59–010 

Calendar No. 372 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 114–211 

GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE ACT OF 2015 

FEBRUARY 24, 2016.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. INHOFE, from the Committee on Environment and Public 

Works, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS 

[To accompany S. 1024] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was 

referred the bill (S. 1024) to authorize the Great Lakes Restoration 

Initiative, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that 

the bill, as amended, do pass. 

GENERAL STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND

The Great Lakes ecosystem is the largest system of fresh surface 

water in the world. A recent Government Accountability Office 

(GAO) report stated the Great Lakes watershed covers approximately 300,000 square miles encompassing Michigan and parts of 

Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and the Canadian province of Ontario. 

The Great Lakes contains around 90 percent of the surface fresh 

water of the United States and 20 percent of the surface fresh 

water of the world. Further, nearly 7 percent of U.S. agricultural 

production comes from the Great Lakes Basin. An estimated 40 

million people depend on the Great Lakes ecosystem for drinking 

water and jobs, as well as recreational activities. 

There are a number of federal programs that support restoration 

of the Great Lakes. However, lack of coordination reduced the effiVerDate Sep 11 2014 06:11 Feb 27, 2016 Jkt 059010 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\SR211.XXX SR211

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ciency and effectiveness of these efforts. In 2004, a Great Lakes 

Interagency Task Force was created to help address this issue. In 

2010, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative was launched using 

the appropriations process to further enhance interagency coordination. Under this initiative, appropriations are made to the Environmental Protection Agency, which may then transfer a portion of 

those funds to other agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, and Natural Resources Conservation 

Service, among others, to carry out projects and programs under 

their own authorities. EPA uses the portion of the annual GLRI appropriation that it retains to carry out projects and programs under 

its own authorities. 

Since 2010, federal funds have been appropriated in this coordinated fashion to support Great Lakes restoration programs and 

projects, including $300 million in each of fiscal years 2015 and 

2016. To ensure this coordination continues, S. 1024 authorizes the 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative at a level funding level of $300 

million a year for fiscal years 2017 through 2021. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE LEGISLATION

The goal of the S. 1024 is to provide funding for programs and 

projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title 

This section designates the bill as the ‘‘Great Lakes Restoration 

Initiative Act of 2016’’. 

Section 2. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 

This section amends section 118(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1268(c)) by striking paragraph (7) and 

replacing it with new paragraph (7). 

Subparagraph (A) would establish, within the Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA), the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 

‘‘Initiative’’) to carry out programs and projects for Great Lakes 

protection and restoration. 

Subparagraph (B) directs the Initiative to prioritize programs 

and projects to address priority areas, such as (1) the remediation 

of toxic substances and areas of concern; (2) the prevention and 

control of invasive species and their impacts; (3) the protection and 

restoration of near-shore health and the prevention and mitigation 

of nonpoint source pollution; (4) habitat and wildlife protection and 

restoration; and (5) accountability, monitoring, evaluation, communication, and partnerships. 

Subparagraph (C) directs federal agencies to collaborate to select 

programs and projects for funding, and specifies selection considerations. 

Subparagraph (D)(i) authorizes, subject to subparagraph (G)(ii), 

the use of funds for Federal projects and carried out by Federal 

agencies in coordination with state, tribal, and municipal governments, institutions of higher education, and other organizations. 

Subparagraph (D)(ii) authorizes the transfer of funds to other Federal agencies to carry out activities to support the Initiative and 


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the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and authorizes grants 

to governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, institutions, and 

individuals for planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and implementation of projects in furtherance of the Initiative and the 

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The committee notes that 

the authorities to transfer funds, enter into interagency agreements, and make grants for implementation projects in subparagraph (D)(ii) is the same authority that has been provided to EPA 

in annual appropriations bills. Accordingly, each of these authorities would not be considered a newly created, expanded or amended 

authority under subparagraph (G)(ii). 

Subparagraph (E) specifies that projects are to be on multiple 

levels, and limits use of funds for projects, other than green infrastructure projects, that receive funding from a Clean Water or Safe 

Drinking Water revolving loan fund. 

Subparagraph (F) requires federal agencies to maintain the base 

level of funding for the Great Lakes activities. 

Subparagraph (G)(ii) clarifies that new paragraph (7) does not 

create, expand, or amend the authority of the Administrator to implement programs or projects under section 118 of the Clean Water 

Act, the Initiative Action Plan, or the Great Lakes Water Quality 

Agreement. Further, paragraph 7 does not provide any new regulatory authority. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

Senators Kirk and Portman introduced S. 1024 on April 21, 2015. 

The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public 

Works. 

Section 426 of Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 

2016, P.L. 114–113, amended paragraph (7) of section 118 of the 

Clean Water Act to authorize the GLRI for one year. 

On January 20, 2016, the Committee reported S. 1024 favorably 

with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Upon enactment, 

the amendments made by S. 1024 will replace the amendments 

made in the Omnibus appropriations bill. 

HEARINGS

The Committee did not hold a hearing on S. 1024. 

ROLLCALL VOTES

The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to consider S. 1024 on January 20, 2016. The bill was ordered favorably 

reported by voice vote. No rollcall votes were taken. 

REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT

In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee finds that S. 1024 does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of individuals. 

MANDATES ASSESSMENT

In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 

(Public Law 104–4), the Committee notes that the Congressional 


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Budget Office found that S. 1024 contains no intergovernmental or 

private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), and would impose no costs on state, local, or 

tribal governments. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

Section 403 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act requires that a statement of the cost of the reported bill, 

prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, be included in the report. That statement follows: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, February 10, 2016. 

Hon. JIM INHOFE, 

Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 1024, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Jon Sperl. 

Sincerely, 

KEITH HALL. 

Enclosure. 

S. 1024—Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016 

Summary: S. 1024 would authorize the appropriation of $1.5 billion over the 2017–2021 period for the Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) to support the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, a 

program that funds projects targeting invasive aquatic species and 

nonpoint source pollution. The program received an appropriation 

of $300 million for fiscal year 2016. CBO estimates that implementing S. 1024 would cost $1.35 billion over the next five years, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. 

Enacting S. 1024 would not affect direct spending or revenues; 

therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates 

that enacting S. 1024 would not increase net direct spending or onbudget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027. 

S. 1024 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal government: The estimated budgetary impact of S. 1024 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2017–2021 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Authorization Level ............................................... 300 300 300 300 300 1,500 

Estimated Outlays ................................................ 195 255 300 300 300 1,350 


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Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 1024 

will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2016, that the specified 

amounts will be appropriated in each year starting in 2017, and 

that outlays will follow historical spending patterns for the program. 

Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None. 

Increase in long-term deficit and direct spending: CBO estimates 

that enacting S. 1024 would not increase net direct spending or onbudget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 1024 contains no 

intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA 

and would benefit state, local, and tribal governments, as well as 

public institutions of higher education, by authorizing grants for 

environmental projects. Any costs incurred by those entities, including matching contributions, would be incurred voluntarily. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Jon Sperl; Impact on state, 

local, and tribal governments: Jon Sperl; Impact on the private sector: Amy Petz. 

Estimate approved by: Theresa A. Gullo, Assistant Director for 

Budget Analysis. 


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(6) 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS 

We support the goal of S. 1024, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015, which is to reauthorize Great Lakes Restoration 

Initiative (GLRI). However, we regret that this legislation locks in 

an authorized funding level that does not allow for any growth or 

acceleration of projects to protect the environmental quality of the 

Great Lakes region. The funding levels in S. 1024 are significantly 

below levels appropriated by the Congress in the recent past. 

The Great Lakes account for 90 percent of the United States and 

20 percent of the world’s surface freshwater. However, the Great 

Lakes continue to face threats ranging from Asian carp and other 

invasive species to harmful algal blooms that threaten clean drinking water sources for 30 million Americans and harm the tourism 

and recreational industries that are critical to the region’s economy. 

Funding provided by the GLRI has allowed the Environmental 

Protection Agency to work in coordination with other Federal agencies and fund more than 2,500 projects that improve water quality, 

prevent invasive species, and restore important habitats and native 

species. 

It is estimated that restoring the Great Lakes will result in $80– 

$100 billion in economic benefits across the Great Lakes region. 

Providing a more robust federal investment in the GLRI would 

allow more projects to be completed faster to fully address the 24 

areas of concern that exist across 5 states, including New York, 

Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. 

According to the EPA, it may take decades to resolve the environmental problems and associated human health risks across the 

Great Lakes. Recent events in Flint, Michigan have demonstrated 

the importance of cleaning up degraded waterbodies, which serve 

as drinking water sources for millions. Increasing our federal investment in the GLRI is necessary to ensure that communities 

across the Great Lakes region have access to clean water, a healthy 

environment, and the potential for economic growth and revitalization. 

BARBARA BOXER. 

KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND. 


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CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules 

of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill as reported 

are shown as follows: Existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in øblack brackets¿, new matter is printed in italic, existing 

law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman: 

* * * * * * * 

Federal Water Pollution Control Act 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 101. (a) The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain 

the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s 

waters. In order to achieve this objective it is hereby declared that, 

consistent with the provisions of this Act— 

(1)* * * 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 118. GREAT LAKES. 

(a) FINDINGS, PURPOSE, AND DEFINITIONS.— (1) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that— 

(A)* * * 

* * * * * * * 

(c) GREAT LAKES MANAGEMENT.— (1) FUNCTIONS.—The Program Office shall— 

(A)* * * 

* * * * * * * 

ø(7) GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE.— ø(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Agency a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (referred to in this 

paragraph as the ‘‘Initiative’’) to carry out programs and 

projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration. 

ø(B) FOCUS AREAS.—The Initiative shall prioritize programs and projects carried out in coordination with nonFederal partners and programs and projects that address 

priority areas each fiscal year, including— 

ø(i) the remediation of toxic substances and areas of 

concern; 

ø(ii) the prevention and control of invasive species 

and the impacts of invasive species; 

ø(iii) the protection and restoration of nearshore 

health and the prevention and mitigation of nonpoint 

source pollution; 

ø(iv) habitat and wildlife protection and restoration, 

including wetlands restoration and preservation; and 

ø(v) accountability, monitoring, evaluation, communication, and partnership activities. 

ø(C) PROJECTS.—Under the Initiative, the Agency shall 

collaborate with Federal partners, including the Great 

Lakes Interagency Task Force, to select the best combination of programs and projects for Great Lakes protection 

and restoration using appropriate principles and criteria, 

including whether a program or project provides— 


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ø(i) the ability to achieve strategic and measurable 

environmental outcomes that implement the Great 

Lakes Action Plan and the Great Lakes Water Quality 

Agreement; 

ø(ii) the feasibility of— 

ø(I) prompt implementation; 

ø(II) timely achievement of results; and 

ø(III) resource leveraging; and 

ø(iii) the opportunity to improve interagency and 

inter-organizational coordination and collaboration to 

reduce duplication and streamline efforts. 

ø(D) IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS.— 

ø(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (G)(ii), 

funds made available to carry out the Initiative shall 

be used to strategically implement— 

ø(I) Federal projects; and 

ø(II) projects carried out in coordination with 

States, Indian tribes, municipalities, institutions 

of higher education, and other organizations. 

ø(ii) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—With amounts made 

available for the Initiative each fiscal year, the Administrator may— 

ø(I) transfer not more than the total amount appropriated under subparagraph (G)(i) for the fiscal 

year to the head of any Federal department or 

agency, with the concurrence of the department or 

agency head, to carry out activities to support the 

Initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality 

Agreement; and 

ø(II) enter into an interagency agreement with 

the head of any Federal department or agency to 

carry out activities described in subclause (I). 

ø(E) SCOPE.— ø(i) IN GENERAL.—Projects shall be carried out 

under the Initiative on multiple levels, including— 

ø(I) Great Lakes-wide; and 

ø(II) Great Lakes basin-wide. 

ø(ii) LIMITATION.—No funds made available to carry 

out the Initiative 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 amounts are 

made available from— 

ø(I) a State water pollution control revolving 

fund established under title VI; or 

ø(II) a State drinking water revolving loan fund 

established under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12). 

ø(F) ACTIVITIES BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Each relevant Federal department or agency shall, to the maximum extent practicable— 

ø(i) maintain the base level of funding for the Great 

Lakes activities of that department or agency without 

regard to funding under the Initiative; and 


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ø(ii) identify new activities and projects to support 

the environmental goals of the Initiative. 

ø(G) FUNDING.—There are authorized to be appropriated 

to carry out this paragraph for fiscal year 2016, 

$300,000,000.¿ 

(7) GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE.— 

(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the Agency 

a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (referred to in this 

paragraph as the ‘Initiative’) to carry out programs and 

projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration. 

(B) FOCUS AREAS.—Each fiscal year under a 5-year Initiative Action Plan, the Initiative shall prioritize programs 

and projects, carried out in coordination with non-Federal 

partners, that address priority areas, such as— 

(i) the remediation of toxic substances and areas of 

concern; 

(ii) the prevention and control of invasive species and 

the impacts of invasive species; 

(iii) the protection and restoration of nearshore 

health and the prevention and mitigation of nonpoint 

source pollution; 

(iv) habitat and wildlife protection and restoration, 

including wetlands restoration and preservation; and 

(v) accountability, monitoring, evaluation, communication, and partnership activities. 

(C) PROJECTS.—Under the Initiative, the Agency shall 

collaborate with Federal partners, including the Great 

Lakes Interagency Task Force, to select the best combination of programs and projects for Great Lakes protection 

and restoration using appropriate principles and criteria, 

including whether a program or project provides— 

(i) the ability to achieve strategic and measurable environmental outcomes that implement the Great Lakes 

Action Plan and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; 

(ii) the feasibility of— 

(I) prompt implementation; 

(II) timely achievement of results; and 

(III) resource leveraging; and 

(iii) the opportunity to improve interagency and 

inter-organizational coordination and collaboration to 

reduce duplication and streamline efforts. 

(D) IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—Subject to subparagraph (G)(ii), 

funds made available to carry out the Initiative shall 

be used to strategically implement— 

(I) Federal projects; and 

(II) projects carried out in coordination with 

States, Indian tribes, municipalities, institutions of 

higher education, and other organizations. 

(ii) TRANSFER OF FUNDS.—With amounts made 

available for the Initiative each fiscal year, the Administrator may— 


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(I) transfer not more than $300,000,000 to the 

head of any Federal department or agency, with 

the concurrence of the department or agency head, 

to carry out activities to support the Initiative and 

the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; 

(II) enter into an interagency agreement with the 

head of any Federal department or agency to carry 

out activities described in subclause (I); and 

(III) make grants to governmental entities, nonprofit organizations, institutions, and individuals 

for planning, research, monitoring, outreach, and 

implementation of projects in furtherance of the 

Initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality 

Agreement. 

(E) SCOPE.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—Projects shall be carried out under 

the Initiative on multiple levels, including— 

(I) Great Lakes-wide; and 

(II) Great Lakes basin-wide. 

(ii) LIMITATION.—No funds made available to carry 

out the Initiative 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 amounts are made available from— 

(I) a State water pollution control revolving fund 

established under title VI; or 

(II) a State drinking water revolving loan fund 

established under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12). 

(F) ACTIVITIES BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.—Each relevant Federal department or agency shall, to the maximum 

extent practicable— 

(i) maintain the base level of funding for the Great 

Lakes activities of that department or agency without 

regard to funding under the Initiative; and 

(ii) identify new activities and projects to support the 

environmental goals of the Initiative and the Great 

Lakes Water Quality Agreement. 

(G) FUNDING.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $300,000,000 for 

each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021. 

(ii) LIMITATION.—Nothing in this paragraph creates, 

expands, or amends the authority of the Administrator 

to implement programs or projects under— 

(I) this section; 

(II) the Initiative Action Plan; or 

(III) the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. 

Æ 


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