San Francisco Bay Restoration Act

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish a grant program to support the restoration of San Francisco Bay. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the San Francisco Bay Restoration Act 2. San Francisco Bay restoration grant program Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. 123. San Francisco Bay restoration grant program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Annual priority list The term annual priority list (2) Comprehensive plan The term comprehensive plan (A) the comprehensive conservation and management plan approved under section 320 for the San Francisco Bay estuary; and (B) any amendments to that plan. (3) Estuary partnership The term Estuary Partnership (b) Annual priority list (1) In general After providing public notice, the Administrator shall annually compile a priority list identifying and prioritizing the activities, projects, and studies intended to be funded with the amounts made available under subsection (c). (2) Inclusions The annual priority list compiled under paragraph (1) shall include— (A) activities, projects, or studies, including restoration projects and habitat improvement for fish, waterfowl, and wildlife, that advance the goals and objectives of the approved comprehensive plan; (B) information on the activities, projects, programs, or studies specified under subparagraph (A), including a description of— (i) the identities of the financial assistance recipients; and (ii) the communities to be served; and (C) the criteria and methods established by the Administrator for selection of activities, projects, and studies. (3) Consultation In developing the priority list under paragraph (1), the Administrator shall consult with and consider the recommendations of— (A) the Estuary Partnership; (B) the State of California and affected local governments in the San Francisco Bay estuary watershed; and (C) any other relevant stakeholder involved with the protection and restoration of the San Francisco Bay estuary that the Administrator determines to be appropriate. (c) Grant program (1) In general Pursuant to section 320, the Administrator may provide funding through cooperative agreements, grants, or other means to State and local agencies, special districts, and public or nonprofit agencies, institutions, and organizations, including the Estuary Partnership, for activities, studies, or projects identified on the annual priority list. (2) Maximum amount of grants; non-Federal share (A) Maximum amount of grants Amounts provided to any individual or entity under this section for a fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to 75 percent of the total cost of any eligible activities that are to be carried out using those amounts. (B) Non-Federal share The non-Federal share of the total cost of any eligible activities that are carried out using amounts provided under this section shall be— (i) not less than 25 percent; and (ii) provided from non-Federal sources. (d) Funding (1) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019. (2) Administrative expenses Of the amount made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Administrator shall use not more than 5 percent to pay administrative expenses incurred in carrying out this section. (3) Relationship to other funding Nothing in this section limits the eligibility of the Estuary Partnership to receive funding under section 320(g). (4) Prohibition No amounts made available under subsection (c) may be used for the administration of a management conference under section 320. .

Summary: San Francisco Bay Restoration Act This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency to provide funding for prioritized activities, studies, or projects that advance the goals and objectives of the comprehensive management plan for the San Francisco estuary. Funding may be provided through cooperative agreements, grants, or other means. Funding may not be used for the administration of a management conference for the San Francisco estuary under the National Estuary Program. Funding amounts provided under this Act may not exceed 75% of the total cost of eligible activities to be carried out using those amounts. This bill authorizes appropriations for the funding program through FY2019.