Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound Act or the PUGET SOS Act
This bill provides support for the restoration and protection of the Puget Sound, an estuary in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington.
Specifically, the bill establishes (1) a Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency; and (2) the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, which replaces the existing Puget Sound Federal Task Force.
Finally, the bill establishes a State Advisory Committee.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2247 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2247
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance
for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget
Sound, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 10, 2019
Mr. Heck (for himself and Mr. Kilmer) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide assistance
for programs and activities to protect the water quality of Puget
Sound, 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 ``Promoting United Government Efforts
To Save Our Sound Act'' or the ``PUGET SOS Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Puget Sound and its tributary waters are one of the
most ecologically diverse ecosystems in North America with
natural resources that have ecological, economic, and cultural
importance to the United States and the many Tribal nations
that have stewarded it for millennia. The health and
productivity of Puget Sound is not only the cornerstone of the
region's quality of life and vibrant economy, but its word-
class salmon fishery, commercial aquaculture, agriculture, and
port activities ripple throughout the Nation.
(2) Threats to Puget Sound, such as water pollution,
sediment contamination, environmental degradation, and habitat
loss, jeopardize the economic productivity and natural
resources that support the increasing population of the region.
(3) For nearly a decade, State, local, and Tribal
governments, cooperative partnerships, and concerned citizens
have worked together in a deliberate and coordinated way to
direct and manage public resource allocation toward habitat
restoration, improving water quality and shellfish farms, and
developing a body of scientific knowledge, all of which have
advanced the Puget Sound recovery efforts.
(4) Tribal governments with treaty-reserved rights in the
natural resources of Puget Sound have long served as co-
managers of fishery resources, have engaged in Puget Sound
Partnership processes and public forums to encourage a holistic
and scientific approach to recovery efforts, and have continued
in their role as stewards of Puget Sound, including by engaging
with multi-faceted restoration and protection actions, and are
thus an indispensable, equal partner in all Puget Sound
recovery actions.
(5) Despite significant and nationally recognized
accomplishments, the rate of damage to Puget Sound still
exceeds the rate of recovery. To outpace mounting pollutants
and other cascading negative impacts, the next step in
fortifying the recovery system is to align Federal recovery and
protection efforts seamlessly with State, local, and Tribal
investments.
(6) At this time, water and air pollution, sediment
contamination, habitat loss and decline, and water flow
disruption continue to devastate the fish, marine mammal, bird,
and shellfish populations of Puget Sound, threatening local
economies and Tribal treaty rights and contributing to--
(A) significant declines in the populations of wild
Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Summer Chum Salmon,
Steelhead, and Pacific Herring, which are essential
food sources for humans, fish, seabirds, mammals, and
other wildlife;
(B) risks to the sustainability of fish and
shellfish populations, and their food chains,
reproductive cycles, and habitats, which also threaten
Federal obligations to protect Tribal resources
culture, traditions, and economies;
(C) 113 marine species being listed at risk or
vulnerable to extinction, according to State, Federal,
and provincial lists that identify the species of Puget
Sound and surrounding areas, including the iconic
population of southern resident Orca whales;
(D) sediment contaminated with toxic substances
(such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals
(mercury), and oil (grease)), all of which are
polluting Puget Sound, threatening public health, and
posing significant dangers to humans, fish, and
wildlife;
(E) rivers and beaches that fail to meet water
quality standards and become unsafe for salmon, as well
as business and recreational activities, such as
fishing and swimming;
(F) the closing of shellfish beds from contaminated
pollution caused by sources such as stormwater and
agricultural runoff; and
(G) mortalities and morbidity in shellfish due to
the acidification of Puget Sound.
SEC. 3. DECLARATION OF POLICY; PURPOSE.
(a) Declaration of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States
that the Federal Government should support, partner, and collaborate
with the regional efforts that are addressing environmental and natural
resource issues involving Puget Sound because--
(1) Puget Sound is a national treasure, the recovery and
protection of which will significantly contribute to the
environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of the United
States and the many Tribal nations that have stewarded it for
millennia;
(2) a more deliberate coordination of Federal investments
with regional, local, and Tribal recovery and preservation
efforts will be the most effective and efficient use of public
resources; and
(3) it is the role of the Federal Government to align its
efforts and resources to--
(A) fully implement and enforce the goals of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, including State
implementation of non-point source water quality
standards for salmon, the Endangered Species Act of
1973, and all other Federal laws that contribute to the
recovery and protection of Puget Sound;
(B) uphold Federal trust responsibilities to
restore and protect resources crucial to Tribal treaty
rights, including by carrying out government-to-
government consultation;
(C) support regional, local, and Tribal efforts to
address environmental challenges; and
(D) encourage local citizen and community
stewardship.
(b) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this Act to ensure that the
recovery and protection programs, projects, and initiatives that the
Federal Government undertakes in, or that otherwise impact, Puget Sound
shall be actively coordinated and aligned with the protection of Tribal
treaty rights and resources the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative,
Salmon Recovery Plans, the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program,
and the Puget Sound Action Agenda.
SEC. 4. PUGET SOUND COORDINATED RECOVERY.
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. 124. PUGET SOUND.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions
apply:
``(1) Coastal nonpoint pollution control program.--The term
`Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program' means the State of
Washington's federally approved coastal nonpoint pollution
control program required under section 6217(b) of the Coastal
Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990 (16 U.S.C.
1455(b)).
``(2) Co-chairs.--The term `Co-Chairs' means the co-chairs
of the Task Force.
``(3) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of
the Program Office.
``(4) Executive director.--The term `Executive Director'
means the Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership.
``(5) International joint commission.--The term
`International Joint Commission' means the International Joint
Commission established by the United States and Canada under
the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.
``(6) Pacific salmon commission.--The term `Pacific Salmon
Commission' means the Pacific Salmon Commission established by
the United States and Canada under the Pacific Salmon Treaty.
``(7) Program office.--The term `Program Office' means the
Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office of the
Environmental Protection Agency established by this section.
``(8) Puget sound.--The term `Puget Sound' means the
estuary that is an arm of the Pacific Ocean, extends inland,
and meets 19 different river basins.
``(9) Puget sound region.--The term `Puget Sound region'
includes all of the water that falls on the Olympic and Cascade
Mountains and flows to meet Puget Sound's marine waters. The
Puget Sound region covers the land and waters in the northwest
corner of the State of Washington from the Canadian border to
the north to the Pacific Ocean on the west, including Hood
Canal and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
``(10) Puget sound action agenda; action agenda.--The term
`Puget Sound Action Agenda' or `Action Agenda' means the most
recent plan developed by the Puget Sound Management Conference,
in consultation with the Tribal Management Conference under the
leadership of the Puget Sound Partnership and adopted by the
Environmental Protection Agency as the Puget Sound
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.
``(11) Puget sound federal task force.--The term `Puget
Sound Federal Task Force' means the Puget Sound Federal Task
Force established in 2016 under a memorandum of understanding
among 9 Federal agencies.
``(12) Puget sound federal leadership task force; task
force.--The term `Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force' or
`Task Force' means the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task
Force established by this section.
``(13) Puget sound national estuary program management
conference.--The term `Puget Sound National Estuary Program
Management Conference' means the management conference for
Puget Sound established pursuant to section 320(c).
``(14) Salmon recovery plans.--The term `Salmon Recovery
Plans' means the federally approved recovery plans for salmon
and steelhead species listed under section 4(f) of the
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533(f)).
``(15) Puget sound partnership.--The term `Puget Sound
Partnership' means the State agency that is established under
the laws of the State of Washington (section 90.71.210 of the
Revised Code of Washington), or its successor agency, that has
been designated by the Environmental Protection Agency as the
lead entity to support the management conference for Puget
Sound.
``(16) Treaty rights at risk initiative.--The term `Treaty
Rights at Risk Initiative' means the 2011 report from the
Treaty Tribes of western Washington or its successor report,
which outlines issues and offers solutions for the protection
of Tribal treaty rights, recovery of salmon habitat, and
management of sustainable treaty and non-treaty salmon
fisheries, including through Tribal salmon hatchery programs.
``(17) State advisory committee.--The term `State Advisory
Committee' means the advisory committee established by
subsection (e).
``(18) Puget sound tribal management conference.--The term
`Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference' means the 20 Treaty
Tribes of the Puget Sound region and along the coast of
Washington State, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries
Commission.
``(19) Puget sound leadership council.--The term `Puget
Sound Leadership Council' means the governing body of the Puget
Sound Partnership established under the laws of the State of
Washington (section 90.71.210 of the Revised Code of
Washington).
``(20) Salish sea.--The term `Salish Sea' means the network
of coastal waterways on the west coast of North America that
includes the Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait
of Juan de Fuca.
``(b) Consistency.--
``(1) In general.--All Federal agencies represented on the
Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall act
consistently with the protection of Tribal, treaty-reserved
rights and, to the greatest extent practicable given their
existing obligations under Federal law, act consistently with
the objectives and priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon
Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the
Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, when--
``(A) conducting Federal agency activities within
or outside the Puget Sound that affect any land or
water use or natural resources of Puget Sound and its
tributary waters, including activities performed by a
contractor for the benefit of a Federal agency;
``(B) interpreting and enforcing regulations that
impact the recovery and preservation of Puget Sound;
``(C) issuing Federal licenses or permits that
impact the recovery and preservation of Puget Sound;
and
``(D) granting Federal assistance to State, local,
and Tribal governments for activities related to the
recovery and preservation of Puget Sound.
``(2) Exemptions.--Any Federal agency activity necessary
for national security, deemed by the President to be in the
paramount interest of the United States, or determined by the
Task Force, in consultation with the State Advisory Committee
and the Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference, to be
necessary to complete a project that was approved prior to the
enactment of this section shall be exempt from the consistency
requirements established in paragraph (1).
``(c) Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the
Environmental Protection Agency a Puget Sound Recovery National
Program Office to be located in the State of Washington.
``(2) Director.--
``(A) In general.--The Director of the Program
Office shall be a career reserved position, as such
term is defined in section 3132(a)(8) of title 5.
``(B) Qualifications.--The Director of the Program
Office, by reason of prior leadership and project
management experience, shall be highly qualified to--
``(i) support the integration of multiple
project planning efforts and programs from
different agencies and jurisdictions; and
``(ii) align numerous and often conflicting
needs toward implementing a shared action
agenda with visible and measurable outcomes.
``(3) Delegation of authority; staffing.--The Administrator
shall delegate to the Director such authority and provide such
additional staff as may be necessary to carry out this
subsection.
``(4) Duties.--The Director shall--
``(A) coordinate and manage the timely execution of
the Environmental Protection Agency's role described in
this section, including the formation and meetings of
the Task Force;
``(B) coordinate Puget Sound recovery, protection,
and restoration actions, programs, grants, science,
research, and initiatives across the Agency;
``(C) coordinate and align the Agency's strategies,
policies, studies, programs, and activities with the
Puget Sound Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans,
Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal
Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
``(D) promote the efficient use of Agency resources
in pursuit of Puget Sound recovery;
``(E) serve on the Task Force and collaborate with,
help coordinate, and implement strategies, policies,
studies, programs, and activities with other Federal
agencies that have responsibilities involving Puget
Sound recovery and protection;
``(F) provide or procure such other advice,
technical assistance, research, assessments,
monitoring, or other support or enforcement as is
deemed necessary or prudent to most efficiently and
effectively fulfill the objectives and priorities of
the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights
at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution
Control Program consistent with the best available
science and to ensure that the health of the system is
thereafter maintained;
``(G) track the progress of the Environmental
Protection Agency toward meeting the Agency's specified
goals and objectives within the Action Agenda;
``(H) implement the recommendations of the
Government Accountability Office, as set forth in the
report GAO-18-453 dated July 19, 2018;
``(I) serve as liaison and coordinate projects,
programs, and studies for the recovery and protection
of the Salish Sea, with Canadian authorities, the
Pacific Salmon Commission, and the International Joint
Commission; and
``(J) carry out such additional duties as the
Administrator determines necessary and appropriate.
``(d) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Puget Sound
Federal Leadership Task Force.
``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Task Force shall be to
build upon the current membership of the Puget Sound Federal
Task Force in order to--
``(A) provide a venue for dialogue and coordination
across all Federal agencies on the Task Force to align
Federal resources for the purposes of achieving this
section and all other Federal laws that contribute to
the recovery and protection of Puget Sound and uphold
Federal trust responsibilities to restore and protect
resources crucial to Tribal treaty rights, including
carrying out government-to-govenment consultation;
``(B) work with the Puget Sound Tribal Management
Conference and the State Advisory Committee to align
and coordinate Federal actions impacting Puget Sound
with the actions of State, local, and Tribal
governments and other stakeholders as they have been
coordinated and prioritized in the Puget Sound Action
Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk
Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control
Program;
``(C) raise national awareness of the significance
of Puget Sound and thereby increase the importance of
investment in its recovery, restoration, and protection
efforts;
``(D) promote the efficient use of government
resources in pursuit of Puget Sound recovery through
coordination and collaboration;
``(E) catalyze public leaders at all levels to work
together toward shared goals by demonstrating
interagency best practices coming from the Federal
partners; and
``(F) develop and approve, every 5 years, an Action
Plan that leverages Federal programs across agencies,
and serves to coordinate diverse programs on a specific
suite of priorities on Puget Sound recovery. The Action
Plan may not adversely affect national security.
``(3) Duties.--
``(A) Participation of state advisory committee and
puget sound tribal management conference.--
``(i) In general.--The Task Force shall
carry out its duties with input from and in
collaboration with the State Advisory Committee
and Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference.
``(ii) Specific advice and
recommendations.--The Task Force shall seek the
advice and recommendations of the State
Advisory Committee and Puget Sound Tribal
Management Conference on the actions, progress,
and issues pertaining to recovery and
protection of Puget Sound.
``(B) General duties.--The Task Force shall--
``(i) enable and encourage the Federal
agencies represented on the Puget Sound Federal
Leadership Task Force to act consistently with
the objectives and priorities of the Action
Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at
Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint
Pollution Control Program;
``(ii) facilitate the coordination of
Federal activities that impact the recovery and
protection of Puget Sound;
``(iii) facilitate the delivery of feedback
given by Federal agencies to the Puget Sound
Partnership during the development of the
Action Agenda;
``(iv) facilitate the resolution of (and,
if necessary, seek to mediate in cooperation
with the Executive Office of the President)
interagency conflicts associated with the
recovery and protection of Puget Sound among
the agencies represented on the Task Force;
``(v) provide a forum for exchanging
information among agencies regarding resources,
programs, projects, and activities being
conducted, including obstacles or efficiencies
found, during Puget Sound recovery and
protection activities;
``(vi) ensure that the science necessary
for recovery and protection of Puget Sound is
coordinated, planned, and implemented
efficiently across the Federal Government;
``(vii) provide advice and support on
scientific and technical issues and act as a
forum for the exchange of scientific
information about Puget Sound;
``(viii) identify and inventory Federal
environmental research and monitoring programs
related to Puget Sound, and provide such
inventory to the Puget Sound National Estuary
Program Management Conference;
``(ix) ensure that Puget Sound recovery and
protection projects, programs, and studies are
consistent with ongoing recovery and protection
and related efforts in the Salish Sea that are
being conducted by Canadian authorities, the
Pacific Salmon Commission, and the
International Joint Commission;
``(x) establish any necessary working
groups or advisory committees necessary to
assist the Task Force in its duties, including
public policy and scientific issues;
``(xi) work with the Office of Management
and Budget to give necessary input on the
crosscut budget to be developed under
subsection (g); and
``(xii) develop a biennial report on
progress made towards the Action Plan, as
described in subsection (d), to be submitted to
the President, Congress, and the Governor of
Washington.
``(C) Feedback by federal agencies.--The feedback
given by Federal agencies under subparagraph (B)(iii)
shall consider, at a minimum, possible Federal actions
designed to--
``(i) further the goals, targets, and
actions of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery
Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and
the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
``(ii) implement and enforce this Act, the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all other
Federal laws that contribute to the recovery
and protection of Puget Sound, including those
that protect Tribal treaty rights;
``(iii) prevent the introduction and spread
of invasive species;
``(iv) prevent the destruction of marine
and wildlife habitats;
``(v) protect, restore, and conserve
forests, wetlands, riparian zones, and
nearshore waters that provide marine and
wildlife habitat;
``(vi) promote resilience to climate change
and ocean acidification effects;
``(vii) conserve and recover endangered
species under the Endangered Species Act of
1973;
``(viii) restore fisheries so that they are
sustainable and productive;
``(ix) preserve biodiversity;
``(x) restore and protect ecosystem
services that provide clean water, filter toxic
chemicals, and increase ecosystem resilience;
and
``(xi) improve water quality and restore
wildlife habitat, including by preventing and
managing stormwater runoff, incorporating
erosion control techniques, using sustainable
stormwater practices, and mitigating and
minimizing other nonpoint source pollution.
``(D) Use of previous work.--The Task Force shall,
to the extent practicable, use the work product
produced, relied upon, and analyzed by the Puget Sound
Federal Task Force in order to avoid duplicating the
efforts of the Puget Sound Federal Task Force.
``(4) Membership.--
``(A) In general.--The membership of the Task Force
shall include representatives of Federal agencies that
have responsibilities and authorities that govern
recovery, conservation, and protection of the Puget
Sound, its tributaries, and watersheds.
``(B) Qualifications.--Members appointed under this
paragraph shall have experience and expertise in
matters of recovery and protection of large watersheds
and bodies of water or related experience that will
benefit the recovery and protection effort of the Puget
Sound.
``(C) Composition.--The Task Force shall be
composed of the following members:
``(i) Secretary of agriculture.--The
following individuals appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture (or the Secretary's
designee):
``(I) A representative of the
National Forest Service.
``(II) A representative of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service.
``(ii) Secretary of commerce.--A
representative of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration appointed by the
Secretary of Commerce (or the Secretary's
designee).
``(iii) Secretary of defense.--The
following individuals appointed by the
Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary's
designee):
``(I) A representative of the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers.
``(II) A representative of the
Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
``(III) A representative of the
Navy Region Northwest.
``(iv) Administrator.--A representative of
the Puget Sound Recovery National Program
Office appointed by the Administrator (or the
Administrator's designee).
``(v) Secretary of homeland security.--The
following individuals appointed by the
Secretary of Homeland Security (or the
Secretary's designee):
``(I) A representative of the Coast
Guard.
``(II) A representative of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.
``(vi) Secretary of the interior.--The
following individuals appointed by the
Secretary of the Interior (or the Secretary's
designee):
``(I) A representative of the
Bureau of Indian Affairs.
``(II) A representative of the
United States Fish and Wildlife
Service.
``(III) A representative of the
United States Geological Survey.
``(IV) A representative of the
National Park Service.
``(vii) Secretary of transportation.--The
following individuals appointed by the
Secretary of Transportation (or the Secretary's
designee):
``(I) A representative of the
Federal Highway Administration.
``(II) A representative of the
Federal Transit Administration.
``(viii) Task force.--Representatives of
such other agencies, programs, and initiatives
as the Task Force determines necessary.
``(5) Leadership.--The Co-Chairs shall ensure the Task
Force completes its duties through robust discussion of all
relevant issues and with the participation of all members. The
Co-Chairs shall share leadership responsibilities equally.
``(6) Co-chairs.--The following members of the Task Force
appointed under paragraph (4) shall serve as Co-Chairs of the
Task Force:
``(A) The representative of the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration.
``(B) The representative of the Puget Sound
Recovery National Program Office.
``(C) The representative of the Corps of Engineers.
``(7) Meetings.--
``(A) Initial meeting.--The Task Force shall meet
not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this section--
``(i) to determine if all Federal agencies
are properly represented;
``(ii) to establish the bylaws of the Task
Force;
``(iii) to establish necessary working
groups or committees; and
``(iv) to determine subsequent meeting
times, dates, and logistics.
``(B) Subsequent meetings.--After the initial
meeting, the Task Force shall meet, at a minimum, twice
per year to carry out the duties of the Task Force.
``(C) Working group meetings.--Meetings of any
established working groups or committees of the Task
Force shall not count toward the minimum biannual
meeting requirement of the full Task Force.
``(D) Joint meetings.--The Task Force shall offer
to meet jointly with the Puget Sound National Estuary
Program Management Conference and the Puget Sound
Tribal Management Conference, at a minimum, once per
year. These meetings may substitute for one of the two
minimum biannual meetings of the full Task Force, if
mutually agreed upon by all participants.
``(E) Quorum.--A majority number of the members of
the Task Force shall constitute a quorum.
``(F) Voting.--For the Task Force to pass a
measure, a two-thirds percentage of the quorum must
vote in the affirmative.
``(e) State Advisory Committee.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established a State Advisory
Committee.
``(2) Membership.--The committee shall consist of up to 7
members designated by the Puget Sound Leadership Council, in
consultation with the Governor of Washington or the Governor's
designee, who will represent Washington State agencies with
significant roles and responsibilities related to Puget Sound
recovery.
``(f) Task Force Procedures and Advice.--
``(1) Advisors.--The Task Force, and any working group of
the Task Force, may seek advice and input from any interested,
knowledgeable, or affected party as the Task Force or working
group, respectively, determines necessary to perform its
duties.
``(2) Federal advisory committee act.--
``(A) In general.--The Task Force, State Advisory
Committee, and any working group of the Task Force,
shall not be considered an advisory committee under the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
``(B) Seeking advice and input.--The Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply
to any activity of the Task Force.
``(3) Compensation.--A member of the Task Force shall
receive no additional compensation for service as a member on
the Task Force.
``(4) Travel expenses.--Travel expenses incurred by a
member of the Task Force in the performance of services for the
Task Force shall be paid by the agency or department that the
member represents.
``(g) Task Force Biennial Report on Puget Sound Recovery
Activities.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section, and biennially thereafter, the Task
Force, in collaboration with the Puget Sound Tribal Management
Conference and the State Advisory Committee, shall submit to
the President, Congress, and the Governor of Washington a
report that summarizes the progress, challenges, and milestones
of the Task Force on the recovery and protection of Puget
Sound.
``(2) Contents.--The report shall include a description of
the following:
``(A) The roles of each Federal, State, and local
government entity that has jurisdiction in the Puget
Sound region and the progress made toward meeting the
identified goals and objectives of the Action Agenda,
Salmon Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk
Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control
Program.
``(B) If available, the roles and progress of
Tribal governments that have jurisdiction in the Puget
Sound region toward meeting the identified goals and
objectives of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans,
Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal
Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
``(C) A summary of the progress each Federal agency
has made in implementing their specific
responsibilities under the Action Agenda, Salmon
Recovery Plans, Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and
the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
``(D) The role of each Federal agency in protecting
Tribal treaty rights, including by carrying out its
Tribal trust responsibilities, and a summary of the
progress each agency has made in protecting those
rights.
``(E) A summary of specific recommendations
concerning implementation of the Action Agenda,
including challenges, barriers, and anticipated
milestones, targets, and timelines.
``(F) A summary of progress made by Federal
agencies toward the priorities identified in the Action
Plan, as defined in subsection (d).
``(h) Crosscut Budget Report.--
``(1) Financial report.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years
thereafter, the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget, in consultation with the Task Force, shall submit to
Congress and make available to the public, including on the
internet, a financial report that is certified by the head of
each agency represented by the Task Force.
``(2) Contents.--The report shall contain an interagency
crosscut budget relating to Puget Sound recovery and protection
activities that displays--
``(A) the proposed funding for any Federal recovery
and protection activity to be carried out in the
succeeding fiscal year, including any planned
interagency or intra-agency transfer, for each of the
Federal agencies that carry out recovery and protection
activities;
``(B) the estimated expenditures for Federal
recovery and protection activities from the preceding 2
fiscal years, the current fiscal year, and the
succeeding fiscal year; and
``(C) the estimated expenditures for Federal
environmental research and monitoring programs from the
preceding 2 fiscal years, the current fiscal year, and
the succeeding fiscal year.
``(3) Included recovery activities.--With respect to
activities described in the report, the report shall only
describe activities that--
``(A) for Federal recovery or protection
activities, have funding amounts not less than
$100,000; and
``(B) for Federal environmental research and
monitoring programs, have funding amounts not less than
$100,000.
``(4) Submission to congress.--The Director shall submit
the report to--
``(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the
Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
``(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the
Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of
the Senate.
``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any other
funds authorized to be appropriated for activities related to Puget
Sound, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
``(j) Preservation of Treaty Obligations and Existing Federal
Status.--
``(1) Tribal treaty rights.--This Act is not intended to,
and shall not, in any way limit, condition, abrogate, authorize
the regulation of, or otherwise adversely affect any right
reserved by treaty between the United States and one or more
Indian Tribes.
``(2) National estuary program.--Nothing in this Act shall
alter the requirements or status of the Puget Sound under the
National Estuary Program.
``(3) Other federal law.--Nothing in this Act shall modify
the requirements and procedures of other Federal law.
``(k) Consistency.--Actions authorized or implemented under this
Act shall be consistent with--
``(1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the State of
Washington's federally approved salmon recovery plans;
``(2) the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, its
reauthorizing amendments, and the State of Washington's
federally approved coastal nonpoint pollution control program;
``(3) the State of Washington's federally approved State
water quality standards; and
``(4) other applicable Federal requirements.''.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Discharged.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-290.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. H. Rept. 116-290.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 233.
Mrs. Napolitano moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H788-796)
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DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2247.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H788-791)
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.