A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-s-1523
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-06-08
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Executive agency funding and structure

Floods and storm protection

Lakes and rivers

Mammals

Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Marine pollution

Pest management

Water quality

Wetlands

Wildlife conservation and habitat protection
Latest action: action_date: 2016-05-20
text: Became Public Law No: 114-162.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-06-08
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the National Estuary Program by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to make competitive awards to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the economic and ecological well-being of coastal areas, including: </p> <ul> <li>extensive seagrass habitat losses, </li> <li>recurring harmful algae blooms, </li> <li>unusual marine mammal mortalities, </li> <li>invasive exotic species, </li> <li>jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons, </li> <li>flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss, and</li> <li>low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management.</li> </ul> <p> This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 a program of grants to develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive conservation and management plans for estuaries. <br> </p>

action_date: 2015-08-05
action_desc: Passed Senate amended
text: <p>(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the National Estuary Program by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to make competitive awards to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the economic and ecological well-being of coastal areas, including: </p> <ul> <li>extensive seagrass habitat losses, </li> <li>recurring harmful algae blooms, </li> <li>unusual marine mammal mortalities, </li> <li>invasive exotic species, </li> <li>jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons, </li> <li>flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss, and</li> <li>low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management.</li> </ul> <p> This bill reauthorizes through FY2020 a program of grants to develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive conservation and management plans for estuaries. <br> </p>

action_date: 2016-04-26
action_desc: Passed House amended
text: <p>(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the National Estuary Program by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to make competitive awards to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the economic and ecological well-being of coastal areas, including: </p> <ul> <li>extensive seagrass habitat losses, </li> <li>recurring harmful algae blooms, </li> <li>unusual marine mammal mortalities, </li> <li>invasive exotic species, </li> <li>jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons, </li> <li>flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss, and</li> <li>low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management.</li> </ul>  <p>(Sec. 2) The bill authorizes appropriations for FY2017-FY2021 for: (1) EPA administrative expenses relating to a grant or award, and (2) making grants and awards. The bill allocates funding for conservation and management plans for estuaries and for competitive awards. </p>

action_date: 2016-05-20
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p>(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on April 26, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)</p> <p>(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to revise the National Estuary Program by requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to make competitive awards to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the economic and ecological well-being of coastal areas, including: </p> <ul> <li>extensive seagrass habitat losses, </li> <li>recurring harmful algae blooms, </li> <li>unusual marine mammal mortalities, </li> <li>invasive exotic species, </li> <li>jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons, </li> <li>flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss, and</li> <li>low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management.</li> </ul> <p>(Sec. 2) The bill authorizes appropriations for FY2017-FY2021 for: (1) EPA administrative expenses relating to a grant or award, and (2) making grants and awards. The bill allocates funding for conservation and management plans for estuaries and for competitive awards.<br> </p>

tv_txt: II 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1523 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 8, 2015 Mr. Whitehouse (for himself and Mr. Vitter ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes.

1. National Estuary Program reauthorization; competitive awards Section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1330 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following: (4) Competitive awards (A) In general Using the amounts made available under subsection (i)(2)(B), the Administrator shall make competitive awards under this paragraph. (B) Application for awards The Administrator shall solicit applications for awards under this paragraph from State, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies and entities, State coastal zone management agencies, interstate agencies, other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals. (C) Selection of recipients The Administrator shall select award recipients under this paragraph that, as determined by the Administrator, are best able to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of coastal areas, including— (i) extensive seagrass habitat losses resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality; (ii) recurring harmful algae blooms; (iii) unusual marine mammal mortalities; (iv) invasive exotic species that may threaten wastewater systems and cause other damage; (v) jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons; (vi) flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss; and (vii) low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management. ; and (2) by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following: (i) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $27,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for— (A) making grants and awards under subsection (g); and (B) expenses relating to the administration of grants or awards by the Administrator under this section, including the award and oversight of grants and awards, subject to the condition that such expenses may not exceed 5 percent of the amount appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal year. (2) Allocations (A) Conservation and management plans Not less than 80 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator for the development, implementation, and monitoring of each conservation and management plan eligible for grant assistance under subsection (g)(2). (B) Competitive awards Not less than 15 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator for making competitive awards under subsection (g)(4). .

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1523 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes.

1. National Estuary Program reauthorization; competitive awards Section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1330 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following: (4) Competitive awards (A) In general Using the amounts made available under subsection (i)(2)(B), the Administrator shall make competitive awards under this paragraph. (B) Application for awards The Administrator shall solicit applications for awards under this paragraph from State, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies and entities, State coastal zone management agencies, interstate agencies, other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals. (C) Selection of recipients The Administrator shall select award recipients under this paragraph that, as determined by the Administrator, are best able to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of coastal areas, including— (i) extensive seagrass habitat losses resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality; (ii) recurring harmful algae blooms; (iii) unusual marine mammal mortalities; (iv) invasive exotic species that may threaten wastewater systems and cause other damage; (v) jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons; (vi) flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss; and (vii) low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management. ; and (2) by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following: (i) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $26,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for— (A) making grants and awards under subsection (g); and (B) expenses relating to the administration of grants or awards by the Administrator under this section, including the award and oversight of grants and awards, subject to the condition that such expenses may not exceed 5 percent of the amount appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal year. (2) Allocations (A) Conservation and management plans Not less than 80 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator for the development, implementation, and monitoring of each conservation and management plan eligible for grant assistance under subsection (g)(2). (B) Competitive awards Not less than 15 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator for making competitive awards under subsection (g)(4). .

Passed the Senate August 5, 2015. Secretary

tv_txt: 114th CONGRESS 2d Session In the House of Representatives, U. S., April 26, 2016 AMENDMENT:

That the bill from the Senate (S. 1523) entitled An Act to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes. , do pass with the following Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert: 1. Competitive awards Section 320(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1330(g) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) Competitive awards (A) In general Using the amounts made available under subsection (i)(2)(B), the Administrator shall make competitive awards under this paragraph. (B) Application for awards The Administrator shall solicit applications for awards under this paragraph from State, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies and entities, State coastal zone management agencies, interstate agencies, other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals. (C) Selection of recipients In selecting award recipients under this paragraph, the Administrator shall select recipients that are best able to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of coastal areas. Such issues shall include— (i) extensive seagrass habitat losses resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality; (ii) recurring harmful algae blooms; (iii) unusual marine mammal mortalities; (iv) invasive exotic species that may threaten wastewater systems and cause other damage; (v) jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons; (vi) flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss; and (vii) low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management. . 2. Authorization of appropriations Section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1330 ) is amended by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following: (i) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $26,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 for— (A) expenses relating to the administration of grants or awards by the Administrator under this section, including the award and oversight of grants and awards, except that such expenses may not exceed 5 percent of the amount appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal year; and (B) making grants and awards under subsection (g). (2) Allocations (A) Conservation and management plans Not less than 80 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator to provide grant assistance for the development, implementation, and monitoring of each of the conservation and management plans eligible for grant assistance under subsection (g)(2). (B) Competitive awards Not less than 15 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator for making competitive awards described in subsection (g)(4). .

Karen L. Haas Clerk.

tv_txt: One Hundred Fourteenth Congress of the United States of America 2d Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Monday, the fourth day of January, two thousand and sixteen S. 1523 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize the National Estuary Program, and for other purposes.

1. Competitive awards Section 320(g) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1330(g) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) Competitive awards (A) In general Using the amounts made available under subsection (i)(2)(B), the Administrator shall make competitive awards under this paragraph. (B) Application for awards The Administrator shall solicit applications for awards under this paragraph from State, interstate, and regional water pollution control agencies and entities, State coastal zone management agencies, interstate agencies, other public or nonprofit private agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals. (C) Selection of recipients In selecting award recipients under this paragraph, the Administrator shall select recipients that are best able to address urgent and challenging issues that threaten the ecological and economic well-being of coastal areas. Such issues shall include— (i) extensive seagrass habitat losses resulting in significant impacts on fisheries and water quality; (ii) recurring harmful algae blooms; (iii) unusual marine mammal mortalities; (iv) invasive exotic species that may threaten wastewater systems and cause other damage; (v) jellyfish proliferation limiting community access to water during peak tourism seasons; (vi) flooding that may be related to sea level rise or wetland degradation or loss; and (vii) low dissolved oxygen conditions in estuarine waters and related nutrient management. . 2. Authorization of appropriations Section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1330 ) is amended by striking subsection (i) and inserting the following: (i) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $26,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 for— (A) expenses relating to the administration of grants or awards by the Administrator under this section, including the award and oversight of grants and awards, except that such expenses may not exceed 5 percent of the amount appropriated under this subsection for a fiscal year; and (B) making grants and awards under subsection (g). (2) Allocations (A) Conservation and management plans Not less than 80 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator to provide grant assistance for the development, implementation, and monitoring of each of the conservation and management plans eligible for grant assistance under subsection (g)(2). (B) Competitive awards Not less than 15 percent of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year shall be used by the Administrator for making competitive awards described in subsection (g)(4). .

Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate