II 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 3152 

To provide for a comprehensive study by the National Research Council 

of the National Academies to assess the water management, needs, 

and conservation of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 18, 2008 

Mr. NELSON of Florida (for himself and Mr. MARTINEZ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works 

A BILL 

To provide for a comprehensive study by the National Research Council of the National Academies to assess the 

water management, needs, and conservation of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. STUDY ON THE APALACHICOLA-CHATTAHOO4 CHEE-FLINT RIVER SYSTEM. 

5 (a) NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL STUDY.—Not 

6 later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, 

7 the Secretary of the Army shall enter into an agreement 

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1 emies under which the Council shall conduct a comprehen2 sive study of the water management, needs, and conserva3 tion of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Sys4 tem (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘ACF River System’’). 

5 (b) MATTERS TO BE ADDRESSED.—The study under 

6 subsection (a) shall include the following: 

7 (1) A summary of the existing body of scientific 

8 knowledge on— 

9 (A) the ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, 

10 and biogeochemistry of the Apalachicola River 

11 and the greater ACF River System; 

12 (B) the ecosystem services provided by the 

13 Apalachicola River; 

14 (C) the impact of variation in freshwater 

15 flow on the ecology of the river and downstream 

16 coastal ecosystems, including the Apalachicola 

17 Bay ecosystem; and 

18 (D) how to restore the natural hydraulic 

19 function of the ACF River System, including 

20 restoration of floodplains and wetlands. 

21 (2) An assessment of models that serve as the 

22 basis for the master manuals of the ACF River Sys23 tem. 

24 (3) An assessment of water availability, supply 

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1 cioeconomic factors that influence uses in the ACF 

2 River System, including water quality, navigation, 

3 hydropower, recreation, in-stream ecology, and flood 

4 control. 

5 (4) An assessment of policies, regulations, and 

6 other factors that affect Federal water project oper7 ations. 

8 (5) Recommendations for an approach to deter9 mine water limits that recognize the needs of all 

10 water users along the ACF River System, including 

11 adequate in-stream flow requirements. 

12 (6) Recommendations for any additional meas13 ures to address the long-term watershed manage14 ment needs of the ACF River System as the Na15 tional Research Council considers appropriate. 

16 (c) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after entering 

17 into an agreement under subsection (a), the National Re18 search Council shall submit to the Secretary of the Army 

19 and Congress a report containing the findings of the study 

20 under subsection (a) and such other recommendations as 

21 the Council considers appropriate. 

22 (d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the 

23 purpose of carrying out this Act, there is authorized to 

24 be appropriated $1,200,000. 

Æ 


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