instruction:
In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.
question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration Act of 2003''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Administration.--The term ``Administration'' means the 
        National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) Function.--The term ``function'' includes any duty, 
        obligation, power, authority, responsibility, right, privilege, 
        activity, or program.
            (3) Office.--The term ``office'' includes any office, 
        institute, council, unit, organizational entity, or component 
        thereof.
            (4) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Commerce.
            (5) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means 
        the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere 
        appointed under section 102.

SEC. 3. ORGANIZATION OF ADMINISTRATION.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Department of Commerce an 
agency known as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    (b) Primary Missions.--The primary missions of the Administration 
are the following:
            (1) The provision and certification of hydrographic and 
        geodetic products and data.
            (2) The conservation and management of the Nation's coastal 
        and marine resources.
            (3) The exploration of the oceans and the Great Lakes.
            (4) To further human understanding of--
                    (A) the oceans and the Great Lakes;
                    (B) the earth's atmosphere; and
                    (C) the functional relationship of the oceans and 
                the atmosphere.
            (5) Forecasting the Nation's weather and climate.
    (c) Components.--The Secretary shall maintain within the 
Administration the following components:
            (1) The National Coast and Ocean Service.
            (2) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Service.
            (3) The National Marine Fisheries Service.
            (4) The National Weather Service.
            (5) The National Environmental Satellite and Data 
        Information Service.
            (6) The Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
            (7) Such other components as the Secretary considers 
        necessary.
    (d) Functions.--The Administration shall perform such functions as 
were vested in the Administration or any officer, employee, or office 
of the Administration immediately before the enactment of this Act, 
except as may be provided otherwise by law or by a redelegation of 
authority after that date by the President, the Secretary of Commerce, 
or any other officer of the United States who delegated such function 
to the Administration before that date or who is otherwise authorized 
to make such a redelegation.

SEC. 4. UNDER SECRETARY FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE.

    (a) In General.--There shall be at the head of the Administration 
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Under 
Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate. The Under Secretary shall be paid at the 
rate of basic pay for level III of the Executive Schedule.
    (b) Functions.--Subject to the authority, direction, and control of 
the Secretary, the Under Secretary shall perform such functions and 
exercise such powers with respect to the Administration as the 
Secretary may prescribe, including the following:
            (1) Serve as the Administrator of the National Oceanic and 
        Atmospheric Administration.
            (2) General management.
            (3) Policy development and guidance.
            (4) Budget formulation, guidance, and execution, and other 
        financial matters.
            (5) Resource requirements determination and allocation.
            (6) Program management and direction.
            (7) Environment, safety, and health operations.
            (8) Administration of contracts, real property, and 
        facilities.
            (9) Personnel, including the selection, appointment, 
        distribution, supervision, compensation, and separation of 
        personnel.
            (10) Procurement of services of experts and consultants in 
        accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code.
            (11) External affairs, including legal, legislative, and 
        public affairs, and serving as liaison with other elements of 
        the Department of Commerce and with other Federal agencies, 
        State, tribal, and local governments, and the public.

SEC. 5. ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR OCEANS AND ATMOSPHERE.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Administration an Assistant 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Assistant 
Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice 
and consent of the Senate. The Assistant Secretary shall be paid at the 
rate of basic pay for level IV of the Executive Schedule.
    (b) Functions.--The Assistant Secretary--
            (1) shall perform such functions and exercise such powers 
        as the Secretary or Under Secretary may prescribe; and
            (2) shall act as Under Secretary during the absence or 
        disability of the Under Secretary or in the event of a vacancy 
        in the office of Under Secretary.

SEC. 6. DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Administration a Deputy 
Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere. The Deputy Under Secretary 
shall be appointed by the Secretary. The position of Deputy Under 
Secretary shall be a Senior Executive Service general position as 
defined in section 3132(a)(9) of title 5, United States Code, (for 
purposes of subchapter II of chapter 31 of title 5, United States 
Code).
    (b) Functions.--Subject to the authority, direction, and control of 
the Secretary and the Under Secretary, the Deputy Under Secretary--
            (1) shall serve as an advisor to the Under Secretary and to 
        the Assistant Secretary on all program and policy issues;
            (2) shall be responsible for ensuring the timely and 
        effective implementation of the Administration policies and 
        objectives; and
            (3) in the absence or disability of the Under Secretary or 
        Assistant Secretary, or in the event of a vacancy in either 
        such position, shall act in that position.

SEC. 7. GENERAL COUNSEL.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Administration a General 
Counsel. The General Counsel shall be appointed by the Secretary. The 
position of General Counsel shall be a Senior Executive Service general 
position as defined in section 3132(a)(9) of title 5, United States 
Code, (for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 31 of title 5, United 
States Code).
    (b) Functions.--Subject to the authority, direction, and control of 
the Secretary and the Under Secretary, the General Counsel--
            (1) shall serve as the chief legal officer of the 
        Administration for all legal matters that arise in connection 
        with the conduct of the functions of the Administration; and
            (2) shall perform such other functions and exercise such 
        powers as the Secretary or Under Secretary may prescribe.

SEC. 8. ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATORS.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Administration the 
following:
            (1) An Assistant Administrator for Coastal and Ocean 
        Services.
            (2) An Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric 
        Research.
            (3) An Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.
            (4) An Assistant Administrator for Weather.
            (5) An Assistant Administrator for Environmental Satellite 
        Data and Information.
            (6) An Assistant Administrator for Program Planning and 
        Integration.
            (7) A Director of Marine and Aviation Operations and the 
        Commissioned Officer Corps.
    (b) Appointment.--Each Assistant Administrator and the Director 
referred to in subsection (a) shall be appointed by the Secretary. Each 
Assistant Administrator position shall be a Senior Executive Service 
general position as defined in section 3132(a)(9) of title 5, United 
States Code (for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 31 of title 5, 
United States Code).
    (c) Qualifications.--Each Assistant Administrator and the Director 
referred to in subsection (a) shall be an individual who is qualified 
by reason of background and experience to direct the implementation and 
administration of the functions for which they are responsible.
    (d) Functions.--Each Assistant Administrator and the Director 
referred to in subsection (a), under the authority, direction, and 
control of the Under Secretary, shall perform such functions and 
exercise such powers as the Under Secretary may prescribe.

SEC. 9. CONTINUATION OF SERVICE.

    Any individual serving on the date of the enactment of this Act in 
a position provided for in this Act may continue to serve in that 
position until a successor is appointed under this Act.

SEC. 10. SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD.

    (a) In General.--There shall be in the Administration a Science 
Advisory Board, which shall report to the Under Secretary.
    (b) Purpose.--The purpose of the Science Advisory Board is to 
advise the Under Secretary on long-range and short-range strategies for 
research, education, and application of science to resource management 
and environmental assessment and prediction.
    (c) Members.--
            (1) In general.--The Science Advisory Board shall consist 
        of members appointed by the Under Secretary to assure a 
        balanced representation among preeminent scientists, engineers, 
        educators, industry, and science policy experts reflecting the 
        full breadth of the Administration's areas of responsibility.
            (2) Criteria for selection.--The Under Secretary shall 
        develop and apply standard criteria for the selection of 
        members of the Science Advisory Board. -
            (3) Terms.--(A) Members of the Science Advisory Board shall 
        be appointed for a 3-year term, may be reappointed once, and 
        shall serve at the discretion of the Under Secretary.
            (B) An individual serving a term as a member of the Science 
        Advisory Board on the date of enactment of this section may 
        complete that term, and may be reappointed once for another 
        term of 3 years.
            (4) Compensation and expenses.--A member of the Science 
        Advisory Board shall not be compensated for service on such 
        board, but upon request by the member may be allowed travel 
        expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
        accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
        States Code.
            (5) Ethical standards.--Members of the Science Advisory 
        Board shall be subject to the ethical standards applicable to 
        special Government employees.
    (d) Chairperson.--The Under Secretary shall designate one of the 
members of the Science Advisory Board as the Chairperson of such board.
    (e) Meetings.--The Science Advisory Board shall meet at least twice 
each year, and at other times at the call of the Under Secretary or the 
Chairperson.
    (f) Administrative Support.--The Under Secretary shall provide 
administrative support to the Science Advisory Board.

SEC. 11. GENERAL AUTHORITIES.

    (a) Grants, Contracts, and Cooperative Agreements.--In carrying out 
the programs and activities authorized for the Administration, the 
Secretary--
            (1) may enter into grants, contracts, or cooperative 
        agreements with Federal agencies, States, local governments, 
regional agencies, interstate agencies, or other persons; and
            (2) through the Administration, may apply for, accept, and 
        use grants or funds from such entities.
    (b) Resource Sharing Agreements.--The Secretary, in carrying out 
the functions of the Administration, and under terms and conditions 
established by the Secretary--
            (1) may enter into resource sharing agreements with States, 
        local governments, or Federal agencies to accept or provide for 
        funds and the use of personnel, services, equipment, or 
        facilities on a reimbursable, nonreimbursable, or shared basis; 
        and
            (2) may enter into resource sharing agreements with other 
        Federal agencies to accept, or provide, personnel, services, 
        equipment, facilities, or funds, or participate in interagency 
        financing with other Federal agencies, to the extent necessary 
        to fulfill the objectives of programs or activities of the 
        Administration.
    (c) Joint and Cooperative Institutes.--The Secretary may establish, 
by cooperative agreement, joint or cooperative institutes with 
qualified colleges, universities, and nonprofit research organizations 
for the purpose of collaborating on mutually agreed-upon, long-term 
research programs in the areas of oceanography, coastal ocean observing 
technology, climate change, atmosphere, meteorology, marine, coastal 
and estuarine environmental technology, fisheries, hydrography, and 
marine spill response. The Secretary shall design such research 
programs to support the authorized functions of the Administration. The 
Secretary may accept or provide facilities, personnel, equipment, other 
property, knowledge, and other scientific research resources and funds 
on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, as determined by the 
Secretary, for such institutes.

SEC. 12. PROGRAM SUPPORT.

    (a) Corporate Services.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
the Secretary of Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration to provide corporate services (including 
management, administrative support, and policy development) that 
support its program activities, $95,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2004 through 2008.
    (b) Marine Operations and Maintenance.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, to enable the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out marine services 
activities (including ship operations, maintenance, support and 
planning) under the Act of 1947 and any other law involving those 
activities, $90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
    (c) Facilities.--In addition to amounts authorized under section 3 
of Public Law 104-91, there are authorized to the Secretary of 
Commerce, to enable the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
to carry out activities related to maintenance, repair, safety, 
environmental compliance, and project planning and execution of 
facilities, $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.

SEC. 13. NOAA FLEET REPLACEMENT AND MODERNIZATION.

    (a) In General.--Section 603 of the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act 
(33 U.S.C. 891a) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 603. FLEET REPLACEMENT AND MODERNIZATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may implement a program to replace 
and modernize the NOAA fleet in accordance with a plan submitted in 
accordance with section 604.
    ``(b) NOAA Vessel Construction.--
            ``(1) Prohibition on foreign construction.--Except as 
        provided in paragraph (2), no NOAA vessel, and no major 
        component of the hull  or superstructure of a NOAA vessel, may 
be constructed in a foreign shipyard.
            ``(2) Exceptions.--The President may authorize an exception 
        to the prohibition in paragraph (1) if the President determines 
        that it is in the national security interest of the United 
        States to do so. The President shall transmit notice to the 
        Congress of any such determination. No contract may be made 
        pursuant to such an exception until the end of the 30-day 
        period beginning on the date the notice of such determination 
        is received by the Congress.''.
    (b) Fleet Modernization Plan.--Section 604 of the NOAA Fleet 
Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891b) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 604. FLEET MODERNIZATION PLAN.

    ``(a) In General.--No later than 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 
2003, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources and the 
Committee on Science of the House of Representatives and the Committee 
on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a modernization 
plan for the NOAA fleet covering fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
    ``(b) Plan Elements.--The Plan required under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            ``(1) The number of vessels proposed to be modernized or 
        replaced, the schedule for their modernization or replacement, 
        and anticipated funding requirements for such modernization and 
        replacement.
            ``(2) The number of vessels proposed to be constructed, 
        leased, or chartered.
            ``(3) The number of vessels, or days at sea, that can be 
        obtained by using the vessels of the UNOLS.
            ``(4) The number of vessels that will be made available to 
        NOAA by the Secretary of the Navy, or any other Federal 
        official, and the terms and conditions for their availability.
            ``(5) The proposed acquisition of modern scientific 
        instrumentation for the NOAA fleet, including--
                    ``(A) acoustic systems;
                    ``(B) data transmission positioning and 
                communications systems;
                    ``(C) physical, chemical, and meteorological 
                oceanographic systems; and
                    ``(D) data acquisition and processing systems.''.
    (c) Use of UNOLS Vessels.--Section 605 of the NOAA Fleet 
Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891c) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 605. USE OF VESSELS.

    ``In carrying out the primary missions of NOAA under section 3(b) 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 2003, the 
Secretary--
            ``(1) shall use excess capacity of UNOLS vessels where 
        appropriate; and
            ``(2) may enter into memoranda of agreement with the 
        operators of those vessels to carry out the requirement under 
        paragraph (1).''.
    (d) Repeals.--Sections 607, 608, 609 and 610 of the NOAA Fleet 
Modernization Act (33 U.S.C. 891e-891h) are repealed.

SEC. 14. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS.

    (a) Pay Rate of Deputy Under Secretary.--Section 5315 of title 5, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 
        Atmosphere.''.
    (b) Reorganization Plan Number 4 of 1970.--
            (1) Repeal.--Reorganization Plan Number 4 of 1970 (5 App. 
        U.S.C.) is repealed.
            (2) Relationship to administration functions.--Subparagraph 
        (A) shall not affect the functions of the Administration under 
        section 3(d) of this Act.
            (3) Notice of reprogramming.--Section 403 of Public Law 
        102-567 (106 Stat. 4291) is amended by striking ``$250,000 or 
        5'' and inserting ``$500,000 or 10''.
answer:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Act of 2003 - Re-establishes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Department of Commerce, headed by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere who will serve as the Administrator of NOAA.Establishes within NOAA: (1) the National Coast (sic) and Ocean Service; (2) the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Service; (3) the National Marine Fisheries Service; (4) the National Weather Service; (5) the National Environmental Satellite and Data Information Service; (6) the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations; and (7) such other components as the Secretary considers necessary.Establishes within NOAA the positions of: (1) Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; (2) Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere; (3) General Counsel; and (4) Assistant Administrators for the Services and a Director of Marine and Aviation Operations and the Commissioned Officer Corps.Establishes within NOAA a Science Advisory Board.Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) enter into grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with agencies, States, local governments, or other persons and apply for, accept, and use grants or funds from such entities; (2) enter into resource sharing agreements with States, local governments, or Federal agencies; and (3) establish joint or cooperative institutes with qualified entities.Amends the NOAA Fleet Modernization Act to authorize the Secretary to implement a program to replace and modernize the NOAA fleet. Requires the Secretary to submit to Congress a modernization plan for the NOAA fleet covering FY 2004 through 2008.


question:
SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds the following:
            (1) It is in the national interest that all citizens, 
        including active-duty service members, be allowed to vote in 
        Federal elections.
            (2) Since 1977, active-duty service members serving 
        overseas or on the United States mainland have been excluded 
        from fully participating and voting in both general and runoff 
        Federal elections in American Samoa due to several factors, 
        including local law that requires active duty military members 
        to register in person, limited air and mail service between the 
        U.S. mainland and American Samoa, and delays in the preparation 
        of new ballots in the case of runoff elections.
            (3) American Samoa law requiring uniformed service voters 
        to register to vote in person is contrary to the Uniformed and 
        Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (42 U.S.C. 1973ff et 
        seq.).
            (4) The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 
        has been in effect for over 15 years, and American Samoa has 
        not addressed this discrepancy between Federal and territorial 
        law, despite notice that the discrepancy exists.
            (5) It is necessary to take additional action to ensure 
        that the votes of uniformed voters are counted in Federal 
        elections conducted in American Samoa and that active duty 
        service members (including reservists called to active duty) do 
        not need to appear in person to register to vote.
            (6) It is necessary to state that the Uniformed and 
        Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act supersedes American Samoa 
        law and American Samoa must comply with this Federal law.
            (7) It is also in the national interest that, to the extent 
        possible, Members of the United States House of Representatives 
        and non-voting Delegates be elected in the first week of 
        November in even-numbered years.
            (8) Since 1980, when the first election for the 
        Congressional Delegate from American Samoa was held, there have 
        been several general elections at which there was no final 
        resolution of who was elected as the Delegate for the next 
        Congress, and run-off elections were required.
            (9) When the outcome of the Delegate election is not 
        resolved until a runoff election is held, a final determination 
        of who the Delegate will be is not made known until late 
        November.
            (10) A delayed outcome may place a newly elected Delegate 
        in a more junior position to other Members of Congress elected 
        on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in an 
        election year.
            (11) When more than 2 candidates file to run for election 
        for the office of Delegate, holding a primary election to 
        reduce the number of candidates to 2 will greatly increase the 
        likelihood that the general election will produce a candidate 
        who receives a majority of the votes cast.

SEC. 2. PRIMARY ELECTION REQUIRED.

    Section 2(a) of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide that the 
Territory of American Samoa be represented by a nonvoting Delegate to 
the United States House of Representatives, and for other purposes'', 
approved October 31, 1978 (48 U.S.C. 1732(a)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
    ``(2) In any general election year when 3 or more eligible 
individuals file by the first Tuesday of July as candidates for the 
office of Delegate, a primary election shall be held on the first 
Tuesday of August of that general election year. If the primary 
election results in 1 candidate receiving more than 50 percent of the 
votes cast, then that candidate shall be the only candidate on the 
ballot for the general election for Delegate that year. If the primary 
election results in no candidate receiving more than 50 percent of the 
votes cast, then the 2 candidates receiving the most votes cast shall 
be on the ballot for the general election year. If there is a tie for 
the 2 candidates receiving the most votes, the names of the 2 
candidates shall be listed on the ballot for that general election 
year.
    ``(3) Candidates for the office of Delegate to the United States 
House of Representatives must file their candidacy not later than the 
first Tuesday of July each year that a general election referred to in 
paragraph (1) is scheduled to be held.''.

SEC. 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

    Section 4 of the Act entitled ``An Act to provide that the 
Territory of American Samoa be represented by a nonvoting Delegate to 
the United States House of Representatives, and for other purposes'', 
approved October 31, 1978 (48 U.S.C. 1734), is amended by inserting 
``in a general Federal election'' after ``ties between candidates''.

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on January 1, 
2003.
answer:
Declares that it is necessary to state that the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act supersedes American Samoa law and American Samoa must comply with it.Requires a primary election to be held in American Samoa on the first Tuesday of August of any general election year when three or more eligible individuals have filed by the first Tuesday of July as candidates for the office of Delegate representing American Samoa in the U.S. House of Representatives.


question:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Rio Puerco Watershed Act of 1994''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds that--
            (1) over time, extensive ecological changes have occurred 
        in the Rio Puerco watershed, including--
                    (A) erosion of agricultural and range lands;
                    (B) impairment of waters due to heavy 
                sedimentation;
                    (C) reduced productivity of renewable resources;
                    (D) loss of biological diversity;
                    (E) loss of functioning riparian areas; and
                    (F) loss of available surface water;
            (2) damage to the watershed has seriously affected the 
        economic and cultural well-being of its inhabitants, 
        including--
                    (A) loss of existing communities that were based on 
                the land and were self-sustaining; and
                    (B) adverse effects on the traditions, customs, and 
                cultures of the affected communities;
            (3) a healthy and sustainable ecosystem is essential to the 
        long-term economic and cultural viability of the region;
            (4) the impairment of the Rio Puerco watershed has damaged 
        the ecological and economic well-being of the area below the 
        junction of the Rio Puerco with the Rio Grande including--
                    (A) disruption of ecological processes;
                    (B) water quality impairment;
                    (C) significant reduction in the water storage 
                capacity and life expectancy of the Elephant Butte Dam 
                and Reservoir system due to sedimentation;
                    (D) chronic problems of irrigation system channel 
                maintenance; and
                    (E) increased risk of flooding caused by sediment 
                accumulation;
            (5) the Rio Puerco is a major tributary of the Rio Grande 
        and the coordinated implementation of ecosystem-based best 
        management practices for the Rio Puerco system could benefit 
        the larger Rio Grande system;
            (6) the Rio Puerco watershed has been stressed from the 
        loss of native vegetation, introduction of exotic species, and 
        alteration of riparian habitat which have disrupted the 
        original dynamics of the river and disrupted natural ecological 
        processes;
            (7) the Rio Puerco watershed is a mosaic of private, 
        Federal, tribal trust, and State land ownership with diverse, 
        sometimes differing management objectives;
            (8) development, implementation, and monitoring of an 
        effective watershed management program for the Rio Puerco 
        watershed requires cooperation among--
                    (A) the Bureau of Land Management;
                    (B) the Rio Puerco Watershed Committee;
                    (C) the National Forest Service;
                    (D) the Pueblos of Acoma, Isleta, Jemez, and 
                Laguna;
                    (E) the Eastern and Canoncito Bands of the Navajo 
                nation;
                    (F) the Jicarilla Apache Tribe;
                    (G) the Bureau of Reclamation;
                    (H) the Geological Survey;
                    (I) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
                    (J) the Fish and Wildlife Service;
                    (K) the Soil and Conservation Service;
                    (L) the Army Corps of Engineers;
                    (M) the National Park Service;
                    (N) the State of New Mexico;
                    (O) private landowners;
                    (P) local and regional governmental entities;
                    (Q) other interested citizens; and
                    (R) affected local soil and water conservation 
                districts;
            (9) the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
        Director of the Bureau of Land Management, in consultation with 
        the entities listed in paragraph (7), and in cooperation with 
        the Rio Puerco Watershed Committee, is best suited to 
        coordinate management efforts in the Rio Puerco watershed; and
            (10) accelerating the pace of improvement in Rio Puerco 
        watershed on a coordinated, cooperative basis will benefit 
        persons living in the watershed as well as downstream users on 
        the Rio Grande.

SEC. 3. MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
Bureau of Land Management and in consultation with the Rio Puerco 
Management Committee established pursuant to section 4, shall--
            (1) establish a clearinghouse for research and information 
        on management within the Rio Puerco watershed, as described in 
        the attached map, including--
                    (A) current and historical natural resource 
                conditions;
                    (B) data concerning the extent and causes of 
                watershed impairment; and
                    (C) implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of 
                best management practices initiated within the 
                watershed; and
            (2) provide support to the Rio Puerco Management Committee 
        to identify objectives, coordinate implementation of best 
        management practices, and monitor results.
    (b) Rio Puerco Management Plan.--Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
Rio Puerco Management Committee, shall prepare a plan for the 
restoration of the Rio Puerco watershed. The plan shall--
            (1) identify reasonable and appropriate goals and 
        objectives for landowners and managers in the Rio Puerco 
        watershed;
            (2) describe potential alternative actions to meet the 
        goals and objectives, including proven best management 
        practices and costs associated with implementing the actions;
            (3) recommend voluntary implementation of appropriate best 
        management practices on both public and private lands;
            (4) provide for cooperative development of management 
        guidelines for maintaining and improving the ecological, 
        cultural, and economic conditions on both public and private 
        lands;
            (5) provide for the development of public participation and 
        community outreach programs that would include proposals for--
                    (A) cooperative efforts with private landowners to 
                encourage implementation of best management practices 
                within the watershed; and
                    (B) involving private citizens in restoring the 
                watershed;
            (6) provide for the development of proposals for voluntary 
        cooperative programs among the Rio Puerco Management Committee 
        membership to implement best management practices in a 
        coordinated, consistent, and cost-effective manner;
            (7) provide for the encouragement and support 
        implementation of best management practices on private lands; 
        and
            (8) provide for the development of proposals for a 
        monitoring system that--
                    (A) builds upon existing data available from 
                private, Federal, and State sources;
                    (B) provides for the coordinated collection, 
                evaluation, and interpretation of additional data as 
                needed or collected; and
                    (C) will provide information to--
                            (i) assess existing resource and 
                        socioeconomic conditions;
                            (ii) identify priority implementation 
                        actions; and
                            (iii) assess the effectiveness of actions 
                        taken.
    (c) Additional Assistance.--If the Secretary of the Interior 
determines that employment of additional personnel is necessary to 
carry out this Act, the Secretary shall, where feasible, employ 
individuals who reside in the vicinity of the Rio Puerco watershed 
restoration area.

SEC. 4. RIO PUERCO MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established the Rio Puerco Management 
Committee (referred to in this section as the ``Committee'').
    (b) Membership.--The Committee shall be convened by a 
representative of the Bureau of Land Management, and shall include 
representatives from--
            (1) the Rio Puerco Watershed Committee;
            (2) affected tribes and pueblos;
            (3) the National Forest Service of the Department of 
        Agriculture;
            (4) the Bureau of Reclamation;
            (5) the Geological Survey;
            (6) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
            (7) the Fish and Wildlife Service;
            (8) the Army Corps of Engineers;
            (9) the Soil and Conservation Service of the Department of 
        Agriculture;
            (10) the State of New Mexico, including the New Mexico 
        Environment Department and the State Engineer;
            (11) affected local Soil and Water Conservation Districts;
            (12) the Elephant Butte Irrigation District;
            (13) private landowners; and
            (14) other interested citizens.
    (c) Duties.--The Rio Puerco Management Committee shall--
            (1) advise the Secretary of the Interior, acting through 
        the Director of the Bureau of Land Management, on the 
        development and implementation of the Rio Puerco Management 
        Program described in section 3; and
            (2) serve as a forum for information about activities that 
        may affect or further the development and implementation of the 
        best management practices described in section 3.

SEC. 5. REPORT.

    Two years after the date of enactment of this Act, and biennially 
thereafter, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Rio 
Puerco Management Committee, shall transmit to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate and to the Committee on Natural 
Resources of the House of Representatives a report containing--
            (1) a summary of accomplishments as outlined in section 3; 
        and
            (2) proposals for joint implementation efforts, including 
        funding recommendations.

SEC. 6. LOWER RIO GRANDE HABITAT STUDY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the 
Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service shall, in cooperation with 
the States of New Mexico and Texas, conduct a study of the Rio Grande 
from Caballo Lake to the Gulf of Mexico. The study shall include--
            (1) a survey of the current habitat conditions of the river 
        and its riparian environment;
            (2) identification of the changes in vegetation and habitat 
        over the past 400 years and the affect of the changes on the 
        river and riparian area; and
            (3) an assessment of the feasibility, benefits, and 
        problems associated with activities to prevent further habitat 
        loss and restoration of habitat through reintroduction or 
        establishment of appropriate native plant species.
    (b) Transmittal.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which 
funds are made available to carry out this Act, the Secretary shall 
transmit the study authorized by this section to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and to the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary 
to carry out this Act, and to implement the plan prepared pursuant to 
section 3(b).
answer:

Rio Puerco Watershed Act of 1994 - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to:  (1) establish a clearinghouse for research and information on the management of the Rio Puerco Watershed; and (2) provide support to the Rio Puerco Management Committee to identify objectives, coordinate implementation of best management practices, and monitor results concerning the watershed's management. Directs the Secretary to prepare a plan for the restoration of such watershed. 
Establishes the Rio Puerco Management Committee to:  (1) advise the Secretary on the development and implementation of the management program; and (2) serve as a forum of information concerning the watershed and implementation of best management practices. 
Directs the Secretary to:  (1) report to specified congressional committees on the implementation of this Act; and (2) study and report to such committees on the Rio Grande from Caballo Lake to the Gulf of Mexico. 
Authorizes appropriations.