384
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. 
SEC. 7002. ADDITIONAL REPORTS. 
(a) MISSISSIPPI RIVER GULF OUTLET.—Not later 
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report recommending 
modifications to the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet to ad-
dress navigation, salt water intrusion, channel bank ero-
sion, mitigation, and threats to life and property. 
(b) CHENIER PLAIN.—Not later than July 1, 2006, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report recom-
mending near-term ecosystem restoration measures for the 
Chenier Plain, Louisiana. 
(c) LONG-TERM PLAN.—
(1) COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK.—Not later 
than one year after the date of enactment of this 
section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
recommended framework for developing a long-term 
program that provides for the comprehensive protec-
tion, conservation, and restoration of the wetlands, 
estuaries (including Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary),
385
barrier islands, and related land and features that 
protect critical resources, habitat, and infrastructure 
in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem from the impacts 
of coastal storms, hurricanes, erosion, and subsid-
ence. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In developing the rec-
ommended framework, the Secretary shall consider 
integrating other Federal or State projects or activi-
ties within the coastal Louisiana ecosystem into the 
long-term restoration program. 
(3) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.—
(A) DEADLINE.—Not later than five years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a feasibility 
study recommending a comprehensive, long-
term, plan for the protection, conservation, and 
restoration of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. 
(B) INTEGRATION.—The comprehensive, 
long-term, plan shall include recommendations 
for the integration of ongoing Federal and 
State projects, programs, and activities. 
SEC. 7003. COASTAL LOUISIANA ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION 
AND RESTORATION TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP.—There is 
established the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection
386
and Restoration Task Force, which shall consist of the fol-
lowing members (or, in the case of the head of a Federal 
agency, a designee 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. 
(6) The Secretary of Transportation. 
(7) The Secretary of Energy. 
(8) The Director of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency. 
(9) The Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
(10) The Coastal Advisor to the Governor. 
(11) The Secretary of the Louisiana Depart-
ment of Natural Resources. 
(12) A representative of the Louisiana Gov-
ernor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Restoration 
and Conservation. 
(b) DUTIES
OF TASK FORCE.—The Task Force 
shall—
(1) make recommendations to the Secretary re-
garding 
policies, 
strategies, 
plans, 
programs,
387
projects, and activities for addressing protection, 
conservation, and restoration of the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; 
(2) prepare financial plans for each of the agen-
cies represented on the Task Force for funds pro-
posed for the protection, conservation, and restora-
tion of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem under au-
thorities of each agency, including—
(A) recommendations that identify funds 
from current agency missions and budgets; and 
(B) recommendations for coordinating in-
dividual agency budget requests; and 
(3) submit to Congress a biennial report that 
summarizes the activities of the Task Force and 
progress towards the purposes set forth in section 
7002(c)(1). 
(c) PROCEDURES
AND ADVICE.—The Task Force 
shall—
(1) implement procedures to facilitate public 
participation with regard to Task Force activities, 
including—
(A) providing advance notice of meetings; 
(B) providing adequate opportunity for 
public input and comment; 
(C) maintaining appropriate records; and