I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1013
To promote recreation on Federal lakes, to require Federal agencies respon-
sible for managing Federal lakes to pursue strategies for enhancing
recreational experiences of the public, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 14, 2001
Mr. DEAL of Georgia (for himself, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. TANCREDO,
and Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Com-
mittees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Agriculture, for a pe-
riod to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for con-
sideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com-
mittee concerned
A BILL
To promote recreation on Federal lakes, to require Federal
agencies responsible for managing Federal lakes to pur-
sue strategies for enhancing recreational experiences of
the public, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Recreation
Lakes Act of 2001’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that—
(1) recreation is an authorized purpose at al-
most all Federal lakes;
(2) lakes created by Federal dam projects have
become powerful magnets for diverse recreation ac-
tivities, drawing hundreds of millions of visits annu-
ally and generating tens of billions of dollars in eco-
nomic benefits;
(3) recreational opportunities are provided at
such lakes, on surrounding land, and on downstream
tailwaters by Federal agencies and through partner-
ships among Federal, State, and local government
agencies and private persons; and
(4) the quality of recreational opportunities at
and around Federal lakes depends on clean air and
water and attractive viewsheds.
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are—
(1) to require Federal agencies responsible for
management of lakes created by Federal dam
projects to pursue strategies for enhancing rec-
reational experiences at the lakes; and
(2) to direct Federal agencies to investigate the
possibilities for the use of, and to use, creative man-
agement of the project lakes that optimizes both rec-
reational opportunities and other purposes of the
project lakes, including—
(A) provision of agricultural and municipal
water supplies;
(B) provision of flood control and naviga-
tion benefits;
(C) production of hydroelectric power; and
(D) protection of water quality.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means the
Federal Lakes Recreation Leadership Council estab-
lished by section 5.
(2) NATIONAL
RECREATION
DEMONSTRATION
LAKE.—The term ‘‘national recreation demonstra-
tion lake’’ means a project lake that is designated as
a national recreation demonstration lake under sec-
tion 4.
(3) PARTICIPATING AGENCY.—The term ‘‘par-
ticipating agency’’ means—
(A) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
(B) the Bureau of Land Management;
(C) the Bureau of Reclamation;
(D) the National Park Service;
(E) the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service;
(F) the Forest Service;
(G) the Army Corps of Engineers;
(H) the Tennessee Valley Authority; and
(I) any other project lake management
agency that participates in the Program at the
request of the Council.
(4) PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘Program’’ means
the national recreation lakes demonstration program
established by section 4.
(5) PROJECT LAKE.—The term ‘‘project lake’’
means an impoundment of water that—
(A) is part of a water resources project op-
erated, maintained, or constructed by or with
the participation of any Federal agency;
(B) has a maximum storage capacity of
200 acre feet or more; and
(C) includes recreation as an authorized
purpose.
(6) PROJECT LAKE MANAGEMENT AGENCY.—
The term ‘‘project lake management agency’’ means
a Federal agency that manages a project lake.
(7) RECREATION.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘recreation’’
means—
(i) a water-related recreational activ-
ity that takes place on, adjacent to, or in
a project lake or tailwater; and
(ii) a recreational activity or wildlife-
related activity that takes place on feder-
ally managed land in the vicinity of a
project lake that is permitted under a land
management plan in effect on the date of
enactment of this Act.
(B) INCLUSIONS.—The term ‘‘recreation’’
includes—
(i) boating (including power boating,
sailing, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing),
diving, swimming, camping, trail-based ac-
tivities, and picnicking; and
(ii) fishing and other wildlife-related
activities.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL RECREATION LAKES DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established the Na-
tional Recreation Lakes Demonstration Program con-
sisting of the 25 national recreation demonstration lakes
to be established under this Act.
(b) CRITERIA.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Council shall develop
and establish criteria for use in selecting project
lakes managed by participating agencies for designa-
tion as national recreation demonstration lakes.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The criteria shall—
(A) include lake size, diversity of current
and potential recreational uses, opportunities
for partnerships with private and public enti-
ties, and present and projected regional recre-
ation demand; and
(B) require a strong showing of local sup-
port from the area of the lake, including sup-
port from State and local governments, private
citizens, and businesses.
(3) CONSULTATION.—In developing the criteria,
the Council shall consult with participating agencies
to encourage the nomination of project lakes for the
Program so as to include project lakes in all regions
of the country and project lakes that will provide a
variety of recreational experiences.
(c) NOMINATION OF NATIONAL RECREATION DEM-
ONSTRATION LAKES.—A participating agency or an inter-
est group located in the immediate vicinity of a project
lake may nominate the project lake to become a national
recreation demonstration lake by submitting to the Coun-
cil a nomination in accordance with such procedures as
the Council may establish.
(d) DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL RECREATION DEM-
ONSTRATION LAKES.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—On receiving the nomina-
tions from participating agencies and local interest
groups, the Council shall designate 25 project lakes
to be national recreation demonstration lakes.
(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.—In selecting project
lakes for designation as national recreation dem-
onstration lakes, the Council shall endeavor to in-
clude project lakes in all regions of the country and
project lakes that will provide a variety of rec-
reational experiences.
(3) EFFECTIVE PERIOD.—A designation of a
project lake as a national recreation demonstration
lake shall be effective for a period not to exceed 10
years.
(e) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES AT NATIONAL RECRE-
ATION DEMONSTRATION LAKES.—
(1) ENHANCEMENT
OF
RECREATION
ACTIVI-
TIES.—Each participating agency shall use authori-
ties under this Act to enhance opportunities for
recreation activities on, in, and in the vicinity of na-
tional recreation demonstration lakes.
(2) NEW
AUTHORITIES.—In accordance with
the Act of October 22, 1986 (16 U.S.C. 497b) and
the Act of November 13, 1998 (16 U.S.C. 5951 et
seq.), the head of any participating agency except
the National Park Service may conduct any activity
to experiment with permits, fees, concession agree-
ments, and innovative management structures at a
national recreation demonstration lake under the ju-
risdiction of the participating agency.
(3) ASSISTANCE TO UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERN-
MENT IN THE VICINITY OF A NATIONAL RECREATION
DEMONSTRATION LAKE.—The head of any partici-
pating agency that manages a national recreation
demonstration lake may carry out activities (includ-
ing planning and marketing activities, the establish-
ment of advisory boards, and other activities) to im-
prove communications and cooperation between the
agency and local community interests in the vicinity
of the lake with respect to management of the na-
tional recreation demonstration lake.
(f) LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES.—
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—Under guidelines devel-
oped by the Council, the head of a participating
agency shall establish, for each national recreation
demonstration lake managed by the agency, a local
advisory committee comprised of State and local
government and private sector representatives.
(2) DUTIES.—The duties of a local advisory
committee shall be to recommend and coordinate
with project lake managers on projects proposed to
be completed by the participating agency under the
Program.
(3) 
OTHER
AUTHORITIES
AND
REQUIRE-
MENTS.—
(A) MEETINGS.—All meetings of a local
advisory committee shall be announced at least
1 week in advance in a local newspaper of
record and shall be open to the public.
(B) RECORDS.—A local advisory com-
mittee shall maintain records of the meetings of
the committee and make the records available
for public inspection.
(C) COMPENSATION.—Members of a local
advisory committee shall not receive any com-
pensation.
(D) 
FEDERAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE
ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
(c) TERMS; VACANCIES.—
(1) TERMS.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Except as provided
under subparagraph (B), a member shall be ap-
pointed for the life of the Council.
(B) PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE.—A mem-
ber of the Council appointed under paragraph
(5), (6), or (7) of subsection (b) shall be ap-
pointed for a term of 5 years.
(2) VACANCIES.—A vacancy on the Council—
(A) shall not affect the powers of the
Council; and
(B) shall be filled in the same manner as
the original appointment was made.
(d) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Council shall be
to—
(1) increase the awareness of the social and
economic values associated with project lake recre-
ation among project lake management agencies and
other stakeholders with an interest in recreation at
project lakes;
(2) develop policies that provide an environment
for success that emphasizes the role of recreation at
project lakes;
(3) protect and manage recreation and other re-
sources to optimize all resource benefits; and
(4) promote a process that will involve Federal,
State, tribal, and local units of government and field
managers in the planning, development, and man-
agement of recreation uses at project lakes.
(e) DUTIES.—The Council shall—
(1)(A) work to implement the goals and rec-
ommendations of the National Recreation Lakes
Study Commission as detailed in the Commission’s
1999 report entitled ‘‘Reservoirs of Opportunity’’;
and
(B) use the report as a guide for all Council ac-
tions;
(2) solicit each project lake management agency
to become a participating agency;
(3) respond to requests for assistance from
Members of Congress in drafting legislation, includ-
ing new authorization and funding requirements, to
best achieve the purposes of this Act;
(4) promote collaboration among agencies to
provide training opportunities, interagency develop-
ment assignments, and regular lake manager meet-
ings;
(5) promote the development and consistency
of—
(A) data collection at project lakes,
including—
(i) making scientific assessments of
watershed and natural resource conditions;
and
(ii) making assessments of customer
facility and infrastructure needs; and
(B) required maintenance schedules;
(6) promote agency policies that encourage con-
struction, operation, and maintenance of high qual-
ity visitor and recreational services and facilities by
concessioners and permittees at project lakes, includ-
ing adequate opportunities for profitability and re-
covery of capital investments;
(7) develop consistent guidance to encourage
construction, operation, and maintenance of com-
mercial recreation facilities and other visitor amen-
ities at project lakes;
(8) recognize and reward innovation and col-
laboration at project lakes;
(9) develop public information materials to
identify the type and location of recreation facilities
and programs at project lakes;
(10) promote cooperation and share new ap-
proaches from Federal and State managing agen-
cies, Indian tribes, and the private sector to embrace
a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship;
(11) develop training courses on business skills
to close the recreation needs gap;
(12) support annual regional workshops with
State, tribal, local, and private sector participants to
seek feedback and assistance in achieving the goals
of the Program;
(13) develop and establish an application and
selection process to implement the Program;
(14) develop guidelines for the formation of
local advisory committees to be established by
project lake management agencies managing na-
tional recreation demonstration lakes; and
(15) develop and administer a competitive grant
program for distributing available funds among na-
tional recreation demonstration lakes for purposes
described in this Act under which—
(A) the total number of lakes improved
under the program shall not exceed 25 lakes;
and
(B) grants are provided in a manner that,
to the maximum extent practicable, reflects the
geographical diversity of the United States.
(f) PRINCIPLES.—In all its actions and recommenda-
tions, the Council shall consider the following principles:
(1) WATERSHED HEALTH.—The health of the
watersheds associated with project lakes must be
protected.
(2) NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.—Neighboring
communities should be encouraged to participate in
planning the recreation needs and other uses of
project lakes to help to diversify the economic base
of the community and promote sustainable practices
to protect resources.
(3) FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES.—Federal re-
sponsibilities to enhance recreation at project lakes
while operating projects to optimize water use for all
beneficial purposes should be reaffirmed.
(4) MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY.—Management
flexibility should be increased and support for man-
agement innovation should be demonstrated.
(5) SUPPORT.—Public and private support
should be attracted to provide public outdoor recre-
ation activities at project lakes.
(g) TERMINATION.—The Council shall terminate 15
years after the date that funds are first made available
for this section.
(h) FACA.—The Council shall be subject to the Fed-
eral Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
SEC. 6. PERIODIC REVIEW AND REVISION OF OPERATING
POLICIES FOR PROJECT LAKES.
(a) REPORTS.—
(1) PROJECT LAKE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES.—
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment
of this Act, the head of each project lake manage-
ment agency shall submit to the Committee on En-
ergy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Com-
mittee on Resources of the House of Representa-
tives, and the Council a report that describes—
(A) actions taken by the agency to commu-
nicate to personnel of the agency the require-
ments of this Act and other laws relating to
recreation use of project lakes; and
(B) actions to be taken by the agency to
expand recreation opportunities at project lakes,
including a schedule for taking the actions.
(2) COUNCIL.—Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Sen-
ate, and the Committee on Resources of the House
of Representatives a report describing actions taken
by participating agencies to expand recreation op-
portunities at project lakes.
(3) PARTICIPATING AGENCIES.—
(A) PERIODIC
REPORTS.—The head of
each participating agency shall periodically re-
port to the Council regarding activities of the
participating agency under this section.
(B) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.—Not later
than 5 years after the date of enactment of this
Act and at least once every 15 years thereafter,
the head of each participating agency shall con-
duct a comprehensive review of operating poli-
cies for project lakes managed by the agency
that describes—
(i) the actions taken by the agency to
communicate to personnel of the agency
the requirements of this Act and other
laws relating to recreation use of project
lakes; and
(ii) the actions to be taken by the
agency to expand recreation opportunities
at project lakes, including a schedule for
taking the actions.
(b) POLICIES.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The head of each project
lake management agency shall—
(A) revise the policies of the agency as nec-
essary to incorporate new information and en-
sure coordinated management of project lakes
to produce high levels of benefits for recreation
and all authorized purposes and designated uses
of project lakes; and
(B) where recreation is consistent with the
project lake purposes and designated uses of
project lands and waters, give recreation appro-
priate attention in all agency decisions and poli-
cies relating to the project lake.
(2) TAILWATERS.—In conducting any activity
relating to the tailwater of a project lake, the head
of a project lake management agency shall—
(A) investigate ways to consider rec-
reational uses dependent on water release
schedules and release volumes;
(B) consider release schedules to enhance
such opportunities and uses of the tailwater;
and
(C) appropriately balance all of the pur-
poses of the project.
SEC. 7. RECREATION FEE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
Section 315 of the Department of the Interior and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (16 U.S.C.
460l–6a note; Public Law 104–134), is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘, the Bureau of Reclama-
tion,’’ after ‘‘the National Park Service’’;
(B) by striking ‘‘Service) and’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘Service),’’; and
(C) by inserting before ‘‘shall each’’ the
following: ‘‘, and the Secretary of the Army
(acting through the Corps of Engineers)’’;
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘‘four agen-
cies’’ and inserting ‘‘6 agencies’’; and
(3) in subsection (e)—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ and inserting a
comma; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘, and the Secretary of
the Army’’ before ‘‘shall carry out’’.
SEC. 8. USE OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT FUNDING FOR
MATCHING 
REQUIREMENTS 
FOR 
RECRE-
ATION PROJECTS AT NATIONAL RECREATION
DEMONSTRATION LAKES.
(a) FEDERAL WATER PROJECT RECREATION ACT.—
The Federal Water Project Recreation Act is amended—
(1) in section 2 (16 U.S.C. 460l–13)—
(A) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘it and
to bear’’ and all that follows through ‘‘recre-
ation,’’ and inserting ‘‘the project,’’; and
(B) in subsection (b)—
(i) by striking ‘‘recreation and’’; and
(ii) by striking ‘‘recreation or’’;
(2) in section 3 (16 U.S.C. 460l–14)—
(A) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ‘‘it
and will bear’’ the first place it appears and all
that follows through ‘‘recreation,’’ and inserting
‘‘the project,’’; and
(B) in subsection (c), by striking para-
graph (2); and
(3) in section 4 (16 U.S.C. 460l–15), by strik-
ing ‘‘recreation and’’ and all that follows through
‘‘those purposes’’ and inserting ‘‘fish and wildlife
purposes’’.
(b) FEDERAL AID IN FISH RESTORATION ACT.—The
Act of August 9, 1950 (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) is amended
by striking the first section 13 (relating to effective date)
and the second section 13 (relating to State use of con-
tributions) and inserting the following:
‘‘SEC. 13. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT
SPENDING TO NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF COV-
ERED RECREATION PROJECTS.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) COVERED
RECREATION
PROJECT.—The
term ‘covered recreation project’ means construction
or reconstruction of a facility for recreation at a na-
tional recreation demonstration lake that is carried
out with assistance under this Act.
‘‘(2) NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION
LAKE.—The term ‘national recreation demonstration
lake’ has the meaning given the term in section 2 of
the National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.
‘‘(3) RECREATION.—The term ‘recreation’ has
the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Na-
tional Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.
‘‘(b) TREATMENT
OF USE
OF AMOUNTS APPRO-
PRIATED FOR A FEDERAL WATER PROJECT.—The use for
any covered recreation project of amounts appropriated
for a Federal water project shall be treated as payment
of the non-Federal share of costs required under this
Act.’’.
(c) FEDERAL
AID
IN
WILDLIFE
RESTORATION
ACT.—The Act of September 2, 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669 et
seq.) is amended—
(1) by redesignating section 10 as section 11;
and
(2) by inserting after section 9 the following:
‘‘SEC. 10. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT
SPENDING 
TO 
NON-FEDERAL 
SHARE 
OF
RECREATION PROJECTS.
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section:
‘‘(1) COVERED
RECREATION
PROJECT.—The
term ‘covered recreation project’ means construction
or reconstruction of a facility for recreation at a na-
tional recreation demonstration lake that is carried
out with assistance under this Act.
‘‘(2) NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION
LAKE.—The term ‘national recreation demonstration
lake’ has the meaning given the term in section 2 of
the National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.
‘‘(3) RECREATION.—The term ‘recreation’ has
the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Na-
tional Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.
‘‘(b) TREATMENT
OF USE
OF AMOUNTS APPRO-
PRIATED FOR A FEDERAL WATER PROJECT.—The use for
any covered recreation project of amounts appropriated
for a Federal water project shall be treated as payment
of the non-Federal share of costs required under this
Act.’’.
SEC. 9. COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTION
OF RECREATION FACILITY.
(a) ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED.—The head of each
project lake management agency may provide financial as-
sistance to a State or local agency to cover a portion of
the total costs incurred for the reconstruction of a recre-
ation facility operated under an agreement with the State
or local agency at a project lake.
(b) COSTS INCLUDED.—The total costs of reconstruc-
tion of a recreation facility at a national demonstration
lake include the costs associated with all components of
the reconstruction project, including—
(1) project administration;
(2) the provision of technical assistance; and
(3) contracting and construction costs.
(c) LIMITATION.—Assistance provided under sub-
section (a) shall not be used for costs incurred in main-
taining or operating the recreation facility.
SEC. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.
This Act does not affect—
(1) the purposes of any project lake authorized
before the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) the authority of any State to manage fish
and wildlife; or
(3) the authority of any State or the Federal
Government to enter into any agreement relating to
a project lake.
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2002 through 2006, to remain available until ex-
pended.
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.—Not more than 5 per-
cent of the funds made available under subsection (a) may
be used to pay administrative costs incurred by the Sec-
retary of the Interior in coordinating the activities of the
Council and participating agencies under this Act.
Æ