SECTION 1. STUDY BY THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Director of the Geological
Survey (in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Director’’), upon
entering into a cooperative agreement under subsection (c)
and subject to the availability of appropriations, shall con-
duct a mapping and study of the marine environment of
Anasco Bay off the coast of the Mayaguez region of Puer-
to Rico, and of the marine environment in the ocean area
adjacent to Anasco Bay, to determine the feasibility of
constructing a deepwater outfall for the publicly owned
treatment works located at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, con-
sistent with the goals and objectives of the Magnuson
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C.
1801 et seq.). The Director shall conduct the mapping and
study in coordination and consultation with the Secretary
of Commerce and in cooperation with the government of
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
(b) CONTENTS OF STUDY.—The study under sub-
section (a) shall—
(1) determine whether environmental and eco-
nomic benefits can be achieved by constructing a
new, deepwater outfall for the publicly owned treat-
ment works located at Mayaguez, Puerto Rico;
(2) determine and map possible locations for
such a deepwater outfall and determine for each lo-
cation the effects of such an outfall on wildlife re-
sources, fisheries, the marine coral environment,
other marine communities, and water quality; and
(3) determine and compare the environmental
and economic costs and benefits of—
(A) relocating the existing wastewater
treatment plant outfall to any of one or more
possible deepwater locations; and
(B) operating the existing outfall modified
to meet secondary treatment standards.
(c) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the
costs of a study under subsection (a) may not exceed 50
percent. The Director shall seek to enter into a cooperative
agreement with the government of Puerto Rico under
which the government of Puerto Rico is required to pay
at least 50 percent of the costs of the study.
(d) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit
to the Congress a report on the study under subsection
(a) that includes—
(1) a recommendation on the best location for
construction of a deepwater outfall for the publicly
owned treatment works located at Mayaguez, Puerto
Rico, based on the effects of such an outfall on ma-
rine resources and the environment; and
(2) if appropriate, a finding that the current
discharge of the treatment works from an outfall at
that location would not adversely affect the coastal
marine environment.
(e) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There
are authorized to be appropriated to the Director to carry
out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1996.
SEC. 2. APPLICATION FOR A DEEPWATER OUTFALL.
Notwithstanding section 301(j)(1)(A) of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1311(j)(1)(A)),
any publicly owned treatment works for which the Direc-
tor determines that environmental and economic benefits
would result from relocation of its existing outfall to a new
deepwater location may apply for a modification under
section 301(h) of that Act (33 U.S.C. 1311(h)), for con-
struction of a deepwater outfall at any location which the
Director has reviewed, recommended, and found to be a
point where the current discharge from the treatment
works would not adversely affect the coastal marine envi-
ronment. Such an application shall be filed within 1 year
after the date the Director issues such a recommendation
for the treatment works.
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