33 USC 1275 - Columbia River Basin Restoration

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 1275.

Columbia River Basin Restoration

(a)

Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)

Columbia River Basin

(2)

Estuary Partnership

(3)

Estuary Plan

(A)

In general

(B)

Inclusion

(4)

Lower Columbia River Estuary

(5)

Middle and Upper Columbia River Basin

(6)

Program

(b)

Columbia River Basin Restoration Program

(1)

Establishment

(A)

In general

(B)

Effect

(i)

The establishment of the Program does not modify any legal or regulatory authority or program in effect as of December 16, 2016, including the roles of Federal agencies in the Columbia River Basin.

(ii)

This section does not create any new regulatory authority.

(2)

Scope of Program

(3)

Duties

The Administrator shall—

(A)

assess trends in water quality, including trends that affect uses of the water of the Columbia River Basin;

(B)

collect, characterize, and assess data on water quality to identify possible causes of environmental problems; and

(C)

provide grants in accordance with subsection (d) for projects that assist in—

(i)

eliminating or reducing pollution;

(ii)

cleaning up contaminated sites;

(iii)

improving water quality;

(iv)

monitoring to evaluate trends;

(v)

reducing runoff;

(vi)

protecting habitat; or

(vii)

promoting citizen engagement or knowledge.

(c)

Stakeholder Working Group

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Membership

(A)

In general

(B)

Invited representatives

The Administrator shall invite, at a minimum, representatives of—

(i)

each State located in whole or in part in the Columbia River Basin;

(ii)

the Governors of each State located in whole or in part in the Columbia River Basin;

(iii)

each federally recognized Indian tribe in the Columbia River Basin;

(iv)

local governments in the Columbia River Basin;

(v)

industries operating in the Columbia River Basin that affect or could affect water quality;

(vi)

electric, water, and wastewater utilities operating in the Columba 1

 So in original. Probably should be “Columbia”.

River Basin;

(vii)

private landowners in the Columbia River Basin;

(viii)

soil and water conservation districts in the Columbia River Basin;

(ix)

nongovernmental organizations that have a presence in the Columbia River Basin;

(x)

the general public in the Columbia River Basin; and

(xi)

the Estuary Partnership.

(3)

Geographic representation

The Working Group shall include representatives from—

(A)

each State located in whole or in part in the Columbia River Basin; and

(B)

each of the lower, middle, and upper basins of the Columbia River.

(4)

Duties and responsibilities

The Working Group shall—

(A)

recommend and prioritize projects and actions; and

(B)

review the progress and effectiveness of projects and actions implemented.

(5)

Lower Columbia River Estuary

(A)

Estuary Partnership

(B)

Designation

(C)

Incorporation

(d)

Grants

(1)

In general

(2)

Federal share

(A)

In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Federal share of the cost of any project or activity carried out using funds from a grant provided to any person (including a State, tribal, or local government or interstate or regional agency) under this subsection for a fiscal year—

(i)

shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of the project or activity; and

(ii)

shall be made on condition that the non-Federal share of such total cost shall be provided from non-Federal sources.

(B)

Exceptions

With respect to cost-sharing for a grant provided under this subsection—

(i)

a tribal government may use Federal funds for the non-Federal share; and

(ii)

the Administrator may increase the Federal share under such circumstances as the Administrator determines to be appropriate.

(3)

Allocation

In making grants using funds appropriated to carry out this section, the Administrator shall—

(A)

provide not less than 25 percent of the funds to make grants for projects, programs, and studies in the Lower Columbia River Estuary;

(B)

provide not less than 25 percent of the funds to make grants for projects, programs, and studies in the Middle and Upper Columbia River Basin, including the Snake River Basin; and

(C)

retain not more than 5 percent of the funds for the Environmental Protection Agency for purposes of implementing this section.

(4)

Reporting

(A)

In general

(B)

Requirements

(5)

Relationship to other funding

(A)

In general

(B)

Limitation

(6)

Authorization of appropriations

(e)

Annual budget plan

The President, as part of the annual budget submission of the President to Congress under section 1105(a) of title 31, shall submit information regarding each Federal agency involved in protection and restoration of the Columbia River Basin, including an interagency crosscut budget that displays for each Federal agency—

(1)

the amounts obligated for the preceding fiscal year for protection and restoration projects, programs, and studies relating to the Columbia River Basin;

(2)

the estimated budget for the current fiscal year for protection and restoration projects, programs, and studies relating to the Columbia River Basin; and

(3)

the proposed budget for protection and restoration projects, programs, and studies relating to the Columbia River Basin.

(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title I, § 123, as added Pub. L. 114–322, title IV, § 5010, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1898; amended Pub. L. 115–270, title IV, § 4105, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3875.)

cite as: 33 USC 1275