Bureau of Reclamation Water Project Streamlining Act

Bill: 115-hr-875
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
Introduced: 2017-02-06
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Disaster relief and insurance

Environmental assessment, monitoring, research

Federal-Indian relations

Government studies and investigations

Intergovernmental relations

Judicial review and appeals

Lakes and rivers

Licensing and registrations

Performance measurement

State and local government operations

Water resources funding

Water storage

Water use and supply
Latest action: action_date: 2017-02-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-02-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Bureau of Reclamation Water Project Streamlining Act</strong></p> <p>This bill sets forth provisions governing feasibility studies for water projects initiated by the Department of the Interior under the Reclamation Act of 1902 (project studies).</p> <p>A project study initiated after enactment of this bill must: (1) result in the completion of a final feasibility report within three years; (2) have a maximum federal cost of $3 million; and (3) ensure that personnel from the local project area, region, and headquarters levels of the Bureau of Reclamation concurrently conduct the required review. The bill sets forth factors for extending such timeline for complex projects. </p> <p>Interior, within 90 days after the initiation of a project study, must: (1) initiate the process for completing reviews, including environmental reviews, required to be completed as part of such study; (2) convene a meeting of federal, tribal, and state agencies required to act; and (3) provide information that will enable required reviews and analyses to be conducted by other agencies in a thorough and timely manner. </p> <p>Interior must: (1) expedite the completion of any ongoing project study initiated before the enactment of this Act; and (2) proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design of a project that it determines is justified. </p> <p>The bill sets forth requirements applicable to: (1) project studies initiated after enactment of this Act for which an environmental impact statement is prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); (2) other project studies initiated before enactment for which an environmental review process document is prepared under NEPA; and (3) any project study for the development of a non-federally owned and operated surface water storage project for which Interior determines there is a demonstrable federal interest and that is located in a river basin where other Bureau water projects are located, that will create additional water supplies that support Bureau water projects, or that will become integrated into the operation of Bureau water projects. Interior must: </p> <ul> <li>annually prepare a list of all such studies that do not have adequate funding for study completion; </li> <li>develop and implement a coordinated environmental review process for the development of such studies; </li> <li>identify early all federal, state, and local government agencies and Indian tribes that may have jurisdiction and that may be required to act, which the federal lead agency shall invite to become participating or cooperating agencies; </li> <li>issue guidance regarding the use of programmatic approaches to carry out the environmental review process; and </li> <li>establish an electronic database and issue reporting requirements to make publicly available the status and progress with respect to compliance with applicable NEPA requirements and other action required for a project study. </li></ul> <p>The bill sets forth the authorities and responsibilities of the joint lead agency, which may be a project sponsor, and the federal lead agency in the environmental review process, including: (1) the preparation and use of environmental documents; (2) establishing a plan for coordinating public and agency participation; (3) working with cooperating and participating agencies to identify and resolve issues that could delay process completion or result in the denial of any approval required for the project study; and (4) establishing, upon request, memoranda of agreement with the project sponsor, Indian tribes, and state and local governments to carry out the early coordination activities. </p> <p>The bill: (1) requires a federal lead agency to serve in that capacity for the entirety of all non-federal projects that will be integrated into a larger system owned, operated, or administered by the Bureau; (2) directs Interior, upon determining that a project can be expedited by a non-federal sponsor and that there is a demonstrable federal interest in expediting the project, to advance it as a non-federal project; (3) requires a federal jurisdictional agency to complete any required approval or decision for the environmental review process on an expeditious basis; and (4) provides for a reduction of funds for such an agency that fails to render such a decision by a specified deadline.</p> <p>Interior must: (1) survey the use by the Bureau of categorical exclusions in projects since 2005 and propose a new categorical exclusion for a category of activities if merited, and (2) establish a program to measure and report on progress made toward improving and expediting the planning and environmental review process.</p> <p>Interior must develop and submit annually a Report to Congress on Future Water Project Development that identifies: (1) the costs and benefits of, the non-federal interests associated with, and the support for project reports, proposed project studies, and proposed modifications to authorized projects and project studies that are related to the missions and authorities of the Bureau, that require specific congressional authorization, that have not been congressionally authorized, that have not been included in any previous annual report, and that, if authorized, could be carried out by the Bureau; and (2) any project study that was expedited under this bill.</p> <p>The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act is amended to make provisions regarding storage and other water supply projects inapplicable to any project under this bill.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 875 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 6, 2017 Mr. Newhouse introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To facilitate and streamline the Bureau of Reclamation process for creating or expanding water storage, rural water supply, and water recycling projects under Reclamation law, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bureau of Reclamation Water Project Streamlining Act . 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Environmental impact statement The term environmental impact statement means the detailed statement of environmental impacts of a project required to be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (2) Environmental review process (A) In general The term environmental review process means the process of preparing an environmental impact statement, environmental assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for a project study. (B) Inclusions The term environmental review process includes the process for and completion of any environmental permit, approval, review, or study required for a project study under any Federal law other than the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (3) Federal jurisdictional agency The term Federal jurisdictional agency means a Federal agency with jurisdiction delegated by law, regulation, order, or otherwise over a review, analysis, opinion, statement, permit, license, or other approval or decision required for a project study under applicable Federal laws (including regulations). (4) Federal lead agency The term Federal lead agency means the Bureau of Reclamation. (5) Project The term project means a surface water project, a project under the purview of title XVI of Public Law 102–575 , or a rural water supply project investigated under Public Law 109–451 to be carried out, funded or operated in whole or in party by the Secretary pursuant to the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093), and Acts supplemental to and amendatory of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.). (6) Project sponsor The term project sponsor means a State, regional, or local authority or instrumentality or other qualifying entity, such as a water conservation district, irrigation district, water conservancy district, joint powers authority, mutual water company, canal company, rural water district or association, or any other entity that has the capacity to contract with the United States under Federal reclamation law. (7) Project study The term project study means a feasibility study for a project carried out pursuant to the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388, chapter 1093), and Acts supplemental to and amendatory of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.). (8) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior. (9) Surface water storage The term surface water storage means any surface water reservoir or impoundment that would be owned, funded or operated in whole or in part by the Bureau of Reclamation or that would be integrated into a larger system owned, operated or administered in whole or in part by the Bureau of Reclamation. 3. Acceleration of studies (a) In general To the extent practicable, a project study initiated by the Secretary, after the date of enactment of this Act, under the Reclamation Act of 1902 (32 Stat. 388), and all Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto, shall— (1) result in the completion of a final feasibility report not later than 3 years after the date of initiation; (2) have a maximum Federal cost of $3,000,000; and (3) ensure that personnel from the local project area, region, and headquarters levels of the Bureau of Reclamation concurrently conduct the review required under that section. (b) Extension If the Secretary determines that a project study described in subsection (a) will not be conducted in accordance with subsection (a), the Secretary, not later than 30 days after the date of making the determination, shall— (1) prepare an updated project study schedule and cost estimate; (2) notify the non-Federal project cost-sharing partner that the project study has been delayed; and (3) provide written notice to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate as to the reasons the requirements of subsection (a) are not attainable. (c) Exception (1) In general Notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (a), the Secretary may extend the timeline of a project study by a period not to exceed 3 years, if the Secretary determines that the project study is too complex to comply with the requirements of subsection (a). (2) Factors In making a determination that a study is too complex to comply with the requirements of subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider— (A) the type, size, location, scope, and overall cost of the project; (B) whether the project will use any innovative design or construction techniques; (C) whether the project will require significant action by other Federal, State, or local agencies; (D) whether there is significant public dispute as to the nature or effects of the project; and (E) whether there is significant public dispute as to the economic or environmental costs or benefits of the project. (3) Notification Each time the Secretary makes a determination under this subsection, the Secretary shall provide written notice to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate as to the results of that determination, including an identification of the specific one or more factors used in making the determination that the project is complex. (4) Limitation The Secretary shall not extend the timeline for a project study for a period of more than 7 years, and any project study that is not completed before that date shall no longer be authorized. (d) Reviews Not later than 90 days after the date of the initiation of a project study described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) take all steps necessary to initiate the process for completing federally mandated reviews that the Secretary is required to complete as part of the study, including the environmental review process under section 5; (2) convene a meeting of all Federal, tribal, and State agencies identified under section 5(d) that may— (A) have jurisdiction over the project; (B) be required by law to conduct or issue a review, analysis, opinion, or statement for the project study; or (C) be required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or other approval or decision for the project study; and (3) take all steps necessary to provide information that will enable required reviews and analyses related to the project to be conducted by other agencies in a thorough and timely manner. (e) Interim report Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and make publicly available a report that describes— (1) the status of the implementation of the planning process under this section, including the number of participating projects; (2) a review of project delivery schedules, including a description of any delays on those studies initiated prior to the date of the enactment of this Act; and (3) any recommendations for additional authority necessary to support efforts to expedite the project. (f) Final report Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and make publicly available a report that describes— (1) the status of the implementation of this section, including a description of each project study subject to the requirements of this section; (2) the amount of time taken to complete each project study; and (3) any recommendations for additional authority necessary to support efforts to expedite the project study process, including an analysis of whether the limitation established by subsection (a)(2) needs to be adjusted to address the impacts of inflation. 4. Expedited completion of reports The Secretary shall— (1) expedite the completion of any ongoing project study initiated before the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) if the Secretary determines that the project is justified in a completed report, proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering, and design of the project in accordance with the Reclamation Act of 1902 (32 Stat. 388), and all Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. 5. Project acceleration (a) Applicability (1) In general This section shall apply to— (A) each project study that is initiated after the date of enactment of this Act and for which an environmental impact statement is prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); (B) the extent determined appropriate by the Secretary, to other project studies initiated before the date of enactment of this Act and for which an environmental review process document is prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and (C) any project study for the development of a non-federally owned and operated surface water storage project for which the Secretary determines there is a demonstrable Federal interest and the project— (i) is located in a river basin where other Bureau of Reclamation water projects are located; (ii) will create additional water supplies that support Bureau of Reclamation water projects; or (iii) will become integrated into the operation of Bureau of Reclamation water projects. (2) Flexibility Any authority granted under this section may be exercised, and any requirement established under this section may be satisfied, for the conduct of an environmental review process for a project study, a class of project studies, or a program of project studies. (3) List of project studies (A) In general The Secretary shall annually prepare, and make publicly available, a list of all project studies that the Secretary has determined— (i) meets the standards described in paragraph (1); and (ii) does not have adequate funding to make substantial progress toward the completion of the project study. (B) Inclusions The Secretary shall include for each project study on the list under subparagraph (A) a description of the estimated amounts necessary to make substantial progress on the project study. (b) Project review process (1) In general The Secretary shall develop and implement a coordinated environmental review process for the development of project studies. (2) Coordinated review The coordinated environmental review process described in paragraph (1) shall require that any review, analysis, opinion, statement, permit, license, or other approval or decision issued or made by a Federal, State, or local governmental agency or an Indian tribe for a project study described in subsection (b) be conducted, to the maximum extent practicable, concurrently with any other applicable governmental agency or Indian tribe. (3) Timing The coordinated environmental review process under this subsection shall be completed not later than the date on which the Secretary, in consultation and concurrence with the agencies identified under section 5(d), establishes with respect to the project study. (c) Lead agencies (1) Joint lead agencies (A) In general Subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the requirements of section 1506.8 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), including the concurrence of the proposed joint lead agency, a project sponsor may serve as the joint lead agency. (B) Project sponsor as joint lead agency A project sponsor that is a State or local governmental entity may— (i) with the concurrence of the Secretary, serve as a joint lead agency with the Federal lead agency for purposes of preparing any environmental document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and (ii) prepare any environmental review process document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) required in support of any action or approval by the Secretary if— (I) the Secretary provides guidance in the preparation process and independently evaluates that document; (II) the project sponsor complies with all requirements applicable to the Secretary under— (aa) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); (bb) any regulation implementing that Act; and (cc) any other applicable Federal law; and (III) the Secretary approves and adopts the document before the Secretary takes any subsequent action or makes any approval based on that document, regardless of whether the action or approval of the Secretary results in Federal funding. (2) Duties The Secretary shall ensure that— (A) the project sponsor complies with all design and mitigation commitments made jointly by the Secretary and the project sponsor in any environmental document prepared by the project sponsor in accordance with this subsection; and (B) any environmental document prepared by the project sponsor is appropriately supplemented to address any changes to the project the Secretary determines are necessary. (3) Adoption and use of documents Any environmental document prepared in accordance with this subsection shall be adopted and used by any Federal agency making any determination related to the project study to the same extent that the Federal agency could adopt or use a document prepared by another Federal agency under— (A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and (B) parts 1500 through 1508 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (4) Roles and responsibility of lead agency With respect to the environmental review process for any project study, the Federal lead agency shall have authority and responsibility— (A) to take such actions as are necessary and proper and within the authority of the Federal lead agency to facilitate the expeditious resolution of the environmental review process for the project study; and (B) to prepare or ensure that any required environmental impact statement or other environmental review document for a project study required to be completed under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) is completed in accordance with this section and applicable Federal law. (d) Participating and cooperating agencies (1) Identification of jurisdictional agencies With respect to carrying out the environmental review process for a project study, the Secretary shall identify, as early as practicable in the environmental review process, all Federal, State, and local government agencies and Indian tribes that may— (A) have jurisdiction over the project; (B) be required by law to conduct or issue a review, analysis, opinion, or statement for the project study; or (C) be required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or other approval or decision for the project study. (2) State authority If the environmental review process is being implemented by the Secretary for a project study within the boundaries of a State, the State, consistent with State law, may choose to participate in the process and to make subject to the process all State agencies that— (A) have jurisdiction over the project; (B) are required to conduct or issue a review, analysis, opinion, or statement for the project study; or (C) are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or other approval or decision for the project study. (3) Invitation (A) In general The Federal lead agency shall invite, as early as practicable in the environmental review process, any agency identified under paragraph (1) to become a participating or cooperating agency, as applicable, in the environmental review process for the project study. (B) Deadline An invitation to participate issued under subparagraph (A) shall set a deadline by which a response to the invitation shall be submitted, which may be extended by the Federal lead agency for good cause. (4) Procedures Section 1501.6 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of the Bureau of Reclamation Project Streamlining Act), shall govern the identification and the participation of a cooperating agency. (5) Federal cooperating agencies Any Federal agency that is invited by the Federal lead agency to participate in the environmental review process for a project study shall be designated as a cooperating agency by the Federal lead agency unless the invited agency informs the Federal lead agency, in writing, by the deadline specified in the invitation that the invited agency— (A) (i) has no jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project; (ii) has no expertise or information relevant to the project; or (iii) does not have adequate funds to participate in the project; and (B) does not intend to submit comments on the project. (6) Administration A participating or cooperating agency shall comply with this section and any schedule established under this section. (7) Effect of designation Designation as a participating or cooperating agency under this subsection shall not imply that the participating or cooperating agency— (A) supports a proposed project; or (B) has any jurisdiction over, or special expertise with respect to evaluation of, the project. (8) Concurrent reviews Each participating or cooperating agency shall— (A) carry out the obligations of that agency under other applicable law concurrently and in conjunction with the required environmental review process, unless doing so would prevent the participating or cooperating agency from conducting needed analysis or otherwise carrying out those obligations; and (B) formulate and implement administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to ensure completion of the environmental review process in a timely, coordinated, and environmentally responsible manner. (e) Non-Federal projects integrated into reclamation systems The Federal lead agency shall serve in that capacity for the entirety of all non-Federal projects that will be integrated into a larger system owned, operated or administered in whole or in part by the Bureau of Reclamation. (f) Non-Federal project If the Secretary determines that a project can be expedited by a non-Federal sponsor and that there is a demonstrable Federal interest in expediting that project, the Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to advance such a project as a non-Federal project, including, but not limited to, entering into agreements with the non-Federal sponsor of such project to support the planning, design and permitting of such project as a non-Federal project. (g) Programmatic compliance (1) In general The Secretary shall issue guidance regarding the use of programmatic approaches to carry out the environmental review process that— (A) eliminates repetitive discussions of the same issues; (B) focuses on the actual issues ripe for analyses at each level of review; (C) establishes a formal process for coordinating with participating and cooperating agencies, including the creation of a list of all data that are needed to carry out an environmental review process; and (D) complies with— (i) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and (ii) all other applicable laws. (2) Requirements In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) as the first step in drafting guidance under that paragraph, consult with relevant Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, Indian tribes, and the public on the appropriate use and scope of the programmatic approaches; (B) emphasize the importance of collaboration among relevant Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, and Indian tribes in undertaking programmatic reviews, especially with respect to including reviews with a broad geographical scope; (C) ensure that the programmatic reviews— (i) promote transparency, including of the analyses and data used in the environmental review process, the treatment of any deferred issues raised by Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, Indian tribes, or the public, and the temporal and special scales to be used to analyze those issues; (ii) use accurate and timely information in the environmental review process, including— (I) criteria for determining the general duration of the usefulness of the review; and (II) the timeline for updating any out-of-date review; (iii) describe— (I) the relationship between programmatic analysis and future tiered analysis; and (II) the role of the public in the creation of future tiered analysis; and (iv) are available to other relevant Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, Indian tribes, and the public; (D) allow not fewer than 60 days of public notice and comment on any proposed guidance; and (E) address any comments received under subparagraph (D). (h) Coordinated reviews (1) Coordination plan (A) Establishment The Federal lead agency shall, after consultation with and with the concurrence of each participating and cooperating agency and the project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable, establish a plan for coordinating public and agency participation in, and comment on, the environmental review process for a project study or a category of project studies. (B) Schedule (i) In general As soon as practicable but not later than 45 days after the close of the public comment period on a draft environmental impact statement, the Federal lead agency, after consultation with and the concurrence of each participating and cooperating agency and the project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable, shall establish, as part of the coordination plan established in subparagraph (A), a schedule for completion of the environmental review process for the project study. (ii) Factors for consideration In establishing a schedule, the Secretary shall consider factors such as— (I) the responsibilities of participating and cooperating agencies under applicable laws; (II) the resources available to the project sponsor, joint lead agency, and other relevant Federal and State agencies, as applicable; (III) the overall size and complexity of the project; (IV) the overall schedule for and cost of the project; and (V) the sensitivity of the natural and historical resources that could be affected by the project. (iii) Modifications The Secretary may— (I) lengthen a schedule established under clause (i) for good cause; and (II) shorten a schedule only with concurrence of the affected participating and cooperating agencies and the project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable. (iv) Dissemination A copy of a schedule established under clause (i) shall be— (I) provided to each participating and cooperating agency and the project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable; and (II) made available to the public. (2) Comment deadlines The Federal lead agency shall establish the following deadlines for comment during the environmental review process for a project study: (A) Draft environmental impact statements For comments by Federal and State agencies and the public on a draft environmental impact statement, a period of not more than 60 days after publication in the Federal Register of notice of the date of public availability of the draft environmental impact statement, unless— (i) a different deadline is established by agreement of the Federal lead agency, the project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable, and all participating and cooperating agencies; or (ii) the deadline is extended by the Federal lead agency for good cause. (B) Other environmental review processes For all other comment periods established by the Federal lead agency for agency or public comments in the environmental review process, a period of not more than 30 days after the date on which the materials on which comment is requested are made available, unless— (i) a different deadline is established by agreement of the Federal lead agency, the project sponsor, or joint lead agency, as applicable, and all participating and cooperating agencies; or (ii) the deadline is extended by the Federal lead agency for good cause. (3) Deadlines for decisions under other laws In any case in which a decision under any Federal law relating to a project study, including the issuance or denial of a permit or license, is required to be made by the date described in subsection (i)(5)(B), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate— (A) as soon as practicable after the 180-day period described in subsection (i)(5)(B), an initial notice of the failure of the Federal agency to make the decision; and (B) every 60 days thereafter until such date as all decisions of the Federal agency relating to the project study have been made by the Federal agency, an additional notice that describes the number of decisions of the Federal agency that remain outstanding as of the date of the additional notice. (4) Involvement of the public Nothing in this subsection reduces any time period provided for public comment in the environmental review process under applicable Federal law (including regulations). (5) Transparency reporting (A) Reporting requirements Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish and maintain an electronic database and, in coordination with other Federal and State agencies, issue reporting requirements to make publicly available the status and progress with respect to compliance with applicable requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and any other Federal, State, or local approval or action required for a project study for which this section is applicable. (B) Project study transparency Consistent with the requirements established under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall make publicly available the status and progress of any Federal, State, or local decision, action, or approval required under applicable laws for each project study for which this section is applicable. (i) Issue Identification and Resolution (1) Cooperation The Federal lead agency, the cooperating agencies, and any participating agencies shall work cooperatively in accordance with this section to identify and resolve issues that could delay completion of the environmental review process or result in the denial of any approval required for the project study under applicable laws. (2) Federal lead agency responsibilities (A) In general The Federal lead agency shall make information available to the cooperating agencies and participating agencies as early as practicable in the environmental review process regarding the environmental and socioeconomic resources located within the project area and the general locations of the alternatives under consideration. (B) Data sources The information under subparagraph (A) may be based on existing data sources, including geographic information systems mapping. (3) Cooperating and participating agency responsibilities Based on information received from the Federal lead agency, cooperating and participating agencies shall identify, as early as practicable, any issues of concern regarding the potential environmental or socioeconomic impacts of the project, including any issues that could substantially delay or prevent an agency from granting a permit or other approval that is needed for the project study. (4) Accelerated issue resolution and elevation (A) In general On the request of a participating or cooperating agency or project sponsor, the Secretary shall convene an issue resolution meeting with the relevant participating and cooperating agencies and the project sponsor or joint lead agency, as applicable, to resolve issues that may— (i) delay completion of the environmental review process; or (ii) result in denial of any approval required for the project study under applicable laws. (B) Meeting date A meeting requested under this paragraph shall be held not later than 21 days after the date on which the Secretary receives the request for the meeting, unless the Secretary determines that there is good cause to extend that deadline. (C) Notification On receipt of a request for a meeting under this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify all relevant participating and cooperating agencies of the request, including the issue to be resolved and the date for the meeting. (D) Elevation of issue resolution If a resolution cannot be achieved within the 30-day period beginning on the date of a meeting under this paragraph and a determination is made by the Secretary that all information necessary to resolve the issue has been obtained, the Secretary shall forward the dispute to the heads of the relevant agencies for resolution. (E) Convention by secretary The Secretary may convene an issue resolution meeting under this paragraph at any time, at the discretion of the Secretary, regardless of whether a meeting is requested under subparagraph (A). (5) Financial penalty provisions (A) In general A Federal jurisdictional agency shall complete any required approval or decision for the environmental review process on an expeditious basis using the shortest existing applicable process. (B) Failure to decide (i) In general (I) Transfer of funds If a Federal jurisdictional agency fails to render a decision required under any Federal law relating to a project study that requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment, including the issuance or denial of a permit, license, statement, opinion, or other approval by the date described in clause (ii), the amount of funds made available to support the office of the head of the Federal jurisdictional agency shall be reduced by an amount of funding equal to the amount specified in item (aa) or (bb) of subclause (II), and those funds shall be made available to the division of the Federal jurisdictional agency charged with rendering the decision by not later than 1 day after the applicable date under clause (ii), and once each week thereafter until a final decision is rendered, subject to subparagraph (C). (II) Amount to be transferred The amount referred to in subclause (I) is— (aa) $20,000 for any project study requiring the preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement; or (bb) $10,000 for any project study requiring any type of review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) other than an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. (ii) Description of date The date referred to in clause (i) is the later of— (I) the date that is 180 days after the date on which an application for the permit, license, or approval is complete; and (II) the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Federal lead agency issues a decision on the project under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). (C) Limitations (i) In general No transfer of funds under subparagraph (B) relating to an individual project study shall exceed, in any fiscal year, an amount equal to 1 percent of the funds made available for the applicable agency office. (ii) Failure to decide The total amount transferred in a fiscal year as a result of a failure by an agency to make a decision by an applicable deadline shall not exceed an amount equal to 5 percent of the funds made available for the applicable agency office for that fiscal year. (iii) Aggregate Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for each fiscal year, the aggregate amount of financial penalties assessed against each applicable agency office under this Act and any other Federal law as a result of a failure of the agency to make a decision by an applicable deadline for environmental review, including the total amount transferred under this paragraph, shall not exceed an amount equal to 9.5 percent of the funds made available for the agency office for that fiscal year. (D) Notification of transfers Not later than 10 days after the last date in a fiscal year on which funds of the Federal jurisdictional agency may be transferred under subparagraph (B)(5) with respect to an individual decision, the agency shall submit to the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate written notification that includes a description of— (i) the decision; (ii) the project study involved; (iii) the amount of each transfer under subparagraph (B) in that fiscal year relating to the decision; (iv) the total amount of all transfers under subparagraph (B) in that fiscal year relating to the decision; and (v) the total amount of all transfers of the agency under subparagraph (B) in that fiscal year. (E) No fault of agency (i) In general A transfer of funds under this paragraph shall not be made if the applicable agency described in subparagraph (A) notifies, with a supporting explanation, the Federal lead agency, cooperating agencies, and project sponsor, as applicable, that— (I) the agency has not received necessary information or approvals from another entity in a manner that affects the ability of the agency to meet any requirements under Federal, State, or local law; (II) significant new information, including from public comments, or circumstances, including a major modification to an aspect of the project, requires additional analysis for the agency to make a decision on the project application; or (III) the agency lacks the financial resources to complete the review under the scheduled timeframe, including a description of the number of full-time employees required to complete the review, the amount of funding required to complete the review, and a justification as to why not enough funding is available to complete the review by the deadline. (ii) Lack of financial resources If the agency provides notice under clause (i)(III), the Inspector General of the agency shall— (I) conduct a financial audit to review the notice; and (II) not later than 90 days after the date on which the review described in subclause (I) is completed, submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate the results of the audit conducted under subclause (I). (F) Limitation The Federal agency from which funds are transferred pursuant to this paragraph shall not reprogram funds to the office of the head of the agency, or equivalent office, to reimburse that office for the loss of the funds. (G) Effect of paragraph Nothing in this paragraph affects or limits the application of, or obligation to comply with, any Federal, State, local, or tribal law. (j) Memorandum of agreements for early coordination (1) Sense of congress It is the sense of Congress that— (A) the Secretary and other Federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review process should cooperate with each other, State and local agencies, and Indian tribes on environmental review and Bureau of Reclamation project delivery activities at the earliest practicable time to avoid delays and duplication of effort later in the process, prevent potential conflicts, and ensure that planning and project development decisions reflect environmental values; and (B) the cooperation referred to in subparagraph (A) should include the development of policies and the designation of staff that advise planning agencies and project sponsors of studies or other information foreseeably required for later Federal action and early consultation with appropriate State and local agencies and Indian tribes. (2) Technical assistance If requested at any time by a State or project sponsor, the Secretary and other Federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review process, shall, to the maximum extent practicable and appropriate, as determined by the agencies, provide technical assistance to the State or project sponsor in carrying out early coordination activities. (3) Memorandum of agency agreement If requested at any time by a State or project sponsor, the Federal lead agency, in consultation with other Federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review process, may establish memoranda of agreement with the project sponsor, Indian tribes, State and local governments, and other appropriate entities to carry out the early coordination activities, including providing technical assistance in identifying potential impacts and mitigation issues in an integrated fashion. (k) Limitations Nothing in this section preempts or interferes with— (1) any obligation to comply with the provisions of any Federal law, including— (A) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and (B) any other Federal environmental law; (2) the reviewability of any final Federal agency action in a court of the United States or in the court of any State; (3) any requirement for seeking, considering, or responding to public comment; or (4) any power, jurisdiction, responsibility, duty, or authority that a Federal, State, or local governmental agency, Indian tribe, or project sponsor has with respect to carrying out a project or any other provision of law applicable to projects. (l) Timing of claims (1) Timing (A) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim arising under Federal law seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or other approval issued by a Federal agency for a project study shall be barred unless the claim is filed not later than 3 years after publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the permit, license, or other approval is final pursuant to the law under which the agency action is taken, unless a shorter time is specified in the Federal law that allows judicial review. (B) Applicability Nothing in this subsection creates a right to judicial review or places any limit on filing a claim that a person has violated the terms of a permit, license, or other approval. (2) New information (A) In general The Secretary shall consider new information received after the close of a comment period if the information satisfies the requirements for a supplemental environmental impact statement under title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (including successor regulations). (B) Separate action The preparation of a supplemental environmental impact statement or other environmental document, if required under this section, shall be considered a separate final agency action and the deadline for filing a claim for judicial review of the action shall be 3 years after the date of publication of a notice in the Federal Register announcing the action relating to such supplemental environmental impact statement or other environmental document. (m) Categorical exclusions (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (A) survey the use by the Bureau of Reclamation of categorical exclusions in projects since 2005; (B) publish a review of the survey that includes a description of— (i) the types of actions that were categorically excluded or could be the basis for developing a new categorical exclusion; and (ii) any requests previously received by the Secretary for new categorical exclusions; and (C) solicit requests from other Federal agencies and project sponsors for new categorical exclusions. (2) New categorical exclusions Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, if the Secretary has identified a category of activities that merit establishing a categorical exclusion that did not exist on the day before the date of enactment this Act based on the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish a notice of proposed rulemaking to propose that new categorical exclusion, to the extent that the categorical exclusion meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion under section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation). (n) Review of project acceleration reforms (1) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall— (A) assess the reforms carried out under this section; and (B) not later than 5 years and not later than 10 years after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes the results of the assessment. (2) Contents The reports under paragraph (1) shall include an evaluation of impacts of the reforms carried out under this section on— (A) project delivery; (B) compliance with environmental laws; and (C) the environmental impact of projects. (o) Performance measurement The Secretary shall establish a program to measure and report on progress made toward improving and expediting the planning and environmental review process. (p) Categorical exclusions in emergencies For the repair, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of a Bureau of Reclamation surface water storage project that is in operation or under construction when damaged by an event or incident that results in a declaration by the President of a major disaster or emergency pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Secretary shall treat such repair, reconstruction, or rehabilitation activity as a class of action categorically excluded from the requirements relating to environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), if the repair or reconstruction activity is— (1) in the same location with the same capacity, dimensions, and design as the original Bureau of Reclamation surface water storage project as before the declaration described in this section; and (2) commenced within a 2-year period beginning on the date of a declaration described in this subsection. 6. Annual report to congress (a) In general Not later than February 1 of each year, the Secretary shall develop and submit to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate an annual report, to be entitled Report to Congress on Future Water Project Development , that identifies the following: (1) Project reports Each project report that meets the criteria established in subsection (c)(1)(A). (2) Proposed project studies Any proposed project study submitted to the Secretary by a non-Federal interest pursuant to subsection (b) that meets the criteria established in subsection (c)(1)(A). (3) Proposed modifications Any proposed modification to an authorized water project or project study that meets the criteria established in subsection (c)(1)(A) that— (A) is submitted to the Secretary by a non-Federal interest pursuant to subsection (b); or (B) is identified by the Secretary for authorization. (4) Expedited completion of report and determinations Any project study that was expedited and any Secretarial determinations under section 4 of this Act. (b) Requests for proposals (1) Publication Not later than May 1 of each year, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a notice requesting proposals from non-Federal interests for proposed project studies and proposed modifications to authorized projects and project studies to be included in the annual report. (2) Deadline for requests The Secretary shall include in each notice required by this subsection a requirement that non-Federal interests submit to the Secretary any proposals described in paragraph (1) by not later than 120 days after the date of publication of the notice in the Federal Register in order for the proposals to be considered for inclusion in the annual report. (3) Notification On the date of publication of each notice required by this subsection, the Secretary shall— (A) make the notice publicly available, including on the Internet; and (B) provide written notification of the publication to the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate. (c) Contents (1) Project reports, proposed project studies, and proposed modifications (A) Criteria for inclusion in report The Secretary shall include in the annual report only those project reports, proposed project studies, and proposed modifications to authorized projects and project studies that— (i) are related to the missions and authorities of the Bureau of Reclamation; (ii) require specific congressional authorization, including by an Act of Congress; (iii) have not been congressionally authorized; (iv) have not been included in any previous annual report; and (v) if authorized, could be carried out by the Bureau of Reclamation. (B) Description of benefits (i) Description The Secretary shall describe in the annual report, to the extent applicable and practicable, for each proposed project study and proposed modification to an authorized water resources development project or project study included in the annual report, the benefits, as described in clause (ii), of each such study or proposed modification. (ii) Benefits The benefits (or expected benefits, in the case of a proposed project study) described in this clause are benefits to— (I) the protection of human life and property; (II) improvement to domestic irrigated water and power supplies; (III) the national economy; (IV) the environment; or (V) the national security interests of the United States. (C) Identification of other factors The Secretary shall identify in the annual report, to the extent practicable— (i) for each proposed project study included in the annual report, the non-Federal interest that submitted the proposed project study pursuant to subsection (b); and (ii) for each proposed project study and proposed modification to a project or project study included in the annual report, whether the non-Federal interest has demonstrated— (I) that local support exists for the proposed project study or proposed modification to an authorized project or project study (including the surface water storage development project that is the subject of the proposed feasibility study or the proposed modification to an authorized project study); and (II) the financial ability to provide the required non-Federal cost share. (2) Transparency The Secretary shall include in the annual report, for each project report, proposed project study, and proposed modification to a project or project study included under paragraph (1)(A)— (A) the name of the associated non-Federal interest, including the name of any non-Federal interest that has contributed, or is expected to contribute, a non-Federal share of the cost of— (i) the project report; (ii) the proposed project study; (iii) the authorized project study for which the modification is proposed; or (iv) construction of— (I) the project that is the subject of— (aa) the water report; (bb) the proposed project study; or (cc) the authorized project study for which a modification is proposed; or (II) the proposed modification to a project; (B) a letter or statement of support for the water report, proposed project study, or proposed modification to a project or project study from each associated non-Federal interest; (C) the purpose of the feasibility report, proposed feasibility study, or proposed modification to a project or project study; (D) an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the Federal, non-Federal, and total costs of— (i) the proposed modification to an authorized project study; and (ii) construction of— (I) the project that is the subject of— (aa) the project report; or (bb) the authorized project study for which a modification is proposed, with respect to the change in costs resulting from such modification; or (II) the proposed modification to an authorized project; and (E) an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the monetary and nonmonetary benefits of— (i) the project that is the subject of— (I) the project report; or (II) the authorized project study for which a modification is proposed, with respect to the benefits of such modification; or (ii) the proposed modification to an authorized project. (3) Certification The Secretary shall include in the annual report a certification stating that each feasibility report, proposed feasibility study, and proposed modification to a project or project study included in the annual report meets the criteria established in paragraph (1)(A). (4) Appendix The Secretary shall include in the annual report an appendix listing the proposals submitted under subsection (b) that were not included in the annual report under paragraph (1)(A) and a description of why the Secretary determined that those proposals did not meet the criteria for inclusion under such paragraph. (d) Special rule for initial annual report Notwithstanding any other deadlines required by this section, the Secretary shall— (1) not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register a notice required by subsection (b)(1); and (2) include in such notice a requirement that non-Federal interests submit to the Secretary any proposals described in subsection (b)(1) by not later than 120 days after the date of publication of such notice in the Federal Register in order for such proposals to be considered for inclusion in the first annual report developed by the Secretary under this section. (e) Publication Upon submission of an annual report to Congress, the Secretary shall make the annual report publicly available, including through publication on the Internet. (f) Definition In this section, the term project report means a final feasibility report developed under the Reclamation Act of 1902 (32 Stat. 388), and all Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. 7. Applicability of WIIN Act Sections 4007 and 4009 of the WIIN Act ( Public Law 114–322 ) shall not apply to any project (as defined in section 2 of this Act).