Water Pollution Program Enhancements Act of 2000

Summary: Reauthorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2007 for grants to States for implementation of nonpoint source pollution control management programs. Limits the amount made available from such funds for groundwater quality protection activities to advance States toward implementation of comprehensive nonpoint source pollution control programs. Makes $200 million available from such funds for States to provide grants to landowners to develop and implement nonpoint source pollution control projects to restore or improve water quality of impaired waters that have been identified as a priority for restoration. Limits the Federal share of project costs to 90 percent.
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study on the: (1) scientific basis underlying the development and implementation of total maximum daily loads under the Act; and (2) availability and effectiveness of alternative programs or mechanisms in producing quantifiable reductions of pollution from point and nonpoint sources to achieve water quality standards. Directs the Administrator to contract with the National Academy of Public Administrators to study: (1) the effectiveness of existing voluntary and other programs in producing quantifiable reductions in pollution from such sources and attaining water quality standards; and (2) the costs and benefits associated with such programs that are incurred by State and local governments and the private sector. Requires the Administrator to submit such studies to specified congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Water Pollution Program Enhancements 
Act of 2000''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
            (2) NAPA study--The term ``NAPA Study'' means the study 
        required to be carried out under section 4(b).
            (3) NAS study.--The term ``NAS Study'' means the study 
        required to be carried out under section 4(a).

SEC. 3. FUNDING FOR WATER POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES.

    (a) State Grants.--Section 106 of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1256) is amending by striking subsection (a) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(a) Funding.--
            ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $250,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 2007, to 
        remain available until expended, for grants to States and 
        interstate agencies to be used in carrying out this section, 
        including--
                    ``(A) the administration of programs for the 
                prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollutants; 
                and
                    ``(B) enforcement carried out directly or through 
                appropriate State law enforcement officers and 
                agencies.
            ``(2) State activities.--Of the amount authorized under 
        paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, $50,000,000 shall be made 
        available to States for--
                    ``(A) the collection of reliable monitoring data;
                    ``(B) the improvement of lists prepared under 
                section 303(d)(1);
                    ``(C) the preparation of total maximum daily load 
                allocations under section 303(d); and
                    ``(D) the development of watershed management 
                strategies.
    (b) Nonpoint Source Management Programs.--Section 319 of the 
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1329) is amended by 
striking subsection (j) and inserting the following:
    ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), there 
        is authorized to be appropriated to carry out subsections (h) 
        and (i) $500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through 
        2007, to remain available until expended.
            ``(2) Groundwater quality.--Of the amount authorized under 
        paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, not more than $7,500,000 may 
        be made available to carry out subsection (i).
            ``(3) Project grants.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Of the amount authorized under 
                paragraph (1) for any fiscal year, $200,000,000 shall 
                be made available to States to provide grants to 
                landowners to develop and implement nonpoint source 
                pollution control projects or activities to restore or 
                improve the water quality of impaired water that has 
                been identified by a State as a priority for 
                restoration.
                    ``(B) Cost sharing.--
                            ``(i) Federal share.--The Federal share of 
                        the costs of any project or activity funded 
                        under this paragraph shall not exceed 90 
                        percent.
                            ``(ii) Non-federal share.--The recipient of 
                        a grant under this paragraph may use funds from 
                        other Federal programs and eligible in-kind 
                        contributions to satisfy the non-Federal share.
                    ``(C) Limitation.--Grants under this paragraph 
                shall not be made available for projects or activities 
                that are required to be carried out under Federal or 
                State law.''.

SEC. 4. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

    (a) National Academy of Sciences Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall contract with the 
        National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study of--
                    (A) the scientific basis underlying the development 
                and implementation of total maximum daily loads under 
                the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 
                et seq.); and
                    (B) the availability and effectiveness of 
                alternative programs or mechanisms in producing 
                quantifiable reductions of pollution from point sources 
                and non point sources to achieve water quality 
                standards.
            (2) Submission of nas study to congress.--Not later than 18 
        months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives 
        and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate 
        a copy of the NAS Study.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out the LAS Study $2,000,000, to 
        remain available until expended.
    (b) National Academy of Public Administrators Study.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall contract with the 
        National Academy of Public Administrators to conduct a study 
        of--
                    (A) the effectiveness of existing voluntary and 
                other programs, activities, and practices being 
                implemented as of the date of enactment of this Act in 
                producing quantifiable reductions in pollution from 
                point sources and nonpoint sources and attaining water 
                quality standards; and
                    (B) the costs and benefits associated with the 
                programs, activities, and practices described in 
                subparagraph (A) that are incurred by State and local 
                governments and the private sector.
            (2) Submission of napa study to congress.--Not later than 
        18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
        and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a copy 
        of the NAPA Study.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out the NAPA Study $3,000,000, to 
        remain available until expended.

            Passed the Senate October 10 (legislative day, September 
      22), 2000.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.