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PROBLEM: SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) Apprenticeships can help veterans bridge the gap
between service in the Armed Forces and civilian employment
by--
(A) receiving on-the-job training under the direct
supervision of a professional and classroom
instruction;
(B) implementing skills the veterans acquired while
in the Armed Forces;
(C) providing practical work experience to the
veterans; and
(D) forming professional connections to fellow
members of skilled occupations.
(2) According to the Employment and Training Administration
of the Department of Labor, in fiscal year 2016--
(A) more than 21,000 apprenticeship programs across
the United States are registered with the
Administration;
(B) approximately 1,700 new apprenticeship programs
were established in the United States;
(C) more than 206,000 individuals across the United
States entered an apprenticeship program;
(D) more than 505,000 apprentices sought to acquire
skills to earn the wages necessary for financial
security; and
(E) approximately 49,000 individuals graduated from
apprenticeship programs.

SEC. 2. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS WHO PURSUE CERTAIN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

Section 3313(g)(3) of title 38, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
''(E) In the case of an individual pursuing a
program of apprenticeship (that is registered with the
Employment and Training Administration of the
Department of Labor) on more than a half-time but less
than full-time basis, an annual stipend for tuition and
fees not to exceed the lesser of--
''(i) the actual net cost for tuition and
fees for the program of apprenticeship after
the application of any waiver of, or reduction
in, tuition and fees; or
''(ii) 25 percent of the amount calculated
under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii).
''(F) In the case of an individual pursuing a
program of apprenticeship (that is registered with the
Employment and Training Administration of the
Department of Labor and for which the individual
provides proof of current registration to the
Secretary) that is not sponsored by the employer of the
individual, an annual stipend for tuition and fees not
to exceed the lesser of--
''(i) the actual net cost for tuition and
fees for the program of apprenticeship after
the application of any waiver of, or reduction
in, tuition and fees; or
''(ii) 25 percent of the amount calculated
under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii).''.

SEC. 3. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of Congress that apprenticeship programs that are
not sponsored by employers of participants in such programs should
supply professional development resources and interview training to the
participants.

SEC. 4. PILOT PROGRAM FOR VETERANS WHO PURSUE COMPUTER NUMERICALLY
CONTROLLED MACHINING CERTIFICATIONS.

(a) Pilot Program.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall carry
out a pilot program under which the Secretary shall provide eligible
veterans with the opportunity to enroll in certification programs in
computer numerically controlled machining.
(b) Eligibility.--For purposes of the pilot program under this
section, an eligible veteran is a veteran who is entitled to
educational assistance under the laws administered by the Secretary.
(c) Contracts.--
(1) In general.--For purposes of carrying out subsection
(a), by not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall seek to enter into contracts
with multiple qualified providers of certification programs in
computer numerically controlled machining for the provision of
such programs to eligible veterans under the pilot program.
(2) Payment of contractors.--A contract under this
subsection shall provide that the Secretary shall pay to a
provider--
(A) 25 percent of the cost of providing the
certification program upon the enrollment of an
eligible veteran in the program;
(B) 25 percent of such cost upon the completion of
the program by the veteran; and
(C) 50 percent of such cost upon the employment of
the veteran following completion of the program.
(3) Qualified providers.--For purposes of the pilot
program, a provider of a certification program in computer
numerically controlled machining is qualified if the provider
has been operational for at least two years.
(4) Tuition reimbursement.--In entering into contracts to
carry out the pilot program, the Secretary shall give
preference to a qualified provider that offers tuition
reimbursement for any student who--
(A) completes a certification program offered by
the provider; and
(B) does not find full-time meaningful employment
within the 180-day period beginning on the date the
student completes the program.
(d) Housing Stipend.--The Secretary shall pay to each eligible
veteran who is enrolled in a certification program in computer
numerically controlled machining under the pilot program on a full-time
basis a monthly housing stipend equal to the product of--
(1) in the case of--
(A) a veteran pursuing resident training, the
monthly amount of the basic allowance for housing
payable under section 403 of title 37, United States
Code, for a member with dependents in pay grade E-5 who
resides in the military housing area that encompasses
all or the majority of the ZIP code area in which the
campus at which the veteran attends training or classes
is located; or
(B) a veteran pursuing a certification program
through distance learning, a monthly amount equal to 50
percent of the amount payable under subparagraph (A);
and
(2) the lesser of--
(A) 1.0; or
(B) the number of course hours carried by the
individual in pursuit of the certification program
involved, divided by the minimum number of course hours
required for full-time pursuit of such certification
program, rounded to the nearest tenth.
(e) Certification Program in Computer Numerically Controlled
Machining Defined.--In this section, the term ''certification program
in computer numerically controlled machining'' means a training program
that--
(1) is offered by an entity--
(A) other than an institution of higher learning;
or
(B) that is a professional organization;
(2) does not lead to a degree; and
(3) leads to a National Institute for Metalworking Skills
credential or certification in computer numerically controlled
machining.
(f) Reports.--
(1) Secretary of veterans affairs.--Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on
the pilot program under this section.
(2) Comptroller general.--
(A) Interim report.--Not later than three years
after the date on which the Secretary first enters into
a contract under this section, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
containing the results of the interim assessment of the
Comptroller General. Such report shall include the
recommendations of the Comptroller General for
improving the pilot program and an assessment of each
of the following:
(i) The manufacturing and training
experience of the directors and instructors of
the providers of certification programs in
computer numerically controlled machining under
the pilot program.
(ii) Whether the providers followed
training curricula commonly used in the
industry (including curricula from the National
Institute for Metalworking Skills) for the
certification programs.
(iii) Whether the providers use open source
curricula for the certification programs.
(iv) The admittance rate into the pilot
program.
(v) The job placement rate for veterans who
completed a certification program under the
pilot program.
(vi) The average salary of veterans who
completed a certification program under the
pilot program and were subsequently employed.
(vii) The average age of veterans who
participated in the pilot program.
(B) Final report.--Not later than five years after
the date on which the Secretary first enters into a
contract under this section, the Comptroller General
shall submit to Congress a final report on the pilot
program. Such report shall include the recommendation
of the Comptroller General with respect to whether the
program should be extended and an assessment of each of
the following:
(i) Each item described in clauses (i)
through (vii) of subparagraph (A).
(ii) The percentage of veterans who
completed a certification program under the
pilot program who were subsequently employed
for a period of six months or longer.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs $5,000,000 for each
fiscal year during which the Secretary carries out a pilot program
under this section.
(h) Termination.--The authority to carry out a pilot program under
this section shall terminate on the date that is five years after the
date on which the Secretary first enters into a contract under this
section.

SEC. 5. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW OF THE CAREER TECHNICAL TRAINING
TRACK OF THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a
review of the career technical training track of the Transition
Assistance Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (specifically
with regard to the effectiveness of educating participants about
apprenticeship opportunities) and submit to Congress a report on the
results of the review and any recommendations of the Comptroller
General for improving the program.

SOLUTION: This bill provides educational assistance to veterans who pursue certain apprenticeship programs registered with the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor. It is the sense of Congress that apprenticeship programs that are not sponsored by program participants' employers should provide the participants with professional development resources and interview training. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shall carry out a pilot program to provide eligible veterans with the opportunity to enroll in certification programs in computer numerically controlled machining. The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress regarding the career technical training track of the VA's Transition Assistance Program, including its effectiveness in educating participants about apprenticeship opportunities.

PROBLEM: SECTION 1. ALEXANDER CREEK VILLAGE RECOGNITION.

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:

''SEC. 43. ALEXANDER CREEK VILLAGE RECOGNITION.

''(a) Recognition of the Village of Alexander Creek.--Subject to
the limitations of this section and notwithstanding section 1432(d) of
the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (Public Law 96-487)
to the contrary, Alexander Creek, located within Township 15N, Range
7W, Seward Meridian, Alaska, is and shall be recognized as an eligible
Native village under section 11(b)(3) of this Act.
''(b) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, the following
terms apply:
''(1) The term 'agency' includes--
''(A) any instrumentality of the United States;
''(B) any element of an agency; and
''(C) any wholly owned or mixed-owned corporation
of the United States Government identified in chapter
91 of title 31, United States Code.
''(2) The term 'conservation system unit' has the meaning
given that term in the Alaska National Interest Lands
Conservation Act.
''(3) The term 'Alexander Creek' means Alexander Creek
Incorporated, an Alaska Native Group corporation, organized
pursuant to this Act.
''(4) The term 'property' has the meaning given that term
in Public Law 94-204 (43 U.S.C. 1611 note).
''(5) The term 'Region' means Cook Inlet Region
Incorporated, an Alaska Native Regional Corporation, which is
the appropriate Regional Corporation for Alexander Creek under
section 1613(h) of this Act.
''(6) The term 'CIRI Property Account' means the account in
the Treasury established by the Secretary of the Treasury
pursuant to section 12(b) of Public Law 94-204 (43 U.S.C. 1611
note), referred to in that section as the 'Cook Inlet Region,
Incorporated property account'.
''(c) Establishment.--(1) The Secretary of the Treasury, in
consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall establish an
account in the Treasury to be known as the 'Alexander Creek account'
which shall be funded in the full amount provided for by this section
within 24 months of the date of enactment of this section
''(2) Funds in the Alexander Creek account shall--
''(A) be available to Alexander Creek for bidding on and
purchasing property sold at public sale, subject to paragraph
(3); and
''(B) remain available until expended.
''(3)(A) Alexander Creek may use funds in the Alexander Creek
account to bid as any other bidder for property in Alaska at any public
sale by an agency and may purchase such property in accordance with
applicable laws and regulations of the agency offering the property for
sale.
''(B) In conducting a transaction described in subparagraph (A), an
agency shall accept, in the same manner as cash, any amount tendered
from the Alexander Creek account. The Secretary of the Treasury shall
adjust the balance of the Alexander Creek account to reflect the
transaction.
''(C) The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Interior, shall establish procedures for the following
transactions related to the Alexander Creek account:
''(i) Receipt of deposits.
''(ii) Receipt of deposits into escrow when an escrow is
required for the sale of property.
''(iii) Reinstatement to the Alexander Creek account of any
unused escrow deposits in the event that a sale of property is
not consummated.
''(d) Amount.--(1) The initial balance of the Alexander Creek
account shall be the fair market value as determined by the appraisal
conducted under subsection (g) of the surface estate of the
approximately 61,440 acres of deficiency selections previously made by
Alexander Creek, which comprise the following parcels of land:
''T. 2 T., R. 19 W., secs. 3 and 4.
''T. 2 T., R. 19 W., sec. 10.
''T. 2 T., R. 19 W., secs. 14 and 15.
''T. 3 T., R. 19 W., sec. 30.
''T. 2 T., R. 20 W., secs. 20 through 23.
''T. 3 T., R. 20 W., sec. 10.
''T. 3 T., R. 20 W., sec. 14.
''T. 3 T., R. 20 W., secs. 24 and 25.
''T. 1 T., R. 26 W., sec. 31.
''T. 2 T., R. 27 W., secs. 3 and 4.
''T. 2 T., R. 29 W., secs. 3 through 5.
''T. 2 S., R. 19 W., sec. 18.
''T. 2 S., R. 20 W., secs. 12 and 13.
''T. 2 S., R. 20 W., sec. 24.
''T. 2 S., R. 20 W., secs. 26 and 27.
''T. 2 S., R. 20 W., secs. 33 and 34.
''T. 3 S., R. 23 W., sec. 25.
''T. 6 S., R. 24 W., secs. 1 and 2.
''T. 6 S., R. 24 W., sec. 11.
''T. 6 S., R. 24 W., secs. 18 through 20.
''T. 9 S., R. 27 W., secs. 6 and 7.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., sec. 2.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., sec. 21.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., secs. 28 and 29.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., secs. 31 through 33.
''T. 8 S., R. 28 W., secs. 5 through 7.
''T. 9 S., R. 28 W., sec. 1.
''T. 9 S., R. 28 W., sec. 12.
''T. 7 S., R. 29 W., sec. 12.
''T. 8 S., R. 29 W., sec. 1.
''T. 8 S., R. 29 W., secs. 3 and 4.
''T. 8 S., R. 29 W., secs. 8 through 20.
''T. 2 N., R. 20 W., sec. 13.
''T. 1 N., R. 27 W., sec. 8.
''T. 1 N., R. 27 W., sec. 16.
''T. 1 N., R. 27 W., secs. 20 through 23.
''T. 1 N., R. 27 W., sec. 25.
''T. 1 N., R. 27 W., sec. 36.
''T. 1 N., R. 28 W., secs. 1 and 2.
''T. 1 N., R. 28 W., secs. 8 through 11.
''T. 1 N., R. 28 W., secs. 16 through 18.
''T. 3 S., R. 23 W., sec. 8.
''T. 3 S., R. 23 W., sec. 26.
''T. 3 S., R. 23 W., sec. 33.
''T. 6 S., R. 24 W., secs. 27 and 28.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., secs. 4 through 7.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., secs. 10 and 11.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., secs. 14 and 15.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., sec. 22.
''T. 8 S., R. 29 W., sec. 5.
''T. 2 N., R. 20 W., sec. 30.
''T. 3 N., R. 20 W., sec. 2.
''T. 3 N., R. 20 W., sec. 13.
''T. 4 N., R. 20 W., sec. 33.
''T. 2 N., R. 27 W., secs. 10 through 12.
''T. 11 N., R. 28 W., secs. 16 through 27.
''T. 2 N., R. 30 W., sec. 12.
''T. 1 S., R. 20 W., sec. 4.
''T. 3 S., R. 23 W., sec. 17.
''T. 3 S., R. 23 W., sec. 28.
''T. 6 S., R. 24 W., sec. 14.
''T. 6 S., R. 24 W., sec. 21.
''T. 6 S., R. 24 W., sec. 26.
''T. 5 S., R. 26 W., secs. 29 and 30.
''T. 7 S., R. 28 W., sec. 1.
''T. 7 S., R. 29 W., sec. 1.
''T. 7 S., R. 29 W., sec. 11.
''T. 7 S., R. 29 W., secs. 14 through 16.
''T. 7 S., R. 29 W., secs. 21 and 22.
''T. 2 N., R. 19 W., sec. 7.
''T. 2 N., R. 19 W., sec. 18.
''(2) The balance of the CIRI Property Account shall be increased
by an amount equal to the fair market value of the subsurface estate of
the approximately 61,440 acres of deficiency selections made by
Alexander Creek, as described in paragraph (1): Provided, That the
value of such subsurface estate shall not be less than 61,440
multiplied by the acre equivalent value of the Region's entitlement
lands under paragraph (2) of the second section of 12(b)(7)(iv) of the
Act of January 2, 1976 (Public Law 94-204). The funds added to the CIRI
Property Account pursuant to this subsection shall be segregated from
all other funds therein by a method to be mutually agreed by CIRI and
the Secretary of the Treasury.
''(e) Land Exchange.--The Secretary of the Interior shall enter
into negotiations with Alexander Creek, no later than 180 days after
the date of the enactment of this Act, to attempt to conclude, under
the authority of section 22(f), a land exchange to acquire lands not
within any conservation system unit from the State of Alaska or the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough under the same procedures set forth in
section 22(f) to enable Alexander Creek to obtain additional public
lands within Alexander Creek's original withdrawal area in Alaska, as
identified by Alexander Creek. The subsurface to lands conveyed to
Alexander Creek under subsection (d) shall be conveyed, without
consideration, to the Region and shall be treated for all purposes as
subsurface land conveyed to the Region under section 14(f). Any land
exchange to be undertaken pursuant to this subsection must be approved
by Alexander Creek, and must be completed no later than 36 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act.
''(f) Adjustment in Account.--If a conveyance of surface estate is
made to Alexander Creek pursuant to subsection (e), the Alexander Creek
account shall be reduced by the amount of the actual acres conveyed
multiplied by the average value per acre of the surface acres appraised
under subsection (g). If a conveyance of subsurface estate is made to
the Region pursuant to subsection (d), the CIRI Property Account shall
be reduced by the amount of the actual acres conveyed multiplied by the
average value per acre of the subsurface acres appraised under
subsection (g).
''(g) Appraisal.--(1)(A) Subject to subsection (d)(2), the
Secretary shall determine the amount to be deposited into the Alexander
Creek and CIRI Property accounts by separately appraising, on a
reasonable basis, based on all available evidence, the fair market
value, as of the date of the enactment of this section, of the surface
and subsurface of each section selected as a separate parcel and
considering that 'public interest' use may be the highest and best use
of such parcels.
''(B) Alexander Creek and the Region shall each have the
opportunity to present evidence of value to the Secretary solely with
respect to the respective estates involved, comprising surface estate
for Alexander Creek and subsurface estate for the Region. The Secretary
shall provide Alexander Creek and the Region with a preliminary draft
of the appraisal. Alexander Creek and the Region shall have a
reasonable and sufficient opportunity to comment on the appraisal.
''(2) The Secretary shall forward a certified copy of the appraisal
of their separate and respective estates each to Alexander Creek, and
the Region.
''(h) Implementation.--(1) Alexander Creek may assign to any person
or corporation without restriction any or all of the Alexander Creek
account upon written notification to the Secretary of the Treasury and
the Secretary of the Interior. In the event that such an assignment is
made to the Region, on notice from Alexander Creek to the Secretary of
the Treasury and the Secretary of the Interior, and subject to the
written consent of the Region in its sole and absolute discretion, the
amount of such assignment shall be added to or made a part of the CIRI
Property Account, and may be used in the same manner as other funds in
that account.
''(2) Except for such lands as Alexander Creek has received prior
to enactment of this section, and such lands it is entitled to recover
as a Group Corporation, upon completion by the Secretary of the
Interior of the appraisal process pursuant to subsection (g), and
notification to the Secretary from Alexander Creek that Alexander Creek
accepts the results of the appraisal process, Alexander Creek shall be
deemed to have accepted the terms of this section in lieu of any other
land entitlement it could have received as a village pursuant to this
Act, including, without limitation, any lands it would have received
pursuant to section 12(b). Such acceptance shall satisfy all claims
Alexander Creek had or may have had against the United States on the
date of the enactment of this section.
''(3) Any land acquired by Alexander Creek with funds from the
Alexander Creek account shall be deemed to be a conveyance pursuant to
this Act.
''(i) Treatment of Amounts From the Alexander Creek Account.--The
Secretary of the Treasury and the heads of agencies shall administer
sales pursuant to this section in the same manner as is provided for
any other Native village authorized by law as of the date of the
enactment of this section (including the use of similar accounts for
bidding on and purchasing property sold for public sale).
''(j) Limitation on Agents' and Attorneys' Fees.--No more than 2.5
percent of payments received by or on behalf of Alexander Creek under
this section may be paid to or received by any agent or attorney for
services rendered in connection with obtaining such payment, any
contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Any person who violates this
subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a
fine in the amount provided in title 18, United States Code.
''(k) Shareholder Participation.--Alexander Creek shall notify each
member of the Native village recognized under this section that, upon
the effective date of this provision, such members shall cease to
receive benefits from the Region as at-large shareholders pursuant to
section 7(m), and that all future resource payments from the Region
shall be made to the Village Corporation pursuant to section 7(j). The
Region shall not be liable under any State, Federal or local law, or
under State or Federal common law, for damages arising out of or
related to the cessation of payments to such individuals under section
7(m) pursuant to this section.
''(l) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to--
''(1) limit, alter, violate, breach, or otherwise affect
the rights of any party under a contract, settlement agreement,
or land exchange entered into prior to enactment of this
section between Alexander Creek and any party, or one or more
parties to any contract, settlement, agreement, or land
exchange predicated upon Alexander Creek's Native village
status under this Act; or
''(2) diminish, reduce, or modify the acreage entitlement
to which Alexander Creek became entitled to as a Group
Corporation.''.

SOLUTION: Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) to recognize the village of Alexander Creek, Alaska, as eligible for land and benefits under the Act, notwithstanding specified provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.

Establishes in the Treasury the Alexander Creek account and makes the account's funds available to Alexander Creek Incorporated for purchasing property sold at public sale. Increases the existing CIRI Property Account's balance by the subsurface value of Alexander Creek's selections.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to negotiate for a land exchange to acquire the surface estate in lands not in any conservation system unit from Alaska or the Mantanuska-Susitna Borough to enable Alexander Creek to obtain additional public lands in Alexander Creek's original withdrawal area in Alaska.

Requires the subsurface estate to the lands conveyed to Alexander Creek to be conveyed to CIRI.

Deems Alexander Creek, on completion (and acceptance by Alexander Creek) of an appraisal, to have accepted the terms of this Act in lieu of any other land entitlement it could have received as a village under ANCSA. Requires that such acceptance satisfy all claims of Alexander Creek against the United States.

Requires Alexander Creek to notify each Alexander Creek member that the members will cease to receive benefits from CIRI as at-large shareholders and that all future resource payments from the Region will be made to the Village Corporation. Relieves CIRI from liability under any state, federal, or local law for damages related to that payment cessation.

PROBLEM: SECTION. 1. LOUISIANA COASTAL AREA ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION, LOUISIANA.

(a) In General.--The Secretary may carry out a program for
ecosystem restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana, substantially
in accordance with the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated January
31, 2005.
(b) Priorities.--
(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to--
(A) any portion of the program identified in the
report described in subsection (a) as a critical
restoration feature;
(B) any Mississippi River diversion project that--
(i) protects a major population area of the
Pontchartain, Pearl, Breton Sound, Barataria,
or Terrebonne Basin; and
(ii) produces an environmental benefit to
the coastal area of the State of Louisiana or
the State of Mississippi; and
(C) any barrier island, or barrier shoreline,
project that--
(i) is carried out in conjunction with a
Mississippi River diversion project; and
(ii) protects a major population area.
(c) Non-Federal Share.--
(1) Credit for integral work.--The Secretary shall provide
credit (including in-kind credit) toward the non-Federal share
for the cost of any work carried out by the non-Federal
interest on a project that is part of the program under
subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that the work is
integral to the project.
(2) Carryover of credits.--A credit provided under
paragraph (1) may be carried over between authorized projects
in the Louisiana Coastal Area ecosystem restoration program.
(3) Nongovernmental organizations.--A nongovernmental
organization shall be eligible to contribute all or a portion
of the non-Federal share of the cost of a project under this
section.
(d) Comprehensive Plan.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the
Governor of the State of Louisiana, shall--
(A) develop a plan for protecting, preserving, and
restoring the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; and
(B) not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter,
submit to Congress the plan, or an update of the plan.
(2) Inclusions.--The comprehensive plan shall include a
description of--
(A) the framework of a long-term program that
provides for the comprehensive protection,
conservation, and restoration of the wetlands,
estuaries (including the Barataria-Terrebonne estuary),
barrier islands, shorelines, and related land and
features of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, including
protection of a critical resource, habitat, or
infrastructure from the effects of a coastal storm, a
hurricane, erosion, or subsidence;
(B) the means by which a new technology, or an
improved technique, can be integrated into the program
under subsection (a); and
(C) the role of other Federal agencies and programs
in carrying out the program under subsection (a).
(3) Consideration.--In developing the comprehensive plan,
the Secretary shall consider the advisability of integrating
into the program under subsection (a)--
(A) a related Federal or State project carried out
on the date on which the plan is developed;
(B) an activity in the Louisiana Coastal Area; or
(C) any other project or activity identified in--
(i) the Mississippi River and Tributaries
program;
(ii) the Louisiana Coastal Wetlands
Conservation Plan;
(iii) the Louisiana Coastal Zone Management
Plan; or
(iv) the plan of the State of Louisiana
entitled ''Coast 2050: Toward a Sustainable
Coastal Louisiana''.
(e) Task Force.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established a task force to be
known as the ''Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and
Restoration Task Force'' (referred to in this subsection as the
''Task Force'').
(2) Membership.--The Task Force shall consist of the
following members (or, in the case of the head of a Federal
agency, a designee at the level of Assistant Secretary or an
equivalent level):
(A) The Secretary.
(B) The Secretary of the Interior.
(C) The Secretary of Commerce.
(D) The Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency.
(E) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(F) The Secretary of Transportation.
(G) The Secretary of Energy.
(H) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(I) 3 representatives of the State of Louisiana
appointed by the Governor of that State.
(3) Duties.--The Task Force shall make recommendations to
the Secretary regarding--
(A) policies, strategies, plans, programs,
projects, and activities for addressing conservation,
protection, restoration, and maintenance of the coastal
Louisiana ecosystem;
(B) financial participation by each agency
represented on the Task Force in conserving,
protecting, restoring, and maintaining the coastal
Louisiana ecosystem, including recommendations--
(i) that identify funds from current agency
missions and budgets; and
(ii) for coordinating individual agency
budget requests; and
(C) the comprehensive plan under subsection (d).
(4) Working groups.--The Task Force may establish such
working groups as the Task Force determines to be necessary to
assist the Task Force in carrying out this subsection.
(5) Application of the federal advisory committee act.--The
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply
to the Task Force or any working group of the Task Force.
(f) Mississippi River Gulf Outlet.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a plan for
modifying the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet that addresses--
(A) wetland losses attributable to the Mississippi
River Gulf Outlet;
(B) channel bank erosion;
(C) hurricane storm surges;
(D) saltwater intrusion;
(E) navigation interests; and
(F) environmental restoration.
(2) Report.--If the Secretary determines necessary, the
Secretary, in conjunction with the Chief of Engineers, shall
submit to Congress a report recommending modifications to the
Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, including measures to prevent
the intrusion of saltwater into the Outlet.
(g) Science and Technology.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a coastal
Louisiana ecosystem science and technology program.
(2) Purposes.--The purposes of the program established by
paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) to identify any uncertainty relating to the
physical, chemical, geological, biological, and
cultural baseline conditions in coastal Louisiana;
(B) to improve knowledge of the physical, chemical,
geological, biological, and cultural baseline
conditions in coastal Louisiana; and
(C) to identify and develop technologies, models,
and methods to carry out this subsection.
(3) Working groups.--The Secretary may establish such
working groups as the Secretary determines to be necessary to
assist the Secretary in carrying out this subsection.
(4) Contracts and cooperative agreements.--In carrying out
this subsection, the Secretary may enter into a contract or
cooperative agreement with an individual or entity (including a
consortium of academic institutions in Louisiana and
Mississippi) with scientific or engineering expertise in the
restoration of aquatic and marine ecosystems for coastal
restoration and enhancement through science and technology.
(h) Analysis of Benefits.--
(1) In general.--Notwithstanding section 209 of the Flood
Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962-2) or any other provision
of law, in carrying out an activity to conserve, protect,
restore, or maintain the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, the
Secretary may determine that the environmental benefits
provided by the program under this section outweigh the
disadvantage of an activity under this section.
(2) Determination of cost-effectiveness.--If the Secretary
determines that an activity under this section is cost-
effective, no further economic justification for the activity
shall be required.
(i) Apportionment.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
non-Federal interest, shall enter into a contract with the
National Academy of Sciences under which the National Academy
of Sciences shall conduct a study.
(2) Identification of causes and sources.--The study under
paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
identify--
(A) each cause of degradation of the Louisiana
Coastal Area ecosystem that is attributable to an
action by the Secretary;
(B) an apportionment of the sources of such
degradation;
(C) any potential reduction in the amount of
Federal emergency response funds that would occur as a
result of ecosystem restoration in the Louisiana
Coastal Area; and
(D) the reduction in costs associated with
protection and maintenance of infrastructure that is
threatened or damaged as a result of coastal erosion in
Louisiana that would occur as a result of ecosystem
restoration in the Louisiana Coastal Area.
(j) Report.--Not later than July 1, 2006, the Secretary, in
conjunction with the Chief of Engineers, shall submit to Congress a
report describing the features included in table 3 of the report
described in subsection (a).
(k) Project Modifications.--
(1) Review.--The Secretary, in cooperation with any non-
Federal interest, shall review each federally-authorized water
resources project in the coastal Louisiana area in existence on
the date of enactment of this Act to determine whether--
(A) each project is in accordance with the program
under subsection (a); and
(B) the project could contribute to ecosystem
restoration under subsection (a) through modification
of the operations or features of the project.
(2) Public notice and comment.--Before modifying an
operation or feature of a project under paragraph (1)(B), the
Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public notice and
comment.
(3) Report.--
(A) In general.--Before modifying an operation or
feature of a project under paragraph (1)(B), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report describing the modification.
(B) Inclusion.--A report under paragraph (2)(B)
shall include such information relating to the timeline
and cost of a modification as the Secretary determines
to be relevant.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out modifications
under this subsection $10,000,000.

SOLUTION:
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out a program for ecosystem restoration, Louisiana Coastal Area, Louisiana, substantially in accordance with the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated January 31, 2005. Directs the Secretary to give priority to any: (1) portion of the program identified in that report as a critical restoration feature; (2) Mississippi River diversion project that protects a major population area of the Pontchartain, Pearl, Breton Sound, Barataria, or Terrebonne Basin and that produces an environmental benefit to the coastal area of Louisiana or Mississippi; and (3) barrier island or shoreline project that is carried out in conjunction with a Mississippi River diversion project and that protects a major population area.

Directs the Secretary, in coordination with the Governor of Louisiana, to develop a plan for protecting, preserving, and restoring the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. Establishes the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop a plan for modifying the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet that addresses wetland losses attributable to the Outlet, channel bank erosion, hurricane storm surges, saltwater intrusion, navigation interests, and environmental restoration; (2) establish a coastal Louisiana ecosystem science and technology program; (3) contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study to identify causes of degradation of the Area ecosystem attributable to an action by the Secretary; and (4) review each federally-authorized water resources project in the Area to determine whether each project could contribute to ecosystem restoration through modification of the project's operations or features.