authorizes the Service to accept and use contributions of funds from the districts to carry out activities under the program.

Directs: (1) the Service to post, each month, on its Internet website a tabular summary of the raw data collected under the program in the preceding month; and (2) the Service and the districts, by June 30 of the year following the completion of the program, to jointly submit for peer review a report that discusses program's findings and conclusions, synthesizes the data collected, and makes recommendations for further study and action.

Voids and preempts any California legal restriction imposed on, or the permitting of, the catch, take, or harvest of any non-native or introduced aquatic or terrestrial species that preys upon specified stocks of anadromous fish and that occupies or is found in the Stanislaus River.

directs national_marine_fisheries_service california districts jointly develop conduct pilot program remove non native striped bass bass bass black bass non native predator fish stanislaus_river requires program scientifically based include methods quantify number size predator fish removed year impact removal overall abundance predator fish impact removal populations certain juvenile anadromous fish found stanislaus_river implemented seven consecutive years requires districts responsible cost program authorizes service accept use contributions funds districts carry activities program directs service post month internet website summary raw data collected program preceding month service districts june year following completion program jointly submit peer review report discusses program findings conclusions data collected makes recommendations study action voids preempts california legal restriction imposed permitting catch harvest non native introduced aquatic terrestrial species specified stocks anadromous fish occupies found stanislaus_river


Summary:
Bureau of Reclamation Surface Water Storage Streamlining Act

Sets forth provisions governing feasibility studies for surface water storage projects initiated by the Department of the Interior under the Reclamation Act of 1902 (project studies).

Requires a project study initiated after enactment of this Act to: (1) result in the completion of a final feasibility report within three years; (2) have a maximum federal cost of $3 million; and (3) ensure that personnel from the local project area, region, and headquarters levels of the Bureau of Reclamation concurrently conduct the required review. Sets forth factors for extending such timeline for complex projects.

Requires Interior, within 90 days after the initiation of a project study, to: (1) initiate the process for completing reviews, including environmental reviews, required to be completed as part of such study; (2) convene a meeting of federal, tribal, and state agencies required to act; and (3) provide information that will enable required reviews and analyses to be conducted by other agencies in a thorough and timely manner.

Directs Interior to: (1) expedite the completion of any ongoing project study initiated before the enactment of this Act; and (2) proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design of a project that it determines is justified.

Sets forth requirements applicable to: (1) project studies initiated after enactment of this Act for which an environmental impact statement is prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); (2) other project studies initiated before enactment for which an environmental review process document is prepared under NEPA; and (3) any project study for the development of a non-federally owned and operated surface water storage project for which Interior determines there is a demonstrable federal interest and that is located in a river basin where other Bureau water projects are located, that will create additional water supplies that support Bureau water projects, or that will become integrated into the operation of Bureau water projects. Requires Interior to:

 annually prepare a list of all such studies that do not have adequate funding for study completion; develop and implement a coordinated environmental review process for the development of such studies; identify early all federal, state, and local government agencies and Indian tribes that may have jurisdiction and that may be required to act, which the federal lead agency shall invite to become participating or cooperating agencies; issue guidance regarding the use of programmatic approaches to carry out the environmental review process; and establish an electronic database and issue reporting requirements to make publicly available the status and progress with respect to compliance with applicable NEPA requirements and other action required for a project study. Sets forth the authorities and responsibilities of the joint lead agency, which may be a project sponsor, and the federal lead agency in the environmental review process, including: (1) the preparation and use of environmental documents; (2) establishing a plan for coordinating public and agency participation; (3) working with cooperating and participating agencies to identify and resolve issues that could delay process completion or result in the denial of any approval required for the project study; and (4) establishing, upon request, memoranda of agreement with the project sponsor, Indian tribes, and state and local governments to carry out the early coordination activities. Requires a federal lead agency to serve in that capacity for the entirety of all non-federal projects that will be integrated into a larger system owned, operated, or administered by the Bureau. Directs Interior, upon determining that a project can be expedited by a non-federal sponsor and that there is a demonstrable federal interest in expediting the project, to advance it as a non-federal project. Requires a federal jurisdictional agency to complete any required approval or decision for the environmental review process on an expeditious basis. Provides for a reduction of funds for such an agency that fails to render such a decision by a specified deadline.

Directs Interior to: (1) survey the use by the Bureau of categorical exclusions in projects since 2005 and propose a new categorical exclusion for a category of activities if merited, and (2) establish a program to measure and report on progress made toward improving and expediting the planning and environmental review process.

Requires Interior to develop and submit annually a Report to Congress on Future Surface Water Storage Development that identifies: (1) the costs and benefits of, the non-federal interests associated with, and the support for project reports, proposed project studies, and proposed modifications to authorized surface water storage projects and project studies that are related to the missions and authorities of the Bureau, that require specific congressional authorization, that have not been congressionally authorized, that have not been included in any previous annual report, and that, if authorized, could be carried out by the Bureau; and (2) any project study that was expedited under this Act.

sets forth provisions governing feasibility studies surface water storage projects initiated department_of_the_interior reclamation act project studies requires project study initiated enactment act result completion final feasibility report years maximum federal cost million ensure personnel local project area region headquarters levels bureau_of_reclamation concurrently conduct required review sets forth factors extending timeline complex projects requires interior days initiation project study initiate process completing reviews including environmental reviews required completed study convene meeting federal tribal state agencies required act provide information enable required reviews analyses conducted agencies thorough timely manner directs interior expedite completion ongoing project study initiated enactment act proceed directly preconstruction planning engineering design project determines justified sets forth requirements applicable project studies initiated enactment act environmental impact statement prepared national environmental policy act nepa project studies initiated enactment environmental review process document prepared nepa project study development non federally owned operated surface water storage project interior determines demonstrable federal interest located river basin bureau water projects located create additional water supplies support bureau water projects integrated operation bureau water projects requires interior annually prepare list studies adequate funding study completion develop implement coordinated environmental review process development studies identify early federal state local government agencies indian tribes jurisdiction required act federal lead agency shall invite participating cooperating agencies issue guidance use programmatic approaches carry environmental review process establish electronic database issue reporting requirements publicly available status progress respect compliance applicable nepa requirements action required project study sets forth authorities responsibilities joint lead agency project sponsor federal lead agency environmental review process including preparation use environmental documents establishing plan coordinating public agency participation working cooperating participating agencies identify resolve issues delay process completion result denial approval required project study establishing request memoranda agreement project sponsor indian tribes state local governments carry early coordination activities requires federal lead agency serve capacity entirety non federal projects integrated larger system owned operated administered bureau directs interior determining project expedited non federal sponsor demonstrable federal interest expediting project advance non federal project requires federal jurisdictional agency complete required approval decision environmental review process expeditious basis provides reduction funds agency fails render decision specified deadline directs interior survey use bureau categorical exclusions projects propose new categorical exclusion category activities establish program measure report progress improving expediting planning environmental review process requires interior develop submit annually report identifies costs benefits non federal interests associated support project reports proposed project studies proposed modifications authorized surface water storage projects project studies related missions authorities bureau require specific congressional authorization congressionally authorized included previous annual report authorized carried bureau project study expedited act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 14, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

(Sec. 1) This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior, in cooperation with the state of Wyoming, to amend the Definite Plan Report for the Seedskadee Project authorized under the Colorado River Storage Project Act to provide for the study, design, planning, and construction activities that will enable the use of all active storage capacity of Fontenelle Dam and Reservoir, including the placement of sufficient riprap on the upstream face of the Dam to allow such storage capacity to be used for authorized Project purposes.

Interior may enter into: (1) any contract, grant, cooperative agreement, or other agreement that is necessary to carry out this Act; and (2) contracts with Wyoming for division of any additional active capacity made available under this Act.

Interior shall enter into a cooperative agreement with Wyoming for planning, design, related preconstruction activities, and construction of any modification of the Fontenelle Dam under this Act, which shall specify the responsibilities of Interior and Wyoming regarding: (1) completing the planning and final design of such modification, (2) any environmental and cultural resource compliance activities required for such modification, and (3) the construction of such modification. As a condition of providing additional storage, Wyoming shall provide to Interior funds for any work carried out to do so.

measure amended reported house march summary version repeated sec bill authorizes department_of_the_interior cooperation state wyoming amend definite plan report authorized colorado_river_storage project act provide study design planning construction activities enable use active storage capacity dam reservoir including placement sufficient upstream face dam allow storage capacity authorized project purposes interior enter contract grant cooperative agreement agreement necessary carry act contracts wyoming division additional active capacity available act interior shall enter cooperative agreement wyoming planning design related preconstruction activities construction modification act shall specify responsibilities interior wyoming completing planning final design modification environmental cultural resource compliance activities required modification construction modification condition providing additional storage wyoming shall provide interior funds work carried


Summary:
Columbia River Basin Restoration Act of 2015

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Columbia River Basin Restoration Program to reduce toxic contamination and clean up contaminated sites. The program must be collaborative and stakeholder-based.

The EPA must: (1) assess trends in water quality and toxic contamination or toxics reduction; (2) collect, characterize and assess data on toxics and water quality to identify possible causes of environmental problems; (3) update the Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction Plan (Action Plan) and the Estuary Partnership Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (Estuary Plan) and ensure that the plans form a coherent toxic contamination reduction strategy; and (4) provide technical assistance in implementing and updating the Action Plan.

The EPA must establish a Columbia River Basin Toxics Reduction Working Group to: (1) participate in developing updates to the Action Plan, (2) recommend and prioritize projects and actions for the Action Plan, and (3) review progress made.

The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership has to perform those duties and fulfill those responsibilities of the Working Group relating to the Lower Columbia River Estuary.

The EPA must establish a Columbia River Basin toxics grant program to provide funding to develop or implement projects to implement the Action Plan and the Estuary Plan.

bill amends federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act require environmental_protection_agency epa establish reduce toxic contamination clean contaminated sites program collaborative stakeholder based epa assess trends water quality toxic contamination toxics reduction collect characterize assess data toxics water quality identify possible causes environmental problems update action plan ensure plans form coherent toxic contamination reduction strategy provide technical assistance implementing updating action plan epa establish columbia river basin toxics reduction working group participate developing updates action plan recommend prioritize projects actions action plan review progress perform duties fulfill responsibilities working_group relating lower_columbia river estuary epa establish columbia_river_basin toxics grant program provide funding develop implement projects implement action plan estuary plan


Summary:
Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2015

 Amends the National Dam Safety Program Act to require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a program to provide grant assistance to states for use in rehabilitating publicly-owned dams that fail to meet minimum safety standards of the state or an Indian tribe and pose an unacceptable risk to the public (deficient dams).

Sets forth provisions regarding procedures for grant awards and fund allocation. Requires FEMA to: (1) require a state to provide an assurance that the owner of the dam to be rehabilitated has developed and will carry out a maintenance plan during the expected life of the dam, (2) require a recipient of a grant under this Act to comply with requirements applicable to contributions of federal funds under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and (3) develop a risk-based priority system for identifying deficient dams for which such grants may be made. Limits the federal share of rehabilitation costs to 75%.

Prohibits grant funds from being used to: (1) rehabilitate a federal dam, (2) perform routine operation or maintenance, (3) modify a dam to produce hydroelectric power, (4) increase water supply storage capacity, or (5) make any other modification that does not also improve dam safety.

Conditions the receipt of grants by a state upon the state following specified requirements applicable to contracts for architectural and engineering services when entering into contracts for services relating to dam rehabilitation. Provides that such contracts shall not be considered to confer a proprietary interest upon the United States.

Prohibits funds from being obligated for a project under this Act unless the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used for the project are produced in the United States. Authorizes waivers.

dam rehabilitation repair act amends national_dam_safety_program_act require federal_emergency_management_agency fema establish program provide grant assistance states use rehabilitating publicly owned dams fail meet minimum safety standards state indian tribe pose unacceptable risk public deficient dams sets forth provisions procedures grant awards fund allocation require state provide assurance owner dam rehabilitated developed carry maintenance plan expected life dam require recipient grant act comply requirements applicable contributions federal funds robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance act develop risk based priority system identifying deficient dams grants limits federal share rehabilitation costs prohibits grant funds rehabilitate federal dam perform routine operation maintenance modify dam produce hydroelectric power increase water supply storage capacity modification improve dam safety conditions receipt grants state state following specified requirements applicable contracts architectural engineering services entering contracts services relating dam rehabilitation provides contracts shall considered confer proprietary interest united_states prohibits funds obligated project act steel iron manufactured goods project produced united_states authorizes waivers


Summary:
Directs the Department of the Army to operate the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint federal water resources projects on the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia in a manner that ensures the maintenance of freshwater flows.

Defines "freshwater flows" to mean the quality, quantity, timing, and variability of freshwater flows required to: (1) support and reestablish the ecological integrity of the rivers, commercial and recreational fisheries dependent on freshwater flows into Apalachicola Bay and adjacent waters, and thriving and diverse fish, wildlife, and plant populations having species composition, diversity, adaptability, and functional organization similar to those found prior to construction of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint projects; (2) restore and recover species that are endangered, threatened, or at risk; and (3) prevent significantly harmful adverse impacts to the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola River ecosystems.

Requires the Army to: (1) complete the ongoing revision of the water control manuals for such projects and issue revised manuals that ensure the maintenance of freshwater flows; (2) ensure that operational modifications needed to maintain freshwater flows are achieved while providing system-wide balance in conservation storage through the maintenance of water levels within the same action zone for each of the project reservoirs; (3) enter into an arrangement for the National Academy of Sciences to carry out an independent peer review of each revised manual; and (4) obtain written approval from the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Geological Survey of each manual developed before a final manual may be issued.

directs department_of_the_army operate federal water resources projects apalachicola chattahoochee alabama florida georgia manner ensures maintenance freshwater flows defines freshwater flows mean quality quantity timing variability freshwater flows required support reestablish ecological integrity rivers commercial recreational fisheries dependent freshwater flows adjacent waters diverse fish wildlife plant populations having species composition diversity adaptability functional organization similar found prior construction projects restore recover species endangered threatened risk prevent significantly harmful adverse impacts chattahoochee apalachicola_river ecosystems requires army complete ongoing revision water control manuals projects issue revised manuals ensure maintenance freshwater flows ensure operational modifications needed maintain freshwater flows achieved providing system wide balance conservation storage maintenance water levels action zone project reservoirs enter arrangement national_academy_of_sciences carry independent peer review revised manual obtain written approval environmental_protection_agency fish wildlife service national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration manual developed final manual issued


Summary:
Dams Accountability, Maintenance, and Safety Act

Amends the Reclamation Safety of Dams Act of 1978 to authorize the Department of the Interior, subject to a feasibility study, to develop additional project benefits (including additional conservation storage capacity) through the construction of new or supplementary works when it exercises its authority to modify Bureau of Reclamation dams and related facilities to preserve their structural safety, provided that: (1) the additional project benefits will promote more efficient management of water and water-related facilities, (2) the feasibility study is authorized under the Federal Water Project Recreation Act of 1965, and (3) the costs are allocated to the authorized purposes of the structure and repaid consistent with federal reclamation law.

dams accountability maintenance safety act amends reclamation safety dams act authorize department_of_the_interior subject feasibility study develop additional project benefits including additional conservation storage capacity construction new supplementary works exercises authority modify bureau_of_reclamation dams related facilities preserve structural safety provided additional project benefits promote efficient management water water related facilities feasibility study authorized costs allocated authorized purposes structure repaid consistent federal reclamation law


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 8, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.) (Sec. 2) Directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, using available funds, to develop a Veterans' Curation Program to hire veterans and members of the Armed Forces to assist in carrying out curation and historic preservation activities.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated sec directs available funds develop veterans curation program hire veterans members armed_forces assist carrying curation historic preservation activities


Summary:
Waterway Safety Improvement Act of 2015

This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to authorize the Department of the Army to make modifications to deep-draft, high-commercial-use channels, including bends and entrances, as necessary to ensure safe navigation and efficient operations of such channels without regard to provisions of such Act regarding the maximum cost of water resources development and conservation projects.

waterway safety improvement act bill amends water_resources_development_act authorize department_of_the_army modifications deep draft high commercial use channels including necessary ensure safe navigation efficient operations channels regard provisions act maximum cost water resources development conservation projects


Summary:
Timely Permitting Accessibility Act

This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by a private entity to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a project or activity for a public purpose under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army.

A "private entity" includes a business association, a cooperative of businesses, associations, or individuals.

Such authority expires 10 years after enactment of this Act. The Government Accountability Office is required, within 7 years after enactment of this Act, to carry out a study of the implementation of such authority.

timely permitting accessibility act bill amends water_resources_development_act authorize secretary army accept expend funds contributed private entity expedite evaluation permit entity related project activity public purpose jurisdiction department_of_the_army private entity includes business association cooperative businesses associations individuals authority expires years enactment act government_accountability_office required years enactment act carry study implementation authority


Summary:
WIFIA Improvement Act

This bill amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to repeal provisions prohibiting any project receiving federal credit assistance under such Act from being financed from the proceeds of tax-exempt bonds.

improvement act bill amends water_infrastructure_finance innovation_act repeal provisions prohibiting project receiving federal credit assistance act financed proceeds tax exempt bonds


Summary:
Clean Water for Rural Communities Act

 This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to carry out the projects entitled: (1) the "Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority System," in accordance with the Dry-Redwater Regional Water System Feasibility Study, which received funding from the Bureau of Reclamation on September 1, 2010; and (2) the "Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System," in accordance with the Musselshell-Judith Rural Water System Feasibility Report. The bill defines the service areas of such projects in North Dakota and Montana.

Interior must enter into a cooperative agreement with the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority and the Central Montana Regional Water Authority to provide federal assistance for the planning, design, and construction of such Water Systems. The federal share of such costs and the authorized uses of federal funds, which shall exclude operation, maintenance, or replacement of the Water Systems, are specified.

The Western Area Power Administration must make available to the Dry-Redwater System a quantity of power (up to one and a half megawatt capacity) required to meet the System's pumping and incidental operation requirements between May 1 and October 31 of each year: (1) from the water intake facilities; and (2) through all pumping stations, water treatment facilities, reservoirs, storage tanks, and pipelines up to the point of delivery of water to all storage reservoirs and tanks and each entity that distributes water at retail to individual users. The System shall be eligible to receive such power only if it: (1) operates on a nonprofit basis, and (2) is constructed pursuant to the cooperative agreement with the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority. Additional power may be purchased. The Authority is responsible for: (1) charges for such additional power, (2) the costs of non-federal transmission and distribution system delivery and service arrangements, and (3) funding any upgrades to the transmission system owned by the Western Area Power Administration Basin Electric Power District and the Heartland Consumers Power District required to deliver power to the System.

The bill authorizes appropriations and adjustments in authorized amounts in accordance with ordinary fluctuations in development costs.

bill authorizes department_of_the_interior carry projects entitled dry redwater regional water authority system accordance received funding bureau_of_reclamation september rural water system accordance bill defines service areas projects north_dakota montana interior enter cooperative agreement provide federal assistance planning design construction water systems federal share costs authorized uses federal funds shall exclude operation maintenance replacement specified western_area_power_administration available quantity power half megawatt capacity required meet system pumping incidental operation requirements october year water intake facilities pumping stations water treatment facilities reservoirs storage tanks pipelines point delivery water storage reservoirs tanks entity distributes water retail individual users system shall eligible receive power operates nonprofit basis constructed pursuant cooperative agreement additional power purchased authority responsible charges additional power costs non federal transmission distribution system delivery service arrangements funding upgrades transmission system owned required deliver power system bill authorizes appropriations adjustments authorized amounts accordance ordinary fluctuations development costs


Summary:
This bill directs the Department of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to act as the lead agency with respect to radioactive contamination remediation at the West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Nothing in this Act affects the site's designation as a Superfund site.

bill directs department_of_the_army chief engineers act lead agency respect radioactive contamination remediation west lake landfill missouri act affects site designation site


Summary:
Everglades for the Next Generation Act

This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Department of the Army, after completing an implementation report prepared for a project under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and without any further congressional authorization, to carry out: (1) any project identified in the Plan for which a project implementation report is completed that is in accordance with an integrated delivery schedule approved by the Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, provided that the report is completed by five years after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) any group of projects under the Plan that the Corps determines will provide regional or watershed ecosystem or water supply benefits if constructed in accordance with a project implementation report approved by the Corps and the District by such date.

everglades generation act bill amends water_resources_development_act authorize department_of_the_army completing implementation report prepared project comprehensive everglades restoration plan congressional authorization carry project identified plan project implementation report completed accordance integrated delivery schedule approved corps_of_engineers south_florida_water_management_district provided report completed years date enactment act group projects plan corps determines provide regional watershed ecosystem water supply benefits constructed accordance project implementation report approved corps district date


Summary:
North Texas Reservoir Approval Act

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to exempt the construction of, impoundment of water in, and operation of the Lower Bois d'Arc Creek Reservoir Project by the North Texas Municipal Water District in Fannin County, Texas. Thus, the district would not need to obtain a permit for the discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States with respect to the construction of the dam, the flooding of the area for the reservoir, and the operation of that reservoir project, including any associated water transmission facilities.

approval act bill amends federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act exempt construction impoundment water operation north_texas_municipal_water_district texas district need obtain permit discharge dredged fill materials waters united_states respect construction dam flooding area reservoir operation reservoir project including associated water transmission facilities


Summary:
Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to: (1) declare that additional research is required into increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of new and existing treatment works through alternative approaches, including non-structural alternatives, decentralized approaches, energy use efficiency, water use efficiency, and actions to extract energy from wastewater; (2) require each water resources research and technology institute to arrange for research that fosters the exploration of new ideas that expand understanding of water resources (currently, of water-related phenomena); (3) direct the Department of the Interior to report to specified congressional committees annually on each institute's compliance with matching fund requirements and provisions permitting the use of funds only to reimburse direct cost expenditures incurred for the conduct of the water resources research program; and (4) authorize appropriations for such institutes through FY2022.

bill amends water_resources_research_act declare additional research required increasing effectiveness efficiency new existing treatment works alternative approaches including non structural alternatives decentralized approaches energy use efficiency water use efficiency actions extract energy wastewater require water resources research technology institute arrange research fosters exploration new ideas expand understanding water resources currently water related phenomena direct department_of_the_interior report specified congressional committees annually institute compliance matching fund requirements provisions permitting use funds reimburse direct cost expenditures incurred conduct water resources research program authorize appropriations institutes fy2022


Summary:
Bolts Ditch Access and Use Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to permit by special use authorization nonmotorized access and use of the Bolts Ditch headgate and the Bolts Ditch within the Holy Cross Wilderness in Colorado for the diversion of water and use, maintenance, and repair of the ditch and headgate by the town of Minturn, Colorado.

ditch access use act sec bill directs department_of_agriculture permit special use authorization nonmotorized access use ditch ditch colorado diversion water use maintenance repair ditch town colorado


Summary:
Lake Berryessa Recreation Enhancement Act of 2016

 This bill establishes as the Lake Berryessa Recreation Area specified land administered by the Bureau of Reclamation that is underlying or adjacent to Lake Berryessa in California, including any improvements.

The bill transfers the administrative jurisdiction over the area from the Bureau of Reclamation to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) of the Department of the Interior.

 Interior shall develop a management plan for the area and may establish guidelines and restrictions on recreational uses to ensure the safety and security of recreational users.

Interior may also issue recreation concession permits, including at the area, to allow a third party to provide facilities and services to visitors on lands and waters managed by the BLM in support of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Reclamation shall continue to administer and operate the Monticello Dam and any related facility, including any power facility.

lake berryessa recreation enhancement act bill establishes specified land administered bureau_of_reclamation underlying adjacent california including improvements bill transfers administrative jurisdiction area bureau_of_reclamation bureau_of_land_management blm department_of_the_interior interior shall develop management plan area establish guidelines restrictions recreational uses ensure safety security recreational users interior issue recreation concession permits including area allow party provide facilities services visitors lands waters managed blm support outdoor recreational opportunities reclamation shall continue administer operate related facility including power facility


Summary:
This bill directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, after completion of the study of the Herbert Hoover Dike, Florida, known as the Herbert Hoover Dike Dam Safety Modification Study, to: (1) carry out, without any further congressional authorization, the projects recommended as part the study; and (2) complete such projects by December 31, 2020.

Appropriations in the amount of $800 million are made to carry out this bill.

bill directs completion study florida known carry congressional authorization projects recommended study complete projects december appropriations million carry bill


Summary:
Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project Phase III Act

This bill expands the purposes of the Yakima River Basin Water Conservation Program to include:

 protection, mitigation, and enhancement of fish and wildlife and the recovery and maintenance of self-sustaining harvestable populations of fish and other aquatic life, both anadromous and resident species, in the Yakima River Basin; improving the reliability of municipal, industrial, and domestic water supply and use purposes, especially during drought years; implementation of the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan to realize water savings of not less than 85,000 acre feet; encouraging an increase in the use of water transfers, leasing, markets, and other voluntary transactions among public and private entities to enhance water management in the Yakima River Basin; improving the resilience of the ecosystems, economies, and communities in the Basin as they face drought and other changes; and authorizing and implementing the Yakima River Basin Integrated Water Resource Management Plan as Phase III of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project. The bill directs the Conservation Advisory Group to provide recommendations to advance the purposes and programs of the Yakima River Basin Enhancement Project.

Water acquisition efforts may continue as needed to provide water to be used by the Yakima Project Manager for instream flow purposes and to allow voluntary water acquisitions to provide improved instream flows for anadromous and resident fish and other aquatic life.

The bill modifies authorities for Yakima Basin Water Projects, including for the development of additional storage capacity at Lake Cle Elum and the enhancement of water supplies for Yakima Basin Tributaries.

The Yakima Indian Nation is redesignated as the Yakama Nation.

The Department of the Interior may conduct studies to evaluate measures to further Yakima Project purposes on tributaries to the Yakima River.

The bill directs Interior to:

 implement the Integrated Plan as Phase III of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, subject to feasibility studies, environmental reviews, cost-benefit analyses, and available appropriations; implement an initial development phase of the Integrated Plan and develop plans for the intermediate and final development phases of the Integrated Plan; complete upstream and downstream fish passage facilities at Cle Elum Reservoir and another Yakima Project reservoir; negotiate long-term agreements for a pump plan and associated facilities to access and deliver inactive storage at Kachess Reservoir and a conveyance system to allow water transfers from Keechelus Reservoir to Kachess Reservoir ("K to K Pipeline"); participate in, provide funding for, and accept non-federal financing for water conservation projects intended to conserve 85,000 acre feet of water and for aquifer storage and recovery projects; conduct studies, feasibility analyses and environmental reviews of fish passage, water supply, conservation, habitat restoration projects, and other alternatives for the initial and future phases of the Integrated Plan; coordinate with and assist the state of Washington in implementing a robust water market to enhance water management in the Yakima River Basin; enter into cooperative agreements with, or make grants to, the Yakama Nation, the state of Washington, or other entities subject to a 50% non-federal cost-sharing requirement; and retain authority and discretion over the management of project supplies to optimize operational use and flexibility to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and treaty rights of the Yakama Nation. Interior, in conjunction with the state of Washington and in consultation with the Yakama Nation, must report, not later than five years after enactment of this bill, on the development and implementation of the Integrated Plan.

bill expands purposes include protection mitigation enhancement fish wildlife recovery maintenance self sustaining harvestable populations fish aquatic life anadromous resident species improving reliability municipal industrial domestic water supply use purposes especially drought years implementation realize water savings acre feet encouraging increase use water transfers leasing markets voluntary transactions public private entities enhance water management improving resilience ecosystems economies communities basin face drought changes authorizing implementing bill directs provide recommendations advance purposes programs water acquisition efforts continue needed provide water yakima_project manager instream flow purposes allow voluntary water acquisitions provide improved instream flows anadromous resident fish aquatic life bill modifies authorities including development additional storage capacity lake enhancement water supplies redesignated nation department_of_the_interior conduct studies evaluate measures yakima_project purposes tributaries bill directs interior implement integrated plan phase iii subject feasibility studies environmental reviews cost benefit analyses available appropriations implement initial development phase integrated plan develop plans intermediate final development phases integrated plan complete upstream downstream fish passage facilities yakima_project reservoir negotiate long term agreements pump plan associated facilities access deliver inactive storage conveyance system allow water transfers pipeline participate provide funding accept non federal financing water conservation projects intended conserve acre feet water aquifer storage recovery projects conduct studies feasibility analyses environmental reviews fish passage water supply conservation habitat restoration projects alternatives initial future phases integrated plan coordinate assist state washington implementing robust water market enhance water management enter cooperative agreements grants nation state washington entities subject non federal cost sharing requirement retain authority discretion management project supplies optimize operational use flexibility ensure compliance applicable laws treaty rights nation interior conjunction state washington consultation nation report later years enactment bill development implementation integrated plan


Summary:
Everglades Land Acquisition Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to carry out, south of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, land acquisition projects for flood damage reduction and water storage, treatment, and conveyance purposes.

The bill prohibits Interior from paying more than the land's fair market value.

Upon the acquisition of such land, Interior, in consultation with the Army Corps of Engineers, shall provide for:

 the restoration of the acquired land for flood damage reduction and water storage, treatment, and conveyance purposes; and the utilization of the land in conjunction with projects that implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Interior may transfer or sell the land acquired under this Act to the Army Corps of Engineers, the state of Florida, a political subdivision of the state, or a nonprofit conservation organization.

everglades land acquisition act bill directs department_of_the_interior carry south florida land acquisition projects flood damage reduction water storage treatment conveyance purposes bill prohibits interior paying land fair market value acquisition land interior consultation army_corps_of_engineers shall provide restoration acquired land flood damage reduction water storage treatment conveyance purposes utilization land conjunction projects implement comprehensive everglades restoration plan interior transfer sell land acquired act army_corps_of_engineers state florida political subdivision state nonprofit conservation organization


Summary: This bill amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1988 to provide that the declaration of nonnavigability for the Rivercenter portion of the Delaware River, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shall not expire (currently the declaration of nonnavigability for that area expires on November 17, 2018).

bill amends water_resources_development_act provide declaration portion delaware_river philadelphia pennsylvania shall expire currently declaration area expires november


Summary:
San Luis Unit Drainage Resolution Act

This bill requires the Department of the Interior to implement the Agreement between the United States and Westlands Water District August 2015 (Westlands Agreement) and the Agreement between Interior and the San Luis Water District, the Panoche Water District, and the Pacheco Water District (Northerly Districts Agreement).

The bill amends the San Luis Act (the 1960 statute that authorized Interior to construct the San Luis Unit of the Central Valley Project (CVP), California) to: (1) repeal provisions that include distribution systems and drains as features of such unit, and (2) eliminate requirements for Interior to meet drainage requirements for such unit. Each contractor within the unit that receives water for irrigation shall be responsible for the management of drainage water within its boundaries.

Each San Luis Unit Contractor (i.e., the Westlands Water District, San Luis Water District, Panoche Water District, and Pacheco Water District) shall assume all legal responsibility for the management of drainage water within, and shall not discharge drain water outside of, its boundaries.

Interior shall:

 convert each San Luis Unit Contractor's existing long-term or interim renewal water service contract to a repayment contract; make allocation decisions in the CVP consistent with federal law and all decisions of the California State Water Resources Control Board establishing conditions on applicable licenses and permits for the CVP, and enter into a contract with the Navy for the delivery of CVP water to the Lemoore Naval Air Station. The bill suspends each San Luis Unit Contractor's capital repayment obligation and payments under its water service contracts and the April 1, 1965, repayment contract with the United States until the execution of a repayment contract under this bill, after which each contractor shall: (1) receive a specified credit against future operation and maintenance costs payable to the United States, and (2) be relieved of capital repayment obligations under specified water service contracts.

CVP construction costs or other capitalized costs allocated to the Westlands Water District after the date of the Westlands Agreement shall be repaid within five years after notification of the allocation of less than $5 million. If the amount allocated is $5 million or greater, such cost shall be repaid as provided by applicable reclamation law. CVP construction costs or other capitalized costs allocated to any of the Northerly San Luis Unit Districts after the date of the Northerly District Agreement shall be repaid as provided by applicable reclamation law.

Interior is authorized to provide financial assistance as specified in the Northerly District Agreement, which shall be non-reimbursable.

The bill requires Interior to transfer title to specified facilities to the San Luis Unit Contractors upon the execution of the repayment contracts under this bill, consistent with all applicable reclamation policies and procedures. Interior and the San Luis Unit Contractor or other entity acquiring title shall comply with all applicable requirements under federal and California law before facility title is transferred.

For any year in which the allocation for south-of-Delta CVP long-term water irrigation service contractors or irrigation repayment contractors is greater than 75%, Interior shall calculate for the Westlands Water District a per acre foot Restoration Fund payment based on a projection that such District would take delivery of the full allocation.

san unit drainage resolution act bill requires department_of_the_interior implement agreement united_states august agreement agreement interior districts agreement bill amends san act statute authorized interior construct san unit central_valley_project cvp california repeal provisions include distribution systems features unit eliminate requirements interior meet drainage requirements unit contractor unit receives water irrigation shall responsible management drainage water boundaries san unit contractor water district san water district water district shall assume legal responsibility management drainage water shall discharge drain water outside boundaries interior shall convert san unit contractor existing long term interim renewal water service contract repayment contract allocation decisions cvp consistent federal law decisions establishing conditions applicable licenses permits cvp enter contract navy delivery cvp water bill suspends capital repayment obligation payments water service contracts april repayment contract united_states execution repayment contract bill contractor shall receive specified credit future operation maintenance costs payable united_states relieved capital repayment obligations specified water service contracts cvp construction costs capitalized costs allocated date agreement shall repaid years notification allocation million allocated million greater cost shall repaid provided applicable reclamation law cvp construction costs capitalized costs allocated san unit districts date district agreement shall repaid provided applicable reclamation law interior authorized provide financial assistance specified district agreement shall non reimbursable bill requires interior transfer title specified facilities execution repayment contracts bill consistent applicable reclamation policies procedures interior entity acquiring title shall comply applicable requirements federal california law facility title transferred year allocation south delta cvp long term water irrigation service contractors irrigation repayment contractors greater interior shall calculate acre foot payment based projection district delivery allocation


Summary:
California Long-Term Provisions for Water Supply and Short-Term Provisions for Emergency Drought Relief Act

TITLE I--LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENTS FOR WESTERN STATES SUBJECT TO DROUGHT

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior, within California and other states served by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), and also within Alaska and Hawaii, to provide: (1) cost-shared financial assistance and other long-term agreements to nonfederal participants to advance the planning, design, and construction of nonfederal permanent water storage and conveyance facilities, projects for the reclamation and reuse of municipal, industrial, domestic, and agricultural wastewater, naturally impaired ground and surface waters, ground water recharge, and other water management improvement projects; and (2) grants for projects in disadvantaged communities that are unable to meet primary water quality standards or whose local private or public water supply has been lost or severely diminished due to drought conditions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for five years after enactment of this Act, must require California to prioritize state revolving funds allocated under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act to projects that will: (1) provide additional water supplies to areas at risk of having inadequate supplies for public health and safety purposes, or (2) improve resiliency to drought. At California's request, the EPA must authorize 40-year financing for assistance in the case of state loan funds used to buy or refinance the debt obligation of municipalities and intermunicipal and interstate agencies at or below market rates.

In Reclamation-served states, Interior may participate in up to: (1) 50% of the total cost of a federally owned surface water storage project upon the request of a state or public agency, or (2) 25% of the total cost of a state-led project involving a ground water or surface water storage facility upon a governor's request.

The Department of the Army must carry out up to 15 pilot projects, including at least 6 nonfederal projects, to implement revisions of reservoir water operations manuals and flood control rule curves in states under a gubernatorial drought declaration during water year 2015.

Interior must award funding on a competitive basis to water recycling and desalination projects sponsored by certain cities, districts, regional commissions, and facilities.

The Water Desalination Act of 1996 is amended to reauthorize through FY2020 water desalination research grants and demonstration programs.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy must develop a strategic plan for future federal investments in desalination.

The Reclamation Wastewater and ground water Study and Facilities Act is amended to establish a process for Interior to award grants to nonfederal sponsors for projects that reclaim and reuse: (1) municipal, industrial, domestic, or agricultural wastewater; or (2) impaired ground or surface waters.

The EPA may continue the WaterSense Program for the voluntary labeling of products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services that meet EPA water efficiency criteria.

Interior may provide secured loans or loan guarantees to private entities, state or local governments, irrigation districts, water users' associations, or other entities that contract with the United States under federal reclamation law to carry out water projects within the 17 western states served by Reclamation, other states where Reclamation is authorized to provide project assistance, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Interior may enter a memorandum of understanding with California and up to four additional states to establish a pilot program that designates a state as lead agency for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

TITLE II--LISTED SPECIES AND WILDLIFE

This title authorizes appropriations for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for: (1) gravel and rearing area additions and habitat restoration to the Sacramento River to benefit Chinook salmon and steelhead trout; (2) real-time operations of Shasta and related Central Valley facilities, temperature modeling, and forecasting to predict impacts to salmon and salmon habitat as a result of water management at Shasta; and (3) salvage systems for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Suisun Marsh (the Delta). It also authorizes appropriations for Interior to conduct a Delta smelt distribution study.

The Department of Commerce must implement a pilot program to test an experimental trap and barge program to improve survival of juvenile salmonids emigrating from the San Joaquin watershed though the Delta.

Interior and Commerce must expand conservation hatchery programs to enhance, supplement, and rebuild Delta smelt and Endangered Species Act-listed fish species under the smelt biological opinion dated December 15, 2008, and the salmonid biological opinion dated June 4, 2009, for California's Central Valley Project (CVP) and State Water Project (SWP).

A federal cost share of up to 50% is authorized for the acceleration and completion of water infrastructure and conveyance facilities necessary to achieve full water deliveries to Central Valley wildlife refuges and habitat areas.

 The National Marine Fisheries Service and California's Oakdale and South San Joaquin irrigation districts must conduct a nonnative predator research and pilot fish removal program to study the effects of removing certain nonnative bass and predator fish from the Stanislaus River. Interior must establish pilot projects to implement the Calfed Bay-Delta invasive species control program.

TITLE III--CALIFORNIA EMERGENCY DROUGHT RELIEF AND OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must use the best scientific and commercial data available to implement, continuously evaluate, and make appropriate amendments to the reasonable and prudent alternative described in the smelt biological opinion. Interior must collaborate with stakeholders to conduct annual surveys on the science of the Delta to enhance real-time decisionmaking.

By not later than March 15, 2021, Interior must complete studies to determine the abundance and distribution of Delta smelt. Interior must: (1) determine potential methods to minimize the effects of CVP and SWP operations on Delta smelt, (2) implement new targeted sampling and monitoring of Delta smelt or provide an explanation if such new sampling and monitoring is not warranted, and (3) use new tracking technologies.

 Until the California governor declares an end to its drought emergency or September 30, 2017, whichever is later, Interior and Commerce must conduct real-time monitoring of fish species relative to Delta conditions to identify: (1) opportunities to increase water pumping without violating environmental or endangered species laws or biological opinions; and (2) circumstances where it is necessary to decrease water pumping to protect natural origin steelhead, natural origin genetic spring run Chinook, genetic winter run Chinook salmon, or Delta smelt.

Temporary procedures are set forth for management of:

 the Old and Middle River (OMR) to maximize water supplies for the CVP and the SWP, OMR reverse flow rates, and the C.W. "Bill" Jones and the Harvey O. Banks pumping plants. To address emergency drought conditions, Interior and Commerce must approve operations or temporary projects to provide the maximum quantity of water supplies to CVP agricultural, municipal, and industrial contractors, water service or repayment contractors, water rights settlement contractors, exchange and refuge contractors, and SWP contractors. Consistent with biological opinions and subject to environmental law restrictions, Interior and Commerce must:

 implement a pilot project to test the ability to open the Delta cross-channel gates to the maximum extent practicable; install a deflection barrier at Georgiana Slough and the Delta cross-channel gate; implement turbidity control strategies; adopt inflow-to-export ratios for the increment of increased flow in April and May; issue permits for temporary barriers, operable gates, and water transfer requests; enter an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to study saltcedar biological control efforts to increase water supplies and improve riparian habitats of the Colorado River; and vary averaging periods for Delta export-inflow ratios. During the period when emergency procedures are in effect, federal agencies must: (1) expedite final decisions for newly proposed federal water projects or operations upon the California governor's request, and (2) develop alternative arrangements to comply with NEPA. Interior and Commerce may, during that temporary period, authorize CVP and SWP operations at levels that capture peak flows during storm-related events.

TITLE IV--WATER RIGHTS

This title sets forth temporary procedures for Interior to confer with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) regarding the implementation of this Act and any changes to the smelt or salmonid biological opinions. If the CDFW determines that SWP operations are inconsistent with California law, or requires take authorization in a manner that reduces water supply to the SWP as compared to the supply available under the biological opinions, and as a result the CVP yield is greater than it otherwise would have been, then that additional yield must be made available to SWP contractors to offset the reduced water supply. In cases where it is necessary to reduce CVP water supplies to make additional yield available to the SWP, such reductions must be applied proportionately to uses or contractors benefiting from that increased yield.

For existing CVP agricultural water service contractors within the Sacramento River Watershed, this title sets forth temporary water allocation percentages for irrigation purposes in wet, dry, and above or below normal water years.

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

The CVP's service area is expanded to include the Kettleman City Community Services District. Interior shall enter a contract to deliver CVP water to that Kettleman City district for municipal and industrial uses if local supplies or SWP allocations are insufficient.

Reclamation must coordinate implementation of projects for additional water storage at the New Melones Reservoir.

The U.S. Geological Survey must establish an open water data system to promote voluntary sharing of water data among state, local, and tribal governments, communities, educational institutions, and the private sector.

TITLE VI--OFFSETS

This title establishes a process for Interior to identify, solicit public comment on, and submit to Congress a list of Reclamation projects to be deauthorized because they are no longer feasible. Reclamation projects that would yield an average of more than 200,000 acre-feet of water per year are exempt from this process.

Accelerated Revenue, Repayment, and Surface Water Storage Enhancement Act

This Act requires Interior, upon request from a water users association, to convert certain water service contracts between the United States and the water users association to allow for prepayment of repayment contracts. A percentage of the receipts generated from such prepayments is to be deposited in a Reclamation Surface Storage Account established to fund the construction of surface water storage.

TITLE VII--DURATION AND EFFECT ON EXISTING OBLIGATIONS

This title identifies the temporary provisions of titles III and IV that will expire when the California governor declares an end to its drought emergency or on September 30, 2017, whichever is later.

relief act title long term improvements western states subject drought bill authorizes department_of_the_interior california states served alaska hawaii provide cost shared financial assistance long term agreements nonfederal participants advance planning design construction nonfederal permanent water storage conveyance facilities projects reclamation reuse municipal industrial domestic agricultural wastewater naturally impaired ground surface waters ground water recharge water management improvement projects grants projects disadvantaged communities unable meet primary water quality standards local private public water supply lost severely diminished drought conditions environmental_protection_agency epa years enactment act require california prioritize state revolving funds allocated federal_water_pollution_control_act safe_drinking_water_act projects provide additional water supplies areas risk having inadequate supplies public health safety purposes improve resiliency drought california request epa authorize year financing assistance case state loan funds buy refinance debt obligation municipalities interstate agencies market rates reclamation served states interior participate total cost federally owned surface water storage project request state public agency total cost state led project involving ground water surface water storage facility governor request department_of_the_army carry pilot projects including nonfederal projects implement revisions reservoir water operations manuals flood control rule curves states drought declaration water year interior award funding competitive basis water recycling desalination projects sponsored certain cities districts regional commissions facilities water desalination act amended reauthorize fy2020 water desalination research grants demonstration programs develop strategic plan future federal investments desalination reclamation wastewater ground water study facilities act amended establish process interior award grants nonfederal sponsors projects reclaim reuse municipal industrial domestic agricultural wastewater impaired ground surface waters epa continue voluntary labeling products buildings landscapes facilities processes services meet epa water efficiency criteria interior provide secured loans loan guarantees private entities state local governments irrigation districts water users associations entities contract united_states federal reclamation law carry water projects western states served reclamation states reclamation authorized provide project assistance alaska hawaii interior enter memorandum understanding california additional states establish pilot program designates state lead agency purposes national_environmental_policy_act nepa title listed species wildlife title authorizes appropriations national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration gravel area additions habitat restoration sacramento_river benefit chinook salmon steelhead trout real time operations shasta related facilities temperature modeling forecasting predict impacts salmon salmon habitat result water management shasta salvage systems sacramento san joaquin delta delta authorizes appropriations interior conduct delta smelt distribution study department_of_commerce implement pilot program test experimental trap barge program improve survival juvenile san_joaquin watershed delta interior commerce expand conservation hatchery programs enhance supplement rebuild delta smelt fish species smelt biological opinion dated december salmonid biological opinion dated june california central_valley_project cvp state_water_project swp federal cost share authorized acceleration completion water infrastructure conveyance facilities necessary achieve water deliveries wildlife refuges habitat areas national_marine_fisheries_service california irrigation districts conduct nonnative predator research pilot fish removal program study effects removing certain nonnative bass predator fish stanislaus_river interior establish pilot projects implement calfed bay delta invasive species control program title iii california emergency drought relief operational flexibility fish wildlife service use best scientific commercial data available implement continuously evaluate appropriate amendments reasonable prudent alternative described smelt biological opinion interior collaborate stakeholders conduct annual surveys science delta enhance real time decisionmaking later march interior complete studies determine abundance distribution delta smelt interior determine potential methods minimize effects cvp swp operations delta smelt implement new targeted sampling monitoring delta smelt provide explanation new sampling monitoring warranted use new tracking technologies california governor declares end drought emergency september whichever later interior commerce conduct real time monitoring fish species relative delta conditions identify opportunities increase water pumping violating environmental endangered species laws biological opinions circumstances necessary decrease water pumping protect natural origin steelhead natural origin genetic spring run chinook genetic winter run chinook salmon delta smelt temporary procedures set forth management old maximize water supplies cvp swp reverse flow rates bill jones pumping plants address emergency drought conditions interior commerce approve operations temporary projects provide maximum quantity water supplies cvp agricultural municipal industrial contractors water service repayment contractors water rights settlement contractors exchange refuge contractors swp contractors consistent biological opinions subject environmental law restrictions interior_and_commerce implement pilot project test ability open delta cross channel gates maximum extent practicable install barrier delta cross channel gate implement control strategies adopt inflow export ratios increment increased flow april issue permits temporary barriers operable gates water transfer requests enter agreement national_academy_of_sciences study biological control efforts increase water supplies improve riparian habitats colorado_river vary averaging periods delta export inflow ratios period emergency procedures effect federal agencies expedite final decisions newly proposed federal water projects operations california governor request develop alternative arrangements comply nepa interior commerce temporary period authorize cvp swp operations levels capture peak flows storm related events title water rights title sets forth temporary procedures interior confer implementation act changes smelt salmonid biological opinions determines swp operations inconsistent california law requires authorization manner reduces water supply swp compared supply available biological opinions result cvp yield greater additional yield available swp contractors offset reduced water supply cases necessary reduce cvp water supplies additional yield available swp reductions applied proportionately uses contractors benefiting increased yield existing cvp agricultural water service contractors title sets forth temporary water allocation percentages irrigation purposes wet dry normal water years title miscellaneous provisions cvp service area expanded include interior shall enter contract deliver cvp water district municipal industrial uses local supplies swp allocations insufficient reclamation coordinate implementation projects additional water storage establish open water data system promote voluntary sharing water data state local tribal governments communities educational institutions private sector title offsets title establishes process interior identify solicit public comment submit congress list reclamation projects deauthorized longer feasible reclamation projects yield average acre feet water year exempt process repayment act requires interior request water users association convert certain water service contracts united_states water users association allow prepayment repayment contracts percentage receipts generated prepayments deposited reclamation surface storage account established fund construction surface water storage title vii duration effect existing obligations title identifies temporary provisions titles iii expire california governor declares end drought emergency september whichever later