212
(1) Repair and rehabilitation of the Lower Gi-
rard Lake Dam, Girard, Ohio, at an estimated total
cost of $2,500,000.
(2) Repair and upgrade of the dam and appur-
tenant 
features 
at 
Lake 
Merriweather, 
Little
Calfpasture River, Virginia, at an estimated total
cost of $6,000,000.
SEC. 523. FIELD OFFICE HEADQUARTERS FACILITIES.
Subject to amounts being made available in advance
in appropriations Acts, the Secretary may use Plant Re-
placement and Improvement Program funds to design and
construct a new headquarters facility for—
(1) the New England Division, Waltham, Massa-
chusetts; and
(2) the Jacksonville District, Jacksonville, Flor-
ida.
SEC. 524. LAKE SUPERIOR CENTER.
(a) CONSTRUCTION.—The Secretary shall assist the
Minnesota Lake Superior Center authority in the construc-
tion of an educational facility to be used in connection with
efforts to educate the public in the economic, recreational,
biological, aesthetic, and spiritual worth of Lake Superior
and other large bodies of fresh water.
(b) PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.—Prior to providing any as-
sistance under subsection (a), the Secretary shall verify that
213
the facility to be constructed under subsection (a) will be
owned by the public authority established by the State of
Minnesota to develop, operate, and maintain the Lake Su-
perior Center.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years beginning
after September 30, 1996, $10,000,000 for the construction
of the facility under subsection (a).
SEC. 525. JACKSON COUNTY, ALABAMA.
The Secretary shall provide technical, planning, and
design assistance to non-Federal interests for wastewater
treatment and related facilities, remediation of point and
nonpoint sources of pollution and contaminated riverbed
sediments, and related activities in Jackson County, Ala-
bama, including the city of Stevenson. The Federal cost of
such assistance may not exceed $5,000,000.
SEC. 526. EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS CENTER OF EXPER-
TISE EXTENSION.
The Secretary shall establish an extension of the Earth-
quake Preparedness Center of Expertise for the central
United States at an existing district office of the Corps of
Engineers near the New Madrid fault.
214
SEC. 527. QUARANTINE FACILITY.
Section 108(c) of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1992 (106 Stat. 4816) is amended by striking
‘‘$1,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$4,000,000’’.
SEC. 528. BENTON AND WASHINGTON COUNTIES, ARKAN-
SAS.
Section 220 of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1992 (106 Stat. 4836–4837) is amended by adding at
the end the following new subsection:
‘‘(c) USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.—The Secretary may
make available to the non-Federal interests funds not to ex-
ceed an amount equal to the Federal share of the total
project cost to be used by the non-Federal interests to under-
take the work directly or by contract.’’.
SEC. 529. CALAVERAS COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
The Secretary, in cooperation with Federal, State, and
local agencies, is authorized—
(1) to conduct investigations and surveys of the
watershed of the Lower Mokelume River in Calaveras
County, California; and
(2) to provide technical, planning, and design
assistance for abatement and mitigation of degrada-
tion caused by abandoned mines and mining activity
in the vicinity of such river.
215
SEC. 530. PRADO DAM SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, CALIFOR-
NIA.
The Secretary, in coordination with the State of Cali-
fornia, shall provide technical assistance to Orange County,
California, in developing appropriate public safety and ac-
cess improvements associated with that portion of Califor-
nia State Route 71 being relocated for the Prado Dam fea-
ture of the project authorized as part of the project for flood
control, Santa Ana River Mainstem, California, by section
401(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986
(100 Stat. 4113).
SEC. 531. MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA.
The project for flood control, Cedar Hammock (Wares
Creek), Florida, is authorized to be carried out by the Sec-
retary substantially in accordance with the Final Detailed
Project Report and Environmental Assessment, dated April
1995, at a total cost of $13,846,000, with an estimated first
Federal cost of $8,783,000 and an estimated non-Federal
cost of $5,063,000.
SEC. 532. TAMPA, FLORIDA.
The Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement
under section 230 of this Act with the Museum of Science
and Industry, Tampa, Florida, to provide technical, plan-
ning, and design assistance to demonstrate the water qual-
ity functions found in wetlands, at an estimated total Fed-
eral cost of $500,000.
216
SEC. 533. WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR DEEP
RIVER BASIN, INDIANA.
(a) DEVELOPMENT.—The Secretary, in consultation
with the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the De-
partment of Agriculture, shall develop a watershed manage-
ment plan for the Deep River Basin, Indiana, which in-
cludes Deep River, Lake George, Turkey Creek, and other
related tributaries in Indiana.
(b) CONTENTS.—The plan to be developed by the Sec-
retary under subsection (a) shall address specific concerns
related to the Deep River Basin area, including sediment
flow into Deep River, Turkey Creek, and other tributaries;
control of sediment quality in Lake George; flooding prob-
lems; the safety of the Lake George Dam; and watershed
management.
SEC. 534. SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary
shall establish a program for providing environmental as-
sistance to non-Federal interests in southern and eastern
Kentucky. Such assistance may be in the form of design
and construction assistance for water-related environmental
infrastructure and resource protection and development
projects in southern and eastern Kentucky, including
projects for wastewater treatment and related facilities,
water supply, storage, treatment, and distribution facilities,
and surface water resource protection and development.
217
(b) PUBLIC OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT.—The Sec-
retary may provide assistance for a project under this sec-
tion only if the project is publicly owned.
(c) PROJECT COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Before providing assistance
under this section, the Secretary shall enter into a
project cooperation agreement with a non-Federal in-
terest to provide for design and construction of the
project to be carried out with such assistance.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Each agreement entered
into under this subsection shall provide for the follow-
ing:
(A) PLAN.—Development by the Secretary,
in consultation with appropriate Federal and
State officials, of a facilities development plan or
resource protection plan, including appropriate
plans and specifications.
(B) LEGAL
AND
INSTITUTIONAL
STRUC-
TURES.—Establishment of each such legal and
institutional structures as are necessary to as-
sure the effective long-term operation of the
project by the non-Federal interest.
(3) COST SHARING.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Total project costs under
each agreement entered into under this sub-
219
(D) OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.—Oper-
ation and maintenance costs shall be 100 percent
non-Federal.
(d) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE
LAWS.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as
waiving, limiting, or otherwise affecting the applicability
of any provision of Federal or State law which would other-
wise apply to a project to be carried out with assistance
provided under this section.
(e) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 1999, the
Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results
of the program carried out under this section, together with
recommendations concerning whether or not such program
should be implemented on a national basis.
(f) SOUTHERN AND EASTERN KENTUCKY DEFINED.—
For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘southern and eastern
Kentucky’’ means Morgan, Floyd, Pulaski, Wayne, Laurel,
Knox, Pike, Menifee, Perry, Harlan, Breathitt, Martin,
Jackson, Wolfe, Clay, Magoffin, Owsley, Johnson, Leslie,
Lawrence, Knott, Bell, McCreary, Rockcastle, Whitley, Lee,
and Letcher Counties, Kentucky.
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000.
220
SEC. 535. LOUISIANA COASTAL WETLANDS RESTORATION
PROJECTS.
Section 303(f) of the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Pro-
tection and Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 3952(f); 104 Stat.
4782–4783) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (4) by striking ‘‘and (3)’’ and
inserting ‘‘(3), and (5)’’; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
‘‘(5) FEDERAL SHARE IN CALENDAR YEARS 1996
AND 1997.—Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2),
amounts made available in accordance with section
306 of this title to carry out coastal wetlands restora-
tion projects under this section in calendar years
1996 and 1997 shall provide 90 percent of the cost of
such projects.’’.
SEC. 536. SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA.
(a) FLOOD CONTROL.—The Secretary is directed to
proceed with engineering, design, and construction of
projects to provide for flood control and improvements to
rainfall drainage systems in Jefferson, Orleans, and St.
Tammany Parishes, Louisiana, in accordance with the fol-
lowing reports of the New Orleans District Engineer: Jeffer-
son and Orleans Parishes, Louisiana, Urban Flood Control
and Water Quality Management, July 1992; Tangipahoa,
Techefuncte, and Tickfaw Rivers, Louisiana, June 1991; St.
221
Tammany Parish, Louisiana, June 1996; and Schneider
Canal, Slidell, Louisiana, Hurricane Protection, May 1990.
(b) COST SHARING.—The cost of any work performed
by the non-Federal interests subsequent to the reports re-
ferred to in subsection (a) and determined by the Secretary
to be a compatible and integral part of the projects shall
be credited toward the non-Federal share of the projects.
(c) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appropriated
$100,000,000 for the initiation and partial accomplishment
of projects described in the reports referred to in subsection
(a).
SEC. 537. RESTORATION PROJECTS FOR MARYLAND, PENN-
SYLVANIA, AND WEST VIRGINIA.
(a) IN GENERAL.—
(1) COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary
shall enter into cooperation agreements with non-Fed-
eral interests to develop and carry out, in cooperation
with Federal and State agencies, reclamation and
protection projects for the purpose of abating and
mitigating surface water quality degradation caused
by abandoned mines along—
(A) the North Branch of the Potomac River,
Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia;
and
222
(B) the New River, West Virginia, water-
shed.
(2) ADDITIONAL
MEASURES.—Projects under
paragraph (1) may also include measures for the
abatement and mitigation of surface water quality
degradation caused by the lack of sanitary wastewater
treatment facilities or the need to enhance such facili-
ties.
(3) CONSULTATION WITH FEDERAL ENTITIES.—
Any project under paragraph (1) that is located on
lands owned by the United States shall be undertaken
in consultation with the Federal entity with adminis-
trative jurisdiction over such lands.
(b) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost
of the activities conducted under cooperation agreements en-
tered into under subsection (a)(1) shall be 75 percent; except
that, with respect to projects located on lands owned by the
United States, the Federal share shall be 100 percent. The
non-Federal share of project costs may be provided in the
form of design and construction services. Non-Federal inter-
ests shall receive credit for the reasonable costs of such serv-
ices completed by such interests prior to entering an agree-
ment with the Secretary for a project.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
223
$5,000,000 for projects undertaken under subsection
(a)(1)(A) and $5,000,000 for projects undertaken under
subsection (a)(1)(B).
SEC. 538. BENEFICIAL USE OF DREDGED MATERIAL, POP-
LAR ISLAND, MARYLAND.
The Secretary shall carry out a project for the bene-
ficial use of dredged material at Poplar Island, Maryland,
pursuant to section 204 of the Water Resources Development
Act of 1992; except that, notwithstanding the limitation
contained in subsection (e) of such section, the initial cost
of constructing dikes for the project shall be $78,000,000,
with an estimated Federal cost of $58,500,000 and an esti-
mated non-Federal cost of $19,500,000.
SEC. 539. EROSION CONTROL MEASURES, SMITH ISLAND,
MARYLAND.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall implement ero-
sion control measures in the vicinity of Rhodes Point,
Smith Island, Maryland, at an estimated total Federal cost
of $450,000.
(b) IMPLEMENTATION
ON EMERGENCY BASIS.—The
project under subsection (a) shall be carried out on an emer-
gency basis in view of the national, historic, and cultural
value of the island and in order to protect the Federal in-
vestment in infrastructure facilities.
224
(c) COST SHARING.—Cost sharing applicable to hurri-
cane and storm damage reduction shall be applicable to the
project to be carried out under subsection (a).
SEC. 
540. 
BENEFICIAL 
USE 
OF 
DREDGED 
MATERIAL,
WORTON POINT, KENT COUNTY, MARYLAND.
The Secretary shall carry out a project for the bene-
ficial use of dredged material at Worton Point, Kent Coun-
ty, Maryland, pursuant to section 204 of the Water Re-
sources Development Act of 1992.
SEC. 
541. 
DULUTH, 
MINNESOTA, 
ALTERNATIVE 
TECH-
NOLOGY PROJECT.
(a) PROJECT AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall
develop and implement alternative methods for decon-
tamination and disposal of contaminated dredged material
at the Port of Duluth, Minnesota.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years beginning
after September 30, 1996, to carry out this section
$1,000,000. Such sums shall remain available until ex-
pended.
SEC. 542. REDWOOD RIVER BASIN, MINNESOTA.
(a) STUDY AND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT.—The Sec-
retary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture and
the State of Minnesota, shall conduct a study, and develop
a strategy, for using wetland restoration, soil and water
225
conservation practices, and nonstructural measures to re-
duce flood damages, improve water quality, and create
wildlife habitat in the Redwood River basin and the sub-
basins draining into the Minnesota River, at an estimated
Federal cost of $4,000,000.
(b) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—The non-Federal share of
the cost of the study and development of the strategy shall
be 25 percent and may be provided through in-kind services
and materials.
(c) COOPERATION AGREEMENT.—In conducting the
study and developing the strategy under this section, the
Secretary shall enter into cooperation agreements to provide
financial assistance to appropriate Federal, State, and
local government agencies, including activities for the im-
plementation of wetland restoration projects and soil and
water conservation measures.
(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall undertake
development and implementation of the strategy authorized
by this section in cooperation with local landowners and
local government officials.
SEC. 543. NATCHEZ BLUFFS, MISSISSIPPI.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out the
project for bluff stabilization, Natchez Bluffs, Natchez, Mis-
sissippi, substantially in accordance with (1) the Natchez
Bluffs Study, dated September 1985, (2) the Natchez Bluffs
226
Study: Supplement I, dated June 1990, and (3) the Natchez
Bluffs Study: Supplement II, dated December 1993, in the
portions of the bluffs described in subsection (b), at a total
cost of $17,200,000, with an estimated Federal cost of
$12,900,000 and an estimated non-Federal cost of
$4,300,000.
(b) DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT LOCATION.—The por-
tions of the Natchez Bluffs where the project is to be carried
out under subsection (a) are described in the studies referred
to in subsection (a) as—
(1) Clifton Avenue, area 3;
(2) the bluff above Silver Street, area 6;
(3) the bluff above Natchez Under-the-Hill, area
7; and
(4) Madison Street to State Street, area 4.
SEC. 544. SARDIS LAKE, MISSISSIPPI.
The Secretary shall work cooperatively with the State
of Mississippi and the city of Sardis, Mississippi, to the
maximum extent practicable, in the management of existing
and proposed leases of land consistent with the master tour-
ism and recreational plan for the economic development of
the Sardis Lake area prepared by the city.
SEC. 545. MISSOURI RIVER MANAGEMENT.
(a) NAVIGATION SEASON EXTENSION.—
227
(1) INCREASES.—The Secretary, working with
the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the
Interior, shall incrementally increase the length of
each navigation season for the Missouri River by 15
days from the length of the previous navigation sea-
son and those seasons thereafter, until such time as
the navigation season for the Missouri River is in-
creased by 1 month from the length of the navigation
season on April 1, 1996.
(2) APPLICATION OF INCREASES.—Increases in
the length of the navigation season under paragraph
(1) shall be applied in calendar year 1996 so that the
navigation season in such calendar year for the Mis-
souri River begins on April 1, 1996, and ends on De-
cember 15, 1996.
(3) ADJUSTMENT
OF
NAVIGATION
LEVELS.—
Scheduled full navigation levels shall be incrementally
increased to coincide with increases in the navigation
season under paragraph (1).
(b) WATER CONTROL POLICIES AFFECTING NAVIGA-
TION CHANNELS.—The Secretary may not take any action
which is inconsistent with a water control policy of the
Corps of Engineers in effect on January 1, 1995, if such
action would result in—
228
(1) a reduction of 10 days or more in the total
number of days in a year during which vessels are
able to use navigation channels; or
(2) a substantial increase in flood damage to
lands adjacent to a navigation channel, unless such
action is specifically authorized by a law enacted
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT EVALUA-
TION.—Whenever a Federal department, agency, or instru-
mentality conducts an environmental impact statement
with respect to management of the Missouri River system,
the head of such department, agency, or instrumentality
shall also conduct a cost benefit analysis on any changes
proposed in the management of the Missouri River.
SEC. 546. ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MISSOURI, FLOOD PROTEC-
TION.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provi-
sion of law or regulation, no county located at the con-
fluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers or commu-
nity located in any county located at the confluence of the
Missouri and Mississippi Rivers shall have its participa-
tion in any Federal program suspended, revoked, or other-
wise affected solely due to that county or community per-
mitting the raising of levees by any public-sponsored levee
district, along an alignment approved by the circuit court
229
of such county, to a level sufficient to contain a 20-year
flood.
(b) TREATMENT OF EXISTING PERMITS.—If any pub-
lic-sponsored levee district has received a Federal permit
valid during the Great Flood of 1993 to improve or modify
its levee system before the date of the enactment of this Act,
such permit shall be considered adequate to allow the rais-
ing of the height of levees in such system under subsection
(a).
SEC. 547. COCHECO RIVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The Secretary is directed to provide technical assist-
ance to the city of Dover, New Hampshire, in resolving en-
croachment issues related to maintenance dredging of the
project for navigation on the Cocheco River, New Hamp-
shire.
SEC. 548. DURHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
The Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement
under section 230 of this Act with the University of New
Hampshire to provide technical assistance for a water treat-
ment technology center addressing the needs of small com-
munities.
SEC. 549. HACKENSACK MEADOWLANDS AREA, NEW JERSEY.
Section 324(b)(1) of the Water Resources Development
Act of 1992 (106 Stat. 4849) is amended to read as follows:
230
‘‘(1) Mitigation, enhancement, and acquisition of
significant 
wetlands 
that 
contribute 
to 
the
Meadowlands ecosystem.’’.
SEC. 550. AUTHORIZATION OF DREDGE MATERIAL CON-
TAINMENT FACILITY FOR PORT OF NEW
YORK/NEW JERSEY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to con-
struct, operate, and maintain a dredged material contain-
ment facility with a capacity commensurate with the long-
term dredged material disposal needs of port facilities
under the jurisdiction of the Port of New York/New Jersey.
Such facility may be a near-shore dredged material disposal
facility along the Brooklyn waterfront. The costs associated
with feasibility studies, design, engineering, and construc-
tion shall be shared with the local sponsor in accordance
with the provisions of section 101 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986.
(b) BENEFICIAL USE.—After the facility to be con-
structed under subsection (a) has been filled to capacity
with dredged material, the Secretary shall maintain the fa-
cility for the public benefit.
SEC. 551. HUDSON RIVER HABITAT RESTORATION, NEW
YORK.
(a) HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT.—The Secretary
shall expedite the feasibility study of the Hudson River
231
Habitat Restoration, Hudson River Basin, New York, and
shall carry out no fewer than 4 projects for habitat restora-
tion, to the extent the Secretary determines such work to
be technically feasible. Such projects shall be designed to—
(1) provide a pilot project to assess and improve
habitat value and environmental outputs of rec-
ommended projects;
(2) provide a demonstration project to evaluate
various restoration techniques for effectiveness and
cost;
(3) fill an important local habitat need within
a specific portion of the study area; and
(4) take advantage of ongoing or planned actions
by other agencies, local municipalities, or environ-
mental groups that would increase the effectiveness or
decrease the overall cost of implementing one of the
recommended restoration project sites.
(b) NON-FEDERAL
SHARE.—Non-Federal interests
shall provide 25 percent of the cost on each project under-
taken under subsection (a). The non-Federal share may be
in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$11,000,000.
232
SEC. 552. NEW YORK BIGHT AND HARBOR STUDY.
Section 326(f) of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1992 (106 Stat. 4851) is amended by striking
‘‘$1,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$5,000,000’’.
SEC. 553. NEW YORK STATE CANAL SYSTEM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to
make capital improvements to the New York State Canal
System.
(b) AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary shall, with the con-
sent of appropriate local and State entities, enter into such
arrangements, contracts, and leases with public and private
entities as may be necessary for the purposes of rehabilita-
tion, renovation, preservation, and maintenance of the New
York State Canal System and its related facilities, includ-
ing trailside facilities and other recreational projects along
the waterways of the canal system.
(c) NEW YORK STATE CANAL SYSTEM DEFINED.—In
this section, the term ‘‘New York State Canal System’’
means the Erie, Oswego, Champlain, and Cayuga-Seneca
Canals.
(d) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost
of capital improvements under this section shall be 50 per-
cent.
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000.
233
SEC. 554. NEW YORK CITY WATERSHED.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish
a program for providing environmental assistance to
non-Federal interests in the New York City Water-
shed.
(2) FORM.—Assistance provided under this sec-
tion may be in the form of design and construction
assistance for water-related environmental infrastruc-
ture and resource protection and development projects
in the New York City Watershed, including projects
for water supply, storage, treatment, and distribution
facilities, and surface water resource protection and
development.
(b) PUBLIC OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT.—The Sec-
retary may provide assistance for a project under this sec-
tion only if the project is publicly owned.
(c) ELIGIBLE PROJECTS.—
(1) CERTIFICATION.—A project shall be eligible
for financial assistance under this section only if the
State director for the project certifies to the Secretary
that the project will contribute to the protection and
enhancement of the quality or quantity of the New
York City water supply.
(2) SPECIAL
CONSIDERATION.—In certifying
projects to the Secretary, the State director shall give
234
special consideration to those projects implementing
plans, agreements, and measures which preserve and
enhance the economic and social character of the wa-
tershed communities.
(3) PROJECT
DESCRIPTIONS.—Projects eligible
for assistance under this section shall include the fol-
lowing:
(A) Implementation of intergovernmental
agreements for coordinating regulatory and
management responsibilities.
(B) Acceleration of whole farm planning to
implement best management practices to main-
tain or enhance water quality and to promote
agricultural land use.
(C) Acceleration of whole community plan-
ning to promote intergovernmental cooperation
in the regulation and management of activities
consistent with the goal of maintaining or en-
hancing water quality.
(D) Natural resources stewardship on public
and private lands to promote land uses that pre-
serve and enhance the economic and social char-
acter of the watershed communities and protect
and enhance water quality.
235
(d) COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—Before providing
assistance under this section, the Secretary shall enter into
a project cooperation agreement with the State director for
the project to be carried out with such assistance.
(e) COST SHARING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Total project costs under each
agreement entered into under this section shall be
shared at 75 percent Federal and 25 percent non-Fed-
eral. The non-Federal interest shall receive credit for
the reasonable costs of design work completed by such
interest prior to entering into the agreement with the
Secretary for a project. The Federal share may be in
the form of grants or reimbursements of project costs.
(2) INTEREST.—In the event of delays in the re-
imbursement of the non-Federal share of a project, the
non-Federal interest shall receive credit for reasonable
interest costs incurred to provide the non-Federal
share of a project’s cost.
(3) LANDS, EASEMENTS, AND
RIGHTS-OF-WAY
CREDIT.—The non-Federal interest shall receive credit
for lands, easements, rights-of-way, and relocations
provided by the non-Federal interest toward its share
of project costs, including direct costs associated with
obtaining permits necessary for the placement of such
236
project on public owned or controlled lands, but not
to exceed 25 percent of total project costs.
(4) OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.—Operation
and maintenance costs for projects constructed with
assistance provided under this section shall be 100
percent non-Federal.
(f) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE
LAWS.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to waive,
limit, or otherwise affect the applicability of any provision
of Federal or State law that would otherwise apply to a
project carried out with assistance provided under this sec-
tion.
(g) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 2000, the
Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results
of the program carried out under this section, together with
recommendations concerning whether such program should
be implemented on a national basis.
(h) NEW YORK CITY WATERSHED DEFINED.—For
purposes of this section, the term ‘‘New York City Water-
shed’’ means the land area within the counties of Delaware,
Greene, Schoharie, Ulster, Sullivan, Westchester, Putnam,
and Duchess which contributes water to the water supply
system of New York City.
237
(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$25,000,000.
SEC. 555. OHIO RIVER GREENWAY.
(a) EXPEDITED COMPLETION OF STUDY.—The Sec-
retary is directed to expedite the completion of the study
for the Ohio River Greenway, Jeffersonville, Clarksville,
and New Albany, Indiana.
(b) CONSTRUCTION.—Upon completion of the study, if
the Secretary determines that the project is feasible, the Sec-
retary shall participate with the non-Federal interests in
the construction of the project.
(c) COST SHARING.—Total project costs under this sec-
tion shall be shared at 50 percent Federal and 50 percent
non-Federal.
(d) LANDS, EASEMENTS, AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY.—Non-
Federal interests shall be responsible for providing all lands,
easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and dredged material
disposal areas necessary for the project.
(e) CREDIT.—The non-Federal interests shall receive
credit for those costs incurred by the non-Federal interests
that the Secretary determines are compatible with the
study, design, and implementation of the project.
238
SEC. 556. NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
The Secretary is authorized to provide technical assist-
ance to local interests for planning the establishment of a
regional water authority in northeastern Ohio to address
the water problems of the region. The Federal share of the
costs of such planning shall not exceed 75 percent.
SEC. 557. GRAND LAKE, OKLAHOMA.
(a) STUDY.—Not later than 1 year after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall
carry out and complete a study of flood control in Grand/
Neosho Basin and tributaries in the vicinity of Pensacola
Dam in northeastern Oklahoma to determine the scope of
the backwater effects of operation of the dam and to identify
any lands which the Secretary determines have been ad-
versely impacted by such operation or should have been
originally purchased as flowage easement for the project.
(b) ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY.—Upon comple-
tion of the study and subject to advance appropriations,
the Secretary shall acquire from willing sellers such real
property interests in any lands identified in the study as
the Secretary determines are necessary to reduce the adverse
impacts identified in the study conducted under subsection
(a).
(c) IMPLEMENTATION REPORTS.—The Secretary shall
transmit to Congress reports on the operation of the Pensa-
cola Dam, including data on and a description of releases
239
in anticipation of flooding (referred to as preoccupancy re-
leases), and the implementation of this section. The first
of such reports shall be transmitted not later than 2 years
after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for
fiscal years beginning after September 30, 1996.
(2) 
MAXIMUM
FUNDING
FOR
STUDY.—Of
amounts appropriated to carry out this section, not
to exceed $1,500,000 shall be available for carrying
out the study under subsection (a).
SEC. 558. BROAD TOP REGION OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Section 304 of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1992 (106 Stat. 4840) is amended—
(1) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the
following:
‘‘(b) COST SHARING.—The Federal share of the cost of
the activities conducted under the cooperative agreement en-
tered into under subsection (a) shall be 75 percent. The non-
Federal share of project costs may be provided in the form
of design and construction services. Non-Federal interests
shall receive credit for the reasonable costs of such services
completed by such interests prior to entering an agreement
with the Secretary for a project.’’; and
240
(2) in subsection (c) by striking ‘‘$5,500,000’’
and inserting ‘‘$11,000,000’’.
SEC. 559. HOPPER DREDGE MCFARLAND.
(a) PROJECT AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary shall
carry out a project at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard,
Pennsylvania, to make modernization and efficiency im-
provements to the hopper dredge McFarland.
(b) REQUIREMENTS.—In carrying out the project
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—
(1) determine whether the McFarland should be
returned to active service or the reserve fleet after the
project is completed; and
(2) establish minimum standards of dredging
service to be met in areas served by the McFarland
while the drydocking is taking place.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$20,000,000 for fiscal years beginning after September 30,
1996.
SEC. 560. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) WATER WORKS RESTORATION.—
(1)) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide
planning, design, and construction assistance for the
protection and restoration of the Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania Water Works.
241
(2) COORDINATION.—In providing assistance
under this subsection, the Secretary shall coordinate
with the Fairmount Park Commission and the Sec-
retary of the Interior.
(3) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for fis-
cal years beginning after September 30, 1996.
(b) COOPERATION
AGREEMENT
FOR
SCHUYLKILL
NAVIGATION CANAL.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall enter into
a cooperation agreement with the city of Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania, to participate in the operation,
maintenance, and rehabilitation of the Schuylkill
Navigation Canal at Manayunk.
(2) LIMITATION ON FEDERAL SHARE.—The Fed-
eral share of the cost of the operation, maintenance,
and rehabilitation under paragraph (1) shall not ex-
ceed $300,000 annually.
(3) AREA INCLUDED.—For purposes of this sub-
section, the Schuylkill Navigation Canal includes the
section approximately 10,000 feet long extending be-
tween Lock and Fountain Streets, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
(c) SCHUYLKILL RIVER PARK.—
242
(1) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary is authorized to
provide technical, planning, design, and construction
assistance for the Schuylkill River Park, Philadel-
phia, Pennsylvania.
(2) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated $2,700,000 to carry out this subsection.
(d) PENNYPACK PARK.—
(1) ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary is authorized to
provide technical, design, construction, and financial
assistance for measures for the improvement and res-
toration of aquatic habitats and aquatic resources at
Pennypack Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(2) COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—In providing
assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall
enter into cooperation agreements with the city of
Philadelphia, acting through the Fairmount Park
Commission.
(3) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal years beginning after September 30,
1996, $15,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
(e) FRANKFORD DAM.—
(1) COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary
shall enter into cooperation agreements with the city
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, acting through the
Fairmount Park Commission, to provide assistance
243
for the elimination of the Frankford Dam, the re-
placement of the Rhawn Street Dam, and modifica-
tions to the Roosevelt Dam and the Verree Road Dam.
(2) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated for fiscal years beginning after September 30,
1996, $900,000, to carry out this subsection.
SEC. 561. UPPER SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN, PENNSYLVA-
NIA AND NEW YORK.
(a) STUDY AND STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT.—The Sec-
retary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the
State of Pennsylvania, and the State of New York, shall
conduct a study, and develop a strategy, for using wetland
restoration, soil and water conservation practices, and non-
structural measures to reduce flood damages, improve water
quality, and create wildlife habitat in the following portions
of the Upper Susquehanna River basin:
(1) the Juniata River watershed, Pennsylvania,
at an estimated Federal cost of $15,000,000; and
(2) the Susquehanna River watershed upstream
of the Chemung River, New York, at an estimated
Federal cost of $10,000,000.
(b) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.—The non-Federal share of
the cost of the study and development of the strategy shall
be 25 percent and may be provided through in-kind services
and materials.
244
(c) COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—In conducting the
study and developing the strategy under this section, the
Secretary shall enter into cooperation agreements to provide
financial assistance to appropriate Federal, State, and
local government agencies, including activities for the im-
plementation of wetland restoration projects and soil and
water conservation measures.
(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall undertake
development and implementation of the strategy authorized
by this section in cooperation with local landowners and
local government officials.
SEC. 562. SEVEN POINTS VISITORS CENTER, RAYSTOWN
LAKE, PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall construct a
visitors center and related public use facilities at the Seven
Points Recreation Area at Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania,
generally in accordance with the Master Plan Update
(1994) for the Raystown Lake Project.
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$2,500,000.
SEC. 563. SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary
shall establish a pilot program for providing environmental
assistance to non-Federal interests in southeastern Penn-
245
sylvania. Such assistance may be in the form of design and
construction assistance for water-related environmental in-
frastructure and resource protection and development
projects in southeastern Pennsylvania, including projects
for waste water treatment and related facilities, water sup-
ply, storage, treatment, and distribution facilities, and sur-
face water resource protection and development.
(b) PUBLIC OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT.—The Sec-
retary may provide assistance for a project under this sec-
tion only if the project is publicly owned.
(c) LOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENTS.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Before providing assistance
under this section, the Secretary shall enter into a
local cooperation agreement with a non-Federal inter-
est to provide for design and construction of the
project to be carried out with such assistance.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.—Each local cooperation
agreement entered into under this subsection shall
provide for the following:
(A) PLAN.—Development by the Secretary,
in consultation with appropriate Federal and
State officials, of a facilities or resource protec-
tion and development plan, including appro-
priate engineering plans and specifications.
246
(B) LEGAL
AND
INSTITUTIONAL
STRUC-
TURES.—Establishment of each such legal and
institutional structures as are necessary to as-
sure the effective long-term operation of the
project by the non-Federal interest.
(3) COST SHARING.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Total project costs under
each local cooperation agreement entered into
under this subsection shall be shared at 75 per-
cent Federal and 25 percent non-Federal. The
non-Federal interest shall receive credit for the
reasonable costs of design work completed by
such interest prior to entering into a local co-
operation agreement with the Secretary for a
project. The credit for such design work shall not
exceed 6 percent of the total construction costs
of the project. The Federal share may be in the
form of grants or reimbursements of project costs.
(B) INTEREST.—In the event of delays in
the funding of the non-Federal share of a project
that is the subject of an agreement under this
section, the non-Federal interest shall receive
credit for reasonable interest incurred in provid-
ing the non-Federal share of a project’s cost.
247
(C) LANDS, EASEMENTS, AND
RIGHTS-OF-
WAY CREDIT.—The non-Federal interest shall re-
ceive credit for lands, easements, rights-of-way,
and relocations toward its share of project costs,
including all reasonable costs associated with ob-
taining permits necessary for the construction,
operation, and maintenance of such project on
publicly owned or controlled lands, but not to ex-
ceed 25 percent of total project costs.
(D) OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.—Oper-
ation and maintenance costs for projects con-
structed with assistance provided under this sec-
tion shall be 100 percent non-Federal.
(d) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE
LAWS.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as
waiving, limiting, or otherwise affecting the applicability
of any provision of Federal or State law which would other-
wise apply to a project to be carried out with assistance
provided under this section.
(e) REPORT.—Not later than December 31, 1998, the
Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report on the results
of the pilot program carried out under this section, together
with recommendations concerning whether or not such pro-
gram should be implemented on a national basis.
248
(f) SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA DEFINED.—For
purposes of this section, the term ‘‘Southeastern Pennsylva-
nia’’ means Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and
Montgomery Counties, Pennsylvania.
(g) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$25,000,000 for fiscal years beginning after September 30,
1996. Such sums shall remain available until expended.
SEC. 564. BLACKSTONE RIVER VALLEY, RHODE ISLAND AND
MASSACHUSETTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in coordination
with Federal, State, and local interests, shall provide tech-
nical, planning, and design assistance in the development
and restoration of the Blackstone River Valley National
Heritage Corridor, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
(b) FEDERAL SHARE.—Funds made available under
this section for planning and design of a project may not
exceed 75 percent of the total cost of such planning and
design.
SEC. 565. EAST RIDGE, TENNESSEE.
The Secretary shall review the flood management study
for the East Ridge and Hamilton County area undertaken
by the Tennessee Valley Authority and shall carry out the
project at an estimated total cost of $25,000,000.
249
SEC. 566. MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE.
The Secretary shall carry out a project for environ-
mental enhancement, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in accord-
ance with the Report and Environmental Assessment, Black
Fox, Murfree and Oaklands Spring Wetlands, Murfreesboro,
Rutherford County, Tennessee, dated August 1994.
SEC. 567. BUFFALO BAYOU, TEXAS.
The non-Federal interest for the projects for flood con-
trol, Buffalo Bayou Basin, Texas, authorized by section 203
of the Flood Control Act of 1954 (68 Stat. 1258), and Buf-
falo Bayou and tributaries, Texas, authorized by section
101 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (104
Stat. 4610), may be reimbursed by up to $5,000,000 or may
receive a credit of up to $5,000,000 against required non-
Federal project cost-sharing contributions for work per-
formed by the non-Federal interest at each of the following
locations if such work is compatible with the following au-
thorized projects: White Oak Bayou, Brays Bayou, Hunting
Bayou, Garners Bayou, and the Upper Reach on Greens
Bayou.
SEC. 568. HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—During any evaluation of economic
benefits and costs for projects set forth in subsection (b) that
occurs after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall not consider flood control works constructed by
non-Federal interests within the drainage area of such
250
projects prior to the date of such evaluation in the deter-
mination of conditions existing prior to construction of the
project.
(b) SPECIFIC PROJECTS.—The projects to which sub-
section (a) apply are—
(1) the project for flood control, Buffalo Bayou
and Tributaries, Texas, authorized by section 101(a)
of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (104
Stat. 4610);
(2) the project for flood control, Cypress Creek,
Texas, authorized by section 3(a)(13) of the Water Re-
sources Development Act of 1988 (102 Stat. 4014);
and
(3) the project for flood control, Buffalo Bayou
Basin, authorized by section 203 of the Flood Control
Act of 1954 (68 Stat. 1258).
SEC. 569. PIERCE COUNTY, WASHINGTON.
(a) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary shall
provide technical assistance to Pierce County, Washington,
to address measures that are necessary to assure that non-
Federal levees are adequately maintained and satisfy eligi-
bility criteria for rehabilitation assistance under section 5
of the Act entitled ‘‘An Act authorizing the construction of
certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control,
and for other purposes’’, approved August 18, 1941 (33
251
U.S.C. 701n; 55 Stat. 650). Such assistance shall include
a review of the requirements of the Puyallup Tribe of Indi-
ans Settlement Act of 1989 (Public Law 101–41) and
standards for project maintenance and vegetation manage-
ment used by the Secretary to determine eligibility for levee
rehabilitation assistance with a view toward amending such
standards as needed to make non-Federal levees eligible for
assistance that may be necessary as a result of future flood-
ing.
(b) LEVEE REHABILITATION.—The Secretary shall ex-
pedite a review to determine the extent to which require-
ments of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Settlement Act of
1989 limited the ability of non-Federal interests to ade-
quately maintain existing non-Federal levees that were
damaged by flooding in 1995 and 1996 and, to the extent
that such ability was limited by such Act, the Secretary
shall carry out the rehabilitation of such levees.
SEC. 570. WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT.
(a) REGIONAL ENTITY.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Congress encourages the non-
Federal public water supply customers of the Wash-
ington Aqueduct to establish a non-Federal public or
private entity, or to enter into an agreement with an
existing non-Federal public or private entity, to re-
ceive title to the Washington Aqueduct and to operate,
252
maintain, and manage the Washington Aqueduct in
a manner that adequately represents all interests of
such customers.
(2) CONSENT
OF
CONGRESS.—Congress grants
consent to the jurisdictions which are customers of the
Washington Aqueduct to establish a non-Federal en-
tity to receive title to the Washington Aqueduct and
to operate, maintain, and manage the Washington
Aqueduct.
(3) LIMITATION
ON
STATUTORY
CONSTRUC-
TION.—Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the
jurisdictions referred to in this subsection from pursu-
ing alternative options regarding ownership, oper-
ation, maintenance, and management of the Washing-
ton Aqueduct.
(b) PROGRESS REPORT AND PLAN.—Not later than 1
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall transmit to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Rep-
resentatives a report on the progress in achieving the objec-
tives of subsection (a) and a plan for the transfer of owner-
ship, operation, maintenance, and management of the
Washington Aqueduct to a non-Federal public or private
entity. Such plan shall include a transfer of ownership, op-
253
eration, maintenance, and management of the Washington
Aqueduct that is consistent with the provisions of this sec-
tion and a detailed consideration of any proposal to trans-
fer such ownership or operation, maintenance, or manage-
ment to a private entity.
(c) TRANSFER.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years after
the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall transfer, without consideration but subject to
such terms and conditions as the Secretary considers
appropriate to protect the interests of the United
States and the non-Federal public water supply cus-
tomers, all right, title, and interest of the United
States in the Washington Aqueduct, its real property,
facilities, equipment, supplies, and personalty—
(A) to a non-Federal public or private en-
tity established pursuant to subsection (a); or
(B) in the event no entity is established
pursuant to subsection (a), a non-Federal public
or private entity selected by the Secretary which
reflects, to the extent possible, a consensus among
the non-Federal public water supply customers.
(2) TRANSFEREE SELECTION CRITERIA.—The se-
lection of a non-Federal public or private entity
under paragraph (1)(B) shall be based on technical,
254
managerial, and financial capabilities and on con-
sultation with the non-Federal public water supply
customers and after opportunity for public input.
(3) ASSUMPTION
OF
RESPONSIBILITIES.—The
entity to whom transfer under paragraph (1) is made
shall assume full responsibility for performing and fi-
nancing the operation, maintenance, repair, replace-
ment, rehabilitation, and necessary capital improve-
ments of the Washington Aqueduct so as to ensure the
continued operation of the Washington Aqueduct con-
sistent with its intended purpose of providing an un-
interrupted supply of potable water sufficient to meet
the current and future needs of the Washington Aque-
duct service area.
(4) EXTENSION.—Notwithstanding the 2-year
deadline established in paragraph (1), the Secretary
may provide a 1-time 6-month extension of such
deadline if the Secretary determines that the non-Fed-
eral public water supply customers are making
progress in establishing an entity pursuant to sub-
section (a) and that such an extension would likely
result in the establishment of such an entity.
(d) INTERIM BORROWING AUTHORITY.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2),
there is authorized to be appropriated to the Sec-
255
retary for fiscal years 1997 and 1998 borrowing au-
thority in amounts sufficient to cover those obliga-
tions which the Army Corps of Engineers is required
to incur in carrying out capital improvements during
such fiscal years for the Washington Aqueduct to as-
sure its continued operation until such time as the
transfer under subsection (c) has taken place, pro-
vided that such amounts do not exceed $16,000,000
for fiscal year 1997 and $54,000,000 for fiscal year
1998.
(2) TERMS
AND
CONDITIONS.—The borrowing
authority under paragraph (1) shall be provided to
the Secretary by the Secretary of the Treasury under
such terms and conditions as the Secretary of the
Treasury determines to be necessary in the public in-
terest and may be provided only after each of the non-
Federal public water supply customers of the Wash-
ington Aqueduct has entered into a contractual agree-
ment with the Secretary to pay its pro rata share of
the costs associated with such borrowing.
(3) IMPACT
ON
IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM.—Not
later than 6 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with other
Federal agencies, shall transmit to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
256
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a report that assesses the
impact of the borrowing authority provided under
this subsection on near-term improvement projects
under the Washington Aqueduct Improvement Pro-
gram, work scheduled during fiscal years 1997 and
1998, and the financial liability to be incurred.
(e) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this section, the fol-
lowing definitions apply:
(1) WASHINGTON AQUEDUCT.—The term ‘‘Wash-
ington Aqueduct’’ means the Washington Aqueduct fa-
cilities and related facilities owned by the Federal
Government as of the date of the enactment of this
Act, including the dams, intake works, conduits, and
pump stations that capture and transport raw water
from the Potomac River to the Dalecarlia Reservoir,
the infrastructure and appurtenances used to treat
water taken from the Potomac River by such facilities
to potable standards, and related water distributions
facilities.
(2) NON-FEDERAL PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY CUS-
TOMERS.—The term ‘‘non-Federal public water sup-
ply customers’’ means the District of Columbia, Ar-
lington County, Virginia, and the city of Falls
Church, Virginia.
257
SEC. 571. HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA.
The Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement
with Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia, to
provide technical assistance to the Center for Environ-
mental, Geotechnical and Applied Sciences.
SEC. 572. LOWER MUD RIVER, MILTON, WEST VIRGINIA.
The Secretary shall review the watershed plan and the
environmental impact statement prepared for the Lower
Mud River, Milton, West Virginia by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service pursuant to the Watershed Protection
and Flood Prevention Act (16 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.) and shall
carry out the project.
SEC. 573. EVALUATION OF BEACH MATERIAL.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary and the Secretary of
the Interior shall evaluate procedures and requirements
used in the selection and approval of materials to be used
in the restoration and nourishment of beaches. Such evalua-
tion shall address the potential effects of changing existing
procedures and requirements on the implementation of
beach restoration and nourishment projects and on the
aquatic environment.
(b) CONSULTATION.—In conducting the evaluation
under this section, the Secretaries shall consult with appro-
priate State agencies.
258
(c) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall transmit
a report to Congress on their findings under this section.
SEC. 574. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING ST. LAWRENCE
SEAWAY TOLLS.
It is the sense of Congress that the President should
engage in negotiations with the Government of Canada for
the purposes of—
(1) eliminating tolls along the St. Lawrence Sea-
way system; and
(2) identifying ways to maximize the movement
of goods and commerce through the St. Lawrence Sea-
way.