jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Energy
Date: 2013-02-13 00:00:00

Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act - Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to authorize the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Bureau of Reclamation) to contract for the development of small conduit hydropower at Bureau facilities.

Defines: (1) "small conduit hydropower" as 5 megawatts or less; and (2) "conduit" as a tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance.

Requires that power privilege leases be offered first to an irrigation district or water users association operating or receiving water from the applicable transferred or reserved conduit.

Defines: (1) reserved conduit as any conduit included in project works whose care, operation, and maintenance has been reserved by the Secretary (through the Bureau); and (2) transferred conduit as any conduit included in project works whose care, operation, and maintenance has been transferred to a legally organized water users association or irrigation district.

Requires the Secretary, if the irrigation district or water users association elects not accept a lease of power privilege offer, to offer it to other parties.

Directs the Bureau to apply its categorical exclusion process under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) to small conduit hydropower development, except with respect to siting of associated transmission facilities on federal lands.

(A "categorical exclusion" under NEPA is a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in implementing environmental regulations and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.)

Makes the Bureau's Power Resources Office the lead office for such small conduit hydropower policy and procedure-setting activities. (Thus excludes such activities from the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC].)

Declares that nothing in this Act shall: (1) obligate specified power administrations to purchase or market the power produced by such facilities; (2) alter or impede the delivery and management of water for original project purposes; (3) alter or affect any existing agreements for conduit hydropower development projects or disposition of revenues; or (4) alter or affect any existing preliminary permit, license, or exemption issued by FERC or any project for which an application has been filed with FERC as of the date of the enactment of this Act. Deems water used for conduit hydropower generation to be incidental to use of water for the original project purposes.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Date: 2013-02-25 00:00:00

Drought Information Act of 2013 - Amends the National Integrated Drought Information System Act of 2006 to specify that: (1) the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall continue to support the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Program, and (2) the program's purpose shall be to better inform and provide for more timely decisionmaking to reduce drought related impacts and costs.

 Revises NIDIS functions to require the NIDIS to, among other things: (1) provide certain information (including concerning water supplies and soil moisture), forecasts, and assessments described in the Act on both national and regional levels; and (2) continue ongoing research and monitoring activities related to drought and the role of extreme weather events and climate variability in drought.

Requires the Under Secretary to provide a report to Congress concerning the NIDIS Program that includes a list of partners with whom the Under Secretary collaborates on NIDIS implementation and a description of NIDIS outreach activities.

Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Act through FY2018.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2013-02-28 00:00:00

Reinvesting In Vital Economic Rivers and Waterways Act of 2013 or RIVER Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to promulgate regulations that, at a minimum, require certain delivery process criteria for qualifying construction and major rehabilitation projects for navigation infrastructure of inland and intracoastal waterways.

Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the Inland Waterways Users Board, to submit to Congress a 20-year program for making capital investments on inland and intracoastal waterways. Allows such program to be based on the 20-year capital investment strategy contained in the Inland Marine Transportation System Capital Projects Business Model, Final Report published on April 13, 2010, as approved by the Board.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit expenditures from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund to 50% of the total cost of the construction or rehabilitation project. Makes Fund amounts unavailable for: (1) construction or rehabilitation of dams, or (2) rehabilitation expenditures that do not equal or exceed $50 million.

Increases the Inland Waterways Trust Fund financing rate (user fee) from 20 cents to 29 cents after 2013.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2013-02-28 00:00:00

Freedom to Fish Act - Prohibits the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers from taking any action (after August 1, 2012) to establish a restricted area prohibiting public access to waters downstream of a dam owned by the Corps. Requires the Chief to cease implementing any restricted area resulting from such action taken between August 12, 2012, and the date of enactment of this Act and to remove any barriers constructed in connection with that area.

Provides that installing and maintaining sirens, strobe lights, and signage for alerting the public of hazardous water conditions shall not be considered to be an action to establish a restricted area.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2013-03-06 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 27, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Reauthorizes the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park Commission for a term of ten years after enactment of this Act.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2013-03-11 00:00:00

Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to modify provisions authorizing the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma to design and construct hydroelectric generating facilities at the W.D. Mayo Lock and Dam on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma.

Authorizes such Nation to market the electricity generated from any such facility. Requires such Nation to obtain any permit required by federal or state law before the date on which construction begins on such facilities, except that the Nation shall be exempt from any licensing requirements under the Federal Power Act related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of hydroelectric generating facilities.

Authorizes: (1) such Nation to initiate design and construction only after the Secretary of the Army reviews and approves the plans and specifications, and (2) the Secretary to accept and use funds offered by such Nation to carry out the design and construction. Requires such Nation to: (1) bear all costs associated with the design and construction, and (2) provide any funds necessary for the design and construction to the Secretary prior to the Secretary initiating related activities.

Provides that such Nation shall hold all title to any hydroelectric generating facility constructed under this Act and may assign such title to a third party, subject to the Secretary's approval. Requires such Nation to: (1) be solely responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of, and the marketing of the electricity generated by, any such facility; and (2) release and indemnify the United States from all liabilities that may arise out of any activity undertaken to carry out this Act.

Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to provide any technical and construction management assistance that is requested by such Nation relating to such design and construction, and (2) such Nation to enter into agreements necessary to carry out this Act with the Secretary or a third party.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2013-03-14 00:00:00

Water Infrastructure Now Public-Private Partnership Act or the WIN P3 Act - Directs the Chief of Engineers to establish a pilot program to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and project delivery efficiency of allowing non-federal interests to carry out authorized flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and navigation projects. Requires the Chief: (1) to identify not more than 15 projects authorized for construction; (2) to develop a detailed project management plan for each identified project that outlines the scope, budget, design, and construction resource requirements necessary for the non-federal interest to execute the project or an element of the project; (3) to enter into a project partnership agreement with the non-federal interest at such interest's request to provide full project management control for construction of the project or element in accordance with plans approved by the Chief; (4) following execution of such agreement, to transfer specified amounts to the non-federal interest to carry out project construction; and (5) to regularly monitor and audit each such project being constructed by a non-federal interest.

Sets forth restrictions on projects selected. Authorizes the Chief to: (1) provide technical assistance to the non-federal interests for compensation, and (2) waive or modify applicable federal regulations if doing so would provide public and financial benefits.

Directs the Chief, before entering into a project partnership agreement, to enter into an arrangement with an independent third party to conduct an assessment and provide justification that the proposed agreement would represent a better public and financial benefit than a similar transaction using public funding.

Terminates authority to commence a project under this Act five years after its enactment.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2013-03-14 00:00:00

Dredging for Restoration and Economic Development for Global Exports Act of 2013 or the DREDGE Act of 2013 - Modifies the project for navigation, Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to direct the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to: (1) achieve, operate, and maintain a navigation channel of 50 feet with respect to the portion of the project from Baton Rouge to the Southwest Pass sea buoy; (2) complete such work not later than the last day of the third fiscal year beginning after the enactment of this Act; (3) conduct a pilot disposal and sediment project in the Southwest Pass area to determine the cost-effectiveness of pump-out disposal operations for hopper dredges for environmental enhancement and dredged material disposal; and (4) consult with appropriate federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders to determine the safe placement and timing of such pump-out disposal operations that protect, create, restore, and nourish coastal wetlands and aquatic habitat.

Requires: (1) all costs of such work to be treated as operation and maintenance costs, including the first costs of achieving a navigation channel of 50 feet; (2) the federal cost share of such work to be 100%; and (3) the Secretary to pay 100% of the costs of such work out of amounts made available from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for operation and maintenance expenses.

Directs the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to report to Congress on: (1) the cost and the environmental, storm damage reduction, and social benefits of the pump-out disposal operation; and (2) the total quantity of dredge material produced during operation and maintenance activities in the New Orleans District and the quantity that is beneficially used.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2013-03-22 00:00:00

Amends the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act of 1991 to extend authorities and the authorization of appropriations under such Act through FY2018.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2013-04-10 00:00:00

Amends the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to participate in design, planning, and construction of permanent facilities to reclaim and reuse water in the City of Hermiston, Oregon. Limits the federal share of project costs to 25% of the total. Prohibits the Secretary from providing funds for project operation and maintenance.

Amends the Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act of 1992 to deauthorize the Willow Lake Natural Treatment System Project, Oregon.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2013-04-16 00:00:00

Sets the tonnage requirement for consideration of dredging of small ports by the Corps of Engineers at a minimum of 500,000 tons, as calculated by the relevant port authority.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Energy
Date: 2013-04-25 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Approves the Agreement between the United States of America and the United Mexican States Concerning Transboundary Hydrocarbon Reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to implement the Agreement's terms, including: (1) approving unitization agreements and related arrangements for the exploration of, and development or production of oil or gas from, transboundary reservoirs and geological structures; (2) disclosing information, as necessary, regarding exploration, development, and production of a transboundary reservoir or geological structure that may be considered confidential, privileged, or proprietary information under law; and (3) accepting and taking action not inconsistent with an expert determination under the Agreement.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2013-04-25 00:00:00

Stewardship End Result Contracting Project Act - Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to authorize the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to enter into stewardship contracting projects with private persons or other public or private entities to perform services to achieve land management goals for eligible land that meets local and rural community needs.

 States that the land management goals of a project may include: (1) road and trail maintenance or obliteration to restore or maintain water quality; (2) soil productivity, habitat for wildlife and fisheries, or other resource values; (3) setting of prescribed fires to improve the composition, structure, condition, and health of stands or to improve wildlife habitat; (4) removing vegetation or other activities to promote healthy forest stands, reduce fire hazards, or achieve other land management objectives; (5) watershed restoration and maintenance; (6) restoration and maintenance of wildlife and fish; or (7) control of noxious and exotic weeds and reestablishing native plant species.

Defines "eligible land" to mean land located on National Forest System land or Bureau of Land Management [BLM]) land located west of the 100th meridian.

Repeals a section of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 that provides for forest health protection.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2013-05-16 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Freedom to Fish Act - Requires the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to: (1) cease implementing and enforcing, until two years after enactment of this Act, any restricted area for hazardous waters at dams and other civil works structures in the Cumberland River Basin that the Chief established or modified between August 1, 2012, and the day before the enactment of this Act; and (2) remove any permanent physical barriers constructed in connection with such area.

Requires the Chief, before establishing any such restricted area after this Act's enactment, to: (1) ensure that any restrictions are based on operational conditions that create hazardous waters, and (2) publish and seek and consider public comment on a draft describing the restricted area. Prohibits the Chief from: (1) implementing or enforcing the restricted area until two years after this Act's enactment, or (2) taking any action to establish a permanent physical barrier in connection with such area. (Excludes the installation and maintenance of measures for alerting the public of hazardous water conditions as such a permanent physical barrier.)

Makes enforcement of a restricted area the sole responsibility of the state in which such area is located.

Prohibits the Chief from assessing any penalty for entering a restricted area of public park and recreational facilities at water resource development projects.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to direct the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office of the Management Conference of the Long Island Sound Study to conduct or commission studies to strengthen the implementation of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Long Island Sound. Requires the studies to include: (1) environmental impacts on the Sound watershed; and (2) planning initiatives that identify areas most suitable for various activities in order to reduce conflicts among uses, reduce environmental impacts, facilitate compatible uses, or preserve critical ecosystem services.

Requires the Office to: (1) develop and implement strategies to increase education and awareness about the ecological health and water quality of the Sound; and (2) monitor progress toward meeting the goals, actions, and schedules of the Plan. Revises the limit on the federal share for certain grants for projects and studies to help implement the Plan. Increases the limit for grants other than citizen involvement and education grants from 50% to 60%.

Requires the Office's Director to submit a report that includes: (1) an assessment of the progress in implementing the Plan, (2) an assessment of the key ecological attributes that reflect the health of the ecosystem of the Sound watershed, (3) a description of substantive modifications to the Plan, (4) recommendations to improve progress in restoring and protecting the Sound watershed, (5) priority actions for implementing the Plan, and (6) a description of the means for coordinating federal funding and actions with the Long Island Sound states and other entities.

Requires the President to submit, with the annual budget, information regarding each federal agency involved in the protection and restoration of the Sound watershed.

Requires the EPA Administrator to coordinate the actions of federal agencies to improve the water quality and living resources of the watershed.

Requires a federal agency that owns or occupies real property, or carries out activities, within the Sound watershed to: (1) participate in regional and subwatershed planning, protection, and restoration activities; and (2) ensure that the property and activities are consistent with the Plan.

Amends the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006 to reauthorize the Long Island Sound Stewardship Advisory Committee through 2018 and exempts the Advisory Committee or any board, committee, or other group established under this Act from the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

(Sec. 3) Extends through FY2018 the authorizations to the EPA for the implementation of the Management Conference of the Long Island Sound Study, the Long Island Sound Stewardship Act of 2006, the Long Island Sound Grants, and Long Island Sound Stewardship Grants.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2013-06-11 00:00:00

Amends the Hudson Valley National Heritage Area Act of 1996 to extend through FY2022 the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to make grants or provide assistance for the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area in New York.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2013-06-11 00:00:00

Hudson River Valley Special Resource Study Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study of the Hudson River Valley in the state of New York to evaluate: (1) the national significance of the part of the Hudson River that flows from Rodgers Island at Fort Edward to the southernmost boundary of Westchester County, New York (the study area); and (2) the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System.
Topic: Public Lands — Water Resources
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2013-12-11 00:00:00

Bureau of Reclamation Transparency Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit to Congress, make publicly available, and biennially update an Asset Management Report that describes the Bureau of Reclamation's efforts to: (1) maintain in a reliable manner all reserved works (buildings, structures, facilities, or equipment owned by the Bureau for which operations and maintenance are performed by Bureau employees or through a contract with the Bureau) at Reclamation facilities (infrastructure assets that are owned by the Bureau at each Reclamation project owned by the Bureau); and (2) standardize and streamline data reporting and processes across regions and areas for the purpose of maintaining such works.

Requires such Report to include: (1) a detailed assessment of major repair and rehabilitation needs for all such works; and (2) an itemized list of major repair and rehabilitation needs of individual Reclamation facilities at each Reclamation project, including a budget level cost estimate of appropriations needed to complete each item and an assignment of a categorical rating for each item consistent with existing uniform categorization systems to inform the annual budget process and agency requirements.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) coordinate with the non-federal entities responsible for the operation and maintenance of transferred works (Reclamation facilities at which operations and maintenance are carried out by a non-federal entity under a formal agreement with the Bureau) in developing reporting requirements for Asset Management Reports regarding the condition of, and planned maintenance for, transferred works; and (2) develop and implement a categorical rating system for transferred works.

Reduces the maximum amount of the federal share of the cost of the Central Valley Water Recycling Project otherwise available as of the date of enactment of this Act by $2 million.