337
(3) submit to Congress a biennial report that 
summarizes the activities of the Task Force and 
progress towards the purposes set forth in section 
7002(c)(1). 
(c) PROCEDURES
AND
ADVICE.—The Task Force 
shall—
(1) implement procedures to facilitate public 
participation with regard to Task Force activities, in-
cluding—
(A) providing advance notice of meetings; 
(B) providing adequate opportunity for 
public input and comment; 
(C) maintaining appropriate records; and 
(D) making a record of proceedings avail-
able for public inspection; and 
(2) establish such working groups as are nec-
essary to assist the Task Force in carrying out its du-
ties. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Task Force or 
any associated working group may not receive compensa-
tion for their services as members of the Task Force or work-
ing group. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Travel expenses incurred by 
members of the Task Force, or members of an associated 
working group, in the performance of their service on the
338
Task Force or working group shall be paid by the agency 
or entity that the member represents. 
(f) APPLICATION OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
ACT.—The Task Force and any working group established 
by the Task Force shall not be considered an advisory com-
mittee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.). 
SEC. 7004. INVESTIGATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct feasi-
bility studies for future authorization and large-scale stud-
ies substantially in accordance with the Plan at a total cost 
$130,000,000. 
(b) EXISTING FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED WATER RE-
SOURCES PROJECTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall review ex-
isting federally authorized water resources projects in 
the coastal Louisiana ecosystem in order to determine 
their consistency with the purposes of this section and 
whether the projects have the potential to contribute 
to ecosystem restoration through revised operations or 
modified project features. 
(2) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $10,000,000 to carry out this subsection. 
SEC. 7005. CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) COASTAL LOUISIANA ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM.—
339
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out 
a coastal Louisiana ecosystem program substantially 
in accordance with the Plan, at a total cost of 
$50,000,000. 
(2) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the program 
shall be to—
(A) identify uncertainties about the phys-
ical, chemical, geological, biological, and cultural 
baseline conditions in the coastal Louisiana eco-
system; 
(B) improve the State of knowledge of the 
physical, chemical, geological, biological, and 
cultural baseline conditions in the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; and 
(C) identify and develop technologies, mod-
els, and methods that could be useful in carrying 
out the purposes of this title. 
(3) WORKING GROUPS.—The Secretary may es-
tablish such working groups as are necessary to assist 
in carrying out this subsection. 
(4) PROCEDURES AND ADVICE.—In carrying out 
this subsection, the Secretary is authorized to enter 
into contracts and cooperative agreements with sci-
entific and engineering experts in the restoration of 
aquatic and marine ecosystems, including a consor-
340
tium of academic institutions in Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi for coastal restoration and enhancement 
through science and technology. 
(b) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) and 
(3), the Secretary may carry out projects substan-
tially in accordance with the Plan for the purpose of 
resolving critical areas of scientific or technological 
uncertainty related to the implementation of the com-
prehensive plan to be developed under section 
7002(c)(3). 
(2) MAXIMUM COST.—
(A) TOTAL COST.—The total cost for plan-
ning, design, and construction of all demonstra-
tion projects under this subsection shall not ex-
ceed $100,000,000. 
(B) INDIVIDUAL PROJECT.—The total cost of 
an individual demonstration project under this 
subsection shall not exceed $25,000,000. 
(c) INITIAL PROJECTS.—The Secretary is authorized 
to carry out the following projects substantially in accord-
ance with the Plan: 
(1) Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Environmental 
Restoration at a total cost of $105,300,000.