H. R. 1495—227 
‘‘(245) VERA CRUZ, PENNSYLVANIA.—$5,500,000 for waste-
water infrastructure, Vera Cruz, Pennsylvania. 
‘‘(246) COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO.—$35,000,000 for 
water and wastewater infrastructure in the Commonwealth 
of Puerto Rico. 
‘‘(247) CHARLESTON, 
SOUTH
CAROLINA.—$4,000,000 for 
stormwater control measures and storm sewer improvements, 
Spring Street/Fishburne Street drainage project, Charleston, 
South Carolina. 
‘‘(248) CHARLESTON AND WEST ASHLEY, SOUTH CAROLINA.— 
$6,000,000 for wastewater tunnel replacement, Charleston and 
West Ashley, South Carolina. 
‘‘(249) CROOKED CREEK, MARLBORO COUNTY, SOUTH CARO-
LINA.—$25,000,000 for a project for water storage and water 
supply infrastructure on Crooked Creek, Marlboro County, 
South Carolina. 
‘‘(250) MYRTLE BEACH, SOUTH CAROLINA.—$18,000,000 for 
environmental infrastructure, including ocean outfalls, Myrtle 
Beach, South Carolina. 
‘‘(251) 
NORTH
MYRTLE
BEACH, 
SOUTH
CAROLINA.— 
$11,000,000 for environmental infrastructure, including ocean 
outfalls, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 
‘‘(252) 
SURFSIDE, 
SOUTH
CAROLINA.—$11,000,000 
for 
environmental infrastructure, including stormwater system 
improvements and ocean outfalls, Surfside, South Carolina. 
‘‘(253) CHEYENNE RIVER SIOUX RESERVATION (DEWEY AND 
ZIEBACH COUNTIES) AND PERKINS AND MEADE COUNTIES, SOUTH 
DAKOTA.—$65,000,000 for water related infrastructure, Chey-
enne River Sioux Reservation (Dewey and Ziebach counties) 
and Perkins and Meade Counties, South Dakota. 
‘‘(254) ATHENS, TENNESSEE.—$16,000,000 for wastewater 
infrastructure, Athens, Tennessee. 
‘‘(255) BLAINE, TENNESSEE.—$500,000 for water supply and 
wastewater infrastructure, Blaine, Tennessee. 
‘‘(256) CLAIBORNE
COUNTY, TENNESSEE.—$1,250,000 for 
water supply and wastewater infrastructure, Claiborne County, 
Tennessee. 
‘‘(257) GILES COUNTY, TENNESSEE.—$2,000,000 for water 
supply and wastewater infrastructure, county of Giles, Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘(258) GRAINGER
COUNTY, 
TENNESSEE.—$1,250,000 for 
water supply and wastewater infrastructure, Grainger County, 
Tennessee. 
‘‘(259) HAMILTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.—$500,000 for water 
supply and wastewater infrastructure, Hamilton County, Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘(260) HARROGATE, 
TENNESSEE.—$2,000,000 for water 
supply and wastewater infrastructure, city of Harrogate, Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘(261) JOHNSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE.—$600,000 for water 
supply and wastewater infrastructure, Johnson County, Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘(262) KNOXVILLE, 
TENNESSEE.—$5,000,000 for water 
supply and wastewater infrastructure, city of Knoxville, Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘(263) NASHVILLE, 
TENNESSEE.—$5,000,000 for water 
supply and wastewater infrastructure, Nashville, Tennessee.
H. R. 1495—228 
‘‘(264) LEWIS, LAWRENCE, AND
WAYNE
COUNTIES, TEN-
NESSEE.—$2,000,000 for water supply and wastewater infra-
structure, counties of Lewis, Lawrence, and Wayne, Tennessee. 
‘‘(265) OAK
RIDGE, 
TENNESSEE.—$4,000,000 for water 
supply and wastewater infrastructure, city of Oak Ridge, Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘(266) PLATEAU UTILITY DISTRICT, MORGAN COUNTY, TEN-
NESSEE.—$1,000,000 for water supply and wastewater infra-
structure, Morgan County, Tennessee. 
‘‘(267) SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE.—$4,000,000 for water 
related environmental infrastructure, county of Shelby, Ten-
nessee. 
‘‘(268) CENTRAL TEXAS.—$20,000,000 for water and waste-
water infrastructure in Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Hill, 
Hood, Johnson, Madison, McLennan, Limestone, Robertson, and 
Somervell Counties, Texas. 
‘‘(269) EL
PASO
COUNTY, TEXAS.—$25,000,000 for water 
related infrastructure and resource protection, including 
stormwater management, and development, El Paso County, 
Texas. 
‘‘(270) FT. BEND COUNTY, TEXAS.—$20,000,000 for water 
and wastewater infrastructure, Ft. Bend County, Texas. 
‘‘(271) DUCHESNE, IRON, AND UINTAH COUNTIES, UTAH.— 
$10,800,000 for water related infrastructure, Duchesne, Iron, 
and Uintah Counties, Utah. 
‘‘(272) NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA.—$20,000,000 for water 
and wastewater infrastructure in Hancock, Ohio, Marshall, 
Wetzel, Tyler, Pleasants, Wood, Doddridge, Monongalia, 
Marion, Harrison, Taylor, Barbour, Preston, Tucker, Mineral, 
Grant, Gilmer, Brooke, and Ritchie Counties, West Virginia. 
‘‘(273) UNITED
STATES
VIRGIN
ISLANDS.—$25,000,000 for 
wastewater infrastructure for the St. Croix Anguilla wastewater 
treatment plant and the St. Thomas Charlotte Amalie waste-
water treatment plant, United States Virgin Islands.’’. 
TITLE VI—FLORIDA EVERGLADES 
SEC. 6001. HILLSBORO AND OKEECHOBEE AQUIFER, FLORIDA. 
(a) MODIFICATION.—The project for Hillsboro and Okeechobee 
Aquifer, Florida, authorized by section 101(a)(16) of the Water 
Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 276), is modified 
to authorize the Secretary to carry out the project at a total cost 
of $42,500,000. 
(b) TREATMENT.—Section 601(b)(2)(A) of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2681) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i) by adding at the end the following: ‘‘The 
project for aquifer storage and recovery, Hillsboro and Okee-
chobee Aquifer, Florida, authorized by section 101(a)(16) of 
the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 (113 Stat. 276), 
shall be treated for purposes of this section as being in the 
Plan, except that operation and maintenance costs of the project 
shall remain a non-Federal responsibility.’’; and 
(2) in clause (iii) by inserting after ‘‘subparagraph (B)’’ 
the following: ‘‘and the project for aquifer storage and recovery, 
Hillsboro and Okeechobee Aquifer’’.
H. R. 1495—229 
SEC. 6002. PILOT PROJECTS. 
Section 601(b)(2)(B) of the Water Resources Development Act 
of 2000 (114 Stat. 2681) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i)— 
(A) 
by 
striking 
‘‘$69,000,000’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘$71,200,000’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$34,500,000’’ each place it appears 
and inserting ‘‘$35,600,000’’; and 
(2) in clause (i)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘$6,000,000’’ and inserting ‘‘$8,200,000’’; 
and 
(B) by striking ‘‘$3,000,000’’ each place it appears and 
inserting ‘‘$4,100,000’’. 
SEC. 6003. MAXIMUM COSTS. 
(a) MAXIMUM COST OF PROJECTS.—Section 601(b)(2)(E) of the 
Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2683) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘and section (d)’’ before the period at the 
end. 
(b) MAXIMUM COST OF PROGRAM AUTHORITY.—Section 601(c)(3) 
of such Act (114 Stat. 2684) is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
‘‘(C) MAXIMUM COST OF PROGRAM AUTHORITY.—Section 
902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 
U.S.C. 2280) shall apply to the individual project funding 
limits in subparagraph (A) and the aggregate cost limits 
in subparagraph (B).’’. 
SEC. 6004. CREDIT. 
Section 601(e)(5)(B) of the Water Resources Development Act 
of 2000 (114 Stat. 2685) is amended— 
(1) in clause (i)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘or’’ at the end of subclause (I); 
(B) by adding ‘‘or’’ at the end of subclause (II); and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(III) the credit is provided for work carried out 
before the date of the partnership agreement between 
the Secretary and the non-Federal sponsor, as defined 
in an agreement between the Secretary and the non- 
Federal sponsor providing for such credit;’’; and 
(2) in clause (ii)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘design agreement or the project 
cooperation’’; and 
(B) by inserting before the semicolon the following: 
‘‘, including in the case of credit provided under clause 
(i)(III) conditions relating to design and construction’’. 
SEC. 6005. OUTREACH AND ASSISTANCE. 
Section 601(k) of the Water Resources Development Act of 
2000 (114 Stat. 2691) is amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) MAXIMUM EXPENDITURES.—The Secretary may expend 
up to $3,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years beginning after 
September 30, 2004, to carry out this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 6006. CRITICAL RESTORATION PROJECTS. 
Section 528(b)(3)(C) of the Water Resources Development Act 
of 1996 (110 Stat. 3769) is amended—
H. R. 1495—230 
(1) in clause (i) by striking ‘‘$75,000,000’’ and all that 
follows and inserting ‘‘$95,000,000’’; and 
(2) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following: 
‘‘(ii) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
‘‘(I) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in sub-
clause (II), the Federal share of the cost of carrying 
out a project under subparagraph (A) shall not 
exceed $25,000,000. 
‘‘(II) SEMINOLE WATER CONSERVATION PLAN.— 
The Federal share of the cost of carrying out the 
Seminole water conservation plan shall not exceed 
$30,000,000.’’. 
SEC. 6007. REGIONAL ENGINEERING MODEL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL 
RESTORATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall complete the development 
and testing of the regional engineering model for environmental 
restoration as expeditiously as practicable. 
(b) USAGE.—The Secretary shall consider using, as appropriate, 
the regional engineering model for environmental restoration in 
the development of future water resource projects, including projects 
developed pursuant to section 601 of the Water Resources Develop-
ment Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2680). 
TITLE VII—LOUISIANA COASTAL AREA 
SEC. 7001. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title, the following definitions apply: 
(1) COASTAL
LOUISIANA
ECOSYSTEM.—The term ‘‘coastal 
Louisiana ecosystem’’ means the coastal area of Louisiana from 
the Sabine River on the west to the Pearl River on the east, 
including those parts of the Atchafalaya River Basin and the 
Mississippi River Deltaic Plain below the Old River Control 
Structure and the Chenier Plain included within the study 
area of the restoration plan. 
(2) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means the Governor 
of the State of Louisiana. 
(3) RESTORATION PLAN.—The term ‘‘restoration plan’’ means 
the report of the Chief of Engineers for ecosystem restoration 
for the Louisiana Coastal Area dated January 31, 2005. 
(4) TASK FORCE.—The term ‘‘Task Force’’ means the Coastal 
Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force 
established by section 7003. 
(5) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.—The term ‘‘comprehensive plan’’ 
means the plan developed under section 7002 and any revisions 
thereto. 
SEC. 7002. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Gov-
ernor, shall develop a comprehensive plan for protecting, preserving, 
and restoring the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. 
(b) INTEGRATION OF PLAN INTO COMPREHENSIVE HURRICANE 
PROTECTION STUDY.—In developing the comprehensive plan, the 
Secretary shall integrate the restoration plan into the analysis 
and design of the comprehensive hurricane protection study author-
ized by title I of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
Act, 2006 (119 Stat. 2247).
H. R. 1495—231 
(c) CONSISTENCY WITH COMPREHENSIVE COASTAL PROTECTION 
MASTER PLAN.—In developing the comprehensive plan, the Sec-
retary shall ensure that the plan is not inconsistent with the 
goals, analysis, and design of the comprehensive coastal protection 
master plan authorized and defined pursuant to Act 8 of the First 
Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana State Legislature, 2005. 
(d) INCLUSIONS.—The comprehensive plan shall include a 
description of— 
(1) the framework of a long-term program integrated with 
hurricane and storm damage reduction, flood damage reduction, 
and navigation activities that provide for the comprehensive 
protection, conservation, and restoration of the wetlands, estu-
aries, barrier islands, shorelines, and related land and features 
of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, including protection of crit-
ical resources, habitat, and infrastructure from the effects of 
a coastal storm, a hurricane, erosion, or subsidence; 
(2) the means by which a new technology, or an improved 
technique, can be integrated into the program referred to in 
paragraph (1); 
(3) the role of other Federal and State agencies and pro-
grams in carrying out such program; 
(4) 
specific, 
measurable 
success 
criteria 
(including 
ecological criteria) by which success of the plan will be meas-
ured; 
(5) proposed projects in order of priority as determined 
by their respective potential to contribute to— 
(A) creation of coastal wetlands; and 
(B) flood protection of communities ranked by popu-
lation density and level of protection; and 
(6) efforts by Federal, State, and local interests to address 
sociological, economic, and related fields of law. 
(e) CONSIDERATIONS.—In developing the comprehensive plan, 
the Secretary shall consider the advisability of integrating into 
the program referred to in subsection (d)(1)— 
(1) an investigation and study of the maximum effective 
use of the water and sediment of the Mississippi and 
Atchafalaya Rivers for coastal restoration purposes consistent 
with flood control and navigation; 
(2) a schedule for the design and implementation of large- 
scale water and sediment reintroduction projects and an assess-
ment of funding needs from any source; 
(3) an investigation and assessment of alterations in the 
operation of the Old River Control Structure, consistent with 
flood control and navigation purposes; 
(4) any related Federal or State project being carried out 
on the date on which the plan is developed; 
(5) any activity in the restoration plan; and 
(6) any other project or activity identified in one or more 
of— 
(A) the Mississippi River and Tributaries program; 
(B) the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands Conservation Plan; 
(C) the Louisiana Coastal Zone Management Plan; 
(D) the plan of the State of Louisiana entitled 
‘‘Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protec-
tion—Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a 
Sustainable Coast’’; and
H. R. 1495—232 
(E) other relevant reports as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(f) REPORTS TO CONGRESS.— 
(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
a report containing the comprehensive plan. 
(2) UPDATES.—Not later than 5 years after the date of 
submission of a report under paragraph (1), and at least once 
every 5 years thereafter until implementation of the comprehen-
sive plan is complete, the Secretary shall submit to Congress 
a report containing an update of the plan and an assessment 
of the progress made in implementing the plan. 
SEC. 7003. LOUISIANA COASTAL AREA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may carry out a program for 
ecosystem restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana, substan-
tially in accordance with the report of the Chief of Engineers, 
dated January 31, 2005. 
(b) PRIORITIES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the program under sub-
section (a), the Secretary shall give priority to— 
(A) any portion of the program identified in the report 
described in subsection (a) as a critical restoration feature; 
(B) any Mississippi River diversion project that— 
(i) will protect a major population area of the Pont-
chartrain, 
Pearl, 
Breton 
Sound, 
Barataria, 
or 
Terrebonne basins; and 
(ii) will produce an environmental benefit to the 
coastal Louisiana ecosystem; 
(C) any barrier island, or barrier shoreline, project 
that— 
(i) will be carried out in conjunction with a Mis-
sissippi River diversion project; and 
(ii) will protect a major population area; 
(D) any project that will reduce storm surge and pre-
vent or reduce the risk of loss of human life and the 
risk to public safety; and 
(E) a project to physically modify the Mississippi River- 
Gulf Outlet and to restore the areas affected by the Mis-
sissippi River-Gulf Outlet in accordance with the com-
prehensive plan to be developed under section 7002(a) and 
consistent with sections 7006(c)(1)(A) and 7013. 
SEC. 7004. COASTAL LOUISIANA ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION AND RES-
TORATION TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a task force to be 
known as the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restora-
tion Task Force (in this section referred to as the ‘‘Task Force’’). 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The Task Force shall consist of the following 
members (or, in the case of the head of a Federal agency, a designee 
of the head of the agency at the level of Assistant Secretary or 
an equivalent level): 
(1) The Secretary. 
(2) The Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) The Secretary of Commerce. 
(4) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency. 
(5) The Secretary of Agriculture.
H. R. 1495—233 
(6) The Secretary of Transportation. 
(7) The Secretary of Energy. 
(8) The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency. 
(9) The Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
(10) The Chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration 
Authority of Louisiana. 
(11) Two representatives of the State of Louisiana selected 
by the Governor. 
(c) DUTIES.—The Task Force shall make recommendations to 
the Secretary regarding— 
(1) policies, strategies, plans, programs, projects, and activi-
ties for addressing conservation, protection, restoration, and 
maintenance of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; 
(2) financial participation by each agency represented on 
the Task Force in conserving, protecting, restoring, and 
maintaining the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, including rec-
ommendations— 
(A) that identify funds from current agency missions 
and budgets; and 
(B) for coordinating individual agency budget requests; 
and 
(3) the comprehensive plan to be developed under section 
7002(a). 
(d) REPORT.—The Task Force shall submit to Congress a 
biennial report that summarizes the activities and recommendations 
of the Task Force. 
(e) WORKING GROUPS.— 
(1) GENERAL AUTHORITY.—The Task Force may establish 
such working groups as the Task Force determines to be nec-
essary to assist the Task Force in carrying out this section. 
(2) HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA.— 
(A) INTEGRATION TEAM.—The Task Force shall estab-
lish a working group for the purpose of advising the Task 
Force 
of 
opportunities 
to 
integrate 
the 
planning, 
engineering, design, implementation, and performance of 
Corps of Engineers projects for hurricane and storm dam-
age reduction, flood damage reduction, ecosystem restora-
tion, and navigation in those areas in Louisiana for which 
a major disaster has been declared by the President as 
a result of Hurricane Katrina or Rita. 
(B) EXPERTISE; REPRESENTATION.—In establishing the 
working group under subparagraph (A), the Task Force 
shall ensure that the group— 
(i) has expertise in coastal estuaries, diversions, 
coastal restoration and wetlands protection, ecosystem 
restoration, hurricane protection, storm damage reduc-
tion systems, navigation, and ports; and 
(ii) represents the State of Louisiana and local 
governments in southern Louisiana. 
(C) DUTIES.—In developing its recommendations under 
this subsection, the working group shall— 
(i) review reports relating to the performance of, 
and recommendations relating to the future perform-
ance of, the hurricane, coastal, and flood protection 
systems in southern Louisiana, including the reports 
issued by the Interagency Performance Evaluation
H. R. 1495—234 
Team, the National Academy of Sciences, the National 
Science Foundation, the American Society of Civil 
Engineers, and Team Louisiana for the purpose of 
advising the Task Force and the Secretary on 
opportunities to improve the performance of the protec-
tion systems; 
(ii) assist in providing reviews under section 2035; 
and 
(iii) carry out such other duties as the Task Force 
or the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 
(f) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Task Force and members 
of a working group established by the Task Force may not receive 
compensation for their services as members of the Task Force 
or working group, as the case may be. 
(g) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Travel expenses incurred by members 
of the Task Force and members of a working group established 
by the Task Force, in the performance of their service on the 
Task Force or working group, as the case may be, shall be paid 
by the agency or entity that the member represents. 
(h) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FACA.—The Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task Force or 
any working group established by the Task Force. 
SEC. 7005. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS. 
(a) REVIEW.—The Secretary, in cooperation with the non-Fed-
eral interest of the project involved, shall review each Federally- 
authorized water resources project in the coastal Louisiana eco-
system being carried out or completed as of the date of enactment 
of this Act to determine whether the project needs to be modified— 
(1) to take into account the program authorized by section 
7003 and the projects authorized by sections 7006(e) and 7013; 
or 
(2) to contribute to ecosystem restoration under section 
7003, 7006(e), or 7013. 
(b) MODIFICATIONS.—Subject to subsections (c) and (d), the Sec-
retary may carry out the modifications described in subsection 
(a). 
(c) PUBLIC NOTICE
AND COMMENT.—Before completing the 
report required under subsection (d), the Secretary shall provide 
an opportunity for public notice and comment. 
(d) REPORT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Before modifying an operation or feature 
of a project under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works of the Senate a report describing the modi-
fication. 
(2) INCLUSION.—A report describing a modification under 
paragraph (1) shall include such information relating to the 
timeline for and cost of the modification, as the Secretary 
determines to be relevant. 
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000. 
SEC. 7006. CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.—
H. R. 1495—235 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out a coastal 
Louisiana ecosystem science and technology program substan-
tially in accordance with the restoration plan at a total cost 
of $100,000,000. 
(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the program shall be— 
(A) to identify any uncertainty relating to the physical, 
chemical, geological, biological, and cultural baseline condi-
tions in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; 
(B) to improve knowledge of the physical, chemical, 
geological, biological, and cultural baseline conditions in 
the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; 
(C) to identify and develop technologies, models, and 
methods to carry out this subsection; and 
(D) to advance and expedite the implementation of 
the comprehensive plan. 
(3) WORKING GROUPS.—The Secretary may establish such 
working groups as the Secretary determines to be necessary 
to assist the Secretary in carrying out this subsection. 
(4) CONTRACTS
AND
COOPERATIVE
AGREEMENTS.—In car-
rying out this subsection, the Secretary may enter into a con-
tract or cooperative agreement with a consortium of academic 
institutions in Louisiana with scientific or engineering expertise 
in the restoration of aquatic and marine ecosystems for coastal 
restoration and enhancement through science and technology. 
(5) APPLICABILITY OF THE FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
ACT.—The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) 
shall not apply to a working group established under this 
subsection. 
(b) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary 
may carry out demonstration projects substantially in accord-
ance with the restoration plan and within the coastal Louisiana 
ecosystem for the purpose of resolving critical areas of scientific 
or technological uncertainty related to the implementation of 
the comprehensive plan. 
(2) MAXIMUM COST.— 
(A) TOTAL COST.—The total cost for planning, design, 
and construction of all projects under this subsection shall 
not exceed $100,000,000. 
(B) INDIVIDUAL PROJECT.—The total cost of any single 
project under this subsection shall not exceed $25,000,000. 
(c) INITIAL PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to carry out 
the following projects substantially in accordance with the res-
toration plan: 
(A) Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet environmental res-
toration at a total cost of $105,300,000, but not including 
those elements of the project that produce navigation bene-
fits. 
(B) Small diversion at Hope Canal at a total cost 
of $68,600,000. 
(C) Barataria basin barrier shoreline restoration at 
a total cost of $242,600,000. 
(D) Small Bayou Lafourche reintroduction at a total 
cost of $133,500,000. 
(E) Medium diversion at Myrtle Grove with dedicated 
dredging at a total cost of $278,300,000.
H. R. 1495—236 
(2) MODIFICATIONS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out each project under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall carry out such modifica-
tions as may be necessary to the ecosystem restoration 
features identified in the restoration plan— 
(i) to address the impacts of Hurricanes Katrina 
and Rita on the areas of the project; and 
(ii) to ensure consistency with the project author-
ized by section 7013 (including work in and around 
the vicinity of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet). 
(B) INTEGRATION.—The Secretary shall ensure that 
each modification under subparagraph (A) is taken into 
account in conducting the study of comprehensive hurricane 
protection authorized by title I of the Energy and Water 
Development Appropriations Act, 2006 (119 Stat. 2247). 
(C) MISSISSIPPI RIVER-GULF OUTLET.—In carrying out 
the project under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall 
carry out such modifications as may be necessary to make 
the project consistent with and complementary to the clo-
sure and restoration of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet 
authorized by section 7013. 
(3) CONSTRUCTION
REPORTS.—Before the Secretary may 
begin construction of any project under this subsection, the 
Secretary shall submit a report documenting any modifications 
to the project, including cost changes, to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
of the Senate. 
(4) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS.—Notwithstanding 
section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 
(33 U.S.C. 2280), the cost of a project under this subsection, 
including any modifications to the project, shall not exceed 
150 percent of the cost of such project set forth in paragraph 
(1). 
(d) BENEFICIAL USE OF DREDGED MATERIAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, substantially in accord-
ance with the restoration plan, shall implement in the coastal 
Louisiana ecosystem a program for the beneficial use of mate-
rial dredged from federally maintained waterways at a total 
cost of $100,000,000. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In carrying out the program under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider the beneficial use 
of sediment from the Illinois River System for wetlands restora-
tion in wetlands-depleted watersheds of the coastal Louisiana 
ecosystem. 
(e) ADDITIONAL PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to carry out 
the following projects referred to in the restoration plan if 
the Secretary determines such projects are feasible: 
(A) Land Bridge between Caillou Lake and the Gulf 
of Mexico at a total cost of $56,300,000. 
(B) Gulf Shoreline at Point Au Fer Island at a total 
cost of $43,400,000. 
(C) Modification of Caernarvon Diversion at a total 
cost of $20,700,000. 
(D) Modification of Davis Pond Diversion at a total 
cost of $64,200,000.
H. R. 1495—237 
(2) REPORTS.—Not later than December 31, 2009, the Sec-
retary shall submit feasibility reports on the projects described 
in paragraph (1) to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate. 
(3) PROJECTS SUBJECT TO REPORTS.— 
(A) FEASIBILITY REPORTS.—Not later than December 
31, 2008, the Secretary shall submit to Congress feasibility 
reports on the following projects referred to in the restora-
tion plan: 
(i) Multipurpose Operation of Houma Navigation 
Lock at a total cost of $18,100,000. 
(ii) Terrebonne Basin Barrier Shoreline Restora-
tion at a total cost of $124,600,000. 
(iii) Small Diversion at Convent/Blind River at 
a total cost of $88,000,000. 
(iv) Amite River Diversion Canal Modification at 
a total cost of $5,600,000. 
(v) Medium Diversion at White’s Ditch at a total 
cost of $86,100,000. 
(vi) Convey Atchafalaya River Water to Northern 
Terrebonne Marshes at a total cost of $221,200,000. 
(B) CONSTRUCTION.—The Secretary may carry out the 
projects under subparagraph (A) substantially in accord-
ance with the plans and subject to the conditions, rec-
ommended in a final report of the Chief of Engineers if 
a favorable report of the Chief is completed by not later 
than December 31, 2010. 
(4) CONSTRUCTION.—No appropriations shall be made to 
construct any project under this subsection if the report under 
paragraph (2) or paragraph (3), as the case may be, has not 
been approved by resolutions adopted by the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
of the Senate. 
SEC. 7007. NON-FEDERAL COST SHARE. 
(a) CREDIT.—The Secretary shall credit, in accordance with 
section 221 of the Flood Control Act 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b), 
toward the non-Federal share of the cost of a study or project 
under this title the cost of work carried out in the coastal Louisiana 
ecosystem by the non-Federal interest for the project before the 
date of the execution of the partnership agreement for the study 
or project. 
(b) SOURCES OF FUNDS.—The non-Federal interest may use, 
and the Secretary shall accept, funds provided by a Federal agency 
under any other Federal program, to satisfy, in whole or in part, 
the non-Federal share of the cost of the study or project if the 
Federal agency that provides the funds determines that the funds 
are authorized to be used to carry out the study or project. 
(c) NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.—A nongovernmental 
organization shall be eligible to contribute all or a portion of the 
non-Federal share of the cost of a project under this title. 
(d) TREATMENT
OF CREDIT BETWEEN PROJECTS.—Any credit 
provided under this section toward the non-Federal share of the 
cost of a study or project under this title may be applied toward
H. R. 1495—238 
the non-Federal share of the cost of any other study or project 
under this title. 
(e) PERIODIC MONITORING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that the contributions of the 
non-Federal interest equal the non-Federal share of the cost 
of a study or project under this title during each 5-year period 
beginning after the date of commencement of the first study 
or project under this title, the Secretary shall— 
(A) monitor for each study or project under this title 
the non-Federal provision of cash, in-kind services and 
materials, and land, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, 
and disposal areas; and 
(B) manage the requirement of the non-Federal interest 
to provide for each such study or project cash, in-kind 
services and materials, and land, easements, rights-of-way, 
relocations, and disposal areas. 
(2) OTHER MONITORING.—The Secretary shall conduct moni-
toring separately for the study phase, construction phase, 
preconstruction engineering and design phase, and planning 
phase for each project authorized on or after the date of enact-
ment of this Act for all or any portion of the coastal Louisiana 
ecosystem. 
(f) AUDITS.—Credit for land, easements, rights-of-way, reloca-
tions, and disposal areas (including land value and incidental costs) 
provided under this section, and the cost of work provided under 
this section, shall be subject to audit by the Secretary. 
SEC. 7008. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 209 of the Flood 
Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962–2) or any other provision 
of law, in carrying out any project or activity under this title 
or any other provision of law to protect, conserve, and restore 
the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, the Secretary may determine 
that— 
(1) the project or activity is justified by the environmental 
benefits derived by the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; and 
(2) no further economic justification for the project or 
activity shall be required if the Secretary determines that the 
project or activity is cost effective. 
(b) LIMITATION
ON APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) shall not 
apply to any separable element of a project intended to produce 
benefits that are predominantly unrelated to the protection, 
preservation, and restoration of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. 
SEC. 7009. INDEPENDENT REVIEW. 
The Secretary shall establish a council, to be known as the 
‘‘Louisiana Water Resources Council’’, which shall serve as the 
exclusive peer review panel for activities conducted by the Corps 
of Engineers in the areas in the State of Louisiana declared as 
major disaster areas in accordance with section 401 of the Robert 
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
5170) in response to Hurricane Katrina or Rita of 2005, in accord-
ance with the requirements of section 2034.
H. R. 1495—239 
SEC. 7010. EXPEDITED REPORTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall expedite completion of 
the reports for the following projects and, if the Secretary deter-
mines that a project is feasible, proceed directly to project 
preconstruction engineering and design: 
(1) The projects identified in the study of comprehensive 
hurricane protection authorized by title I of the Energy and 
Water Development Appropriations Act, 2006 (119 Stat. 2447). 
(2) The projects identified in the Southwest Coastal Lou-
isiana hurricane and storm damage reduction study authorized 
by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives on December 7, 2005. 
(b) SUBMISSION OF REPORTS.—Upon completion of the reports 
identified in subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit the reports 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate 
and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
House of Representatives. 
SEC. 7011. REPORTING. 
Not later than 6 years after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report, 
including a description of— 
(1) the projects authorized and undertaken under this title; 
(2) the construction status of the projects; 
(3) the cost to date and the expected final cost of each 
project undertaken under this title; and 
(4) the benefits and environmental impacts of the projects. 
SEC. 7012. NEW ORLEANS AND VICINITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to— 
(1) raise levee heights where necessary and otherwise 
enhance the Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity project and the 
West Bank and Vicinity project to provide the level of protection 
necessary to achieve the certification required for a 100-year 
level of flood protection in accordance with the national flood 
insurance program under the base flood elevations current at 
the time of construction of the levee; 
(2) modify the 17th Street, Orleans Avenue, and London 
Avenue drainage canals in the city of New Orleans and install 
pumps and closure structures at or near the lakefront at Lake 
Pontchartrain; 
(3) armor critical elements of the New Orleans hurricane 
and storm damage reduction system; 
(4) modify the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal to increase 
the reliability of the flood protection system for the city of 
New Orleans; 
(5) replace or modify certain non-Federal levees in 
Plaquemines Parish to incorporate the levees into the New 
Orleans to Venice Hurricane Protection project; 
(6) reinforce or replace flood walls in the existing Lake 
Pontchartrain and Vicinity project and the existing West Bank 
and Vicinity project to improve performance of the flood and 
storm damage reduction systems;
H. R. 1495—240 
(7) perform one time stormproofing of interior pump sta-
tions to ensure the operability of the stations during hurricanes, 
storms, and high water events; 
(8) repair, replace, modify and improve non-Federal levees 
and associated protection measures in Terrebonne Parish; and 
(9) reduce the risk of storm damage to the greater New 
Orleans metropolitan area by restoring the surrounding wet-
lands through measures to begin to reverse wetland losses 
in areas affected by navigation, oil and gas, and other channels 
and through modification of the Caernarvon Freshwater Diver-
sion structure or its operations. 
(b) COST SHARING.—Activities authorized by subsection (a) and 
section 7013 shall be carried out in a manner that is consistent 
with the cost-sharing requirements specified in the Emergency 
Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on 
Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (Public Law 109–234). 
(c) CONDITIONS.—The Secretary shall notify the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate 
if estimates for the expenditure of funds on any single project 
or activity identified in subsection (a) exceeds the amount specified 
for that project or activity in the Emergency Supplemental Appro-
priations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane 
Recovery, 2006. No appropriation in excess of 25 percent above 
the amount specified for a project or activity in such Act may 
be made until an increase in the level of expenditure has been 
approved by resolutions adopted by the Committee on Transpor-
tation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate. 
SEC. 7013. MISSISSIPPI RIVER-GULF OUTLET. 
(a) DEAUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Effective beginning on the date of submis-
sion of the plan required under paragraph (3), the navigation 
channel portion of the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet element 
of the project for navigation, Mississippi River, Baton Rouge 
to the Gulf of Mexico, authorized by the Act entitled ‘‘An 
Act to authorize construction of the Mississippi River-Gulf 
outlet’’, approved March 29, 1956 (70 Stat. 65) and modified 
by section 844 of the Water Resources Development Act of 
1986 (100 Stat. 4177) and section 326 of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3717), which extends from 
the Gulf of Mexico to Mile 60 at the southern bank of the 
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, is not authorized. 
(2) SCOPE.—Nothing in this paragraph modifies or 
deauthorizes the Inner Harbor navigation canal replacement 
project authorized by that Act of March 29, 1956. 
(3) CLOSURE AND RESTORATION PLAN.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of 
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives a final report 
on the deauthorization of the Mississippi River-Gulf outlet, 
as described under the heading ‘‘INVESTIGATIONS’’ under
H. R. 1495—241 
chapter 3 of title II of the Emergency Supplemental Appro-
priations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and 
Hurricane Recovery, 2006 (120 Stat. 453). 
(B) INCLUSIONS.—At a minimum, the report under 
subparagraph (A) shall include— 
(i) a plan to physically modify the Mississippi 
River-Gulf Outlet and restore the areas affected by 
the navigation channel; 
(ii) a plan to restore natural features of the eco-
system that will reduce or prevent damage from storm 
surge; 
(iii) a plan to prevent the intrusion of saltwater 
into the waterway; 
(iv) efforts to integrate the recommendations of 
the report with the program authorized under section 
7003 and the analysis and design authorized by title 
I of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
Act, 2006 (119 Stat. 2247); and 
(v) consideration of— 
(I) use of native vegetation; and 
(II) diversions of fresh water to restore the 
Lake Borgne ecosystem. 
(4) CONSTRUCTION.—The Secretary shall carry out a plan 
to close the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet and restore and pro-
tect the ecosystem substantially in accordance with the plan 
required under paragraph (3), if the Secretary determines that 
the project is cost-effective, environmentally acceptable, and 
technically feasible. 
SEC. 7014. HURRICANE AND STORM DAMAGE REDUCTION. 
(a) REPORTS.—With respect to the projects identified in the 
analysis and design of comprehensive hurricane protection author-
ized by title I of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations 
Act, 2006 (119 Stat. 2247), the Secretary shall submit, to the 
maximum extent practicable, specific project recommendations in 
a report developed under that title. 
(b) EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—If the President determines that a project 
recommended in the analysis and design of comprehensive 
hurricane protection under title I of the Energy and Water 
Development Appropriations Act, 2006 could— 
(A) address an imminent threat to life and property; 
(B) prevent a dangerous storm surge from reaching 
a populated area; 
(C) prevent the loss of coastal areas that reduce the 
impact of storm surge; 
(D) benefit national energy security; 
(E) protect emergency hurricane evacuation routes or 
shelters; or 
(F) address inconsistencies in hurricane protection 
standards, 
the President may submit to the President pro tempore of 
the Senate for authorization a legislative proposal relating to 
the project, as the President determines to be appropriate. 
(2) PRIORITIZATION.—In submitting legislative proposals 
under paragraph (1), the President shall give priority to any 
project that, as determined by the President, would—
H. R. 1495—242 
(A) to the maximum extent practicable, reduce the 
risk— 
(i) of loss of human life; 
(ii) to public safety; and 
(iii) of damage to property; and 
(B) minimize costs and environmental impacts. 
(3) EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Beginning after December 31, 2008, 
any legislative proposal submitted by the President under 
paragraph (1) shall be eligible for expedited consideration 
in accordance with this paragraph. 
(B) INTRODUCTION.—As soon as practicable after the 
date of receipt of a legislative proposal under paragraph 
(1), the Chairman of the Committee on Environment and 
Public Works of the Senate shall introduce the proposal 
as a bill, by request, in the Senate. 
(C) REFERRAL.—A bill introduced under subparagraph 
(B) shall be referred to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works of the Senate. 
(D) COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION.— 
(i) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 45 legislative days 
after a bill under subparagraph (B) is referred to the 
committee in accordance with subparagraph (C), the 
committee shall act on the bill. 
(ii) FAILURE
TO
ACT.—If the committee fails to 
act on a bill by the date specified in clause (i), the 
bill shall be discharged from the committee and placed 
on the calendar of the Senate. 
(4) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The requirements of, and authorities 
under, this subsection shall expire on December 31, 2010. 
SEC. 7015. LAROSE TO GOLDEN MEADOW. 
(a) REPORT.—Not later than 120 days after the date of enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives a report describing any modification required to the project 
for flood damage reduction, Larose to Golden Meadow, Louisiana, 
to provide the level of protection necessary to achieve the certifi-
cation required for a 100-year level of flood protection in accordance 
with the national flood insurance program. 
(b) MODIFICATIONS.—The Secretary is authorized to carry out 
a modification described in subsection (a) if— 
(1) the Secretary determines that the modification in the 
report under subsection (a) is feasible; and 
(2) the total cost of the modification does not exceed 
$90,000,000. 
(c) REQUIREMENT.—No appropriation shall be made to construct 
any modification under this section if the report under subsection 
(a) has not been approved by resolutions adopted by the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee 
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representa-
tives. 
SEC. 7016. LOWER JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may carry out a project for 
flood damage reduction in Lower Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
H. R. 1495—243 
(b) EXISTING STUDIES.—In carrying out the project, the Sec-
retary shall use, to the maximum extent practicable, existing studies 
for projects for flood damage reduction in the vicinity of Lower 
Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, prepared under section 205 of the 
Flood Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 701s). 
(c) CONSTRUCTION.—The Secretary may proceed to construction 
or complete the construction of projects in Lower Jefferson Parish 
if the projects are being developed or carried out under section 
205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 as of the date of enactment 
of this Act. 
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized 
to be appropriated $100,000,000 to carry out this section. 
TITLE VIII—UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER 
AND ILLINOIS WATER-WAY SYSTEM 
SEC. 8001. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title, the following definitions apply: 
(1) PLAN.—The term ‘‘Plan’’ means the project for naviga-
tion and ecosystem improvements for the Upper Mississippi 
River and Illinois Waterway System: Report of the Chief of 
Engineers, dated December 15, 2004. 
(2) UPPER
MISSISSIPPI
RIVER
AND
ILLINOIS
WATERWAY 
SYSTEM.—The term ‘‘Upper Mississippi River and Illinois 
Waterway System’’ means the projects for navigation and eco-
system restoration authorized by Congress for— 
(A) the segment of the Mississippi River from the con-
fluence with the Ohio River, River Mile 0.0, to Upper 
St. Anthony Falls Lock in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, 
River Mile 854.0; and 
(B) the Illinois Waterway from its confluence with the 
Mississippi River at Grafton, Illinois, River Mile 0.0, to 
T.J. O’Brien Lock in Chicago, Illinois, River Mile 327.0. 
SEC. 8002. NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENTS AND RESTORATION. 
Except as modified by this title, the Secretary shall undertake 
navigation improvements and restoration of the ecosystem for the 
Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway System substantially 
in accordance with the Plan and subject to the conditions described 
therein. 
SEC. 8003. AUTHORIZATION OF CONSTRUCTION OF NAVIGATION 
IMPROVEMENTS. 
(a) SMALL SCALE AND NONSTRUCTURAL MEASURES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall— 
(A) construct mooring facilities at Locks 12, 14, 18, 
20, 22, 24, and LaGrange Lock or other alternative loca-
tions that are economically and environmentally feasible; 
(B) provide switchboats at Locks 20 through 25; and 
(C) conduct development and testing of an appointment 
scheduling system. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The total cost of 
projects authorized under this subsection shall be $256,000,000. 
Such costs are to be paid half from amounts appropriated 
from the general fund of the Treasury and half from amounts
H. R. 1495—244 
appropriated from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. Such 
sums shall remain available until expended. 
(b) NEW LOCKS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall construct new 1,200- 
foot locks at Locks 20, 21, 22, 24, and 25 on the Upper Mis-
sissippi River and at LaGrange Lock and Peoria Lock on the 
Illinois Waterway. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—The total cost of 
projects 
authorized 
under 
this 
subsection 
shall 
be 
$1,948,000,000. Such costs are to be paid half from amounts 
appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury and half 
from amounts appropriated from the Inland Waterways Trust 
Fund. Such sums shall remain available until expended. 
(c) CONCURRENCE.—The mitigation required for the projects 
authorized under subsections (a) and (b), including any acquisition 
of lands or interests in lands, shall be undertaken or acquired 
concurrently with lands and interests in lands for the projects 
authorized under subsections (a) and (b), and physical construction 
required for the purposes of mitigation shall be undertaken concur-
rently with the physical construction of such projects. 
SEC. 8004. ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION AUTHORIZATION. 
(a) OPERATION.—To ensure the environmental sustainability 
of the existing Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway 
System, the Secretary shall modify, consistent with requirements 
to avoid adverse effects on navigation, the operation of the Upper 
Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway System to address the 
cumulative environmental impacts of operation of the system and 
improve the ecological integrity of the Upper Mississippi River 
and Illinois River. 
(b) ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out, consistent 
with requirements to avoid adverse effects on navigation, eco-
system restoration projects to attain and maintain the sustain-
ability of the ecosystem of the Upper Mississippi River and 
Illinois River in accordance with the general framework out-
lined in the Plan. 
(2) PROJECTS
INCLUDED.—Ecosystem restoration projects 
may include— 
(A) island building; 
(B) construction of fish passages; 
(C) floodplain restoration; 
(D) water level management (including water draw-
down); 
(E) backwater restoration; 
(F) side channel restoration; 
(G) wing dam and dike restoration and modification; 
(H) island and shoreline protection; 
(I) topographical diversity; 
(J) dam point control; 
(K) use of dredged material for environmental pur-
poses; 
(L) tributary confluence restoration; 
(M) spillway, dam, and levee modification to benefit 
the environment; and 
(N) land and easement acquisition. 
(3) COST SHARING.—
H. R. 1495—245 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subparagraphs 
(B) and (C), the Federal share of the cost of carrying 
out an ecosystem restoration project under this subsection 
shall be 65 percent. 
(B) EXCEPTION FOR CERTAIN RESTORATION PROJECTS.— 
In the case of a project under this section for ecosystem 
restoration, the Federal share of the cost of carrying out 
the project shall be 100 percent if the project— 
(i) is located below the ordinary high water mark 
or in a connected backwater; 
(ii) modifies the operation of structures for naviga-
tion; or 
(iii) is located on federally owned land. 
(C) SAVINGS
CLAUSE.—Nothing in this subsection 
affects the applicability of section 906(e) of the Water 
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2283(e)). 
(D) NONGOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS.—In accord-
ance with section 221 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 
(42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b), for any project carried out under 
this title, a non-Federal sponsor may include a nonprofit 
entity, with the consent of the affected local government. 
(4) LAND ACQUISITION.—The Secretary may acquire land 
or an interest in land for an ecosystem restoration project 
from a willing seller through conveyance of— 
(A) fee title to the land; or 
(B) a flood plain conservation easement. 
(c) MONITORING.—The Secretary shall carry out a long term 
resource monitoring, computerized data inventory and analysis, 
and applied research program for the Upper Mississippi River and 
Illinois River to determine trends in ecosystem health, to under-
stand systemic changes, and to help identify restoration needs. 
The program shall consider and adopt the monitoring program 
established under section 1103(e)(1)(A)(ii) of the Water Resources 
Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 652(e)(1)(A)(ii)). 
(d) ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PRECONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING 
AND DESIGN.— 
(1) RESTORATION DESIGN.—Before initiating the construc-
tion of any individual ecosystem restoration project, the Sec-
retary shall— 
(A) establish ecosystem restoration goals and identify 
specific performance measures designed to demonstrate 
ecosystem restoration; 
(B) establish the without-project condition or baseline 
for each performance indicator; and 
(C) for each separable element of the ecosystem restora-
tion, identify specific target goals for each performance 
indicator. 
(2) OUTCOMES.—Performance measures identified under 
paragraph (1)(A) shall include specific measurable environ-
mental outcomes, such as changes in water quality, hydrology, 
or the well-being of indicator species the population and dis-
tribution of which are representative of the abundance and 
diversity of ecosystem-dependent aquatic and terrestrial spe-
cies. 
(3) RESTORATION DESIGN.—Restoration design carried out 
as part of ecosystem restoration shall include a monitoring
H. R. 1495—246 
plan for the performance measures identified under paragraph 
(1)(A), including— 
(A) a timeline to achieve the identified target goals; 
and 
(B) a timeline for the demonstration of project comple-
tion. 
(e) CONSULTATION AND FUNDING AGREEMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—In carrying out the environmental 
sustainability, ecosystem restoration, and monitoring activities 
authorized in this section, the Secretary shall consult with 
the Secretary of the Interior and the States of Illinois, Iowa, 
Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. 
(2) FUNDING
AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary is authorized 
to enter into agreements with the Secretary of the Interior, 
the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association, and natural 
resource and conservation agencies of the States of Illinois, 
Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin to provide for the 
direct participation of and transfer of funds to such entities 
for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects 
and programs established by this section. 
(f) SPECIFIC PROJECTS AUTHORIZATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this subsection $1,717,000,000, of which not more 
than $245,000,000 shall be available for projects described in 
subsection (b)(2)(B) and not more than $48,000,000 shall be 
available for projects described in subsection (b)(2)(J). Such 
sums shall remain available until expended. 
(2) LIMITATION
ON
AVAILABLE
FUNDS.—Of the amounts 
made available under paragraph (1), not more than $35,000,000 
in any fiscal year may be used for land acquisition under 
subsection (b)(4). 
(3) INDIVIDUAL
PROJECT
LIMIT.—Other than for projects 
described in subparagraphs (B) and (J) of subsection (b)(2), 
the total cost of any single project carried out under this sub-
section shall not exceed $25,000,000. 
(4) MONITORING.—In addition to amounts authorized under 
paragraph (1), there are authorized $10,420,000 per fiscal year 
to carry out the monitoring program under subsection (c) if 
such sums are not appropriated pursuant to section 1103(e)(4) 
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 
652(e)(4)). 
(g) IMPLEMENTATION REPORTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than June 30, 2009, and every 
4 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee 
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of 
Representatives an implementation report that— 
(A) includes baselines, milestones, goals, and priorities 
for ecosystem restoration projects; and 
(B) measures the progress in meeting the goals. 
(2) ADVISORY PANEL.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall appoint and con-
vene an advisory panel to provide independent guidance 
in the development of each implementation report under 
paragraph (1). 
(B) PANEL MEMBERS.—Panel members shall include—
H. R. 1495—247 
(i) one representative of each of the State resource 
agencies (or a designee of the Governor of the State) 
from each of the States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, 
Missouri, and Wisconsin; 
(ii) one representative of the Department of Agri-
culture; 
(iii) one representative of the Department of 
Transportation; 
(iv) one representative of the United States 
Geological Survey; 
(v) one representative of the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service; 
(vi) one representative of the Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
(vii) one representative of affected landowners; 
(viii) two representatives of conservation and 
environmental advocacy groups; and 
(ix) two representatives of agriculture and industry 
advocacy groups. 
(C) CHAIRPERSON.—The Secretary shall serve as chair-
person of the advisory panel. 
(D) APPLICATION
OF
FEDERAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE 
ACT.—The Advisory Panel and any working group estab-
lished by the Advisory Panel shall not be considered an 
advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
(h) RANKING SYSTEM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in consultation with the 
Advisory Panel, shall develop a system to rank proposed 
projects. 
(2) PRIORITY.—The ranking system shall give greater 
weight to projects that restore natural river processes, including 
those projects listed in subsection (b)(2). 
SEC. 8005. COMPARABLE PROGRESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—As the Secretary conducts pre-engineering, 
design, and construction for projects authorized under this title, 
the Secretary shall— 
(1) select appropriate milestones; 
(2) determine, at the time of such selection, whether the 
projects are being carried out at comparable rates; and 
(3) make an annual report to Congress, beginning in fiscal 
year 2009, regarding whether the projects are being carried 
out at a comparable rate. 
(b) NO COMPARABLE RATE.—If the Secretary or Congress deter-
mines under subsection (a)(2) that projects authorized under this 
title are not moving toward completion at a comparable rate, annual 
funding requests for the projects shall be adjusted to ensure that 
the projects move toward completion at a comparable rate in the 
future.
H. R. 1495—248 
TITLE IX—NATIONAL LEVEE SAFETY 
PROGRAM 
SEC. 9001. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the ‘‘National Levee Safety Act 
of 2007’’. 
SEC. 9002. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title, the following definitions apply: 
(1) COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘committee’’ means the Com-
mittee on Levee Safety established by section 9003(a). 
(2) INSPECTION.—The term ‘‘inspection’’ means an actual 
inspection of a levee— 
(A) to establish the global information system location 
of the levee; 
(B) to determine the general condition of the levee; 
and 
(C) to estimate the number of structures and popu-
lation at risk and protected by the levee that would be 
adversely impacted if the levee fails or water levels exceed 
the height of the levee. 
(3) LEVEE.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The term ‘‘levee’’ means an embank-
ment, including floodwalls— 
(i) the primary purpose of which is to provide 
hurricane, storm, and flood protection relating to sea-
sonal high water, storm surges, precipitation, and other 
weather events; and 
(ii) that normally is subject to water loading for 
only a few days or weeks during a year. 
(B) INCLUSION.—The term includes structures along 
canals that constrain water flows and are subject to more 
frequent water loadings but that do not constitute a barrier 
across a watercourse. 
(4) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— 
(A) a State; 
(B) the District of Columbia; 
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and 
(D) any other territory or possession of the United 
States. 
(5) STATE LEVEE SAFETY AGENCY.—The term ‘‘State levee 
safety agency’’ means the agency of a State that has regulatory 
authority over the safety of any non-Federal levee in the State. 
(6) UNITED STATES.—The term ‘‘United States’’, when used 
in a geographical sense, means all of the States. 
SEC. 9003. COMMITTEE ON LEVEE SAFETY. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established a committee to be 
known as the ‘‘Committee on Levee Safety’’. 
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—The committee shall be composed of 16 mem-
bers as follows: 
(1) The Secretary (or the Secretary’s designee), who shall 
serve as the chairperson of the Committee. 
(2) The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency (or the Administrator’s designee). 
(3) The following 14 members appointed by the Secretary:
H. R. 1495—249 
(A) Eight representatives of State levee safety agencies, 
one from each of the eight civil works divisions of the 
Corps of Engineers. 
(B) Two representatives of the private sector who have 
expertise in levee safety. 
(C) Two representatives of local and regional govern-
mental agencies who have expertise in levee safety. 
(D) Two representatives of Indian tribes who have 
expertise in levee safety. 
(c) DUTIES.— 
(1) DEVELOPMENT
OF
RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR
NATIONAL 
LEVEE
SAFETY
PROGRAM.—The 
committee 
shall 
develop 
recomendations for a national levee safety program, including 
a strategic plan for implementation of the program. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the committee shall submit to the Sec-
retary, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Environ-
ment and Public Works of the Senate a report containing the 
recommendations developed under paragraph (1). 
(d) PURPOSES.—In developing recommendations under sub-
section (c)(1), the committee shall ensure that the national levee 
safety program meets the following goals: 
(1) Ensuring the protection of human life and property 
by levees through the development of technologically, economi-
cally, socially, and environmentally feasible programs and 
procedures for hazard reduction and mitigation relating to 
levees. 
(2) Encouraging use of the best available engineering poli-
cies and procedures for levee site investigation, design, 
construction, operation and maintenance, and emergency 
preparedness. 
(3) Encouraging the establishment and implementation of 
an effective national levee safety program that may be dele-
gated to qualified States for implementation, including identi-
fication of incentives and disincentives for State levee safety 
programs. 
(4) Ensuring that levees are operated and maintained in 
accordance with appropriate and protective standards by con-
ducting an inventory and inspection of levees. 
(5) Developing and supporting public education and aware-
ness projects to increase public acceptance and support of State 
and national levee safety programs. 
(6) Building public awareness of the residual risks associ-
ated with living in levee protected areas. 
(7) Developing technical assistance materials for State and 
national levee safety programs. 
(8) Developing methods to provide technical assistance 
relating to levee safety to non-Federal entities. 
(9) Developing technical assistance materials, seminars, 
and guidelines relating to the physical integrity of levees in 
the United States. 
(e) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS.—A member of the committee 
shall serve without compensation. 
(f) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—To the extent amounts are made avail-
able in advance in appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall 
reimburse a member of the committee for travel expenses, including