Expresses the sense of Congress, in the case of equipment or products authorized to be purchased with financial assistance provided under this Act, that entities receiving such assistance should, in expending such assistance, purchase only American-made equipment and products. Requires such entities to report any expenditures on foreign-made items to Congress.
[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 673 Introduced in House (IH)]
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 673
To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
to make grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and other
appropriate agencies for the purpose of improving water quality
throughout the marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 10, 1999
Mr. Deutsch (for himself and Mr. Shaw) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
to make grants to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and other
appropriate agencies for the purpose of improving water quality
throughout the marine ecosystem of the Florida Keys.
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 ``Florida Keys Water Quality
Improvements Act of 1999''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The Florida Keys are a chain of islands located
adjacent to spectacular, unique, and nationally significant
marine environments, including North America's only living
coral barrier reef ecosystem.
(2) Recognizing the national significance of the Florida
Keys marine environment and its linkage with the greater South
Florida ecosystem, Congress passed the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act (104 Stat. 3089-3095)
designating the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
(3) Section 8(a)(1) of such Act directed the Administrator
and the Governor of the State of Florida, in consultation with
the Secretary of Commerce, to develop a comprehensive water
quality protection program for the Sanctuary.
(4) Section 8(a)(1)(A) of such Act states that a purpose of
such water quality program is to recommend priority corrective
actions and compliance schedules addressing point and nonpoint
sources of pollution to restore and maintain the chemical,
physical, and biological integrity of the Sanctuary, including
restoration and maintenance of a balanced, indigenous
population of corals, shellfish, fish and wildlife, and
recreational activities in and on the water.
(5) Section 8(d)(2)(A) of such Act provided for the
establishment of the Water Quality Steering Committee that is
co-chaired by the Regional Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency and a representative of the State of Florida
to set guidance and policy for the development and
implementation of water quality improvement projects.
(6) Section 8(d)(2)(C) of such Act provided for the
establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee comprised of
scientists from Federal agencies, State agencies, academic
institutions, private nonprofit organizations, and
knowledgeable citizens to advise the Water Quality Steering
Committee.
(7) Section 8(a)(1)(B) of such Act states that another
purpose of the water quality protection program is to assign
responsibilities for the implementation of the program among
the Governor of the State of Florida, the Secretary of
Commerce, and the Administrator in accordance with applicable
Federal and State laws.
(8) Dilapidated and inadequate wastewater treatment systems
and inadequate stormwater management systems are the largest
manmade sources of pollution to the nearshore waters of the
Florida Key's, representing the greatest threat to their
nationally significant marine resources.
(9) The United States Environmental Protection Agency,
other Federal, State, and local agencies and citizen
stakeholders have identified wastewater infrastructure
improvements as the single most important investment to improve
nearshore water quality around the Florida Keys. Improvement of
stormwater management in the area of the Florida keys is also
needed to reduce pollutant loadings from largely uncontrolled
stormwater runoff from existing development.
(10) The cost of wastewater improvements necessary to
improve nearshore water quality around the Florida Keys is
estimated at between $184,000,000 and $418,000,000, depending
on the percentage reduction in wastewater nutrient loadings to
be achieved and which treatment system or systems are
ultimately selected.
(11) The cost of stormwater improvements necessary to
reduce such pollutant loadings is estimated at between
$370,000,000 and $680,000,000, depending on the percentage
reduction in stormwater pollutant loadings to be achieved and
which areas are selected to be retrofitted.
(12) The cost of these necessary improvements represent an
insurmountable burden to the 85,000 permanent residents of
Monroe County, Florida.
(13) It is necessary to change Federal law in order to
carry out the Federal responsibilities identified under section
8(a)(1)(B) of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and
Protection Act.
(14) It is therefore entirely consistent with the goals and
policies of such Act that Congress authorize appropriations to
supplement State and local initiatives to improve water quality
in the Florida Keys marine environment.
SEC. 3. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to protect the resources of the Florida
Keys National Marine Sanctuary (as designated by section 5 of the
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act) by providing
the Federal share of funds for projects to replace inadequate
wastewater treatment systems and inadequate stormwater management
systems in Monroe County, Florida. Funds authorized by this Act are to
supplement funds committed by the State of Florida and Monroe County,
Florida, for planning and construction of wastewater and stormwater
projects.
SEC. 4. NON-FEDERAL SPONSOR.
To carry out this Act, the Administrator shall make grants to the
Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority, or, in the judgment of the
Administrator, other appropriate agencies of the State of Florida or
Monroe County, Florida.
SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED PROJECTS.
(a) Project Criteria.--Projects eligible for funding through grants
under this Act are those that, in the judgment of the Administrator--
(1)(A) replace inadequate wastewater treatment systems in
Monroe County, Florida, including cesspits and other inadequate
onsite disposal systems; or
(B) establish, replace, or improve stormwater management
systems in Monroe County, Florida;
(2) will improve water quality in the Florida Keys National
Marine Sanctuary; and
(3) are consistent with--
(A) applicable growth management ordinances of
Monroe County, Florida;
(B) applicable agreements between Monroe County,
Florida, and the State of Florida to manage growth in
Monroe County, Florida;
(C) the guidance, policies, and resolutions of the
Water Quality Steering Committee;
(D) the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task
Force established by section 528(f) of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1996 (110 Stat. 3771-
3773), and the Governors Commission for a Sustainable
South Florida established by executive order of the
Governor of the State of Florida; and
(E) applicable water quality standards established
by the Environmental Protection Agency.
(b) Project Designs.--
(1) Wastewater projects.--Wastewater treatment projects
eligible for funding under this Act may include centralized
treatment facilities, onsite disposal systems, mobile pumpout
facilities, and land-based pumpout facilities.
(2) Stormwater projects.--Stormwater projects eligible for
funding under this Act may include stormwater systems utilizing
the best available technology approved by the appropriate
permitting agency.
SEC. 6. COST-SHARE REQUIREMENT AND VIABILITY ASSESSMENT.
The Administrator may make a grant for a project authorized under
this Act only if--
(1) no less than 25 percent of the total project cost will
be provided by non-Federal interests;
(2) the non-Federal sponsor has completed--
(A) adequate project planning and design
activities;
(B) a financial plan identifying sources of non-
Federal funding for the project; and
(C) a complete assessment of project compliance
with--
(i) the adopted master wastewater or
stormwater plans for Monroe County, Florida;
(ii) applicable growth management
ordinances of Monroe County, Florida;
(iii) applicable Florida State laws,
regulations, and policies; and
(iv) applicable agreements between Monroe
County and the State of Florida to manage
growth in Monroe County; and
(3) the project will have substantial water quality
benefits relative to other projects that are under
consideration.
SEC. 7. CONSULTATION.
In the implementation of this Act, the Administrator shall consult
the Water Quality Steering Committee and the appropriate State and
local government officials.
SEC. 8. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to
carry out this Act $32,000,000 for the first fiscal year beginning
after the date of the enactment of this Act, $31,000,000 for the second
fiscal year beginning after such date of enactment, and $50,000,000 per
fiscal year for each of the third, fourth, and fifth fiscal years
beginning after such date of enactment of this Act. Such funds shall
remain available until expended.
SEC. 9. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
(1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Water quality steering committee.--The term ``Water
Quality Steering Committee'' means the water quality protection
program Steering Committee established under section 8(d)(2)(A)
of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection
Act.
<all>
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 106-592.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 106-592.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 322.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 483 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 673 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.
Rule H. Res. 483 passed House.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 483. (consideration: CR H2558-2561; text of measure as reported in House: CR H2560-2561)
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 673 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. It shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure now printed in the bill. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments.
Llama 3.2 · runs locally in your browser
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 483 and Rule XXIII.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Bill Barrett to act as Chairman of the Committee.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 673.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 673.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS ON FINAL PASSAGE - The Speaker pro tempore put the question on final passage of the bill and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Shuster subsequently demanded the yeas and nays and the Speaker pro tempore postponed further proceedings on final passage until after consideration of H.R. 1106.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2566-2567)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 411 - 7 (Roll no. 143).
Roll Call #143 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 411 - 7 (Roll no. 143).
Roll Call #143 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.