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[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2097 Introduced in House (IH)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2097

  To facilitate and streamline the Bureau of Reclamation process for 
   creating or expanding surface water storage under Reclamation law.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 29, 2015

Mr. Newhouse (for himself, Mr. LaMalfa, Mr. McClintock, Mr. Gosar, and 
 Mrs. Lummis) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                     Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
  To facilitate and streamline the Bureau of Reclamation process for 
   creating or expanding surface water storage under Reclamation law.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Bureau of Reclamation Surface Water 
Storage Streamlining Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Environmental impact statement.--The term 
        ``environmental impact statement'' means the detailed statement 
        of environmental impacts of a project required to be prepared 
        pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
        U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
            (2) Environmental review process.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``environmental review 
                process'' means the process of preparing an 
                environmental impact statement, environmental 
                assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document 
                under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
                U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for a project study.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The term ``environmental review 
                process'' includes the process for and completion of 
                any environmental permit, approval, review, or study 
                required for a project study under any Federal law 
                other than the National Environmental Policy Act of 
                1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
            (3) Federal jurisdictional agency.--The term ``Federal 
        jurisdictional agency'' means a Federal agency with 
        jurisdiction delegated by law, regulation, order, or otherwise 
        over a review, analysis, opinion, statement, permit, license, 
        or other approval or decision required for a project study 
        under applicable Federal laws (including regulations).
            (4) Federal lead agency.--The term ``Federal lead agency'' 
        means the Bureau of Reclamation.
            (5) Project.--The term ``project'' means a surface water 
        project to be carried out, funded or operated in whole or in 
        party by the Secretary pursuant to the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 
        Stat. 388, chapter 1093), and Acts supplemental to and 
        amendatory of that Act (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.).
            (6) Project sponsor.--The term ``project sponsor'' means a 
        State, regional, or local authority or instrumentality or other 
        qualifying entity, such as a water conservation district, 
        irrigation district, water conservancy district, joint powers 
        authority, mutual water company, canal company, rural water 
        district or association, or any other entity that has the 
        capacity to contract with the United States under Federal 
        reclamation law.
            (7) Project study.--The term ``project study'' means a 
        feasibility study for a project carried out pursuant to the Act 
        of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093), and Acts 
        supplemental to and amendatory of that Act (43 U.S.C. 371 et 
        seq.).
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (9) Surface water storage.--The term ``surface water 
        storage'' means any surface water reservoir or impoundment that 
        would be owned, funded or operated in whole or in part by the 
        Bureau of Reclamation or that would be integrated into a larger 
        system owned, operated or administered in whole or in part by 
        the Bureau of Reclamation.

SEC. 3. ACCELERATION OF STUDIES.

    (a) In General.--To the extent practicable, a project study 
initiated by the Secretary, after the date of enactment of this Act, 
under the Reclamation Act of 1902 (32 Stat. 388), and all Acts 
amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, shall--
            (1) result in the completion of a final feasibility report 
        not later than 3 years after the date of initiation;
            (2) have a maximum Federal cost of $3,000,000; and
            (3) ensure that personnel from the local project area, 
        region, and headquarters levels of the Bureau of Reclamation 
        concurrently conduct the review required under that section.
    (b) Extension.--If the Secretary determines that a project study 
described in subsection (a) will not be conducted in accordance with 
subsection (a), the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the date of 
making the determination, shall--
            (1) prepare an updated project study schedule and cost 
        estimate;
            (2) notify the non-Federal project cost-sharing partner 
        that the project study has been delayed; and
            (3) provide written notice to the Committee on Natural 
        Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate as to the reasons 
        the requirements of subsection (a) are not attainable.
    (c) Exception.--
            (1) In general.--Notwithstanding the requirements of 
        subsection (a), the Secretary may extend the timeline of a 
        project study by a period not to exceed 3 years, if the 
        Secretary determines that the project study is too complex to 
        comply with the requirements of subsection (a).
            (2) Factors.--In making a determination that a study is too 
        complex to comply with the requirements of subsection (a), the 
        Secretary shall consider--
                    (A) the type, size, location, scope, and overall 
                cost of the project;
                    (B) whether the project will use any innovative 
                design or construction techniques;
                    (C) whether the project will require significant 
                action by other Federal, State, or local agencies;
                    (D) whether there is significant public dispute as 
                to the nature or effects of the project; and
                    (E) whether there is significant public dispute as 
                to the economic or environmental costs or benefits of 
                the project.
            (3) Notification.--Each time the Secretary makes a 
        determination under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        provide written notice to the Committee on Natural Resources of 
        the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and 
        Natural Resources of the Senate as to the results of that 
        determination, including an identification of the specific 1 or 
        more factors used in making the determination that the project 
        is complex.
            (4) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not extend the 
        timeline for a project study for a period of more than 7 years, 
        and any project study that is not completed before that date 
        shall no longer be authorized.
    (d) Reviews.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
initiation of a project study described in subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) take all steps necessary to initiate the process for 
        completing federally mandated reviews that the Secretary is 
        required to complete as part of the study, including the 
        environmental review process under section 5;
            (2) convene a meeting of all Federal, tribal, and State 
        agencies identified under section 5(d) that may--
                    (A) have jurisdiction over the project;
                    (B) be required by law to conduct or issue a 
                review, analysis, opinion, or statement for the project 
                study; or
                    (C) be required to make a determination on issuing 
                a permit, license, or other approval or decision for 
                the project study; and
            (3) take all steps necessary to provide information that 
        will enable required reviews and analyses related to the 
        project to be conducted by other agencies in a thorough and 
        timely manner.
    (e) Interim Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and make publicly available 
a report that describes--
            (1) the status of the implementation of the planning 
        process under this section, including the number of 
        participating projects;
            (2) a review of project delivery schedules, including a 
        description of any delays on those studies initiated prior to 
        the date of the enactment of this Act; and
            (3) any recommendations for additional authority necessary 
        to support efforts to expedite the project.
    (f) Final Report.--Not later than 4 years after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and make publicly available 
a report that describes--
            (1) the status of the implementation of this section, 
        including a description of each project study subject to the 
        requirements of this section;
            (2) the amount of time taken to complete each project 
        study; and
            (3) any recommendations for additional authority necessary 
        to support efforts to expedite the project study process, 
        including an analysis of whether the limitation established by 
        subsection (a)(2) needs to be adjusted to address the impacts 
        of inflation.

SEC. 4. EXPEDITED COMPLETION OF REPORTS.

    The Secretary shall--
            (1) expedite the completion of any ongoing project study 
        initiated before the date of enactment of this Act; and
            (2) if the Secretary determines that the project is 
        justified in a completed report, proceed directly to 
        preconstruction planning, engineering, and design of the 
        project in accordance with the Reclamation Act of 1902 (32 
        Stat. 388), and all Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary 
        thereto.

SEC. 5. PROJECT ACCELERATION.

    (a) Applicability.--
            (1) In general.--This section shall apply to--
                    (A) each project study that is initiated after the 
                date of enactment of this Act and for which an 
                environmental impact statement is prepared under the 
                National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                4321 et seq.);
                    (B) the extent determined appropriate by the 
                Secretary, to other project studies initiated before 
                the date of enactment of this Act and for which an 
                environmental review process document is prepared under 
                the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
                U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
                    (C) any project study for the development of a non-
                federally owned and operated surface water storage 
                project for which the Secretary determines there is a 
                demonstrable Federal interest and the project--
                            (i) is located in a river basin where other 
                        Bureau of Reclamation water projects are 
                        located;
                            (ii) will create additional water supplies 
                        that support Bureau of Reclamation water 
                        projects; or
                            (iii) will become integrated into the 
                        operation of Bureau of Reclamation water 
                        projects.
            (2) Flexibility.--Any authority granted under this section 
        may be exercised, and any requirement established under this 
        section may be satisfied, for the conduct of an environmental 
        review process for a project study, a class of project studies, 
        or a program of project studies.
            (3) List of project studies.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall annually 
                prepare, and make publicly available, a list of all 
                project studies that the Secretary has determined--
                            (i) meets the standards described in 
                        paragraph (1); and
                            (ii) does not have adequate funding to make 
                        substantial progress toward the completion of 
                        the project study.
                    (B) Inclusions.--The Secretary shall include for 
                each project study on the list under subparagraph (A) a 
                description of the estimated amounts necessary to make 
                substantial progress on the project study.
    (b) Project Review Process.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop and implement 
        a coordinated environmental review process for the development 
        of project studies.
            (2) Coordinated review.--The coordinated environmental 
        review process described in paragraph (1) shall require that 
        any review, analysis, opinion, statement, permit, license, or 
        other approval or decision issued or made by a Federal, State, 
        or local governmental agency or an Indian tribe for a project 
        study described in subsection (b) be conducted, to the maximum 
        extent practicable, concurrently with any other applicable 
        governmental agency or Indian tribe.
            (3) Timing.--The coordinated environmental review process 
        under this subsection shall be completed not later than the 
        date on which the Secretary, in consultation and concurrence 
        with the agencies identified under section 5(d), establishes 
        with respect to the project study.
    (c) Lead Agencies.--
            (1) Joint lead agencies.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to the requirements of the 
                National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                4321 et seq.) and the requirements of section 1506.8 of 
                title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                regulations), including the concurrence of the proposed 
                joint lead agency, a project sponsor may serve as the 
                joint lead agency.
                    (B) Project sponsor as joint lead agency.--A 
                project sponsor that is a State or local governmental 
                entity may--
                            (i) with the concurrence of the Secretary, 
                        serve as a joint lead agency with the Federal 
                        lead agency for purposes of preparing any 
                        environmental document under the National 
                        Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                        4321 et seq.); and
                            (ii) prepare any environmental review 
                        process document under the National 
                        Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
                        4321 et seq.) required in support of any action 
                        or approval by the Secretary if--
                                    (I) the Secretary provides guidance 
                                in the preparation process and 
                                independently evaluates that document;
                                    (II) the project sponsor complies 
                                with all requirements applicable to the 
                                Secretary under--
                                            (aa) the National 
                                        Environmental Policy Act of 
                                        1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
                                            (bb) any regulation 
                                        implementing that Act; and
                                            (cc) any other applicable 
                                        Federal law; and
                                    (III) the Secretary approves and 
                                adopts the document before the 
                                Secretary takes any subsequent action 
                                or makes any approval based on that 
                                document, regardless of whether the 
                                action or approval of the Secretary 
                                results in Federal funding.
            (2) Duties.--The Secretary shall ensure that--
                    (A) the project sponsor complies with all design 
                and mitigation commitments made jointly by the 
                Secretary and the project sponsor in any environmental 
                document prepared by the project sponsor in accordance 
                with this subsection; and
                    (B) any environmental document prepared by the 
                project sponsor is appropriately supplemented to 
                address any changes to the project the Secretary 
                determines are necessary.
            (3) Adoption and use of documents.--Any environmental 
        document prepared in accordance with this subsection shall be 
        adopted and used by any Federal agency making any determination 
        related to the project study to the same extent that the 
        Federal agency could adopt or use a document prepared by 
        another Federal agency under--
                    (A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
                (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
                    (B) parts 1500 through 1508 of title 40, Code of 
                Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).
            (4) Roles and responsibility of lead agency.--With respect 
        to the environmental review process for any project study, the 
        Federal lead agency shall have authority and responsibility--
                    (A) to take such actions as are necessary and 
                proper and within the authority of the Federal lead 
                agency to facilitate the expeditious resolution of the 
                environmental review process for the project study; and
                    (B) to prepare or ensure that any required 
                environmental impact statement or other environmental 
                review document for a project study required to be 
                completed under the National Environmental Policy Act 
                of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) is completed in 
                accordance with this section and applicable Federal 
                law.
    (d) Participating and Cooperating Agencies.--
            (1) Identification of jurisdictional agencies.--With 
        respect to carrying out the environmental review process for a 
        project study, the Secretary shall identify, as early as 
        practicable in the environmental review process, all Federal, 
        State, and local government agencies and Indian tribes that 
        may--
                    (A) have jurisdiction over the project;
                    (B) be required by law to conduct or issue a 
                review, analysis, opinion, or statement for the project 
                study; or
                    (C) be required to make a determination on issuing 
                a permit, license, or other approval or decision for 
                the project study.
            (2) State authority.--If the environmental review process 
        is being implemented by the Secretary for a project study 
        within the boundaries of a State, the State, consistent with 
        State law, may choose to participate in the process and to make 
        subject to the process all State agencies that--
                    (A) have jurisdiction over the project;
                    (B) are required to conduct or issue a review, 
                analysis, opinion, or statement for the project study; 
                or
                    (C) are required to make a determination on issuing 
                a permit, license, or other approval or decision for 
                the project study.
            (3) Invitation.--
                    (A) In general.--The Federal lead agency shall 
                invite, as early as practicable in the environmental 
                review process, any agency identified under paragraph 
                (1) to become a participating or cooperating agency, as 
                applicable, in the environmental review process for the 
                project study.
                    (B) Deadline.--An invitation to participate issued 
                under subparagraph (A) shall set a deadline by which a 
                response to the invitation shall be submitted, which 
                may be extended by the Federal lead agency for good 
                cause.
            (4) Procedures.--Section 1501.6 of title 40, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
        the Bureau of Reclamation Surface Water Storage Streamlining 
        Act) shall govern the identification and the participation of a 
        cooperating agency.
            (5) Federal cooperating agencies.--Any Federal agency that 
        is invited by the Federal lead agency to participate in the 
        environmental review process for a project study shall be 
        designated as a cooperating agency by the Federal lead agency 
        unless the invited agency informs the Federal lead agency, in 
        writing, by the deadline specified in the invitation that the 
        invited agency--
                    (A)(i) has no jurisdiction or authority with 
                respect to the project;
                    (ii) has no expertise or information relevant to 
                the project; or
                    (iii) does not have adequate funds to participate 
                in the project; and
                    (B) does not intend to submit comments on the 
                project.
            (6) Administration.--A participating or cooperating agency 
        shall comply with this section and any schedule established 
        under this section.
            (7) Effect of designation.--Designation as a participating 
        or cooperating agency under this subsection shall not imply 
        that the participating or cooperating agency--
                    (A) supports a proposed project; or
                    (B) has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise 
                with respect to evaluation of, the project.
            (8) Concurrent reviews.--Each participating or cooperating 
        agency shall--
                    (A) carry out the obligations of that agency under 
                other applicable law concurrently and in conjunction 
                with the required environmental review process, unless 
                doing so would prevent the participating or cooperating 
                agency from conducting needed analysis or otherwise 
                carrying out those obligations; and
                    (B) formulate and implement administrative, policy, 
                and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to 
                ensure completion of the environmental review process 
                in a timely, coordinated, and environmentally 
                responsible manner.
    (e) Non-Federal Projects Integrated Into Reclamation Systems.--The 
Federal lead agency shall serve in that capacity for the entirety of 
all non-Federal projects that will be integrated into a larger system 
owned, operated or administered in whole or in part by the Bureau of 
Reclamation.
    (f) Non-Federal Project.--If the Secretary determines that a 
project can be expedited by a non-Federal sponsor and that there is a 
demonstrable Federal interest in expediting that project, the Secretary 
shall take such actions as are necessary to advance such a project as a 
non-Federal project, including, but not limited to, entering into 
agreements with the non-Federal sponsor of such project to support the 
planning, design and permitting of such project as a non-Federal 
project.
    (g) Programmatic Compliance.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall issue guidance 
        regarding the use of programmatic approaches to carry out the 
        environmental review process that--
                    (A) eliminates repetitive discussions of the same 
                issues;
                    (B) focuses on the actual issues ripe for analyses 
                at each level of review;
                    (C) establishes a formal process for coordinating 
                with participating and cooperating agencies, including 
                the creation of a list of all data that are needed to 
                carry out an environmental review process; and
                    (D) complies with--
                            (i) the National Environmental Policy Act 
                        of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
                            (ii) all other applicable laws.
            (2) Requirements.--In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) as the first step in drafting guidance under 
                that paragraph, consult with relevant Federal, State, 
                and local governmental agencies, Indian tribes, and the 
                public on the appropriate use and scope of the 
                programmatic approaches;
                    (B) emphasize the importance of collaboration among 
                relevant Federal, State, and local governmental 
                agencies, and Indian tribes in undertaking programmatic 
                reviews, especially with respect to including reviews 
                with a broad geographical scope;
                    (C) ensure that the programmatic reviews--
                            (i) promote transparency, including of the 
                        analyses and data used in the environmental 
                        review process, the treatment of any deferred 
                        issues raised by Federal, State, and local 
                        governmental agencies, Indian tribes, or the 
                        public, and the temporal and special scales to 
                        be used to analyze those issues;
                            (ii) use accurate and timely information in 
                        the environmental review process, including--
                                    (I) criteria for determining the 
                                general duration of the usefulness of 
                                the review; and
                                    (II) the timeline for updating any 
                                out-of-date review;
                            (iii) describe--
                                    (I) the relationship between 
                                programmatic analysis and future tiered 
                                analysis; and
                                    (II) the role of the public in the 
                                creation of future tiered analysis; and
                            (iv) are available to other relevant 
                        Federal, State, and local governmental 
                        agencies, Indian tribes, and the public;
                    (D) allow not fewer than 60 days of public notice 
                and comment on any proposed guidance; and
                    (E) address any comments received under 
                subparagraph (D).
    (h) Coordinated Reviews.--
            (1) Coordination plan.--
                    (A) Establishment.--The Federal lead agency shall, 
                after consultation with and with the concurrence of 
                each participating and cooperating agency and the 
                project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable, 
                establish a plan for coordinating public and agency 
                participation in, and comment on, the environmental 
                review process for a project study or a category of 
                project studies.
                    (B) Schedule.--
                            (i) In general.--As soon as practicable but 
                        not later than 45 days after the close of the 
                        public comment period on a draft environmental 
                        impact statement, the Federal lead agency, 
                        after consultation with and the concurrence of 
                        each participating and cooperating agency and 
                        the project sponsor or joint lead agency, as 
                        applicable, shall establish, as part of the 
                        coordination plan established in subparagraph 
                        (A), a schedule for completion of the 
                        environmental review process for the project 
                        study.
                            (ii) Factors for consideration.--In 
                        establishing a schedule, the Secretary shall 
                        consider factors such as--
                                    (I) the responsibilities of 
                                participating and cooperating agencies 
                                under applicable laws;
                                    (II) the resources available to the 
                                project sponsor, joint lead agency, and 
                                other relevant Federal and State 
                                agencies, as applicable;
                                    (III) the overall size and 
                                complexity of the project;
                                    (IV) the overall schedule for and 
                                cost of the project; and
                                    (V) the sensitivity of the natural 
                                and historical resources that could be 
                                affected by the project.
                            (iii) Modifications.--The Secretary may--
                                    (I) lengthen a schedule established 
                                under clause (i) for good cause; and
                                    (II) shorten a schedule only with 
                                concurrence of the affected 
                                participating and cooperating agencies 
                                and the project sponsor or joint lead 
                                agency, as applicable.
                            (iv) Dissemination.--A copy of a schedule 
                        established under clause (i) shall be--
                                    (I) provided to each participating 
                                and cooperating agency and the project 
                                sponsor or joint lead agency, as 
                                applicable; and
                                    (II) made available to the public.
            (2) Comment deadlines.--The Federal lead agency shall 
        establish the following deadlines for comment during the 
        environmental review process for a project study:
                    (A) Draft environmental impact statements.--For 
                comments by Federal and State agencies and the public 
                on a draft environmental impact statement, a period of 
                not more than 60 days after publication in the Federal 
                Register of notice of the date of public availability 
                of the draft environmental impact statement, unless--
                            (i) a different deadline is established by 
                        agreement of the Federal lead agency, the 
                        project sponsor or joint lead agency, as 
                        applicable, and all participating and 
                        cooperating agencies; or
                            (ii) the deadline is extended by the 
                        Federal lead agency for good cause.
                    (B) Other environmental review processes.--For all 
                other comment periods established by the Federal lead 
                agency for agency or public comments in the 
                environmental review process, a period of not more than 
                30 days after the date on which the materials on which 
                comment is requested are made available, unless--
                            (i) a different deadline is established by 
                        agreement of the Federal lead agency, the 
                        project sponsor, or joint lead agency, as 
                        applicable, and all participating and 
                        cooperating agencies; or
                            (ii) the deadline is extended by the 
                        Federal lead agency for good cause.
            (3) Deadlines for decisions under other laws.--In any case 
        in which a decision under any Federal law relating to a project 
        study, including the issuance or denial of a permit or license, 
        is required to be made by the date described in subsection 
        (i)(5)(B), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
        Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate--
                    (A) as soon as practicable after the 180-day period 
                described in subsection (i)(5)(B), an initial notice of 
                the failure of the Federal agency to make the decision; 
                and
                    (B) every 60 days thereafter until such date as all 
                decisions of the Federal agency relating to the project 
                study have been made by the Federal agency, an 
                additional notice that describes the number of 
                decisions of the Federal agency that remain outstanding 
                as of the date of the additional notice.
            (4) Involvement of the public.--Nothing in this subsection 
        reduces any time period provided for public comment in the 
        environmental review process under applicable Federal law 
        (including regulations).
            (5) Transparency reporting.--
                    (A) Reporting requirements.--Not later than 1 year 
                after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
                shall establish and maintain an electronic database 
                and, in coordination with other Federal and State 
                agencies, issue reporting requirements to make publicly 
                available the status and progress with respect to 
                compliance with applicable requirements of the National 
                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                seq.) and any other Federal, State, or local approval 
                or action required for a project study for which this 
                section is applicable.
                    (B) Project study transparency.--Consistent with 
                the requirements established under subparagraph (A), 
                the Secretary shall make publicly available the status 
                and progress of any Federal, State, or local decision, 
                action, or approval required under applicable laws for 
                each project study for which this section is 
                applicable.
    (i) Issue Identification and Resolution.--
            (1) Cooperation.--The Federal lead agency, the cooperating 
        agencies, and any participating agencies shall work 
        cooperatively in accordance with this section to identify and 
        resolve issues that could delay completion of the environmental 
        review process or result in the denial of any approval required 
        for the project study under applicable laws.
            (2) Federal lead agency responsibilities.--
                    (A) In general.--The Federal lead agency shall make 
                information available to the cooperating agencies and 
                participating agencies as early as practicable in the 
                environmental review process regarding the 
                environmental and socioeconomic resources located 
                within the project area and the general locations of 
                the alternatives under consideration.
                    (B) Data sources.--The information under 
                subparagraph (A) may be based on existing data sources, 
                including geographic information systems mapping.
            (3) Cooperating and participating agency 
        responsibilities.--Based on information received from the 
        Federal lead agency, cooperating and participating agencies 
        shall identify, as early as practicable, any issues of concern 
        regarding the potential environmental or socioeconomic impacts 
        of the project, including any issues that could substantially 
        delay or prevent an agency from granting a permit or other 
        approval that is needed for the project study.
            (4) Accelerated issue resolution and elevation.--
                    (A) In general.--On the request of a participating 
                or cooperating agency or project sponsor, the Secretary 
                shall convene an issue resolution meeting with the 
                relevant participating and cooperating agencies and the 
                project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable, to 
                resolve issues that may--
                            (i) delay completion of the environmental 
                        review process; or
                            (ii) result in denial of any approval 
                        required for the project study under applicable 
                        laws.
                    (B) Meeting date.--A meeting requested under this 
                paragraph shall be held not later than 21 days after 
                the date on which the Secretary receives the request 
                for the meeting, unless the Secretary determines that 
                there is good cause to extend that deadline.
                    (C) Notification.--On receipt of a request for a 
                meeting under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
                notify all relevant participating and cooperating 
                agencies of the request, including the issue to be 
                resolved and the date for the meeting.
                    (D) Elevation of issue resolution.--If a resolution 
                cannot be achieved within the 30-day period beginning 
                on the date of a meeting under this paragraph and a 
                determination is made by the Secretary that all 
                information necessary to resolve the issue has been 
                obtained, the Secretary shall forward the dispute to 
                the heads of the relevant agencies for resolution.
                    (E) Convention by secretary.--The Secretary may 
                convene an issue resolution meeting under this 
                paragraph at any time, at the discretion of the 
                Secretary, regardless of whether a meeting is requested 
                under subparagraph (A).
            (5) Financial penalty provisions.--
                    (A) In general.--A Federal jurisdictional agency 
                shall complete any required approval or decision for 
                the environmental review process on an expeditious 
                basis using the shortest existing applicable process.
                    (B) Failure to decide.--
                            (i) In general.--
                                    (I) Transfer of funds.--If a 
                                Federal jurisdictional agency fails to 
                                render a decision required under any 
                                Federal law relating to a project study 
                                that requires the preparation of an 
                                environmental impact statement or 
                                environmental assessment, including the 
                                issuance or denial of a permit, 
                                license, statement, opinion, or other 
                                approval by the date described in 
                                clause (ii), the amount of funds made 
                                available to support the office of the 
                                head of the Federal jurisdictional 
                                agency shall be reduced by an amount of 
                                funding equal to the amount specified 
                                in item (aa) or (bb) of subclause (II), 
                                and those funds shall be made available 
                                to the division of the Federal 
                                jurisdictional agency charged with 
                                rendering the decision by not later 
                                than 1 day after the applicable date 
                                under clause (ii), and once each week 
                                thereafter until a final decision is 
                                rendered, subject to subparagraph (C).
                                    (II) Amount to be transferred.--The 
                                amount referred to in subclause (I) 
                                is--
                                            (aa) $20,000 for any 
                                        project study requiring the 
                                        preparation of an environmental 
                                        assessment or environmental 
                                        impact statement; or
                                            (bb) $10,000 for any 
                                        project study requiring any 
                                        type of review under the 
                                        National Environmental Policy 
                                        Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
                                        seq.) other than an 
                                        environmental assessment or 
                                        environmental impact statement.
                            (ii) Description of date.--The date 
                        referred to in clause (i) is the later of--
                                    (I) the date that is 180 days after 
                                the date on which an application for 
                                the permit, license, or approval is 
                                complete; and
                                    (II) the date that is 180 days 
                                after the date on which the Federal 
                                lead agency issues a decision on the 
                                project under the National 
                                Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
                                U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
                    (C) Limitations.--
                            (i) In general.--No transfer of funds under 
                        subparagraph (B) relating to an individual 
                        project study shall exceed, in any fiscal year, 
                        an amount equal to 1 percent of the funds made 
                        available for the applicable agency office.
                            (ii) Failure to decide.--The total amount 
                        transferred in a fiscal year as a result of a 
                        failure by an agency to make a decision by an 
                        applicable deadline shall not exceed an amount 
                        equal to 5 percent of the funds made available 
                        for the applicable agency office for that 
                        fiscal year.
                            (iii) Aggregate.--Notwithstanding any other 
                        provision of law, for each fiscal year, the 
                        aggregate amount of financial penalties 
                        assessed against each applicable agency office 
                        under this Act and any other Federal law as a 
                        result of a failure of the agency to make a 
                        decision by an applicable deadline for 
                        environmental review, including the total 
                        amount transferred under this paragraph, shall 
                        not exceed an amount equal to 9.5 percent of 
                        the funds made available for the agency office 
                        for that fiscal year.
                    (D) No fault of agency.--
                            (i) In general.--A transfer of funds under 
                        this paragraph shall not be made if the 
                        applicable agency described in subparagraph (A) 
                        notifies, with a supporting explanation, the 
                        Federal lead agency, cooperating agencies, and 
                        project sponsor, as applicable, that--
                                    (I) the agency has not received 
                                necessary information or approvals from 
                                another entity in a manner that affects 
                                the ability of the agency to meet any 
                                requirements under Federal, State, or 
                                local law;
                                    (II) significant new information, 
                                including from public comments, or 
                                circumstances, including a major 
                                modification to an aspect of the 
                                project, requires additional analysis 
                                for the agency to make a decision on 
                                the project application; or
                                    (III) the agency lacks the 
                                financial resources to complete the 
                                review under the scheduled timeframe, 
                                including a description of the number 
                                of full-time employees required to 
                                complete the review, the amount of 
                                funding required to complete the 
                                review, and a justification as to why 
                                not enough funding is available to 
                                complete the review by the deadline.
                            (ii) Lack of financial resources.--If the 
                        agency provides notice under clause (i)(III), 
                        the Inspector General of the agency shall--
                                    (I) conduct a financial audit to 
                                review the notice; and
                                    (II) not later than 90 days after 
                                the date on which the review described 
                                in subclause (I) is completed, submit 
                                to the Committee on Natural Resources 
                                of the House of Representatives and the 
                                Committee on Energy and Natural 
                                Resources of the Senate a report on the 
                                notice.
                    (E) Limitation.--The Federal agency from which 
                funds are transferred pursuant to this paragraph shall 
                not reprogram funds to the office of the head of the 
                agency, or equivalent office, to reimburse that office 
                for the loss of the funds.
                    (F) Effect of paragraph.--Nothing in this paragraph 
                affects or limits the application of, or obligation to 
                comply with, any Federal, State, local, or tribal law.
    (j) Memorandum of Agreements for Early Coordination.--
            (1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) the Secretary and other Federal agencies with 
                relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review 
                process should cooperate with each other, State and 
                local agencies, and Indian tribes on environmental 
                review and Bureau of Reclamation project delivery 
                activities at the earliest practicable time to avoid 
                delays and duplication of effort later in the process, 
                prevent potential conflicts, and ensure that planning 
                and project development decisions reflect environmental 
                values; and
                    (B) the cooperation referred to in subparagraph (A) 
                should include the development of policies and the 
                designation of staff that advise planning agencies and 
                project sponsors of studies or other information 
                foreseeably required for later Federal action and early 
                consultation with appropriate State and local agencies 
                and Indian tribes.
            (2) Technical assistance.--If requested at any time by a 
        State or project sponsor, the Secretary and other Federal 
        agencies with relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review 
        process, shall, to the maximum extent practicable and 
        appropriate, as determined by the agencies, provide technical 
        assistance to the State or project sponsor in carrying out 
        early coordination activities.
            (3) Memorandum of agency agreement.--If requested at any 
        time by a State or project sponsor, the Federal lead agency, in 
        consultation with other Federal agencies with relevant 
        jurisdiction in the environmental review process, may establish 
        memoranda of agreement with the project sponsor, Indian tribes, 
        State and local governments, and other appropriate entities to 
        carry out the early coordination activities, including 
        providing technical assistance in identifying potential impacts 
        and mitigation issues in an integrated fashion.
    (k) Limitations.--Nothing in this section preempts or interferes 
with--
            (1) any obligation to comply with the provisions of any 
        Federal law, including--
                    (A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
                (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
                    (B) any other Federal environmental law;
            (2) the reviewability of any final Federal agency action in 
        a court of the United States or in the court of any State;
            (3) any requirement for seeking, considering, or responding 
        to public comment; or
            (4) any power, jurisdiction, responsibility, duty, or 
        authority that a Federal, State, or local governmental agency, 
        Indian tribe, or project sponsor has with respect to carrying 
        out a project or any other provision of law applicable to 
        projects.
    (l) Timing of Claims.--
            (1) Timing.--
                    (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
                provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law 
                seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or other 
                approval issued by a Federal agency for a project study 
                shall be barred unless the claim is filed not later 
                than 3 years after publication of a notice in the 
                Federal Register announcing that the permit, license, 
                or other approval is final pursuant to the law under 
                which the agency action is taken, unless a shorter time 
                is specified in the Federal law that allows judicial 
                review.
                    (B) Applicability.--Nothing in this subsection 
                creates a right to judicial review or places any limit 
                on filing a claim that a person has violated the terms 
                of a permit, license, or other approval.
            (2) New information.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary shall consider new 
                information received after the close of a comment 
                period if the information satisfies the requirements 
                for a supplemental environmental impact statement under 
                title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (including 
                successor regulations).
                    (B) Separate action.--The preparation of a 
                supplemental environmental impact statement or other 
                environmental document, if required under this section, 
                shall be considered a separate final agency action and 
                the deadline for filing a claim for judicial review of 
                the action shall be 3 years after the date of 
                publication of a notice in the Federal Register 
                announcing the action relating to such supplemental 
                environmental impact statement or other environmental 
                document.
    (m) Categorical Exclusions.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) survey the use by the Bureau of Reclamation of 
                categorical exclusions in projects since 2005;
                    (B) publish a review of the survey that includes a 
                description of--
                            (i) the types of actions that were 
                        categorically excluded or could be the basis 
                        for developing a new categorical exclusion; and
                            (ii) any requests previously received by 
                        the Secretary for new categorical exclusions; 
                        and
                    (C) solicit requests from other Federal agencies 
                and project sponsors for new categorical exclusions.
            (2) New categorical exclusions.--Not later than 1 year 
        after the date of enactment of this Act, if the Secretary has 
        identified a category of activities that merit establishing a 
        categorical exclusion that did not exist on the day before the 
        date of enactment this Act based on the review under paragraph 
        (1), the Secretary shall publish a notice of proposed 
        rulemaking to propose that new categorical exclusion, to the 
        extent that the categorical exclusion meets the criteria for a 
        categorical exclusion under section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of 
        Federal Regulations (or successor regulation).
    (n) Review of Project Acceleration Reforms.--
            (1) In general.--The Comptroller General of the United 
        States shall--
                    (A) assess the reforms carried out under this 
                section; and
                    (B) not later than 5 years and not later than 10 
                years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit 
                to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
                Resources of the Senate a report that describes the 
                results of the assessment.
            (2) Contents.--The reports under paragraph (1) shall 
        include an evaluation of impacts of the reforms carried out 
        under this section on--
                    (A) project delivery;
                    (B) compliance with environmental laws; and
                    (C) the environmental impact of projects.
    (o) Performance Measurement.--The Secretary shall establish a 
program to measure and report on progress made toward improving and 
expediting the planning and environmental review process.
    (p) Categorical Exclusions in Emergencies.--For the repair, 
reconstruction, or rehabilitation of a Bureau of Reclamation surface 
water storage project that is in operation or under construction when 
damaged by an event or incident that results in a declaration by the 
President of a major disaster or emergency pursuant to the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 
et seq.), the Secretary shall treat such repair, reconstruction, or 
rehabilitation activity as a class of action categorically excluded 
from the requirements relating to environmental assessments or 
environmental impact statements under section 1508.4 of title 40, Code 
of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), if the repair or 
reconstruction activity is--
            (1) in the same location with the same capacity, 
        dimensions, and design as the original Bureau of Reclamation 
        surface water storage project as before the declaration 
        described in this section; and
            (2) commenced within a 2-year period beginning on the date 
        of a declaration described in this subsection.

SEC. 6. ANNUAL REPORT TO CONGRESS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than February 1 of each year, the 
Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committee on Natural 
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate an annual report, to be entitled 
``Report to Congress on Future Surface Water Storage Development'', 
that identifies the following:
            (1) Project reports.--Each project report that meets the 
        criteria established in subsection (c)(1)(A).
            (2) Proposed project studies.--Any proposed project study 
        submitted to the Secretary by a non-Federal interest pursuant 
        to subsection (b) that meets the criteria established in 
        subsection (c)(1)(A).
            (3) Proposed modifications.--Any proposed modification to 
        an authorized surface water storage project or project study 
        that meets the criteria established in subsection (c)(1)(A) 
        that--
                    (A) is submitted to the Secretary by a non-Federal 
                interest pursuant to subsection (b); or
                    (B) is identified by the Secretary for 
                authorization.
            (4) Expedited completion of report and determinations.--Any 
        project study that was expedited and any Secretarial 
        determinations under section 4 of this Act.
    (b) Requests for Proposals.--
            (1) Publication.--Not later than May 1 of each year, the 
        Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice 
        requesting proposals from non-Federal interests for proposed 
        project studies and proposed modifications to authorized 
        surface water storage projects and project studies to be 
        included in the annual report.
            (2) Deadline for requests.--The Secretary shall include in 
        each notice required by this subsection a requirement that non-
        Federal interests submit to the Secretary any proposals 
        described in paragraph (1) by not later than 120 days after the 
        date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register in 
        order for the proposals to be considered for inclusion in the 
        annual report.
            (3) Notification.--On the date of publication of each 
        notice required by this subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) make the notice publicly available, including 
                on the Internet; and
                    (B) provide written notification of the publication 
                to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
                Resources of the Senate.
    (c) Contents.--
            (1) Project reports, proposed project studies, and proposed 
        modifications.--
                    (A) Criteria for inclusion in report.--The 
                Secretary shall include in the annual report only those 
                project reports, proposed project studies, and proposed 
                modifications to authorized surface water storage 
                projects and project studies that--
                            (i) are related to the missions and 
                        authorities of the Bureau of Reclamation;
                            (ii) require specific congressional 
                        authorization, including by an Act of Congress;
                            (iii) have not been congressionally 
                        authorized;
                            (iv) have not been included in any previous 
                        annual report; and
                            (v) if authorized, could be carried out by 
                        the Bureau of Reclamation.
                    (B) Description of benefits.--
                            (i) Description.--The Secretary shall 
                        describe in the annual report, to the extent 
                        applicable and practicable, for each proposed 
                        project study and proposed modification to an 
                        authorized water resources development project 
                        or project study included in the annual report, 
                        the benefits, as described in clause (ii), of 
                        each such study or proposed modification.
                            (ii) Benefits.--The benefits (or expected 
                        benefits, in the case of a proposed project 
                        study) described in this clause are benefits 
                        to--
                                    (I) the protection of human life 
                                and property;
                                    (II) improvement to domestic 
                                irrigated water and power supplies;
                                    (III) the national economy;
                                    (IV) the environment; or
                                    (V) the national security interests 
                                of the United States.
                    (C) Identification of other factors.--The Secretary 
                shall identify in the annual report, to the extent 
                practicable--
                            (i) for each proposed project study 
                        included in the annual report, the non-Federal 
                        interest that submitted the proposed project 
                        study pursuant to subsection (b); and
                            (ii) for each proposed project study and 
                        proposed modification to a surface water 
                        storage project or project study included in 
                        the annual report, whether the non-Federal 
                        interest has demonstrated--
                                    (I) that local support exists for 
                                the proposed project study or proposed 
                                modification to an authorized surface 
                                water storage project or project study 
                                (including the surface water storage 
                                development project that is the subject 
                                of the proposed feasibility study or 
                                the proposed modification to an 
                                authorized project study); and
                                    (II) the financial ability to 
                                provide the required non-Federal cost 
                                share.
            (2) Transparency.--The Secretary shall include in the 
        annual report, for each project report, proposed project study, 
        and proposed modification to a surface water storage project or 
        project study included under paragraph (1)(A)--
                    (A) the name of the associated non-Federal 
                interest, including the name of any non-Federal 
                interest that has contributed, or is expected to 
                contribute, a non-Federal share of the cost of--
                            (i) the project report;
                            (ii) the proposed project study;
                            (iii) the authorized project study for 
                        which the modification is proposed; or
                            (iv) construction of--
                                    (I) the surface water storage 
                                project that is the subject of--
                                            (aa) the water report;
                                            (bb) the proposed project 
                                        study; or
                                            (cc) the authorized project 
                                        study for which a modification 
                                        is proposed; or
                                    (II) the proposed modification to a 
                                surface water storage development 
                                project;
                    (B) a letter or statement of support for the water 
                report, proposed project study, or proposed 
                modification to an authorized surface water storage 
                development project or project study from each 
                associated non-Federal interest;
                    (C) the purpose of the feasibility report, proposed 
                feasibility study, or proposed modification to an 
                authorized surface water storage project or project 
                study;
                    (D) an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the 
                Federal, non-Federal, and total costs of--
                            (i) the proposed modification to an 
                        authorized project study; and
                            (ii) construction of--
                                    (I) the surface water storage 
                                development project that is the subject 
                                of--
                                            (aa) the project report; or
                                            (bb) the authorized project 
                                        study for which a modification 
                                        is proposed, with respect to 
                                        the change in costs resulting 
                                        from such modification; or
                                    (II) the proposed modification to 
                                an authorized surface water storage 
                                development project; and
                    (E) an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the 
                monetary and nonmonetary benefits of--
                            (i) the surface water storage development 
                        project that is the subject of--
                                    (I) the project report; or
                                    (II) the authorized project study 
                                for which a modification is proposed, 
                                with respect to the benefits of such 
                                modification; or
                            (ii) the proposed modification to an 
                        authorized surface water storage development 
                        project.
            (3) Certification.--The Secretary shall include in the 
        annual report a certification stating that each feasibility 
        report, proposed feasibility study, and proposed modification 
        to a surface water storage project or project study included in 
        the annual report meets the criteria established in paragraph 
        (1)(A).
            (4) Appendix.--The Secretary shall include in the annual 
        report an appendix listing the proposals submitted under 
        subsection (b) that were not included in the annual report 
        under paragraph (1)(A) and a description of why the Secretary 
        determined that those proposals did not meet the criteria for 
        inclusion under such paragraph.
    (d) Special Rule for Initial Annual Report.--Notwithstanding any 
other deadlines required by this section, the Secretary shall--
            (1) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
        this Act, publish in the Federal Register a notice required by 
        subsection (b)(1); and
            (2) include in such notice a requirement that non-Federal 
        interests submit to the Secretary any proposals described in 
        subsection (b)(1) by not later than 120 days after the date of 
        publication of such notice in the Federal Register in order for 
        such proposals to be considered for inclusion in the first 
        annual report developed by the Secretary under this section.
    (e) Publication.--Upon submission of an annual report to Congress, 
the Secretary shall make the annual report publicly available, 
including through publication on the Internet.
    (f) Definition.--In this section the term ``project report'' means 
a final feasibility report developed under the Reclamation Act of 1902 
(32 Stat. 388), and all Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary 
thereto.
                                 <all>
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