Summary:
Highlights:

This bill revises or authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water resources development projects, feasibility studies, and relationships with nonfederal project sponsors. It establishes a process to deauthorize projects with an aggregate estimated federal cost to complete of at least $10 billion.

It sets forth requirements concerning:

 harbor operations and maintenance, emerging harbors, donor ports, and energy transfer ports; navigation and flood management projects; reservoir operations and storage allocations; dredging alternatives; floating cabins; dam repair; ice jams; aquifer depletion; aquatic invasive species; and permits to occupy, use, or alter certain public works. The bill reauthorizes estuary habitat restoration projects and the Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative through FY2021.

To assist states, the bill contains provisions for:

 drought emergencies, regional district flood damage reduction projects, and combined funding in groups of states. Additional funding is authorized for repair or replacement of water infrastructure for authorized communities in states with presidentially declared emergencies based on the presence of chemical, physical, or biological constituents, including lead in an eligible water system.

The bill establishes requirements for "no wake" zones in Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway navigation channels, revisions to Table Rock Lake plans, and land in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, to be held in trust for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council must issue regulations for environmental bank preservation projects that provide credits to offset adverse environmental impacts.

The Corps of Engineers' authority to accept funds to expedite permits is expanded to railroad carriers and made permanent for public utilities or natural gas companies. It must designate a principal approving official to coordinate development of unmanned aircraft systems.

The Corps may operate a fish hatchery to restore threatened or endangered fish species.

The bill authorizes various navigation, flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage, ecosystem restoration, recreation, or river shoreline projects in Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Full Summary:

Water Resources Development Act of 2016

TITLE I--GENERAL PROVISIONS

(Sec. 101) This title expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) water resources development projects are critical to maintaining economic prosperity, national security, and environmental protection; (2) Congress has required timely delivery of project and study authorization proposals from nonfederal project sponsors and the Corps of Engineers; and (3) Congress should consider a Water Resources Development Act at least once every Congress.

(Sec. 102) The Corps of Engineers must enter cooperative agreements with youth service and conservation corps organizations for services on Corps projects.

(Sec. 103) The Corps of Engineers must use its existing channel depths and dimensions authority under the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1915 to carry out navigation safety activities at harbor or inland harbor projects eligible for Corps operation and maintenance under the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (WRDA 1986), including at entrances, bends, sidings, and turning places necessary for the free movement of boats.

(Sec. 104) Under WRDA 1986, the Corps of Engineers must use at least 10% (currently, exactly 10%) of the difference between the funds made available for a fiscal year to pay operations and maintenance costs of harbors and inland harbors and the funds that were available for such costs for FY2012 as priority funding for emerging harbor projects that transit less than 1 million tons of cargo annually. Not more than 90% (currently, exactly 90%) of priority funds shall be used for high- and moderate-use harbor projects. These allocations are made permanent.

(Sec. 105) The Corps of Engineers must report on its inventory and assessment of the structural condition of federal breakwaters and jetties protecting harbors and inland harbors.

(Sec. 106) The bill reduces from $15 million to $5 million the total amount of harbor maintenance taxes for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) that a port must collect annually to be considered a donor port that is eligible to receive amounts from the Corps of Engineers for payments to cargo shippers or importers, maintenance dredging and disposal of legacy-contaminated sediment, or environmental remediation.

(Sec. 107) The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA 2007) is amended to require the Corps of Engineers to consider regional (currently, local) communities when it makes recommendations for harbor and navigation improvements that are not justified solely by national economic development benefits.

(Sec. 108) The Corps of Engineers must establish a pilot program to carry out 10 cost-sharing projects for the beneficial use of dredged material. Project selections must be based solely on: (1) environmental, economic, and social benefits; and (2) diversity in project types and geographical locations. The projects are exempt from federal standards that require dredged material disposals representing the least costly alternatives. Regional teams that include local agencies and stakeholders must be established to identify and assist in implementation of projects.

(Sec. 109) The Corps of Engineers must establish a pilot program to accept services from nonfederal interests or commercial entities for removal of sediment captured behind up to 10 U.S. dams under Corps jurisdiction for the purpose of restoring authorized storage capacity. The nonfederal interests or commercial entities may sell or otherwise dispose of the removed sediment without compensating the Corps for the sediment's value.

(Sec. 110) For reservoirs that the Corps of Engineers is authorized to regulate for the use of storage allocated for flood risk management or navigation, the Corps may receive funds from nonfederal interests to formulate or revise operational documents.

(Sec. 111) In a state in which a drought emergency has been declared or was in effect during the year before enactment of this bill, the Corps of Engineers may enter agreements with nonfederal interests to carry out approved water supply conservation measures.

(Sec. 112) The bill removes provisions of the Water Supply Act of 1958 concerning Congress's recommendation for an interstate water compact for the operation of projects in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System and the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River System.

(Sec. 113) For emergency repairs or restoration of flood control works or hurricane or shore protective structures, the Corps of Engineers must consult with nonfederal sponsors on the availability of nonstructural alternatives and obtain the sponsor's agreement before implementation.

(Sec. 114) Nonfederal interests are released from any obligation to operate and maintain the nonstructural and nonmechanical components of a project for environmental protection and restoration or aquatic ecosystem restoration if the Corps of Engineers determines that the project's: (1) construction has been complete for 50 years, or (2) purpose has been achieved. The Corps must issue guidance for determining when a project has returned to a condition where natural hydrologic and ecological functions are the predominant factors of the location.

(Sec. 115) The Estuary Restoration Act of 2000 is amended to: (1) reauthorize estuary habitat restoration projects through FY2021; and (2) allow nongovernmental organizations to enter the required agreements with the Corps under WRDA 1986 for flood control projects to be initiated only after the nonfederal interests agree to pay all operation, maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation costs and the nonfederal share of construction costs.

(Sec. 116) The bill repeals provisions of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 concerning the authorization of appropriations for Great Lakes fishery and ecosystem restoration plans and projects.

(Sec. 117) The bill repeals provisions of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 concerning the use of mitigation banks for projects involving wetlands mitigation.

(Sec. 118) A Corps of Engineers coordinator and principal approving official must be designated to acquire Federal Aviation Administration authorizations for the Corps to operate small unmanned aircraft systems (drones) to support civil works and emergency response missions.

(Sec. 119) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on the costs and benefits of expanding, reducing, or maintaining the federally owned hopper dredge fleet.

(Sec. 120) The Corps of Engineers must update its inventory of unneeded properties to consider: (1) economic, cultural, historic, or recreational significance; or (2) impacts at the national, state, or local level.

(Sec. 121) The Corps of Engineers may accept funds from a railroad carrier to expedite the evaluation of the carrier's permits for a project under the Corps' jurisdiction. The authority for public utilities or natural gas companies to make contributions for expedited permit processing is made permanent.

(Sec. 122) The Corps of Engineers' authority to provide nonfederal interests a credit in lieu of a reimbursement for the estimated federal share of a flood damage reduction project under repealed provisions the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 is extended to projects for which a written agreement with the Corps for construction was finalized on or before December 31, 2014. (Currently, the credit in lieu of reimbursement is limited to projects that have been constructed by a nonfederal interest before the provisions were repealed on June 10, 2014.) The credit may be applied to other water resources development projects or studies of the nonfederal interest.

(Sec. 123) The Corps of Engineers' authority to accept materials or services from nonfederal entities to repair, restore, or replace a water resources development project that has been damaged or destroyed as a result of an emergency shall include equipment failures caused by a lack of, or deferred, maintenance.

(Sec. 124) The Corps of Engineers may provide technical assistance to nonfederal interests for feasibility studies of a proposed water resources development project if the nonfederal interest contracts to pay the costs of such assistance.

(Sec. 125) The Corps of Engineers may authorize credits or reimbursements for discrete segments of a flood reduction project under WRDA 1986 before final completion of the project if the nonfederal interest can independently operate and maintain the segment without creating a hazard in advance of project completion.

(Sec. 126) The Corps of Engineers may cooperate with groups of states to prepare comprehensive plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of the water and related resources of drainage basins, watersheds, or ecosystems located within their boundaries. States may combine funds that the Corps makes available to them for such purposes.

(Sec. 127) State regional districts' flood damage reduction projects are eligible for assistance from: (1) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a levee safety program, and (2) the Corps of Engineers for flood mitigation activities. The national levee database, inventory and review procedures, and safety guidelines must be updated to include regional district participation.

(Sec. 128) The categories of "nonfederal interests" under the Flood Control Act of 1970 are expanded to include Alaska native villages, regional corporations, and village corporations among the entities that may enter partnership agreements with the Corps for implementation or construction of water resources projects.

(Sec. 129) For federally recognized Indian tribes, local cost-sharing requirements for studies and projects are waived up to a specified amount.

(Sec. 130) The Corps of Engineers must provide guidance and technical assistance for nonfederal interests to submit proposals for the Corps' annual report to Congress on the future of water resources development. The Corps must notify previous and potential nonfederal interests and local elected officials about opportunities to address local water resources challenges through the Corps.

(Sec. 131) The feasibility reports, proposed feasibility reports, and proposed project modifications for such future development reports may include projects under an environmental infrastructure assistance program.

(Sec. 132) At a nonfederal interest's request, the Corps of Engineers shall meet with a nonfederal interest prior to initiating a feasibility study for a proposed project to review a preliminary analysis of costs, benefits, and environmental impacts of the project.

(Sec. 133) The Corps of Engineers' post-authorization change reports recommending modifications to authorized projects: (1) may not be delayed by policy or priority change considerations, and (2) must be submitted to Congress upon completion.

(Sec. 134) The Corps of Engineers must establish a publicly available database on its dredging projects, including information on maintenance dredging carried out by federal and nonfederal vessels. For each project and contract, the database must include the number of private contractor bids received and the bid amounts.

(Sec. 135) The Corps of Engineers' system for electronic submission of permit applications must: (1) allow applicants to prepare permit applications, request jurisdictional determinations, and track their status electronically; and (2) address joint applications for state and federal permits. The Corps must maintain records of all permit decisions and jurisdictional determinations for at least five years and then archive those records.

(Sec. 136) The Corps of Engineers must publish data on: (1) the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water resources development projects; and (2) water quality and water management of projects owned, operated, or managed by the Corps. But disclosure is not authorized for confidential or privileged information, law enforcement or national security information, infrastructure security information, or personal information.

(Sec. 137) The bill deauthorizes water resources development projects authorized for construction by this bill if funds have not been obligated for construction during the seven years after its enactment. The Corps of Engineers must identify for Congress any projects so deauthorized.

After 12 years, the Corps must submit to Congress: (1) a list of projects authorized by this bill that have not been completed, (2) the reasons the projects were not completed, (3) a schedule for completions based on expected appropriations, and (4) a 5-year and 10-year projection of the construction backlog with recommendations on how to mitigate such backlog.

(Sec. 138) Transmittal letters and attachments printed as House or Senate documents for certain proposed reports and recommendations transmitted to Congress for flood control or navigation improvements must be made publicly available.

The Corps of Engineers must provide the Library of Congress a copy of each final post-authorization change report for water resources projects.

(Sec. 139) The Corps of Engineers must report biennially on the metrics and project priorities used in developing each business line in the civil works budget. If a revised budget estimate is proposed, the Corps must notify each Member of Congress representing a district affected by the project.

(Sec. 140) The Corps of Engineers must report biennially on the use of natural and nature-based features in water resources development projects.

(Sec. 141) The Corps of Engineers must report annually on the amount of acquisitions it has made for civil works projects from entities that manufactured the articles, materials, or supplies outside of the United States. The report must indicate dollar values and summarize total procurement funds spent on goods manufactured inside versus outside the United States.

(Sec. 142) The Corps of Engineers must: (1) work with communities in watersheds covered by feasibility studies for proposed water resources development projects to avoid adversely affecting any local or regional water management plans for stormwater management, water quality improvement, aquifer recharge, or water reuse; and (2) incorporate the purposes of such plans into the Corps of Engineers' feasibility studies.

(Sec. 143) The Corps of Engineers must prioritize and complete its activities under the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA 2014) to: (1) contract with the National Academy of Public Administration to carry out a comprehensive review of the process for preparing, negotiating, and approving project partnership agreements and templates; and (2) report to Congress with its recommendations for improving those procedures.

(Sec. 144) The bill amends WRRDA 2014 to extend through FY2020, or through FY2025 if target total budget resources are met, the authorization for funding to donor ports and energy transfer ports for: (1) payments to cargo importers or shipping transporters, (2) maintenance dredging that benefits commercial navigation at harbors, or (3) environmental remediation related to dredging berths and federal navigation channels.

(Sec. 145) The Corps of Engineers must consult with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify national security benefits associated with the development of Arctic deep draft ports.

(Sec. 146) The Corps of Engineers' international outreach program is expanded to include informing the United States of technological innovations abroad that could improve any water resources development in the United States, including technology transfers or exchanges. (Under current law, the program is limited to informing the maritime industry and port authorities about innovations that could improve waterborne transportation.)

(Sec. 147) The Corps of Engineers must study flood risks for vulnerable coastal populations within the boundaries of the Corps' South Atlantic Division.

(Sec. 148) The GAO must analyze alternative models for managing the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and examine the costs and benefits of transferring the fund to a not-for-profit or government-owned corporation.

(Sec. 149) The Corps of Engineers may enter agreements to assume the operation and maintenance costs of an alternative project to maintenance dredging for a channel if the alternative project would lower the overall channel maintenance costs.

(Sec. 150) The Corps of Engineers may operate a fish hatchery to restore a population of threatened or endangered fish species. Nonfederal entities or federal agencies other than DOD shall be responsible for costs associated with managing such a fish hatchery that are not authorized as of the enactment of this bill.

(Sec. 151) The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council must issue regulations for environmental banks (projects to restore, create, enhance, or preserve natural resources in a designated site to provide credits to offset adverse environmental impacts) to mitigate adverse environmental impacts sustained by construction or other activities as required by law or regulation. The regulations must provide criteria for: (1) bank certification and performance; (2) priority for banks that enhance coastal resources to inundation and coastal erosion; and (3) transfers of environmental credits, cross-crediting of environmental services, and the purchase of credits to offset adverse impacts or legal liability.

(Sec. 152) The Corps of Engineers must carry out an ecosystem restoration and recreation project for the Los Angeles River in California in accordance with the conditions and recommended cost sharing described in the Report of the Chief of Engineers dated December 18, 2015.

(Sec. 153) The Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) may approve and allow the construction and use of a floating cabin (a watercraft or other floating structure primarily designed and used for human habitation or occupation and not primarily designed or used for navigation or transportation on water) on TVA waters if: (1) the floating cabin is maintained by the owner to reasonable health, safety, and environmental standards; and (2) the TVA has authorized the use of recreational vessels on such waters.

The TVA board may not require removal of such cabins for a specified period after enactment of this bill and must allow continued use of such cabins that meet recreational access requirements. But the TVA may establish regulations to prevent construction of new floating cabins.

(Sec. 154) The GAO must report on the remaining federal obligations to Indian people displaced by the construction of the Bonneville Dam, the Dalles Dam, or the John Day Dam on the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington.

(Sec. 155) Upon the request of a governor of a state with a drought emergency during the year leading up to the enactment of this bill, the Corps of Engineers may prioritize updates of water control manuals and incorporate seasonal operations for water conservation and water supply for control structures.

(Sec. 156) The GAO must submit an analysis of the President's budget requests for the Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program for each of FY2008-FY2017. It must evaluate whether the Corps of Engineers' benefit-cost ratios impact the geographic diversity of projects included in budget requests.

(Sec. 157) For purposes of the prohibition against possessing, using, building upon, altering, or obstructing sea walls, bulkheads, jetties, dikes, levees, wharfs, piers, or other works built by the United States for the preservation or improvement of its navigable waters or to prevent floods, the bill defines "work" as engineered structures that serve a particular function, including only structures of like kind to the structures specifically listed. The definition excludes: (1) river channels, regardless of whether dredging is necessary to maintain navigational depths; (2) unimproved real estate; or (3) the mere presence of a particular feature or structure within a federal project.

(Sec. 158) A project that the Corps of Engineers assumes for maintenance under authority granted by Congress shall be: (1) treated as a project authorized by Congress; and (2) planned, operated, managed, or modified consistent with authorized projects.

(Sec. 159) The Corps of Engineers must issue guidance for dam safety repair projects to: (1) identify the types of circumstances under which WRDA 1986's requirement relating to state-of-the-art design or construction criteria deemed necessary for safety purposes would apply, (2) assist Corps district offices in communicating with nonfederal interests when entering into and implementing cost-sharing agreements, and (3) assist Corps communications with nonfederal interests concerning their estimated and final cost-share responsibilities.

(Sec. 160) The Corps of Engineers must expedite completion of a flood risk management project for Cedar River, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

(Sec. 161) The Corps of Engineers may consider all benefits to the public that may accrue from a proposed rehabilitation work when reviewing requests for expenditures from the emergency fund for repair or restoration of a flood management project.

(Sec. 162) The Corps of Engineers' projects to support the fishery, ecosystem, and beneficial uses of the Great Lakes may include compatible recreation features, except that the federal cost of such features may not exceed 10% of the ecosystem restoration costs of the project.

(Sec. 163) An Army district engineer or an authorized representative may permit a nonfederal interest's alterations to a federal levee, floodwall, or flood risk management channel project or its associated features.

Permit applications seeking the Corps of Engineers' permission to occupy, use, or alter U.S.-built public works for the preservation or improvement of harbor or river navigable waters or to prevent floods shall be approved if: (1) the Corps has not made a determination, and (2) the plan was prepared and certified by a professional engineer licensed by the state in which the project is located.

(Sec. 164) The Corps of Engineers must expedite examination and, if feasible, proceed to construction of flood mitigation and restoration projects in the Louisiana parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and Pointe Coupee.

(Sec. 165) The Corps of Engineers shall not finalize a revision for the Table Rock Lake Master Plan and Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan during the five-year period after enactment of this bill and must provide 60 days for public comment on the revision. The moratorium on new or modified shoreline permits based on the existing plans must be suspended during that five-year period.

Before adopting a revision to the management plan, the Corps must complete a study on the need to revise Table Rock Lake permit fees to achieve cost savings. The Corps must report the study results to Congress.

(Sec. 166) The Corps of Engineers may adjust authorized benefit-cost ratios after the completion of any portion of a navigation project carried out by the Corps with nonfederal funds.

(Sec. 167) The Corps of Engineers must transfer specified acres of land in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, to the Department of the Interior to be held in trust for the benefit of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, on the condition that the transfer does not interfere with other civil works projects. The Corps retains the right to inundate the land with water to carry out the Eufaula Lake project and other civil works projects. Gaming is prohibited on this land. The tribe must pay the fair market value of the land plus transfer costs.

(Sec. 168) WRDA 2007 is amended to extend the period during which the Corps of Engineers is prohibited from taking action seeking to remove an improvement (including dwellings) within the flowage easement of Lake Kemp, Texas (below elevation 1159 feet mean sea level), until the earlier of: (1) January 1, 2025, or (2) the transfer of ownership of an improvement occurring after this bill's enactment.

(Sec. 169) The Corps of Engineers must consider information developed by the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District to expedite completion of the comprehensive planning authorized by WRDA 2007 to determine the feasibility of projects for flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration in Texas coastal areas.

(Sec. 170) The Corps of Engineers must expeditiously authorize, fund, identify, and implement improvements to reduce negative impacts to community-owned flood protection system accreditation where federally owned and operated levees increase flood risk and compromise accreditation.

(Sec. 171) The Corps of Engineers must report annually on corrosion prevention actions and projects.

(Sec. 172) The Corps of Engineers' study to determine the feasibility of projects to restore aquatic ecosystems within the coastal waters of the northeastern United States from Virginia to Maine must be conducted as a comprehensive assessment and management plan.

(Sec. 173) The Corps of Engineers may acquire beach fill from nondomestic sources regardless of whether it is available from domestic sources.

(Sec. 174) The Corps of Engineers must give priority to flood management projects that have executed project partnership agreements in areas where: (1) there has been loss of life due to flood events, and (2) the President has declared a major disaster or an emergency under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

(Sec. 175) The River and Harbor Act of 1958 is amended to allow the Corps of Engineers to establish, operate, and maintain new or existing watercraft inspection stations (currently, the Corps may only establish such stations) to protect the Columbia River Basin in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington from the spread of aquatic invasive species at Corps-operated and -maintained reservoirs. The Corps must also consult with such states and assist them with rapid response to any Quagga or Zebra mussel infestation.

(Sec. 176) The Corps of Engineers must coordinate with Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to assess the recovery of Gulf Coast oyster beds damaged by: (1) Hurricane Katrina in 2005, (2) the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, and (3) floods in 2011 and 2016.

(Sec. 177) The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (WIFIA) is amended to make eligible for assistance as a pilot project carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a project of the Corps of Engineers to provide alternative water supplies to reduce aquifer depletion. Any eligible project costs incurred and the value of any integral in-kind contributions made before receipt of such assistance shall be credited toward the 51% of project costs to be provided by sources of funding other than a secured loan.

(Sec. 178) The Corps of Engineers must expedite a flood risk management project in Brays Bayou, Texas.

(Sec. 179) For initiation of work on a separable element of a water resources development project that has received construction funds in the previous six years: (1) no new start or new investment decision is required, and (2) the work shall be treated as ongoing work.

(Sec. 180) The Corps of Engineers must finalize before FY2018 all permit decisions and publish all decision documents related to the construction of, impoundment of water in, and operation of, the Lower Bois d'Arc Creek Reservoir Project, including any associated water transmission facilities, by the North Texas Municipal Water District in Fannin County, Texas.

(Sec. 181) The Corps of Engineers must ensure appropriate consideration is given to the use of natural and nature-based features in the design, construction, maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of development projects.

(Sec. 182) The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 is amended to revise standards for floating cabins with overnight accommodations on Corps of Engineers' waters in the Cumberland River basin. The amended standards may not be construed to authorize the Corps to impose requirements on floating cabins or facilities (including marinas or docks located on such waters) that are different or more stringent than the requirements imposed on all recreational vessels authorized to use such waters.

(Sec. 183) The Corps of Engineers must work with state and local officials to establish a no wake zone for vessels in federally marked or maintained Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway navigation channels adjacent to a marina if: (1) documented safety hazards are a direct result of excessive wakes, (2) state law establishes a no wake zone in the channel or adjacent waters, and (3) the no wake zone complies with any Coast Guard recommendations to ensure the safety of vessels and passengers. Towing vessels are exempt from any such no wake zone requirements.

(Sec. 184) The Corps of Engineers may carry out small flood control projects under the Flood Control Act of 1948 that are not specifically authorized by Congress, including planning, design, construction, and monitoring of structural and nonstructural technologies to prevent and mitigate flood damages associated with ice jams.

(Sec. 185) The Corps of Engineers must review its guidance for consulting with Indian tribes on projects requiring the Corps to approve a permit that may impact tribal cultural or natural resources. The Corps must report on the results of its review, any proposed changes, and its justification if it determines no changes are necessary.

(Sec. 186) The Corps of Engineers must develop a structural health monitoring program to assess and improve the condition of Corps infrastructure, including systems and frameworks for: (1) response to floods and earthquakes, (2) pre-disaster mitigation measures, (3) lengthening the useful life of the infrastructure, and (4) identifying risks due to sea level rise.

(Sec. 187) The Corps of Engineers must expedite completion of a flood control project for Chicagoland Underflow Plan, Illinois, phase 2.

(Sec. 188) The Corps of Engineers must effectuate the release of U.S. interests in certain tracts of land located in Cameron County, Texas, subject to any conditions the Corps may require to protect U.S. interests. The Brownsville Navigation District is responsible for costs associated with the releases.

(Sec. 189) The bill makes permanent the Corps of Engineers' authority to use available priority funds (the difference between funds made available for operations and maintenance costs assigned to commercial navigation of harbors under WRDA 1986 each fiscal year and those funds made available for FY2012) for underserved harbors and projects within the Great Lakes Navigation System.

(Sec. 190) The Corps of Engineers must transfer the human remains known as Kennewick Man or the Ancient One to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to dispose of and repatriate the remains through the State Historic Preservation Officer to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, and the Wanapum Band of Priest Rapids. The transfer is conditioned on the tribes' agreement on a final burial place in, and custody of the remains by, the state of Washington.

(Sec. 191) The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) is amended to revise and reauthorize the EPA's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for FY2017-FY2021.

The EPA must: (1) consult with Great Lakes states and Indian tribes, and solicit input from other nonfederal stakeholders, in selecting GLRI projects; and (2) designate a point person from an appropriate federal partner to coordinate GLRI projects involving harmful algal blooms.

GLRI funding is expanded to activities of the Great Lakes National Program Office, including remediation of sediment contamination.

The EPA or other federal agencies receiving GLRI funds may make grants to, or enter agreements with, nonfederal entities for planning, research, monitoring, outreach, or implementation of selected projects that support the GLRI and the Great Lakes Water Quality Control Agreement.

Projects may be carried out on multiple levels, including locally, without a requirement that the projects be Great Lakes-wide or Great Lakes basin-wide.

No funds made available to carry out the GLRI may be used for any water infrastructure activity (other than a green infrastructure project that improves habitat and other ecosystem functions in the Great Lakes) for which financial assistance is received pursuant to WIFIA.

The EPA must: (1) review, and revise as appropriate, the GLRI action plan at least every five years; (2) report to the public on progress in implementing the GLRI plan; (3) publish each GLRI project on its website; and (4) provide Congress an annual description of GLRI amounts transferred to participating federal agencies.

(Sec. 192) The Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (WRDA 1992) is amended to authorize additional funding for water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects, and assistance for construction, to communities identified under WRDA 1992 in states where the President has declared an emergency under the Stafford Act as a result of the presence of chemical, physical, or biological constituents, including lead or other contaminants in the eligible system, for the repair or replacement of public and private infrastructure.

TITLE II--STUDIES

(Sec. 201) The Corps of Engineers may conduct feasibility studies for the following navigation, flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, ecosystem or environmental restoration, water supply, flood control, and recreation projects:

 Ouachita-Black Rivers, Arkansas and Louisiana; Cache Creek Settling Basin, California; Coyote Valley Dam, California; Del Rosa Channel, City of San Bernardino, California; Merced County Streams, California; Mission-Zanja Channel, Cities of San Bernardino and Redlands, California; Soboba Indian Reservation, California; Indian River Inlet, Delaware; Lewes Beach, Delaware; Mispillion Complex, Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware; Daytona Beach, Florida; Brunswick Harbor, Georgia; Dubuque, Iowa; St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana; Cattaraugus Creek, New York; Cayuga Inlet, Ithaca, New York; Delaware River Basin, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware; Silver Creek, Hanover, New York; Stonycreek and Little Conemaugh Rivers, Pennsylvania; Tioga-Hammond Lake, Pennsylvania; Brazos River, Fort Bend County, Texas; Chacon Creek, City of Laredo, Texas; Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Texas; City of El Paso, Texas; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Brazoria and Matagorda Counties, Texas; Port of Bay City, Texas; Chincoteague Island, Virginia; and Burley Creek Watershed, Kitsap County, Washington. (Sec. 202) The Corps of Engineers must expedite feasibility studies for, and if a project is justified in a completed report, may proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design for, the following flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, and navigation projects:

 Little Colorado River at Winslow, Navajo County, Arizona; Lower San Joaquin River, California, including Reclamation District 17; Sacramento River Flood Control System, California; Ft. Pierce, Florida; Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, Iowa; Mississippi River Ship Channel, Louisiana; North Branch Ecorse Creek, Wayne County, Michigan; and Rahway River Basin (Upper Basin), New Jersey. It shall expedite post-authorization change reports for a flood damage reduction and environmental restoration project in Hamilton City, California, and a hurricane and storm damage risk reduction project in New Hanover County, North Carolina.

(Sec. 203) The Corps of Engineers must conduct a study to determine the feasibility of modifying projects for flood risk management in Tulsa and West Tulsa, Oklahoma.

TITLE III--DEAUTHORIZATIONS AND RELATED PROVISIONS

(Sec. 301) This title establishes a process for the Corps of Engineers to seek comment from the public and states regarding an interim deauthorization list from which the Corps must then prepare a final deauthorization list of projects with an aggregate estimated federal cost to complete that is at least $10 billion.

The Corps' interim list must identify: (1) each water resources development project authorized for construction before November 8, 2007, for which planning, design, or construction was not initiated before enactment of this bill or for which planning, design, or construction was initiated but no funds were obligated during the current fiscal year or the preceding six fiscal years; and (2) projects identified on a list under WRDA 1986 that have received no obligations during a specified preceding period of years.

A project shall not be deauthorized if: (1) Congress disapproves of such project's deauthorization, or (2) a nonfederal interest provides sufficient funds to complete the project or a separable element of the project.

(Sec. 302) Specified portions of a navigation project in Valdez, Alaska, and Texas City Ship Channel, Texas City, Texas, shall not be subject to navigation servitude.

(Sec. 303) The Corps of Engineers must prioritize updates to water control manuals for control structures in the Los Angeles County Drainage Area in California.

(Sec. 304) The bill deauthorizes specified portions of projects for:

 Sutter Basin, California; Stonington Harbor, Connecticut; Essex River, Massachusetts; and Salt Creek, Graham, Texas. (Sec. 306) Flowage easements are extinguished for portions of Port of Cascade Locks, Oregon.

(Sec. 307) Unless local public officials object, portions of the Delaware River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are declared to be nonnavigable waters of the United States. The declaration of nonnavigability for the Rivercenter portion of the Delaware River (currently, scheduled to expire on November 17, 2018) shall not expire.

(Sec. 308) The Corps of Engineers must prioritize the updating of the master plan for the Juniata River and tributaries project in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It must ensure that alternatives for additional recreation access and development are fully assessed and incorporated as a part of the update.

The Corps of Engineers may accept from the Trinity River Authority of Texas certain water supply storage space in Joe Pool Lake, Texas.

TITLE IV--WATER RESOURCES INFRASTRUCTURE

(Sec. 401) This title authorizes and sets forth conditions for:

 navigation projects in Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas; flood risk management projects in California, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas; hurricane and storm damage risk reduction projects in California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina; ecosystem restoration projects in Florida and Washington; flood risk management and ecosystem restoration projects in Illinois and Wisconsin; flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and recreation projects in California; ecosystem restoration and recreation projects in California and Oregon; a hurricane and storm damage risk reduction and ecosystem restoration project in Louisiana; deauthorizations, modifications, and other projects in Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Texas.

bill revises authorizes water resources development projects feasibility studies relationships nonfederal project sponsors establishes process projects aggregate estimated federal cost complete billion sets forth requirements concerning harbor operations maintenance emerging harbors donor ports energy transfer ports navigation flood management projects reservoir operations storage allocations dredging alternatives floating cabins dam repair ice aquifer depletion aquatic invasive species permits occupy use alter certain public works bill reauthorizes estuary habitat restoration projects environmental_protection_agency fy2021 assist states bill contains provisions drought emergencies regional district flood damage reduction projects combined funding groups states additional funding authorized repair replacement water infrastructure authorized communities states presidentially declared emergencies based presence chemical physical biological constituents including lead eligible water system bill establishes requirements wake zones navigation channels revisions plans land mcintosh_county oklahoma held trust muscogee creek nation issue regulations environmental bank preservation projects provide credits offset adverse environmental impacts authority accept funds expedite permits expanded railroad carriers permanent public utilities natural gas companies designate principal approving official coordinate development unmanned aircraft systems corps operate fish hatchery restore threatened endangered fish species bill authorizes navigation flood risk management hurricane storm damage ecosystem restoration recreation river shoreline projects arkansas california florida illinois kansas kentucky louisiana maine missouri new_hampshire new_jersey north_carolina oregon pennsylvania south_carolina tennessee texas washington wisconsin summary water resources development act title general provisions sec title expresses sense congress water resources development projects critical maintaining economic prosperity national security environmental protection congress required timely delivery project study authorization proposals nonfederal project sponsors corps_of_engineers congress consider water resources development act congress sec corps_of_engineers enter cooperative agreements youth service conservation corps organizations services corps projects sec corps_of_engineers use existing channel depths dimensions authority carry navigation safety activities harbor inland harbor projects eligible corps operation maintenance water_resources_development_act wrda including turning places necessary free movement boats sec corps_of_engineers use currently exactly difference funds available fiscal year pay operations maintenance costs harbors inland harbors funds available costs fy2012 priority funding emerging harbor projects transit million tons cargo annually currently exactly priority funds shall high- moderate use harbor projects allocations permanent sec corps_of_engineers report inventory assessment structural condition federal protecting harbors inland harbors sec bill reduces million million total harbor maintenance taxes harbor_maintenance_trust_fund port collect annually considered donor port eligible receive amounts corps_of_engineers payments cargo shippers importers maintenance dredging disposal legacy contaminated sediment environmental remediation sec water_resources_development_act wrda amended require corps_of_engineers consider regional currently local communities makes recommendations harbor navigation improvements justified solely national economic development benefits sec corps_of_engineers establish pilot program carry cost sharing projects beneficial use dredged material project selections based solely environmental economic social benefits diversity project types geographical locations projects exempt federal standards require dredged material disposals representing costly alternatives regional teams include local agencies stakeholders established identify assist implementation projects sec corps_of_engineers establish pilot program accept services nonfederal interests commercial entities removal sediment captured dams corps jurisdiction purpose restoring authorized storage capacity nonfederal interests commercial entities sell dispose removed sediment compensating corps sediment value sec reservoirs corps_of_engineers authorized regulate use storage allocated flood risk management navigation corps receive funds nonfederal interests formulate revise operational documents sec state drought emergency declared effect year enactment bill corps_of_engineers enter agreements nonfederal interests carry approved water supply conservation measures sec bill removes provisions water supply act concerning congress recommendation interstate water compact operation projects apalachicola chattahoochee flint river system alabama coosa tallapoosa river system sec emergency repairs restoration flood control works hurricane shore protective structures corps_of_engineers consult nonfederal sponsors availability nonstructural alternatives obtain sponsor agreement implementation sec nonfederal interests released obligation operate maintain nonstructural components project environmental protection restoration aquatic ecosystem restoration corps_of_engineers determines project construction complete years purpose achieved corps issue guidance determining project returned condition natural hydrologic ecological functions predominant factors location sec estuary restoration act amended reauthorize estuary habitat restoration projects fy2021 allow nongovernmental organizations enter required agreements corps wrda flood control projects initiated nonfederal interests agree pay operation maintenance replacement rehabilitation costs nonfederal share construction costs sec bill repeals provisions water_resources_development_act concerning authorization appropriations great_lakes fishery ecosystem restoration plans projects sec bill repeals provisions water_resources_development_act concerning use mitigation banks projects involving wetlands mitigation sec corps_of_engineers coordinator principal approving official designated acquire federal_aviation_administration authorizations corps operate small unmanned aircraft systems drones support civil works emergency response missions sec government_accountability_office gao report costs benefits expanding reducing maintaining federally owned hopper dredge fleet sec corps_of_engineers update inventory properties consider economic cultural historic recreational significance impacts national state local level sec corps_of_engineers accept funds railroad carrier expedite evaluation carrier permits project corps jurisdiction authority public utilities natural gas companies contributions expedited permit processing permanent sec authority provide nonfederal interests credit lieu reimbursement estimated federal share flood damage reduction project repealed provisions water_resources_development_act extended projects written agreement corps construction finalized december currently credit lieu reimbursement limited projects constructed nonfederal interest provisions repealed june credit applied water resources development projects studies nonfederal interest sec authority accept materials services nonfederal entities repair restore replace water resources development project damaged destroyed result emergency shall include equipment failures caused lack deferred maintenance sec corps_of_engineers provide technical assistance nonfederal interests feasibility studies proposed water resources development project nonfederal interest contracts pay costs assistance sec corps_of_engineers authorize credits reimbursements discrete segments flood reduction project wrda final completion project nonfederal interest independently operate maintain segment creating hazard advance project completion sec corps_of_engineers cooperate groups states prepare comprehensive plans development utilization conservation water related resources drainage basins watersheds ecosystems located boundaries states combine funds corps makes available purposes sec state regional districts flood damage reduction projects eligible assistance federal_emergency_management_agency fema establish levee safety program corps_of_engineers flood mitigation activities national levee database inventory review procedures safety guidelines updated include regional district participation sec categories nonfederal interests flood_control_act expanded include alaska native villages regional corporations village corporations entities enter partnership agreements corps implementation construction water resources projects sec federally recognized indian tribes local cost sharing requirements studies projects waived specified sec corps_of_engineers provide guidance technical assistance nonfederal interests submit proposals corps annual report congress future water resources development corps notify previous potential nonfederal interests local elected officials opportunities address local water resources challenges corps sec feasibility reports proposed feasibility reports proposed project modifications future development reports include projects environmental infrastructure assistance program sec nonfederal interest request corps_of_engineers shall meet nonfederal interest prior initiating feasibility study proposed project review preliminary analysis costs benefits environmental impacts project sec post authorization change reports recommending modifications authorized projects delayed policy priority change considerations submitted congress completion sec corps_of_engineers establish publicly available database dredging projects including information maintenance dredging carried federal nonfederal vessels project contract database include number private contractor bids received bid amounts sec system electronic submission permit applications allow applicants prepare permit applications request jurisdictional determinations track status electronically address joint applications state federal permits corps maintain records permit decisions jurisdictional determinations years archive records sec corps_of_engineers publish data planning design construction operation maintenance water resources development projects water quality water management projects owned operated managed corps disclosure authorized confidential privileged information law enforcement national security information infrastructure security information personal information sec bill deauthorizes water resources development projects authorized construction bill funds obligated construction seven years enactment corps_of_engineers identify congress projects deauthorized years corps submit congress list projects authorized bill completed reasons projects completed schedule based expected appropriations year year projection construction backlog recommendations mitigate backlog sec transmittal letters attachments printed house senate documents certain proposed reports recommendations transmitted congress flood control navigation improvements publicly available corps_of_engineers provide library_of_congress copy final post authorization change report water resources projects sec corps_of_engineers report biennially metrics project priorities developing business line civil works budget revised budget estimate proposed corps notify member congress representing district affected project sec corps_of_engineers report biennially use natural nature based features water resources development projects sec corps_of_engineers report annually acquisitions civil works projects entities manufactured articles materials supplies outside united_states report indicate dollar values summarize total procurement funds spent goods manufactured inside versus outside united_states sec corps_of_engineers work communities watersheds covered feasibility studies proposed water resources development projects avoid adversely affecting local regional water management plans stormwater management water quality improvement aquifer recharge water reuse incorporate purposes plans feasibility studies sec corps_of_engineers prioritize complete activities water_resources_reform_and_development_act contract national_academy_of_public_administration carry comprehensive review process preparing negotiating approving project partnership agreements report congress recommendations improving procedures sec bill amends extend fy2020 fy2025 target total budget resources met authorization funding donor ports energy transfer ports payments cargo importers shipping transporters maintenance dredging benefits commercial navigation harbors environmental remediation related dredging berths federal navigation channels sec corps_of_engineers consult department_of_homeland_security department_of_defense dod identify national security benefits associated development arctic deep draft ports sec international outreach program expanded include informing united_states technological innovations abroad improve water resources development united_states including technology transfers exchanges current law program limited informing maritime industry port authorities innovations improve waterborne transportation sec corps_of_engineers study flood risks vulnerable coastal populations boundaries sec gao analyze alternative models managing inland_waterways_trust_fund examine costs benefits transferring fund profit government owned corporation sec corps_of_engineers enter agreements assume operation maintenance costs alternative project maintenance dredging channel alternative project lower overall channel maintenance costs sec corps_of_engineers operate fish hatchery restore population threatened endangered fish species nonfederal entities federal agencies dod shall responsible costs associated managing fish hatchery authorized enactment bill sec issue regulations environmental banks projects restore create enhance preserve natural resources designated site provide credits offset adverse environmental impacts mitigate adverse environmental impacts sustained construction activities required law regulation regulations provide criteria bank certification performance priority banks enhance coastal resources coastal erosion transfers environmental credits cross crediting environmental services purchase credits offset adverse impacts legal liability sec corps_of_engineers carry ecosystem restoration recreation project california accordance conditions recommended cost sharing described report chief engineers dated december sec board_of_directors tennessee_valley_authority tva approve allow construction use floating cabin watercraft floating structure primarily designed human habitation occupation primarily designed navigation transportation water tva waters floating cabin maintained owner reasonable health safety environmental standards tva authorized use recreational vessels waters tva board require removal cabins specified period enactment bill allow continued use cabins meet recreational access requirements tva establish regulations prevent construction new floating cabins sec gao report remaining federal obligations indian people displaced construction john day dam columbia_river oregon washington sec request governor state drought emergency year leading enactment bill corps_of_engineers prioritize updates water control manuals incorporate seasonal operations water conservation water supply control structures sec gao submit analysis president budget requests fy2008 fy2017 evaluate benefit cost ratios impact geographic diversity projects included budget requests sec purposes prohibition possessing building altering obstructing sea walls levees works built united_states preservation improvement navigable waters prevent floods bill defines work engineered structures serve particular function including structures like kind structures specifically listed definition excludes river channels regardless dredging necessary maintain navigational depths real estate mere presence particular feature structure federal project sec project corps_of_engineers assumes maintenance authority granted congress shall treated project authorized congress planned operated managed modified consistent authorized projects sec corps_of_engineers issue guidance dam safety repair projects identify types circumstances wrda requirement relating state art design construction criteria deemed necessary safety purposes apply assist corps district offices communicating nonfederal interests entering implementing cost sharing agreements assist corps communications nonfederal interests concerning estimated final cost share responsibilities sec corps_of_engineers expedite completion flood risk management project iowa sec corps_of_engineers consider benefits public accrue proposed rehabilitation work reviewing requests expenditures emergency fund repair restoration flood management project sec projects support fishery ecosystem beneficial uses great lakes include compatible recreation features federal cost features exceed ecosystem restoration costs project sec army district engineer authorized representative permit nonfederal interest alterations federal levee flood risk management channel project associated features permit applications seeking permission occupy use alter public works preservation improvement harbor river navigable waters prevent floods shall approved corps determination plan prepared certified professional engineer licensed state project located sec corps_of_engineers expedite examination feasible proceed construction flood mitigation restoration projects louisiana parishes sec corps_of_engineers shall finalize revision table rock lake master plan table rock lake shoreline management plan year period enactment bill provide days public comment revision moratorium new modified shoreline permits based existing plans suspended year period adopting revision management plan corps complete study need revise permit fees achieve cost savings corps report study results congress sec corps_of_engineers adjust authorized benefit cost ratios completion portion navigation project carried corps nonfederal funds sec corps_of_engineers transfer specified acres land mcintosh_county oklahoma department_of_the_interior held trust benefit muscogee creek nation condition transfer interfere civil works projects corps retains right land water carry project civil works projects gaming prohibited land tribe pay fair market value land plus transfer costs sec wrda amended extend period corps_of_engineers prohibited taking action seeking remove improvement including dwellings flowage easement lake texas elevation feet mean sea level earlier january transfer ownership improvement occurring bill enactment sec corps_of_engineers consider information developed expedite completion comprehensive planning authorized wrda determine feasibility projects flood damage reduction hurricane storm damage reduction ecosystem restoration texas coastal areas sec corps_of_engineers expeditiously authorize fund identify implement improvements reduce negative impacts community owned flood protection system accreditation federally owned operated levees increase flood risk compromise accreditation sec corps_of_engineers report annually corrosion prevention actions projects sec study determine feasibility projects restore aquatic ecosystems coastal waters northeastern united_states virginia maine conducted comprehensive assessment management plan sec corps_of_engineers acquire beach fill nondomestic sources regardless available domestic sources sec corps_of_engineers priority flood management projects executed project partnership agreements areas loss life flood events president declared major disaster emergency robert stafford disaster relief emergency assistance act sec river harbor act amended allow corps_of_engineers establish operate maintain new existing watercraft inspection stations currently corps establish stations protect columbia_river_basin idaho montana oregon washington spread aquatic invasive species corps operated reservoirs corps consult states assist rapid response zebra mussel infestation sec corps_of_engineers coordinate alabama florida louisiana mississippi texas assess recovery gulf_coast oyster beds damaged hurricane katrina deepwater horizon oil spill floods sec water_infrastructure_finance innovation_act amended eligible assistance pilot project carried environmental_protection_agency epa project corps_of_engineers provide alternative water supplies reduce aquifer depletion eligible project costs incurred value integral kind contributions receipt assistance shall credited project costs provided sources funding secured loan sec corps_of_engineers expedite flood risk management project texas sec initiation work separable element water resources development project received construction funds previous years new start new investment decision required work shall treated ongoing work sec corps_of_engineers finalize fy2018 permit decisions publish decision documents related construction impoundment water operation lower including associated water transmission facilities north_texas_municipal_water_district texas sec corps_of_engineers ensure appropriate consideration given use natural nature based features design construction maintenance repair rehabilitation development projects sec water_resources_reform_and_development_act amended revise standards floating cabins overnight accommodations waters basin amended standards construed authorize corps impose requirements floating cabins facilities including docks located waters different stringent requirements imposed recreational vessels authorized use waters sec corps_of_engineers work state local officials establish wake zone vessels federally marked maintained navigation channels adjacent marina documented safety hazards direct result excessive state law establishes wake zone channel adjacent waters wake zone complies coast_guard recommendations ensure safety vessels passengers towing vessels exempt wake zone requirements sec corps_of_engineers carry small flood control projects flood_control_act specifically authorized congress including planning design construction monitoring structural nonstructural technologies prevent mitigate flood damages associated ice sec corps_of_engineers review guidance consulting indian tribes projects requiring corps approve permit impact tribal cultural natural resources corps report results review proposed changes justification determines changes necessary sec corps_of_engineers develop structural health monitoring program assess improve condition corps infrastructure including systems frameworks response floods earthquakes pre disaster mitigation measures useful life infrastructure identifying risks sea level rise sec corps_of_engineers expedite completion flood control project illinois phase sec corps_of_engineers effectuate release interests certain tracts land located texas subject conditions corps require protect interests responsible costs associated releases sec bill makes permanent authority use available priority funds difference funds available operations maintenance costs assigned commercial navigation harbors wrda fiscal year funds available fy2012 underserved harbors projects great lakes navigation system sec corps_of_engineers transfer human remains known ancient dispose repatriate remains confederated tribes confederated tribes bands nation confederated tribes reservation transfer conditioned tribes agreement final burial place custody remains state washington sec federal_water_pollution_control_act commonly known clean water act amended revise reauthorize epa fy2017-fy2021 epa consult great_lakes states indian tribes solicit input nonfederal stakeholders selecting projects designate point person appropriate federal partner coordinate projects involving harmful algal blooms funding expanded activities including remediation sediment contamination epa federal agencies receiving funds grants enter agreements nonfederal entities planning research monitoring outreach implementation selected projects support projects carried multiple levels including locally requirement projects wide great_lakes basin wide funds available carry water infrastructure activity green infrastructure project improves habitat ecosystem functions great lakes financial assistance received pursuant epa review revise appropriate action plan years report public progress implementing plan publish project website provide congress annual description amounts transferred participating federal agencies sec water_resources_development_act wrda amended authorize additional funding water related environmental infrastructure resource protection development projects assistance construction communities identified wrda states president declared emergency stafford act result presence chemical physical biological constituents including lead contaminants eligible system repair replacement public private infrastructure title studies sec corps_of_engineers conduct feasibility studies following navigation flood damage reduction hurricane storm damage reduction ecosystem environmental restoration water supply flood control recreation projects arkansas louisiana cache creek settling basin california california city california california mission channel cities san bernardino california indian reservation california delaware delaware counties delaware florida georgia iowa louisiana new_york new_york delaware_river_basin new_york new_jersey pennsylvania delaware hanover new_york pennsylvania pennsylvania texas city laredo texas texas city el_paso texas texas port bay city texas virginia washington sec corps_of_engineers expedite feasibility studies project justified completed report proceed directly preconstruction planning engineering design following flood risk management ecosystem restoration hurricane storm damage risk reduction navigation projects winslow arizona lower san_joaquin_river california including california florida des_moines iowa mississippi_river_ship_channel louisiana creek michigan new_jersey shall expedite post authorization change reports flood damage reduction environmental restoration project california hurricane storm damage risk reduction project north_carolina sec corps_of_engineers conduct study determine feasibility modifying projects flood risk management tulsa oklahoma title iii related provisions sec title establishes process corps_of_engineers seek comment public states interim list corps prepare final list projects aggregate estimated federal cost complete billion corps interim list identify water resources development project authorized construction november planning design construction initiated enactment bill planning design construction initiated funds obligated current fiscal year preceding fiscal years projects identified list wrda received obligations specified preceding period years project shall deauthorized congress disapproves project nonfederal interest provides sufficient funds complete project separable element project sec specified portions navigation project valdez alaska texas shall subject navigation servitude sec corps_of_engineers prioritize updates water control manuals control structures california sec bill deauthorizes specified portions projects california connecticut massachusetts texas sec flowage easements extinguished portions oregon sec local public officials object portions delaware_river philadelphia pennsylvania declared waters united_states declaration portion delaware_river currently scheduled expire november shall expire sec corps_of_engineers prioritize updating master plan tributaries project pennsylvania ensure alternatives additional recreation access development fully assessed incorporated update corps_of_engineers accept certain water supply storage space texas title water resources infrastructure sec title authorizes sets forth conditions navigation projects arkansas florida louisiana maine new_hampshire pennsylvania south_carolina texas flood risk management projects california kansas missouri north_carolina tennessee texas hurricane storm damage risk reduction projects california florida louisiana new_jersey north_carolina south_carolina ecosystem restoration projects florida washington flood risk management ecosystem restoration projects illinois wisconsin flood risk management ecosystem restoration recreation projects california ecosystem restoration recreation projects california oregon hurricane storm damage risk reduction ecosystem restoration project louisiana modifications projects florida kansas kentucky missouri texas


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

This bill directs the Department of the Interior to permit the prepayment of repayment obligations under Repayment Contract No. 14-06-400-33 between the United States and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, including all related applicable contracts, providing for repayment of Weber Basin Project construction costs allocated to irrigation and municipal and industrial purposes under terms and conditions similar to those used in implementing the provisions in the Central Utah Project Completion Act for prepayment of Central Utah Project, Bonneville Unit repayment obligations.

The prepayment:

 shall result in the United States recovering the net present value of all repayment streams that would have been payable to the United States if this bill was not in effect; may be provided in several installments; may not be adjusted on the basis of the type of prepayment financing used by the District; and shall result in total repayment by September 30, 2026.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill directs department_of_the_interior permit prepayment repayment obligations united_states including related applicable contracts providing repayment construction costs allocated irrigation municipal industrial purposes terms conditions similar implementing provisions prepayment central_utah_project repayment obligations prepayment shall result united_states recovering net present value repayment streams payable united_states bill effect provided installments adjusted basis type prepayment financing district shall result total repayment september


Summary:
Reservoir Operations Improvement Act

This bill directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to submit a report with respect to each drought state (a state for which the governor has declared a drought or that contains at least one county for which the Department of Agriculture has designated a drought disaster) during water year 2015 or 2016 that includes:

 a list of flood control projects in such state; the year during which the original water manual (water operations manuals, flood control rule curves, and water control manuals) for each project was approved; the years during which any revisions to a project's water manual occurred or are requested to occur; a list of projects for which operational deviations for drought contingency, and changes to storage allocations, have been requested and the status of such requests; and a description of the means by which water conservation and water quality improvements were addressed in any response to such requests. The Corps of Engineers shall: (1) identify each project included in the report that includes a reservoir and for which a non-federal interest has submitted a written request to revise the project's water manual; (2) revise the water manuals of not more than 15 of such projects; and (3) in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, create a forecast-informed reservoir operations plan for each selected project. The water manual revision shall incorporate such plan, new watershed data, and the effects of any structural improvement completed after the date of the most recent prior revision of the water manual.

 A revision of a water manual may not reduce the water supply for any authorized purpose, other than flood control, of a flood control project.

improvement act bill directs submit report respect drought state state governor declared drought contains county department_of_agriculture designated drought disaster water year includes list flood control projects state year original water manual water operations manuals flood control rule curves water control manuals project approved years revisions project water manual occurred requested occur list projects operational deviations drought contingency changes storage allocations requested status requests description means water conservation water quality improvements addressed response requests corps_of_engineers shall identify project included report includes reservoir non federal interest submitted written request revise project water manual revise water manuals projects collaboration national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration create forecast informed reservoir operations plan selected project water manual revision shall incorporate plan new watershed data effects structural improvement completed date recent prior revision water manual revision water manual reduce water supply authorized purpose flood control flood control project


Summary:
This bill deauthorizes the project for navigation at the Green River Locks and Dams 3, 4, 5, and 6 and Barren River Lock and Dam 1, Kentucky, and requires the associated lands and improvements to be disposed of as prescribed below.

All U.S. rights to:

 Green River Lock and Dam 3, located in Ohio County and Muhlenberg County, shall be conveyed to the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission; Green River Lock and Dam 4, located in Butler County, shall be conveyed to Butler County; Green River Lock and Dam 5, located in Butler County and Warren County, shall be conveyed to Kentucky, a political subdivision thereof, or a tax-exempt non-governmental organization; and the portion of the Green River Lock and Dam 6, Edmonson County located on the right descending bank of the Green River, and Barren River Lock and Dam 1, located in Warren County, shall be conveyed to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. The Secretary of the Army shall transfer administrative jurisdiction over the portion of the Green River Lock and Dam 6 located on the left descending bank of the Green River to the Department of the Interior for inclusion in the Mammoth Cave National Park.

If the Secretary determines that such conveyed land ceases to be owned by the public, all right to the land shall revert to the United States.

bill deauthorizes project navigation green river locks dams kentucky requires associated lands improvements disposed prescribed rights located shall conveyed located shall conveyed located shall conveyed kentucky political subdivision thereof tax exempt non governmental organization portion located right descending bank located shall conveyed secretary army shall transfer administrative jurisdiction portion dam located left descending bank department_of_the_interior inclusion secretary determines conveyed land ceases owned public right land shall revert united_states


Summary:
New Water Available To Every Reclamation State Act or the New WATER Act

This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior, for 15 years after this bill's enactment, to provide financial assistance, such as secured loans or loan guarantees, to entities that contract under federal reclamation law to carry out water projects within the 17 western states served by the Bureau of Reclamation, other states where the Bureau is authorized to provide project assistance, Alaska, and Hawaii. Projects eligible for assistance include:

 non-federal water infrastructure projects that would contribute to a safe, adequate water supply for domestic, agricultural, environmental, or municipal and industrial use; projects for enhanced energy efficiency in the operation of a water system; projects for accelerated repair and replacement of aging water distribution facilities; brackish or sea water desalination projects; and the acquisition of real property or an interest therein for water storage, reclaimed or recycled water, or wastewater that is integral to such a project. To be eligible for assistance, a project must be deemed creditworthy. Eligible project costs must be reasonably anticipated to be at least $20 million.

Interior shall establish criteria for project selection and may enter into a master credit agreement for projects secured by a common security pledge on terms acceptable to it.

 Interior may enter into agreements with obligors to make secured loans to finance or refinance eligible project costs or to refinance long-term project obligations or federal credit instruments to provide additional funding capacity for the completion, enhancement, or expansion of a project.

The total amount of federal assistance for a project shall not exceed 80% of its total cost.

Interior shall establish: (1) a repayment schedule for each secured loan based on the useful life of the project, and (2) a uniform system to service the federal credit instruments made available under this bill.

Interior shall report biennially on the financial performance of the projects that receive assistance under this bill.

bill authorizes department_of_the_interior years bill enactment provide financial assistance secured loans loan guarantees entities contract federal reclamation law carry water projects western states served bureau_of_reclamation states bureau authorized provide project assistance alaska hawaii projects eligible assistance include non federal water infrastructure projects contribute safe adequate water supply domestic agricultural environmental municipal industrial use projects enhanced energy efficiency operation water system projects accelerated repair replacement aging water distribution facilities brackish sea water desalination projects acquisition real property interest water storage recycled water wastewater integral project eligible assistance project deemed eligible project costs reasonably anticipated million interior shall establish criteria project selection enter master credit agreement projects secured common security pledge terms acceptable interior enter agreements secured loans finance refinance eligible project costs refinance long term project obligations federal credit instruments provide additional funding capacity completion enhancement expansion project total federal assistance project shall exceed total cost interior shall establish repayment schedule secured loan based useful life project uniform system service federal credit instruments available bill interior shall report biennially financial performance projects receive assistance bill


Summary: Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out the project for environmental restoration, CERP, Central Everglades Planning Project, Florida, in accordance with the plans and subject to the conditions recommended in the final report of the Chief of Engineers signed on December 23, 2014.

amends water_resources_development_act authorize secretary army carry project environmental restoration florida accordance plans subject conditions recommended final report chief engineers signed december


Summary:
Klamath Basin Water Recovery and Economic Restoration Act of 2015

 Authorizes, ratifies, and confirms the Hydroelectric Settlement (Settlement), the Klamath River Basin Restoration Agreement for the Sustainability of Public and Trust Resources and Affected Communities (Restoration Agreement), and the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement (Upper Basin Agreement) and any amendments that are executed to make them consistent with this Act. Directs: (1) the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Agriculture to promptly execute and implement the Restoration Agreement; (2) the Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce to promptly execute and implement the Upper Basin Agreement; and (3) the Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to implement the Settlement to the extent that it does not conflict with this Act.

Includes in the Klamath Reclamation Project's purposes irrigation, reclamation, flood control, municipal uses, industrial uses, power, fish and wildlife purposes, and National Wildlife Refuge purposes. Prohibits water allocations for fish and wildlife and National Wildlife Refuge purposes from adversely affecting water allocations for irrigation purposes, with the exception of allocations to refuges as provided for in the Restoration Agreement. Provides for the disposition of net revenues from the leasing of refuge land within the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge and the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

Authorizes the Klamath Tribes, and the United States acting as trustee for such Tribes, to make the commitments set forth in the Restoration Agreement and Upper Basin Agreement in consideration of: (1) the benefits those Agreements provide to the Tribes, and (2) the resolution of any contest or exception the Klamath Project Water Users and Off-Project Irrigators had to the Tribes' water rights claims. Authorizes the Karuk Tribe and Yurok Tribe to make the commitments set forth in the Restoration Agreement in consideration for the commitments of the Klamath Project Water Users described in that Agreement and the other benefits provided in that Agreement and this Act. Authorizes the Klamath Tribes, Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe, and any other federally recognized tribes of the Klamath Basin that become party to the Restoration Agreement after this Act's enactment to relinquish and release certain claims against the United States.

Amends the Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000 to authorize the Secretary, consistent with the Agreements, to carry out any activities to: (1) align water supplies with demand; (2) limit the net costs of power used to manage water for the Klamath Project, the On-Project Power Users, irrigators in the Off-Project Area, and the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex; and (3) restore any ecosystem and otherwise protect fish and wildlife in the Klamath Basin watershed.

Establishes in the Treasury the Klamath Tribes Tribal Resource Fund to be administered by the Secretary for the benefit of the Klamath Tribes in accordance with the Upper Basin Agreement. Authorizes the Klamath Tribes to submit a tribal investment plan for funds disbursed to the Tribes. Requires the Klamath Tribes to submit for the Secretary's approval an economic development plan for the use of the Fund. Requires that plan to include a resource acquisition and enhancement plan that requires at least 50% of the amount appropriated each fiscal year for the Fund to be used to enhance, restore, and utilize the natural resources of the Tribes in a manner that also provides for the Tribes' economic development and benefits adjacent non-Indian communities. Prohibits any amount in the Fund or revenue from any water use contract from being distributed to any member of the Klamath Tribes on a per capita basis. Requires the Tribes to make the commitments set forth in the Agreements and to be in substantial compliance with those commitments before amounts in the Fund are disbursed.

Directs the Governors of Oregon and California and the Secretary, in accordance with the Settlement, to jointly: (1) determine whether to proceed with the removal of the Iron Gate Dam, the Copco No. 1 Dam, the Copco No. 2 Dam, and the J.C. Boyle Dam on the Klamath River based on factors identified in the Settlement; and (2) designate a dam removal entity if they decide to proceed. Requires the Secretary to accept title to the Keno Dam in Klamath County, Oregon, upon receiving notice that the dam removal entity is ready to remove the J.C. Boyle Dam. Terminates FERC's jurisdiction over the Keno Dam and makes it part of the Klamath Reclamation Project upon the Secretary's acceptance of title to it.

Requires FERC to: (1) issue an order approving partial surrender of the license for the East Side and West Side Developments associated with the Link River Dam upon PacifiCorp's filing of an application for such surrender; and (2) resume timely consideration of the pending licensing application for the Fall Creek Development within 60 days after title to the Iron Gate Dam is transferred to the dam removal entity, regardless of whether PacifiCorp retains ownership of the Development. Transfers title to PacifiCorp's California hatchery facilities to California when the dam removal entity takes title to the Iron Gate Dam or such other time as may be agreed to by the Settlement parties.

Authorizes the Secretary, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements with state, tribal, and local governments and private entities to implement the Act, the Settlement, and the Agreements.

Requires priority to be given to the Yurok Tribe, the Karuk Tribe, the Klamath Tribes, and any other federally recognized tribes of the Klamath Basin that become party to the Restoration Agreement in awarding grants or contracts to implement the fisheries programs in that Agreement.

authorizes ratifies confirms sustainability public trust resources upper klamath basin comprehensive agreement upper basin agreement amendments executed consistent act directs secretary interior secretary secretary commerce secretary agriculture promptly execute implement restoration agreement secretary secretary commerce promptly execute implement secretary secretary commerce federal_energy_regulatory_commission ferc implement settlement extent conflict act includes purposes irrigation reclamation flood control municipal uses industrial uses power fish wildlife purposes purposes prohibits water allocations fish wildlife purposes adversely affecting water allocations irrigation purposes exception allocations refuges provided restoration agreement provides disposition net revenues leasing refuge land authorizes klamath tribes united_states acting trustee tribes commitments set forth restoration agreement upper basin agreement consideration benefits agreements provide tribes resolution contest exception tribes water rights claims authorizes commitments set forth restoration agreement consideration commitments described agreement benefits provided agreement act authorizes klamath tribes federally recognized tribes klamath_basin party restoration agreement act enactment relinquish release certain claims united_states amends authorize secretary consistent agreements carry activities align water supplies demand limit net costs power manage water project area restore ecosystem protect fish wildlife klamath_basin watershed establishes treasury klamath tribes tribal resource fund administered secretary benefit klamath tribes accordance authorizes klamath tribes submit tribal investment plan funds disbursed tribes requires klamath tribes submit secretary approval economic development plan use fund requires plan include resource acquisition enhancement plan requires appropriated fiscal year fund enhance restore utilize natural resources tribes manner provides tribes economic development benefits adjacent non indian communities prohibits fund revenue water use contract distributed member klamath tribes capita basis requires tribes commitments set forth agreements substantial compliance commitments amounts fund disbursed directs governors oregon california secretary accordance settlement jointly determine proceed removal iron gate dam copco dam copco dam based factors identified settlement designate dam removal entity decide proceed requires secretary accept title oregon receiving notice dam removal entity ready remove terminates ferc jurisdiction makes secretary acceptance title requires ferc issue order approving partial surrender license east west developments associated pacificorp filing application surrender resume timely consideration pending licensing application days title iron gate dam transferred dam removal entity regardless pacificorp retains ownership development transfers title pacificorp california hatchery facilities california dam removal entity takes title iron gate dam time agreed settlement parties authorizes secretary secretary commerce secretary agriculture enter agreements state tribal local governments private entities implement act settlement agreements requires priority given yurok tribe karuk tribe klamath tribes federally recognized tribes klamath_basin party restoration agreement awarding grants contracts implement fisheries programs agreement


Summary:
Water in the 21st Century Act or W21

This bill establishes within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a WaterSense program to identify, label, and promote water efficient products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services.

This bill establishes a program to provide financial incentives for consumers to purchase and install products, buildings, landscapes, facilities, processes, and services labeled under the WaterSense program.

The EPA is required to make grants to owners or operators of water systems to address any ongoing or forecasted impact of climate change on a region's water quality or quantity.

The Department of the Interior may: (1) provide financial assistance to water projects in specified states, including projects for water recycling, water infrastructure, enhanced energy efficiency, desalination, and water storage and conveyance; and (2) transfer to nonfederal entities title to any reclamation projects or facility in need of rehabilitation that are authorized before enactment of this Act.

The U.S. Geological Survey must establish an open water data system to advance the availability, timely distribution, and widespread use of water data and information for water management, education, research, assessment, and monitoring purposes.

This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the Water Desalination Act of 1996 and water resources research and technology institutes under the Water Resources Research Act of 1984.

After receiving a request from a nonfederal sponsor, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must review the operation of a reservoir and, if appropriate, update the water control manual to incorporate improved weather and runoff forecasting methods.

The EPA is required to develop voluntary national drought resilience guidelines relating to preparedness planning and investments for water users and providers.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must prepare a salmon drought plan for California.

water 21st century act bill establishes environmental_protection_agency epa watersense program identify label promote water efficient products buildings landscapes facilities processes services bill establishes program provide financial incentives consumers purchase install products buildings landscapes facilities processes services labeled watersense program epa required grants owners operators water systems address ongoing forecasted impact climate change region water quality quantity department_of_the_interior provide financial assistance water projects specified states including projects water recycling water infrastructure enhanced energy efficiency desalination water storage conveyance transfer nonfederal entities title reclamation projects facility need rehabilitation authorized enactment act establish open water data system advance availability timely distribution widespread use water data information water management education research assessment monitoring purposes bill reauthorizes water resources research technology institutes water_resources_research_act receiving request nonfederal sponsor review operation reservoir appropriate update water control manual incorporate improved weather runoff forecasting methods epa required develop voluntary national drought resilience guidelines relating preparedness planning investments water users providers fish wildlife service prepare salmon drought plan california


Summary:
Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act

 (Sec. 4) 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.

Requires such Report to 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.

(Sec. 5) Directs Interior to: (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.

(Sec. 6) Reduces the maximum amount of the federal share of the cost of the Central Valley Water Recycling Project otherwise available as of the date of enactment of this Act by $2 million.

sec 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 requires 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 sec directs 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 sec reduces maximum federal share cost available date enactment act million


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

Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) 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 FY2020.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated act sec 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 fy2020