Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6460
Sponsor: Rep. Ehlers, Vernon J. [R-MI-3]
Introduced: 2008-07-10 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Authorization
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental research
Environmental technology
Federal aid to water pollution control
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government publicity
Law
Liability for environmental damages
Pollution measurement
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Research and development
Restoration ecology
Science, Technology, Communications
Sedimentation
Technological innovations
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: 
Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to include aquatic habitat restoration activities among activities the Great Lakes National Program Office is authorized to implement for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern.

Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from implementing such a remediation project if any nonfederal sponsor has not entered into a written agreement with the Administrator under which each party agrees to carry out its responsibilities and requirements for the project.

Revises provisions concerning the nonfederal share of the project costs.

Requires the Administrator to implement at federal expense the initial site characterization of a project for the remediation of contaminated sediment. Repeals a prohibition against implementing a project unless the nonfederal sponsor agrees to maintain aggregate expenditures from all other sources for remediation programs in the area of concern in which the project is located at or above the average level of such expenditures in the two fiscal years preceding the date on which the project is initiated.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2013 for: (1) such remediation projects; and (2) the development and use of innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques for such remediation. Limits to 20% the amount of funds appropriated for remediation projects that may be used for site characterization. 

action_date: 2008-10-08
text: 
Great Lakes Legacy Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to define: (1) &quot;site characterization&quot; as a process for monitoring and evaluating sediment contamination under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) guidance for the assessment of contaminated sediment in an area of concern in the United States; and (2) &quot;potentially responsible party&quot; to mean an individual or entity that may be liable under any federal or state authority used to facilitate the cleanup and protection of the Great Lakes.

Includes aquatic habitat restoration activities among activities the Great Lakes National Program Office is authorized to implement for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern.

Prohibits the Administrator from implementing such a remediation project unless: (1) each nonfederal sponsor has entered into a written agreement under which each party agrees to carry out its responsibilities and requirements for the project; and (2) the Administrator provides assurance that EPA has conducted a reasonable inquiry to identify potentially responsible parties.

Revises provisions concerning the nonfederal share of project costs.

Requires the Administrator to implement, at federal expense, one site characterization per site within a project for the remediation of contaminated sediment. Repeals a prohibition against implementing a project unless the nonfederal sponsor agrees to maintain aggregate expenditures from all other sources for remediation programs in the area of concern or above the average level of such expenditures in the two fiscal years preceding the date the project is initiated.

Authorizes appropriations through FY2010 for: (1) such remediation projects; (2) a public information program to provide information relating to such remediation; and (3) the development and use of innovative approaches, technologies, and techniques for such remediation. Limits to 20% of the amount of funds appropriated for remediation projects that may be used for site characterization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Became Public Law No: 110-365.
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Became Public Law No: 110-365.
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-09-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-09-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-09-28
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2008-09-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-28
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 9 (Roll no. 665). (consideration: CR H10305; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 9/27/2008 H10155)
action_date: 2008-09-28
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 411 - 9 (Roll no. 665).(consideration: CR H10305; text as House agreed to Senate amendment: CR 9/27/2008 H10155)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment to H.R. 6460.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Mr. Oberstar moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment. (consideration: CR H10155-10158)
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S9473-9474)
action_date: 2008-09-22
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 371 - 20 (Roll no. 615). (text: CR 9/17/2008 H8343-8344)
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 371 - 20 (Roll no. 615).(text: CR 9/17/2008 H8343-8344)
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8451-8452)
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Boozman objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6460.
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8343-8349)
action_date: 2008-09-17
text: Ms. Johnson, E. B. moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-09-15
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 549.
action_date: 2008-09-15
text: Committee on Science and Technology discharged.
action_date: 2008-09-15
text: Committee on Science and Technology discharged.
action_date: 2008-09-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-849, Part I.
action_date: 2008-09-15
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-849, Part I.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged.
action_date: 2008-07-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2008-07-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-10
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 110-365