[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7520 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7520
To direct the Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan for
Lake Okeechobee and northern estuaries ecosystem restoration, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 14, 2022
Mr. Mast introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan for
Lake Okeechobee and northern estuaries ecosystem restoration, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. LAKE OKEECHOBEE AND NORTHERN ESTUARIES ECOSYSTEM
RESTORATION, FLORIDA.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Central and southern florida project.--The term
``Central and Southern Florida Project'' has the meaning given
that term in section 601 of the Water Resources Development Act
of 2000.
(2) Northern estuaries.--The term ``northern estuaries''
means the Caloosahatchee Estuary, Charlotte Harbor, Indian
River Lagoon, Lake Worth Lagoon, and St. Lucie River Estuary.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers.
(4) South florida ecosystem.--
(A) In general.--The term ``South Florida
ecosystem'' means the area consisting of the land and
water within the boundary of the South Florida Water
Management District in effect on July 1, 1999.
(B) Inclusions.--The term ``South Florida
ecosystem'' includes--
(i) the Everglades;
(ii) the Florida Keys;
(iii) the contiguous near-shore coastal
water of South Florida; and
(iv) Florida's Coral Reef.
(5) Study area.--The term ``study area'' means Lake
Okeechobee and the northern estuaries, including all lands and
waters in the upstream watershed of those receiving bodies
within--
(A) the South Florida ecosystem; or
(B) the study area boundaries of the Indian River
Lagoon National Estuary Program and the Coastal and
Heartland Estuary Partnership, authorized pursuant to
section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
(b) Comprehensive Plan.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Development.--The Secretary shall develop, in
cooperation with the non-Federal sponsors of the
Central and Southern Florida project and any relevant
Federal, State, and Tribal agencies, a comprehensive
plan for the purpose of restoring, preserving, and
protecting Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries.
(B) Inclusions.--In carrying out subparagraph (A),
the Secretary shall ensure that the comprehensive plan
provides for the protection and improvement of water
quality within the study area through activities that
include--
(i) the elimination of harmful discharges
from Lake Okeechobee;
(ii) the reduction and elimination of
harmful algal blooms;
(iii) the restoration of hydrological
connections and conditions;
(iv) the enhancement of habitat, emergent
and submerged aquatic vegetation, and keystone
species populations; and
(v) the dredging and beneficial reuse of
harmful silt and muck deposits in Lake
Okeechobee and the northern estuaries.
(C) Submission.--Not later than 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress--
(i) the comprehensive plan developed under
this paragraph; and
(ii) a feasibility report and a
programmatic environmental impact statement for
any proposed Federal actions set forth in such
plan.
(D) Interim reports.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter until the submission of the comprehensive
plan under subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall submit
to Congress an interim report on the development of the
comprehensive plan.
(E) Additional studies and analyses.--
Notwithstanding the submission of a feasibility report
under subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall continue to
conduct such studies and analyses after the date of
such submission as are necessary for the purpose of
restoring, preserving, and protecting Lake Okeechobee
and the northern estuaries.
(2) Water quality.--In carrying out this subsection, the
Secretary shall take into account the protection of water
quality, in consultation with the State of Florida and by
considering applicable State water quality standards.
(3) Integration of other activities.--In carrying out this
subsection, the Secretary shall integrate the activities
included in the comprehensive plan with ongoing Federal, State,
and Tribal projects and activities, including--
(A) the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual and
any subsequent water control plan for Lake Okeechobee;
and
(B) the projects authorized under the Central and
Southern Florida project and the Comprehensive
Everglades Restoration Plan.
(c) Justification.--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 any activity included in the comprehensive plan
developed under subsection (b), the Secretary may determine that--
(1) the activity is justified by the environmental benefits
derived by Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries; and
(2) no further economic justification for the activity is
required, if the Secretary determines that the activity is
cost-effective.
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