388
(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 
duties. 
(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 
working group. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Travel expenses incurred 
by members of the Task Force, or members of an associ-
ated working group, in the performance of their service 
on the Task Force or working group shall be paid by the 
agency or entity that the member represents. 
(f) APPLICATION
OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ACT.—The Task Force and any working group 
established by the Task Force shall not be considered an 
advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Com-
mittee 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.
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(b) EXISTING FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED WATER RE-
SOURCES PROJECTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall review 
existing federally authorized water resources projects 
in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem in order to deter-
mine their consistency with the purposes of this sec-
tion 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 ap-
propriated $10,000,000 to carry out this subsection. 
SEC. 7005. CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) COASTAL LOUISIANA ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out a coastal Louisiana ecosystem program substan-
tially in accordance with the Plan, at a total cost of 
$50,000,000. 
(2) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the pro-
gram shall be to—
(A) identify uncertainties about the phys-
ical, chemical, geological, biological, and cul-
tural baseline conditions in the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; 
(B) improve the State of knowledge of the 
physical, chemical, geological, biological, and
390
cultural baseline conditions in the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; and 
(C) identify and develop technologies, mod-
els, and methods that could be useful in car-
rying out the purposes of this title. 
(3) WORKING GROUPS.—The Secretary may es-
tablish such working groups as are necessary to as-
sist 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 
scientific and engineering experts in the restoration 
of aquatic and marine ecosystems, including a con-
sortium of academic institutions in Louisiana and 
Mississippi 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 sub-
stantially in accordance with the Plan for the pur-
pose of resolving critical areas of scientific or tech-
nological uncertainty related to the implementation 
of the comprehensive plan to be developed under sec-
tion 7002(c)(3). 
(2) MAXIMUM COST.—