I 
113TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2875 
To authorize programs and activities for the improvement and protection 
of ports and harbors, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 31, 2013 
Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Com-
mittees on Financial Services and Armed Services, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of 
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To authorize programs and activities for the improvement 
and protection of ports and harbors, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Waterfront of Tomor-
row Act of 2013’’. 
SEC. 2. STUDIES. 
(a) MEASURES TO IMPROVE FLOOD PROTECTION 
AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE FOR NEW YORK CITY.— 
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(1) STUDY.—The Secretary of the Army shall 
conduct a study of measures to improve flood protec-
tion and climate resilience for New York City, using 
both traditional engineering and green infrastructure 
technologies. 
(2) CONTENTS.—In conducting the study, the 
Secretary shall— 
(A) assess traditional engineering solu-
tions, including tide gates and seawalls; 
(B) assess, in consultation with the Admin-
istrator of the National Oceanic and Atmos-
pheric Administration, the use of alternative ap-
proaches, including oyster reef restoration, tidal 
wetland restoration and construction, and other 
natural designs that reduce storm surge im-
pacts and retain storm water while providing 
additional environmental benefits; 
(C) identify the cost and time associated 
with implementing the measures described in 
subparagraphs (A) and (B), the potential im-
pact of such measures on the surrounding envi-
ronment, and any adverse impacts of such 
measures on local housing, commerce, or recre-
ation; and 
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(D) make a recommendation as to which of 
such measures would provide the greatest pro-
tection for New York City coastal communities 
and critical infrastructure from an event of a 
magnitude that is equal to or greater than Hur-
ricane Sandy. 
(3) COORDINATION TO PREVENT DUPLICATION 
OF EFFORTS.—The Secretary shall carry out the ac-
tivities under this section in coordination with the 
study to be conducted by the Secretary under the 
heading ‘‘Corps of Engineers—Civil—Investiga-
tions’’ in title II of Public Law 113–2 (127 Stat. 5). 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
shall transmit to Congress a report on the results of 
the study. 
(5) CORPS
OF
ENGINEERS.—The Secretary 
shall carry out this subsection acting through the 
Chief of Engineers. 
(b) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
OF MAJOR DISAS-
TERS.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Administrator of the Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency, in consultation with 
the Administrator of the Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration, shall conduct a study of the 
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environmental impact of each major disaster that 
the Administrator determines will have a significant 
environmental impact on the waters of the United 
States. 
(2) DETERMINATIONS.—In making determina-
tions under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the 
Environmental Protection Agency shall ensure that 
the Administrator conducts studies under this sub-
section with respect to, at a minimum, 10 percent of 
the major disasters declared in a fiscal year. 
(3) CONTENTS.—The Administrator shall con-
duct a study under this subsection with respect to 
a major disaster with the specific goal of deter-
mining— 
(A) whether industrial facilities discharged 
pollutants or other hazards into local waterways 
or the water supply during the major disaster; 
and 
(B) if so, how to avoid or minimize the 
risk of such pollution incidents in the future. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of the declaration of a major disaster de-
scribed in paragraph (1), the Administrator shall 
transmit to Congress a report on the results of the 
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study conducted under this subsection with respect 
to the major disaster. 
(5) MAJOR DISASTER DEFINED.—In this sub-
section, the term ‘‘major disaster’’ has the meaning 
given that term in section 102 of the Robert T. 
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 5122). 
SEC. 3. NATIONAL FREIGHT POLICY. 
(a) GOALS.—Section 167(b) of title 23, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and’’ at the end of paragraph 
(5); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of para-
graph (6) and inserting a semicolon; 
(3) by striking the semicolon at the end of 
paragraph (7) and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(8) to ensure that the socioeconomic and envi-
ronmental impacts of moving cargo through a com-
munity are fully accounted for in establishing the 
national freight network.’’. 
(b) PORTS AND HARBORS.—Section 167(c) of title 
23, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end 
the following: 
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