Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-1024
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2015-04-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Great Lakes
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Lakes and rivers
Pest management
Water quality
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-04-21
text: 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for FY2016-FY2020. 
 
The Initiative must prioritize and carry out programs and projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration, including: (1) the remediation of toxic substances and areas of concern; (2) the prevention and control of invasive species and their impacts; (3) the protection and restoration of near-shore health and the prevention and mitigation of nonpoint source pollution (water pollution that comes from many diffuse sources, such as pollution on the ground picked up by rain or snow); and (4) habitat and wildlife protection and restoration.
 
Funding made available to implement the Initiative may not be used for any water infrastructure activity (other than a green infrastructure project that improves habitat and other ecosystem functions in the Great Lakes) for which funding is made available under the clean water or drinking water state revolving fund program.
 
Federal agencies must maintain the base level of funding for their Great Lakes activities without regard to funding under the Initiative and identify new activities to support the environmental goals of the Initiative.

action_date: 2016-02-24
text: 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2016

 
(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise and reauthorize for FY2017-FY2021 the Environmental Protection Agency's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. 
 
Under a five-year action plan, the initiative must prioritize and carry out programs and projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration, including: (1) the remediation of toxic substances and areas of concern, (2) the prevention and control of invasive species and their impacts, (3) the protection and restoration of near-shore health and the prevention and mitigation of nonpoint source pollution, and (4) habitat and wildlife protection and restoration. 
 
Funding made available to implement the initiative may not be used for any water infrastructure activity (other than a green infrastructure project that improves habitat and other ecosystem functions in the Great Lakes) for which funding is made available under the clean water or drinking water state revolving fund program. Federal agencies must: (1) maintain the base level of funding for their Great Lakes activities without regard to funding under the initiative, and (2) identify new activities to support the environmental goals of the initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 372.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Inhofe with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-211. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2016-02-24
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Inhofe with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 114-211. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2016-01-20
text: Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2015-04-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-04-21
text: Introduced in Senate