I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2247 
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance 
for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 10, 2019 
Mr. HECK (for himself and Mr. KILMER) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
A BILL 
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to pro-
vide assistance for programs and activities to protect 
the water quality of Puget Sound, and for other pur-
poses. 
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 ‘‘Promoting United Gov-
ernment Efforts To Save Our Sound Act’’ or the 
‘‘PUGET SOS Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) Puget Sound and its tributary waters are 
one of the most ecologically diverse ecosystems in 
North America with natural resources that have eco-
logical, economic, and cultural importance to the 
United States and the many Tribal nations that 
have stewarded it for millennia. The health and pro-
ductivity of Puget Sound is not only the cornerstone 
of the region’s quality of life and vibrant economy, 
but its word-class salmon fishery, commercial aqua-
culture, agriculture, and port activities ripple 
throughout the Nation. 
(2) Threats to Puget Sound, such as water pol-
lution, sediment contamination, environmental deg-
radation, and habitat loss, jeopardize the economic 
productivity and natural resources that support the 
increasing population of the region. 
(3) For nearly a decade, State, local, and Tribal 
governments, cooperative partnerships, and con-
cerned citizens have worked together in a deliberate 
and coordinated way to direct and manage public re-
source allocation toward habitat restoration, improv-
ing water quality and shellfish farms, and developing 
a body of scientific knowledge, all of which have ad-
vanced the Puget Sound recovery efforts. 
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(4) Tribal governments with treaty-reserved 
rights in the natural resources of Puget Sound have 
long served as co-managers of fishery resources, 
have engaged in Puget Sound Partnership processes 
and public forums to encourage a holistic and sci-
entific approach to recovery efforts, and have contin-
ued in their role as stewards of Puget Sound, includ-
ing by engaging with multi-faceted restoration and 
protection actions, and are thus an indispensable, 
equal partner in all Puget Sound recovery actions. 
(5) Despite significant and nationally recog-
nized accomplishments, the rate of damage to Puget 
Sound still exceeds the rate of recovery. To outpace 
mounting pollutants and other cascading negative 
impacts, the next step in fortifying the recovery sys-
tem is to align Federal recovery and protection ef-
forts seamlessly with State, local, and Tribal invest-
ments. 
(6) At this time, water and air pollution, sedi-
ment contamination, habitat loss and decline, and 
water flow disruption continue to devastate the fish, 
marine mammal, bird, and shellfish populations of 
Puget Sound, threatening local economies and Tribal 
treaty rights and contributing to— 
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(A) significant declines in the populations 
of wild Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Summer 
Chum Salmon, Steelhead, and Pacific Herring, 
which are essential food sources for humans, 
fish, seabirds, mammals, and other wildlife; 
(B) risks to the sustainability of fish and 
shellfish populations, and their food chains, re-
productive cycles, and habitats, which also 
threaten Federal obligations to protect Tribal 
resources culture, traditions, and economies; 
(C) 113 marine species being listed at risk 
or vulnerable to extinction, according to State, 
Federal, and provincial lists that identify the 
species of Puget Sound and surrounding areas, 
including the iconic population of southern resi-
dent Orca whales; 
(D) sediment contaminated with toxic sub-
stances (such as polychlorinated biphenyls 
(PCBs), heavy metals (mercury), and oil 
(grease)), all of which are polluting Puget 
Sound, threatening public health, and posing 
significant dangers to humans, fish, and wild-
life; 
(E) rivers and beaches that fail to meet 
water quality standards and become unsafe for 
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salmon, as well as business and recreational ac-
tivities, such as fishing and swimming; 
(F) the closing of shellfish beds from con-
taminated pollution caused by sources such as 
stormwater and agricultural runoff; and 
(G) mortalities and morbidity in shellfish 
due to the acidification of Puget Sound. 
SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY; PURPOSE. 
(a) DECLARATION OF POLICY.—It is the policy of the 
United States that the Federal Government should sup-
port, partner, and collaborate with the regional efforts 
that are addressing environmental and natural resource 
issues involving Puget Sound because— 
(1) Puget Sound is a national treasure, the re-
covery and protection of which will significantly con-
tribute to the environmental, cultural, and economic 
well-being of the United States and the many Tribal 
nations that have stewarded it for millennia; 
(2) a more deliberate coordination of Federal 
investments with regional, local, and Tribal recovery 
and preservation efforts will be the most effective 
and efficient use of public resources; and 
(3) it is the role of the Federal Government to 
align its efforts and resources to— 
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(A) fully implement and enforce the goals 
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, in-
cluding State implementation of non-point 
source water quality standards for salmon, the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all other 
Federal laws that contribute to the recovery 
and protection of Puget Sound; 
(B) uphold Federal trust responsibilities to 
restore and protect resources crucial to Tribal 
treaty rights, including by carrying out govern-
ment-to-government consultation; 
(C) support regional, local, and Tribal ef-
forts to address environmental challenges; and 
(D) encourage local citizen and community 
stewardship. 
(b) PURPOSE.—It is the purpose of this Act to ensure 
that the recovery and protection programs, projects, and 
initiatives that the Federal Government undertakes in, or 
that otherwise impact, Puget Sound shall be actively co-
ordinated and aligned with the protection of Tribal treaty 
rights and resources the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, 
Salmon Recovery Plans, the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
Control Program, and the Puget Sound Action Agenda. 
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SEC. 4. PUGET SOUND COORDINATED RECOVERY. 
Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘SEC. 124. PUGET SOUND. 
‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following 
definitions apply: 
‘‘(1) COASTAL NONPOINT POLLUTION CONTROL 
PROGRAM.—The term ‘Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
Control Program’ means the State of Washington’s 
federally approved coastal nonpoint pollution control 
program required under section 6217(b) of the 
Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 
1990 (16 U.S.C. 1455(b)). 
‘‘(2) CO-CHAIRS.—The term ‘Co-Chairs’ means 
the co-chairs of the Task Force. 
‘‘(3) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Director’ means 
the Director of the Program Office. 
‘‘(4) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—The term ‘Execu-
tive Director’ means the Executive Director of the 
Puget Sound Partnership. 
‘‘(5) INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION.—The 
term ‘International Joint Commission’ means the 
International Joint Commission established by the 
United States and Canada under the Boundary 
Waters Treaty of 1909. 
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‘‘(6) PACIFIC SALMON COMMISSION.—The term 
‘Pacific Salmon Commission’ means the Pacific 
Salmon Commission established by the United 
States and Canada under the Pacific Salmon Trea-
ty. 
‘‘(7) PROGRAM
OFFICE.—The term ‘Program 
Office’ means the Puget Sound Recovery National 
Program Office of the Environmental Protection 
Agency established by this section. 
‘‘(8) PUGET SOUND.—The term ‘Puget Sound’ 
means the estuary that is an arm of the Pacific 
Ocean, extends inland, and meets 19 different river 
basins. 
‘‘(9) PUGET SOUND REGION.—The term ‘Puget 
Sound region’ includes all of the water that falls on 
the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and flows to 
meet Puget Sound’s marine waters. The Puget 
Sound region covers the land and waters in the 
northwest corner of the State of Washington from 
the Canadian border to the north to the Pacific 
Ocean on the west, including Hood Canal and the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca. 
‘‘(10) PUGET SOUND ACTION AGENDA; ACTION 
AGENDA.—The term ‘Puget Sound Action Agenda’ 
or ‘Action Agenda’ means the most recent plan de-
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veloped by the Puget Sound Management Con-
ference, in consultation with the Tribal Management 
Conference under the leadership of the Puget Sound 
Partnership and adopted by the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency as the Puget Sound Comprehensive 
Conservation and Management Plan. 
‘‘(11) PUGET SOUND FEDERAL TASK FORCE.— 
The term ‘Puget Sound Federal Task Force’ means 
the Puget Sound Federal Task Force established in 
2016 under a memorandum of understanding among 
9 Federal agencies. 
‘‘(12) PUGET
SOUND
FEDERAL
LEADERSHIP 
TASK FORCE; TASK FORCE.—The term ‘Puget Sound 
Federal Leadership Task Force’ or ‘Task Force’ 
means the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
Force established by this section. 
‘‘(13) PUGET SOUND NATIONAL ESTUARY PRO-
GRAM
MANAGEMENT
CONFERENCE.—The 
term 
‘Puget Sound National Estuary Program Manage-
ment Conference’ means the management conference 
for Puget Sound established pursuant to section 
320(c). 
‘‘(14) SALMON
RECOVERY
PLANS.—The term 
‘Salmon Recovery Plans’ means the federally ap-
proved recovery plans for salmon and steelhead spe-
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cies listed under section 4(f) of the Endangered Spe-
cies Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)). 
‘‘(15) PUGET SOUND PARTNERSHIP.—The term 
‘Puget Sound Partnership’ means the State agency 
that is established under the laws of the State of 
Washington (section 90.71.210 of the Revised Code 
of Washington), or its successor agency, that has 
been designated by the Environmental Protection 
Agency as the lead entity to support the manage-
ment conference for Puget Sound. 
‘‘(16) TREATY RIGHTS AT RISK INITIATIVE.— 
The term ‘Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative’ means 
the 2011 report from the Treaty Tribes of western 
Washington or its successor report, which outlines 
issues and offers solutions for the protection of Trib-
al treaty rights, recovery of salmon habitat, and 
management of sustainable treaty and non-treaty 
salmon fisheries, including through Tribal salmon 
hatchery programs. 
‘‘(17) 
STATE
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.—The 
term ‘State Advisory Committee’ means the advisory 
committee established by subsection (e). 
‘‘(18) PUGET
SOUND
TRIBAL
MANAGEMENT 
CONFERENCE.—The term ‘Puget Sound Tribal Man-
agement Conference’ means the 20 Treaty Tribes of 
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the Puget Sound region and along the coast of 
Washington State, and the Northwest Indian Fish-
eries Commission. 
‘‘(19) PUGET SOUND LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.— 
The term ‘Puget Sound Leadership Council’ means 
the governing body of the Puget Sound Partnership 
established under the laws of the State of Wash-
ington (section 90.71.210 of the Revised Code of 
Washington). 
‘‘(20) SALISH
SEA.—The term ‘Salish Sea’ 
means the network of coastal waterways on the west 
coast of North America that includes the Puget 
Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait of Juan 
de Fuca. 
‘‘(b) CONSISTENCY.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—All Federal agencies rep-
resented on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
Task Force shall act consistently with the protection 
of Tribal, treaty-reserved rights and, to the greatest 
extent practicable given their existing obligations 
under Federal law, act consistently with the objec-
tives and priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon 
Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, 
and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Pro-
gram, when— 
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‘‘(A) conducting Federal agency activities 
within or outside the Puget Sound that affect 
any land or water use or natural resources of 
Puget Sound and its tributary waters, including 
activities performed by a contractor for the ben-
efit of a Federal agency; 
‘‘(B) interpreting and enforcing regulations 
that impact the recovery and preservation of 
Puget Sound; 
‘‘(C) issuing Federal licenses or permits 
that impact the recovery and preservation of 
Puget Sound; and 
‘‘(D) granting Federal assistance to State, 
local, and Tribal governments for activities re-
lated to the recovery and preservation of Puget 
Sound. 
‘‘(2) EXEMPTIONS.—Any Federal agency activ-
ity necessary for national security, deemed by the 
President to be in the paramount interest of the 
United States, or determined by the Task Force, in 
consultation with the State Advisory Committee and 
the Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference, to 
be necessary to complete a project that was ap-
proved prior to the enactment of this section shall 
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be exempt from the consistency requirements estab-
lished in paragraph (1). 
‘‘(c) PUGET SOUND RECOVERY NATIONAL PROGRAM 
OFFICE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Environmental Protection Agency a Puget 
Sound Recovery National Program Office to be lo-
cated in the State of Washington. 
‘‘(2) DIRECTOR.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the 
Program Office shall be a career reserved posi-
tion, as such term is defined in section 
3132(a)(8) of title 5. 
‘‘(B) QUALIFICATIONS.—The Director of 
the Program Office, by reason of prior leader-
ship and project management experience, shall 
be highly qualified to— 
‘‘(i) support the integration of mul-
tiple project planning efforts and programs 
from different agencies and jurisdictions; 
and 
‘‘(ii) align numerous and often con-
flicting needs toward implementing a 
shared action agenda with visible and 
measurable outcomes. 
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‘‘(3) DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY; STAFFING.— 
The Administrator shall delegate to the Director 
such authority and provide such additional staff as 
may be necessary to carry out this subsection. 
‘‘(4) DUTIES.—The Director shall— 
‘‘(A) coordinate and manage the timely 
execution of the Environmental Protection 
Agency’s role described in this section, includ-
ing the formation and meetings of the Task 
Force; 
‘‘(B) coordinate Puget Sound recovery, 
protection, and restoration actions, programs, 
grants, science, research, and initiatives across 
the Agency; 
‘‘(C) coordinate and align the Agency’s 
strategies, policies, studies, programs, and ac-
tivities with the Puget Sound Action Agenda, 
Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk 
Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
Control Program; 
‘‘(D) promote the efficient use of Agency 
resources in pursuit of Puget Sound recovery; 
‘‘(E) serve on the Task Force and collabo-
rate with, help coordinate, and implement strat-
egies, policies, studies, programs, and activities 
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with other Federal agencies that have respon-
sibilities involving Puget Sound recovery and 
protection; 
‘‘(F) provide or procure such other advice, 
technical assistance, research, assessments, 
monitoring, or other support or enforcement as 
is deemed necessary or prudent to most effi-
ciently and effectively fulfill the objectives and 
priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recov-
ery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and 
the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Pro-
gram consistent with the best available science 
and to ensure that the health of the system is 
thereafter maintained; 
‘‘(G) track the progress of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency toward meeting the 
Agency’s specified goals and objectives within 
the Action Agenda; 
‘‘(H) implement the recommendations of 
the Government Accountability Office, as set 
forth in the report GAO–18–453 dated July 19, 
2018; 
‘‘(I) serve as liaison and coordinate 
projects, programs, and studies for the recovery 
and protection of the Salish Sea, with Canadian 
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authorities, the Pacific Salmon Commission, 
and the International Joint Commission; and 
‘‘(J) carry out such additional duties as 
the Administrator determines necessary and ap-
propriate. 
‘‘(d) PUGET SOUND FEDERAL LEADERSHIP TASK 
FORCE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a 
Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force. 
‘‘(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Task 
Force shall be to build upon the current membership 
of the Puget Sound Federal Task Force in order 
to— 
‘‘(A) provide a venue for dialogue and co-
ordination across all Federal agencies on the 
Task Force to align Federal resources for the 
purposes of achieving this section and all other 
Federal laws that contribute to the recovery 
and protection of Puget Sound and uphold Fed-
eral trust responsibilities to restore and protect 
resources crucial to Tribal treaty rights, includ-
ing carrying out government-to-govenment con-
sultation; 
‘‘(B) work with the Puget Sound Tribal 
Management Conference and the State Advisory 
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Committee to align and coordinate Federal ac-
tions impacting Puget Sound with the actions 
of State, local, and Tribal governments and 
other stakeholders as they have been coordi-
nated and prioritized in the Puget Sound Ac-
tion Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty 
Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal 
Nonpoint Pollution Control Program; 
‘‘(C) raise national awareness of the sig-
nificance of Puget Sound and thereby increase 
the importance of investment in its recovery, 
restoration, and protection efforts; 
‘‘(D) promote the efficient use of govern-
ment resources in pursuit of Puget Sound re-
covery through coordination and collaboration; 
‘‘(E) catalyze public leaders at all levels to 
work together toward shared goals by dem-
onstrating interagency best practices coming 
from the Federal partners; and 
‘‘(F) develop and approve, every 5 years, 
an Action Plan that leverages Federal programs 
across agencies, and serves to coordinate di-
verse programs on a specific suite of priorities 
on Puget Sound recovery. The Action Plan may 
not adversely affect national security. 
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‘‘(3) DUTIES.— 
‘‘(A) PARTICIPATION OF STATE ADVISORY 
COMMITTEE AND PUGET SOUND TRIBAL MAN-
AGEMENT CONFERENCE.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—The Task Force 
shall carry out its duties with input from 
and in collaboration with the State Advi-
sory Committee and Puget Sound Tribal 
Management Conference. 
‘‘(ii) SPECIFIC
ADVICE
AND
REC-
OMMENDATIONS.—The Task Force shall 
seek the advice and recommendations of 
the State Advisory Committee and Puget 
Sound Tribal Management Conference on 
the actions, progress, and issues pertaining 
to recovery and protection of Puget Sound. 
‘‘(B) GENERAL DUTIES.—The Task Force 
shall— 
‘‘(i) enable and encourage the Federal 
agencies represented on the Puget Sound 
Federal Leadership Task Force to act con-
sistently with the objectives and priorities 
of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery 
Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, 
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and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Con-
trol Program; 
‘‘(ii) facilitate the coordination of 
Federal activities that impact the recovery 
and protection of Puget Sound; 
‘‘(iii) facilitate the delivery of feed-
back given by Federal agencies to the 
Puget Sound Partnership during the devel-
opment of the Action Agenda; 
‘‘(iv) facilitate the resolution of (and, 
if necessary, seek to mediate in cooperation 
with the Executive Office of the President) 
interagency conflicts associated with the 
recovery and protection of Puget Sound 
among the agencies represented on the 
Task Force; 
‘‘(v) provide a forum for exchanging 
information among agencies regarding re-
sources, programs, projects, and activities 
being conducted, including obstacles or ef-
ficiencies found, during Puget Sound re-
covery and protection activities; 
‘‘(vi) ensure that the science necessary 
for recovery and protection of Puget Sound 
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is coordinated, planned, and implemented 
efficiently across the Federal Government; 
‘‘(vii) provide advice and support on 
scientific and technical issues and act as a 
forum for the exchange of scientific infor-
mation about Puget Sound; 
‘‘(viii) identify and inventory Federal 
environmental research and monitoring 
programs related to Puget Sound, and pro-
vide such inventory to the Puget Sound 
National Estuary Program Management 
Conference; 
‘‘(ix) ensure that Puget Sound recov-
ery and protection projects, programs, and 
studies are consistent with ongoing recov-
ery and protection and related efforts in 
the Salish Sea that are being conducted by 
Canadian authorities, the Pacific Salmon 
Commission, and the International Joint 
Commission; 
‘‘(x) establish any necessary working 
groups or advisory committees necessary to 
assist the Task Force in its duties, includ-
ing public policy and scientific issues; 
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‘‘(xi) work with the Office of Manage-
ment and Budget to give necessary input 
on the crosscut budget to be developed 
under subsection (g); and 
‘‘(xii) develop a biennial report on 
progress made towards the Action Plan, as 
described in subsection (d), to be sub-
mitted to the President, Congress, and the 
Governor of Washington. 
‘‘(C) FEEDBACK
BY
FEDERAL
AGEN-
CIES.—The feedback given by Federal agencies 
under subparagraph (B)(iii) shall consider, at a 
minimum, possible Federal actions designed 
to— 
‘‘(i) further the goals, targets, and ac-
tions of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recov-
ery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, 
and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Con-
trol Program; 
‘‘(ii) implement and enforce this Act, 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and 
all other Federal laws that contribute to 
the recovery and protection of Puget 
Sound, including those that protect Tribal 
treaty rights; 
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‘‘(iii) prevent the introduction and 
spread of invasive species; 
‘‘(iv) prevent the destruction of ma-
rine and wildlife habitats; 
‘‘(v) protect, restore, and conserve for-
ests, wetlands, riparian zones, and near-
shore waters that provide marine and wild-
life habitat; 
‘‘(vi) promote resilience to climate 
change and ocean acidification effects; 
‘‘(vii) conserve and recover endan-
gered species under the Endangered Spe-
cies Act of 1973; 
‘‘(viii) restore fisheries so that they 
are sustainable and productive; 
‘‘(ix) preserve biodiversity; 
‘‘(x) restore and protect ecosystem 
services that provide clean water, filter 
toxic chemicals, and increase ecosystem re-
silience; and 
‘‘(xi) improve water quality and re-
store wildlife habitat, including by pre-
venting and managing stormwater runoff, 
incorporating erosion control techniques, 
using sustainable stormwater practices, 
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and mitigating and minimizing other 
nonpoint source pollution. 
‘‘(D) USE OF PREVIOUS WORK.—The Task 
Force shall, to the extent practicable, use the 
work product produced, relied upon, and ana-
lyzed by the Puget Sound Federal Task Force 
in order to avoid duplicating the efforts of the 
Puget Sound Federal Task Force. 
‘‘(4) MEMBERSHIP.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The membership of 
the Task Force shall include representatives of 
Federal agencies that have responsibilities and 
authorities that govern recovery, conservation, 
and protection of the Puget Sound, its tribu-
taries, and watersheds. 
‘‘(B) 
QUALIFICATIONS.—Members 
ap-
pointed under this paragraph shall have experi-
ence and expertise in matters of recovery and 
protection of large watersheds and bodies of 
water or related experience that will benefit the 
recovery and protection effort of the Puget 
Sound. 
‘‘(C) 
COMPOSITION.—The 
Task 
Force 
shall be composed of the following members: 
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‘‘(i) SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.— 
The following individuals appointed by the 
Secretary of Agriculture (or the Sec-
retary’s designee): 
‘‘(I) A representative of the Na-
tional Forest Service. 
‘‘(II) A representative of the 
Natural Resources Conservation Serv-
ice. 
‘‘(ii) SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.—A 
representative of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration appointed by 
the Secretary of Commerce (or the Sec-
retary’s designee). 
‘‘(iii) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.—The 
following individuals appointed by the Sec-
retary of Defense (or the Secretary’s des-
ignee): 
‘‘(I) A representative of the U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers. 
‘‘(II) A representative of the 
Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 
‘‘(III) A representative of the 
Navy Region Northwest. 
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‘‘(iv) ADMINISTRATOR.—A representa-
tive of the Puget Sound Recovery National 
Program Office appointed by the Adminis-
trator (or the Administrator’s designee). 
‘‘(v) SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SE-
CURITY.—The following individuals ap-
pointed by the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity (or the Secretary’s designee): 
‘‘(I) A representative of the 
Coast Guard. 
‘‘(II) A representative of the 
Federal 
Emergency 
Management 
Agency. 
‘‘(vi) SECRETARY
OF
THE
INTE-
RIOR.—The following individuals appointed 
by the Secretary of the Interior (or the 
Secretary’s designee): 
‘‘(I) A representative of the Bu-
reau of Indian Affairs. 
‘‘(II) A representative of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Serv-
ice. 
‘‘(III) A representative of the 
United States Geological Survey. 
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‘‘(IV) A representative of the Na-
tional Park Service. 
‘‘(vii) 
SECRETARY
OF
TRANSPOR-
TATION.—The following individuals ap-
pointed by the Secretary of Transportation 
(or the Secretary’s designee): 
‘‘(I) A representative of the Fed-
eral Highway Administration. 
‘‘(II) A representative of the 
Federal Transit Administration. 
‘‘(viii) TASK FORCE.—Representatives 
of such other agencies, programs, and ini-
tiatives as the Task Force determines nec-
essary. 
‘‘(5) LEADERSHIP.—The Co-Chairs shall ensure 
the Task Force completes its duties through robust 
discussion of all relevant issues and with the partici-
pation of all members. The Co-Chairs shall share 
leadership responsibilities equally. 
‘‘(6) CO-CHAIRS.—The following members of 
the Task Force appointed under paragraph (4) shall 
serve as Co-Chairs of the Task Force: 
‘‘(A) The representative of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
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‘‘(B) The representative of the Puget 
Sound Recovery National Program Office. 
‘‘(C) The representative of the Corps of 
Engineers. 
‘‘(7) MEETINGS.— 
‘‘(A) INITIAL MEETING.—The Task Force 
shall meet not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this section— 
‘‘(i) to determine if all Federal agen-
cies are properly represented; 
‘‘(ii) to establish the bylaws of the 
Task Force; 
‘‘(iii) to establish necessary working 
groups or committees; and 
‘‘(iv) to determine subsequent meeting 
times, dates, and logistics. 
‘‘(B) SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.—After the 
initial meeting, the Task Force shall meet, at a 
minimum, twice per year to carry out the duties 
of the Task Force. 
‘‘(C) WORKING GROUP MEETINGS.—Meet-
ings of any established working groups or com-
mittees of the Task Force shall not count to-
ward the minimum biannual meeting require-
ment of the full Task Force. 
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‘‘(D) JOINT MEETINGS.—The Task Force 
shall offer to meet jointly with the Puget Sound 
National Estuary Program Management Con-
ference and the Puget Sound Tribal Manage-
ment Conference, at a minimum, once per year. 
These meetings may substitute for one of the 
two minimum biannual meetings of the full 
Task Force, if mutually agreed upon by all par-
ticipants. 
‘‘(E) QUORUM.—A majority number of the 
members of the Task Force shall constitute a 
quorum. 
‘‘(F) VOTING.—For the Task Force to 
pass a measure, a two-thirds percentage of the 
quorum must vote in the affirmative. 
‘‘(e) STATE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.— 
‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a 
State Advisory Committee. 
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The committee shall con-
sist of up to 7 members designated by the Puget 
Sound Leadership Council, in consultation with the 
Governor of Washington or the Governor’s designee, 
who will represent Washington State agencies with 
significant roles and responsibilities related to Puget 
Sound recovery. 
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‘‘(f) TASK FORCE PROCEDURES AND ADVICE.— 
‘‘(1) ADVISORS.—The Task Force, and any 
working group of the Task Force, may seek advice 
and input from any interested, knowledgeable, or af-
fected party as the Task Force or working group, re-
spectively, determines necessary to perform its du-
ties. 
‘‘(2) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Task Force, 
State Advisory Committee, and any working 
group of the Task Force, shall not be consid-
ered an advisory committee under the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
‘‘(B) SEEKING ADVICE AND INPUT.—The 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) shall not apply to any activity of the 
Task Force. 
‘‘(3) COMPENSATION.—A member of the Task 
Force shall receive no additional compensation for 
service as a member on the Task Force. 
‘‘(4) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Travel expenses in-
curred by a member of the Task Force in the per-
formance of services for the Task Force shall be 
paid by the agency or department that the member 
represents. 
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‘‘(g) TASK FORCE BIENNIAL REPORT ON PUGET 
SOUND RECOVERY ACTIVITIES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of enactment of this section, and biennially 
thereafter, the Task Force, in collaboration with the 
Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference and 
the State Advisory Committee, shall submit to the 
President, Congress, and the Governor of Wash-
ington a report that summarizes the progress, chal-
lenges, and milestones of the Task Force on the re-
covery and protection of Puget Sound. 
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—The report shall include a 
description of the following: 
‘‘(A) The roles of each Federal, State, and 
local government entity that has jurisdiction in 
the Puget Sound region and the progress made 
toward meeting the identified goals and objec-
tives of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery 
Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the 
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program. 
‘‘(B) If available, the roles and progress of 
Tribal governments that have jurisdiction in the 
Puget Sound region toward meeting the identi-
fied goals and objectives of the Action Agenda, 
Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk 
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Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
Control Program. 
‘‘(C) A summary of the progress each Fed-
eral agency has made in implementing their 
specific responsibilities under the Action Agen-
da, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at 
Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollu-
tion Control Program. 
‘‘(D) The role of each Federal agency in 
protecting Tribal treaty rights, including by 
carrying out its Tribal trust responsibilities, 
and a summary of the progress each agency has 
made in protecting those rights. 
‘‘(E) A summary of specific recommenda-
tions concerning implementation of the Action 
Agenda, including challenges, barriers, and an-
ticipated milestones, targets, and timelines. 
‘‘(F) A summary of progress made by Fed-
eral agencies toward the priorities identified in 
the Action Plan, as defined in subsection (d). 
‘‘(h) CROSSCUT BUDGET REPORT.— 
‘‘(1) FINANCIAL
REPORT.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this section, and 
every 5 years thereafter, the Director of the Office 
of Management and Budget, in consultation with the 
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‘‘(A) for Federal recovery or protection ac-
tivities, have funding amounts not less than 
$100,000; and 
‘‘(B) for Federal environmental research 
and 
monitoring 
programs, 
have 
funding 
amounts not less than $100,000. 
‘‘(4) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—The Director 
shall submit the report to— 
‘‘(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the 
Committee on Natural Resources, the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce, and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of 
the House of Representatives; and 
‘‘(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works, 
and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
Transportation of the Senate. 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—In addi-
tion to any other funds authorized to be appropriated for 
activities related to Puget Sound, there is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. 
‘‘(j) PRESERVATION OF TREATY OBLIGATIONS AND 
EXISTING FEDERAL STATUS.— 
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‘‘(1) TRIBAL TREATY RIGHTS.—This Act is not 
intended to, and shall not, in any way limit, condi-
tion, abrogate, authorize the regulation of, or other-
wise adversely affect any right reserved by treaty be-
tween the United States and one or more Indian 
Tribes. 
‘‘(2) NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM.—Nothing 
in this Act shall alter the requirements or status of 
the Puget Sound under the National Estuary Pro-
gram. 
‘‘(3) OTHER FEDERAL LAW.—Nothing in this 
Act shall modify the requirements and procedures of 
other Federal law. 
‘‘(k) CONSISTENCY.—Actions authorized or imple-
mented under this Act shall be consistent with— 
‘‘(1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and 
the State of Washington’s federally approved salmon 
recovery plans; 
‘‘(2) the Coastal Zone Management Act of 
1972, its reauthorizing amendments, and the State 
of Washington’s federally approved coastal nonpoint 
pollution control program; 
‘‘(3) the State of Washington’s federally ap-
proved State water quality standards; and 
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‘‘(4) other applicable Federal requirements.’’. 
Æ 
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