[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3754 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 3754
To establish the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience
Initiative to carry out projects for the protection and restoration of
the Mississippi River Corridor, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 7, 2024
Ms. Baldwin (for herself, Ms. Duckworth, and Ms. Smith) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience
Initiative to carry out projects for the protection and restoration of
the Mississippi River Corridor, 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. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Mississippi River Restoration and
Resilience Initiative Act'' or the ``MRRRI Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) the Mississippi River flows more than 2,300 miles from
its source at Lake Itasca through the center of the continental
United States to the Gulf of Mexico;
(2) as of 2019, the main stem of the Mississippi River
flows through 10 States that collectively are home to
55,400,000 people;
(3) the Mississippi River provides drinking water to more
than 20,000,000 people in 50 cities;
(4) the Mississippi River drives a vibrant natural resource
and recreation-based economy that--
(A) generates nearly $500,000,000,000 in annual
revenue; and
(B) directly employs more than 1,500,000 people;
(5) the Mississippi River and its 30,000,000 acre
floodplain provide an ecological lifeline for all of North
America, supporting more than 780 species of fish and wildlife
and providing a vital migration corridor for 60 percent of all
North American birds and 40 percent of the migratory waterfowl
in the United States;
(6) the Mississippi River serves as a major transportation
corridor for grain and cargo;
(7) Congress has designated the Mississippi River System as
a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant
navigation system, the only inland river system to receive both
designations;
(8) despite the critical value of the Mississippi River to
the United States, the Mississippi River is in a severe state
of ecological decline, as documented by the United States
Geological Survey, the Corps of Engineers, and other Federal
and State agencies;
(9) modifications to the Mississippi River have resulted in
the extensive loss of wetlands and complex river habitats,
causing profound harm to the treasured fish and wildlife
resources in the United States and increasing flood risks to
communities;
(10) polluted runoff has drastically reduced water quality
and created a massive dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico;
(11) invasive aquatic species threaten--
(A) the ecological integrity of the Mississippi
River and Gulf of Mexico; and
(B) the fisheries and recreation organizations in
the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico that rely
on a healthy ecosystem;
(12) ecological degradation of the Mississippi River has
resulted in--
(A) more flooding;
(B) less wildlife;
(C) fewer jobs;
(D) reduced recreational opportunities; and
(E) higher costs for keeping communities safe and
ensuring that communities have clean drinking water;
(13) the consequences of ecological degradation have
disproportionately harmed rural communities, economically
disadvantaged communities, and communities of color; and
(14) existing Federal programs lack sufficient
coordination, funding, and participation with States, Indian
Tribes, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations--
(A) to address the challenges described in this
subsection; and
(B) to reverse the decline of the Mississippi
River.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this Act and the amendments made by
this Act is to establish the Mississippi River Restoration and
Resilience Initiative, a nonregulatory initiative--
(1) to protect and restore the ecological health and
resilience of the Mississippi River for--
(A) current and succeeding generations of people of
the United States; and
(B) the fish and wildlife that rely on the
Mississippi River and the floodplain of the Mississippi
River; and
(2) to build on existing efforts and provide funding for
projects and activities to protect and restore the nationally
significant resources of the Mississippi River by--
(A) establishing the Mississippi River National
Program Office;
(B) establishing the focus areas for the
Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience
Initiative;
(C) identifying qualifying activities for the
programs and projects of the Mississippi River
Restoration and Resilience Initiative;
(D) to guide the Mississippi River Restoration and
Resilience Initiative, directing the development of--
(i) actionable goals;
(ii) an action plan;
(iii) a science plan; and
(iv) updates to the goals and plans
described in clauses (i) through (iii);
(E) establishing criteria for measuring the success
of the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience
Initiative in restoring the ecological health and
resilience of the Mississippi River;
(F) requiring the Administrator to coordinate and
consult with Federal and non-Federal stakeholders to
carry out the Mississippi River Restoration and
Resilience Initiative; and
(G) establishing the Mississippi River Corridor
Research Centers.
SEC. 3. MISSISSIPPI RIVER RESTORATION AND RESILIENCE INITIATIVE.
Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 127. MISSISSIPPI RIVER RESTORATION AND RESILIENCE INITIATIVE.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Action plan.--The term `action plan' means the action
plan required under subsection (d)(2)(A), including any updates
to that plan.
``(2) Agency.--The term `Agency' means the Environmental
Protection Agency.
``(3) Community of color.--The term `community of color'
means a geographically distinct area in which the population of
any of the following categories of individuals is higher than
the average population of that category for the State in which
the geographically distinct area is located:
``(A) Black.
``(B) African American.
``(C) Asian.
``(D) Pacific Islander.
``(E) Hispanic.
``(F) Latino.
``(G) Indian (as defined in section 202 of the
Indian Land Consolidation Act (25 U.S.C. 2201)).
``(4) Economically disadvantaged community.--The term
`economically disadvantaged community' means any census block
group in which 30 percent or more of the population are
individuals with an annual household income that is not more
than the greater of--
``(A) an amount equal to 80 percent of the median
income of the area in which the household is located,
as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban
Development; and
``(B) an amount equal to 200 percent of the Federal
poverty line.
``(5) Mississippi river restoration and resilience
initiative; mrrri.--The terms `Mississippi River Restoration
and Resilience Initiative' and `MRRRI' means the Mississippi
River Restoration and Resilience Initiative established under
subsection (c)(1).
``(6) MRRRI director.--The term `MRRRI Director' means the
Director of the Mississippi River National Program Office
appointed by the Administrator under subsection (b)(3).
``(7) Mississippi river corridor.--The term `Mississippi
River Corridor' means the portions of the Mississippi River
watershed (including tributary watersheds) located in a
Mississippi River State.
``(8) Mississippi river state.--The term `Mississippi River
State' means any of the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
Tennessee, or Wisconsin.
``(9) Program office.--The term `Program Office' means the
Mississippi River National Program Office established by the
Administrator under subsection (b)(1).
``(10) Relevant federal agency.--The term `relevant Federal
agency' means any of the following Federal agencies:
``(A) The Department of Agriculture, including--
``(i) the Natural Resources Conservation
Service; and
``(ii) the Forest Service.
``(B) The Department of the Interior, including--
``(i) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
``(ii) the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service;
``(iii) the United States Geological
Survey; and
``(iv) the National Park Service.
``(C) The Corps of Engineers.
``(D) The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
``(E) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
``(F) The Coast Guard.
``(G) Any other Federal agency the MRRRI Director
determines to be relevant.
``(11) Rural.--The term `rural' means an area that is not
delineated by the Bureau of the Census as an urbanized area or
an urban cluster based on decennial census results.
``(12) Tribal government.--The term `Tribal government'
means the recognized governing body of any Indian Tribe, band,
nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or
component reservation individually identified (including
parenthetically) in the most recent list published pursuant to
section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List
Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)).
``(13) Tribal organization.--The term `Tribal organization'
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
``(b) Mississippi River National Program Office.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a
Mississippi River National Program Office within the Agency to
carry out the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience
Initiative.
``(2) Location.--The Program Office shall be located in a
Mississippi River State.
``(3) Director.--The Program Office shall be headed by a
Director, appointed by the Administrator, who--
``(A) has management experience and technical
expertise relating to the Mississippi River; and
``(B) is highly qualified to direct the development
of programs and plans on a variety of issues related to
restoration of the Mississippi River.
``(4) Functions.--The MRRRI Director shall--
``(A) coordinate actions of the Agency that seek to
protect and restore the Mississippi River Corridor;
``(B) develop, implement, and update the MRRRI, the
actionable goals under subsection (d)(1), and the
action plan, in coordination with relevant Federal
agencies and non-Federal entities;
``(C)(i) document information and updates related
to the development and implementation of the MRRRI, the
actionable goals under subsection (d)(1) and the action
plan; and
``(ii) make that information and those updates
available to the public, including on a public website;
``(D) facilitate engagement and consultation with
Tribal governments and Tribal organizations to ensure
Tribal needs and priorities are solicited early and
throughout the development of the actionable goals
under subsection (d)(1) and the action plan;
``(E) work cooperatively with the Bureau of Indian
Affairs and other relevant Federal agencies to carry
out subparagraph (D); and
``(F) submit to Congress, and make available on a
public website, an annual report describing--
``(i) progress made in implementing the
MRRRI;
``(ii) the coordination of the MRRRI with
other Federal, State, Tribal, and local
programs;
``(iii) any funds transferred to relevant
Federal agencies under this section;
``(iv) any grants awarded under subsection
(c)(3)(B); and
``(v) specific projects and activities
carried out pursuant to this section.
``(5) Agreements.--In carrying out paragraph (4), the MRRRI
Director may enter into agreements, as applicable, with
relevant Federal agencies and non-Federal entities.
``(6) Tribal liaison.--The MRRRI Director shall appoint a
Tribal Liaison within the Program Office--
``(A) to ensure enhanced interagency technical
support, communication, and coordination with Tribal
governments, Tribal organizations, and Tribal
stakeholders; and
``(B) to carry out other duties as determined
necessary to meet the needs of Indian Tribes.
``(c) Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the
Agency the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience
Initiative to implement projects and activities for systemic,
large-scale restoration of the Mississippi River Corridor.
``(2) Focus areas.--Any project or activity carried out
under this section shall address at least 1 of the following
focus areas:
``(A) The improvement of water quality in the
Mississippi River Corridor and drinking water quality
in the Mississippi River States by--
``(i) reducing the amount of polluted
runoff, excess agricultural nutrients, and
sediment in the Mississippi River Corridor; and
``(ii) improving source water protections.
``(B) The improvement of community resilience
throughout the Mississippi River Corridor by restoring
the ability of the Mississippi River floodplain,
riverine wetlands, delta and coastal wetlands, and
backwaters to minimize and ameliorate flood and storm
risks.
``(C) The protection and restoration of fish and
wildlife habitat in and along the Mississippi River
Corridor.
``(D) The prevention of the spread of aquatic
invasive species in the Mississippi River Corridor.
``(E) The improvement of communication and
partnership activities related to the focus areas
described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
``(F) Monitoring, collecting, and evaluating
scientific data to assess the focus areas described in
subparagraphs (A) through (D).
``(3) Project and activity implementation.--
``(A) In general.--Funds made available to carry
out the MRRRI may be used to implement eligible
projects and activities described in paragraph (5) that
are carried out by a relevant Federal agency or a non-
Federal entity.
``(B) Grant authority.--The MRRRI Director, or the
head of any other relevant Federal agency receiving
funds under this section, may make a grant to, or
otherwise enter into an agreement with, any non-Federal
entity (including any State, local, or Tribal
governmental entity, nonprofit organization,
institution of higher education (as defined in section
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)), or individual) that the MRRRI Director or
agency head determines is qualified to carry out an
eligible project or activity described in paragraph
(5).
``(4) Project and activity selection.--
``(A) In general.--In carrying out the MRRRI, the
MRRRI Director shall collaborate with relevant Federal
agencies to select projects and activities to be
implemented pursuant to this section using appropriate
principles and criteria, including--
``(i) the selection of an equitable
distribution of projects and activities along
the entire Mississippi River Corridor;
``(ii) the ability of a project to achieve
strategic and measurable environmental
outcomes;
``(iii) the recognition that projects and
activities may provide benefits to local or
regional communities or to the entire
Mississippi River Corridor;
``(iv) the feasibility of prompt
implementation, timely achievement of
measurable results, and resource leveraging;
and
``(v) the opportunity to improve
interagency, intergovernmental, and
interorganizational coordination and
collaboration to reduce duplication and improve
measurable environmental outcomes.
``(B) Priority.--In selecting projects and
activities under subparagraph (A), the MRRRI Director
shall give priority to projects or activities that
carry out actions described in paragraph (5)(B)(xi).
``(C) Compatibility.--The MRRRI Director shall
ensure that projects and activities carried out under
this section are compatible with--
``(i) the ability of the Corps of Engineers
to maintain navigation in the Mississippi
River; and
``(ii) the structural integrity or
effectiveness of Federal, State, local, or
Tribal disaster risk reduction infrastructure.
``(5) Eligible projects and activities.--
``(A) In general.--Funds made available to carry
out this section may only be used to implement a
project or activity that--
``(i) addresses at least 1 of the focus
areas described in paragraph (2); and
``(ii) carries out at least 1 of the
actions described in subparagraph (B).
``(B) Actions described.--The actions referred to
in subparagraph (A)(ii) are actions that--
``(i) protect or restore naturally
occurring hydrologic, geomorphic, and
ecological functions and processes, including
the restoration or rehabilitation of wetlands,
in-stream habitats (including through
reconnection of side channels and backwaters),
living shorelines, or upland habitats;
``(ii) remove or modify structures,
including culverts, levees, and dams, to
restore--
``(I) natural hydrology of rivers,
streams, floodplains, wetlands, or
coasts; or
``(II) the form, function, or
processes of rivers, streams,
floodplains, wetlands, or coasts;
``(iii) permanently protect privately owned
lands through fee title acquisition or
enrollment into voluntary permanent wetland,
flooding, or other conservation easements;
``(iv) facilitate habitat restoration using
responsibly sourced and clean dredged sediment
material by covering the cost differential
between the Federal standard for dredge
disposal and the cost of transportation;
``(v) relocate, elevate, or demolish and
clean up flood-prone structures and carry out
any related floodplain restoration;
``(vi) increase water retention and
infiltration through actions that promote a
healthy soil ecosystem, including maximizing
soil cover, maximizing soil biodiversity, and
maximizing the presence of living roots;
``(vii) reduce nonpoint sources of
pollution and promote landscape-scale
vegetative cover (including perennial grains,
perennial woody crops, winter annual cover
crops, perennial pasture, and other approaches
to maintain year-round vegetative cover)
through the implementation of voluntary
initiatives developed with the support of
market research;
``(viii) reduce stormwater flows and
inflows that contribute to combined sewer
overflow events, and accelerate the adoption of
urban stormwater pollution prevention minimum
control measures through municipal separate
storm sewer system permits issued under section
402(p);
``(ix) facilitate the cleanup of legacy
contaminants that are not hazardous substances
(as defined in section 101 of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601));
``(x) control, manage, or eradicate
nonnative aquatic invasive species or
reintroduce native aquatic species, including
through--
``(I) investments in technology and
research to combat the spread of
aquatic invasive species;
``(II) the use of in-river physical
deterrents or controls; or
``(III) the promotion of commercial
harvesting of nonnative aquatic
species;
``(xi) address the disproportionate effects
of the ecological degradation of the
Mississippi River Corridor on economically
disadvantaged communities in rural and urban
areas and on communities of color, including
through--
``(I) community based participatory
research;
``(II) project or community-wide
planning;
``(III) outreach and community
engagement; or
``(IV) restoration-related job
training and workforce development; or
``(xii) additional actions determined to be
eligible pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(B)(v).
``(C) Protection against invasive plant species.--
Funds made available to carry out this section may not
be used for a project or activity that proposes to use
a plant that has an elevated risk of becoming invasive,
as determined by the MRRRI Director through the use of
a credible weed risk assessment tool.
``(6) Monitoring plan.--A relevant Federal agency or non-
Federal entity receiving funds to carry out a project or
activity under this section shall develop a detailed plan for
monitoring the implementation and ecological success of that
project or activity, as applicable, that--
``(A) describes criteria for ecological success by
which the project or activity will be evaluated based
on replacement of lost functions and values of the
Mississippi River Corridor habitat, including
hydrologic and vegetative characteristics;
``(B) identifies an entity responsible for the
monitoring; and
``(C) includes continuation of the monitoring until
the project or activity is determined to be successful
based on documented achievement of the ecological
success criteria described under subparagraph (A).
``(d) Actionable Goals; Action Plans.--
``(1) Actionable goals.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, the MRRRI Director shall
develop measurable goals for the MRRRI, including establishing
criteria for measuring the success of the MRRRI in--
``(A) addressing the focus areas described in
subsection (c)(2); and
``(B) restoring the overall ecological health and
resilience of the Mississippi River Corridor.
``(2) Action plan.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
date of enactment of this section, the MRRRI Director
shall develop an action plan to make progress on the
MRRRI through the implementation of MRRRI projects and
activities under subsection (c).
``(B) Contents.--The MRRRI Director shall include
in the action plan--
``(i) a description of existing Federal,
State, Tribal, and regional plans, programs,
and activities affecting the Mississippi River
Corridor that may be used to advance the MRRRI;
``(ii) recommendations for a comprehensive
approach to advancing systemic, large-scale
restoration of the Mississippi River Corridor
that, where appropriate, leverages existing
Federal and State programs;
``(iii) a multi-year plan that identifies
objectives within each of the focus areas
described in subsection (c)(2), with
corresponding commitments for activities,
research, and measures for progress to meet
those objectives;
``(iv) a plan to monitor the implementation
of any recommendations developed under clause
(ii); and
``(v) a description of any additional
actions the MRRI Director determines are
eligible under this section.
``(C) Project recommendations.--The action plan may
include recommendations for specific projects or
activities that advance the objectives developed under
subparagraph (B)(iii), including timelines, budgets,
and the identification of entities responsible for the
implementation of those projects or activities.
``(3) Updates.--
``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than once
every 5 years, the MRRRI Director shall review and
update the actionable goals developed under paragraph
(1) and the action plan.
``(B) Integration with science plan.--In updating
the action plan under subparagraph (A), the MRRRI
Director shall incorporate any relevant information
contained in the science plan developed pursuant to
section 4(c) of the MRRRI Act.
``(4) Coordination and consultation.--In developing and
updating the actionable goals developed under paragraph (1) and
the action plan, the MRRRI Director shall--
``(A) consult with Mississippi River States, Tribal
governments within Mississippi River States, the
Secretary of the Interior, the Chief of Engineers, and
the Secretary of Agriculture;
``(B) engage with relevant Federal agencies, units
of local government, nongovernmental organizations,
institutions of higher education (as defined in section
101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1001)), and members of the public; and
``(C) solicit input from the entities described in
subparagraph (B) through a formal public notice and
comment period.
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) Transfer of funds to federal entities.--The MRRRI
Director may use funds made available to carry out this section
for each fiscal year--
``(A) to transfer funds to the head of any relevant
Federal agency, with the concurrence of the head of the
relevant Federal agency, to carry out activities in
accordance with this section;
``(B) to transfer funds to other Federal programs
to be used for achieving specifically targeted and
measurable environmental outcomes that advance the
actionable goals developed and updated under subsection
(d); and
``(C) to enter into an interagency agreement with
the head of any relevant Federal agency to carry out
projects and activities in accordance with this
section.
``(2) Transfer of funds to bureau of indian affairs.--The
MRRRI Director shall transfer not less than 5 percent of the
funds made available to carry out this section for each fiscal
year to the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, with the
concurrence of the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to
make grants or otherwise enter into agreements with Tribal
governments or Tribal organizations to carry out projects or
activities under this section.
``(3) Availability of funds to implement projects prior to
completion of the first action plan.--Before the date on which
the first action plan is developed under subsection (d)(2), the
MRRRI Director may transfer funds to a relevant Federal agency
or another Federal entity, or award a grant or otherwise enter
into an agreement with a non-Federal entity--
``(A) to carry out projects or activities that meet
the requirements of subsection (c)(5); or
``(B) to establish the Mississippi River Corridor
Research Centers required under section 4(b) of the
MRRRI Act.
``(4) Cost share.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost of a
project or activity carried out by a non-Federal entity
under this section shall not exceed 80 percent of the
total cost of the project or activity.
``(B) Exceptions.--
``(i) Indian tribes.--The Federal share of
the cost of a project or activity carried out
by a Tribal government or Tribal organization
under this section shall be 100 percent.
``(ii) Priority projects and activities.--
The Federal share of the cost of a project or
activity described in subsection (c)(5)(B)(xi)
carried out by a non-Federal entity shall be
100 percent.
``(C) In-kind contribution.--The non-Federal share
of the cost of a project or activity carried out under
this section may include the value of an in-kind
contribution provided by a non-Federal entity.
``(5) Limitations.--No funds made available to carry out
this section may be used for any water infrastructure project
or activity for which financial assistance is received under--
``(A) a State water pollution control revolving
fund established under section 603;
``(B) a State drinking water treatment revolving
loan fund established under section 1452 of the Safe
Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j-12); or
``(C) the Water Infrastructure Finance and
Innovation Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.).
``(6) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section waives
any requirement under any applicable Federal environmental law,
including--
``(A) this Act;
``(B) the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);
``(C) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.); or
``(D) the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16
U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
``(f) Set-Aside.--
``(1) In general.--Of the total amount made available to
carry out the MRRRI for each fiscal year--
``(A) not less than 25 percent shall be used for
projects or activities that carry out actions described
in subsection (c)(5)(B)(xi); and
``(B) not less than 10 percent shall be used for
projects or activities carried out in a persistent
poverty county that has had poverty rates of 20 percent
or greater, as determined by the Bureau of the Census,
for at least 30 consecutive years preceding the fiscal
year.
``(2) Action plan.--
``(A) In general.--Of the total amount made
available to carry out the MRRRI for each fiscal year
beginning with the first fiscal year after which the
action plan is first developed, not more than 5 percent
may be used for projects and activities that are
eligible under subsection (c)(5) but that do not
address an objective identified in the action plan
under subsection (d)(2)(B)(iii).
``(B) Priority.--In carrying out subparagraph (A),
the MRRRI Director shall prioritize projects or
activities that reduce the effects of natural disasters
or respond to emerging threats from natural disasters.
``(g) Activities by Other Relevant Federal Agencies.--
``(1) In general.--The head of a relevant Federal agency
that is engaged in, or has authority over, a program relating
to research, monitoring, and planning to maintain, enhance,
preserve, or rehabilitate the environmental quality and natural
resources of the Mississippi River shall--
``(A) submit to the Administrator an annual report
describing the activities of the agency relating to the
MRRRI;
``(B) strive to identify new projects and
activities to support the goals of the MRRRI;
``(C) ensure that any funding provided through the
MRRRI supplements, and not supplants, funding obtained
through other agency budgets or other sources of funds
for activities relating to the Mississippi River; and
``(D) strive to maintain, and where possible
increase, the base level of funding for activities of
the relevant Federal agency related to the Mississippi
River, without regard to funding under the MRRRI.
``(h) Budget Item.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall, in the annual
budget submission of the Agency to Congress, include a funding
request for the MRRRI as a separate budget line item.
``(2) Inclusion.--The budget justification for the budget
line item described in paragraph (1) shall include the amount
to support the operation and activities of the Program
Office.''.
SEC. 4. MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR RESEARCH CENTERS AND SCIENCE PLAN.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
the United States Geological Survey.
(2) FWPCA terms.--The terms ``MRRRI'', ``MRRRI Director'',
``Mississippi River Corridor'', ``Mississippi River State'',
``relevant Federal agency'', ``Tribal government'', and
``Tribal organization'' have the meanings given those terms in
section 127(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
(b) Mississippi River Corridor Research Centers.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of the Interior shall
coordinate with the MRRRI Director to establish a network of 4
Mississippi River Corridor Research Centers within the United
States Geological Survey.
(2) Location.--The network of research centers established
under paragraph (1) shall consist of--
(A) a National Mississippi River Corridor Research
Center located at an office of the United States
Geological Survey; and
(B) 3 regional research centers, each of which
shall be based out of a host institution of higher
education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), of which--
(i) 1 shall be an Upper Mississippi River
Research Center located in the region from the
headwaters of the Mississippi River to the
confluence of the Mississippi River with the
Missouri River;
(ii) 1 shall be a Middle Mississippi River
Research Center located in the region downriver
from the confluence of the Missouri River to
the confluence of the Ohio River; and
(iii) 1 shall be a Lower Mississippi River
Research Center located in the region downriver
from the confluence of the Ohio River to the
Gulf of Mexico.
(3) Functions.--The functions of the research centers
established under paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) to conduct scientific research on the MRRRI
focus areas described in section 127(c)(2) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act;
(B) to consult with and advise relevant Federal
agencies on--
(i) the improvement of programs that
monitor water quality in the Mississippi River
Corridor and the health of the Mississippi
River Corridor habitat or the establishment of
such programs, where necessary;
(ii) the impact of projects and activities
carried out under the MRRRI; and
(iii) any additional goals, priorities,
metrics, and research objectives proposed as
part of the science plan described in
subsection (c)(2); and
(C) to consult, and, to the extent practicable,
collaborate, with relevant Federal agencies and non-
Federal entities with respect to research, monitoring,
and other efforts to promote the restoration and
resiliency of the Mississippi River Corridor.
(4) Integration with other federal activities.--The
Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that research and other
activities carried out at a research center established under
paragraph (1) are carried out in coordination with other
Federal research and monitoring activities related to efforts
to promote the restoration and resiliency of the Mississippi
River Corridor.
(c) Science Plan.--
(1) Mississippi river science forum.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall host
a Mississippi River science forum with relevant Federal
agencies, Mississippi River States, Tribal governments,
Tribal organizations, academia, and other non-Federal
entities--
(i) to share current science and identify
data gaps and areas of concern relating to the
ecological health of the Mississippi River
Corridor; and
(ii) to determine the resources that are
necessary--
(I) to address any data gaps and
areas of concern identified under
clause (i); and
(II) to develop an integrated
science plan under paragraph (2).
(B) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date
on which the Director hosts the Mississippi River
science forum under subparagraph (A), the Director
shall submit a report on the findings from that forum
to--
(i) the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency;
(ii) the MRRRI Director;
(iii) the Committees on Appropriations,
Natural Resources, and Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
and
(iv) the Committees on Appropriations,
Energy and Natural Resources, and Environment
and Public Works of the Senate.
(2) Science plan development.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
date on which the Mississippi River science forum
required by paragraph (1)(A) concludes, the Director
shall develop a science plan that establishes
priorities, metrics, and research proposals for the
MRRRI.
(B) Submission.--On completion of the science plan
developed under subparagraph (A), the Director shall
make the plan available on a public website and submit
the plan to the MRRRI Director to inform the
implementation of the actionable goals and action plans
developed for the MRRRI under section 127(d) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
(C) Updates.--Not less frequently than once every 5
years, the Director shall coordinate with the MRRRI
Director and the research centers established under
subsection (b)(1) to review and update the science plan
developed under subparagraph (A).
(D) Coordination.--In developing and updating the
science plan under this paragraph, the Director shall
solicit input and comment from the public through a
formal public notice and comment period.
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