Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 01/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 to allow the Secretary of the Army to extend the period during which the Secretary may provide beach nourishment for a water resources development project.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 to allow the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, at the request of a non-federal interest, to extend the period during which the Secretary provides beach nourishment for a water resources development project for up to 50 years.

Latest Action: 03/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out a project for the mitigation of shore damages attributable to the project for navigation, Saco River, Maine.

3/13/2007--Introduced.

Camp Ellis Beach Restoration Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out a project for the mitigation of shore damages attributable to the navigation project for Saco River, Maine.

Latest Action: 03/29/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4169)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide incentives to landowners to protect and improve streams and riparian habitat.

3/29/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) establish within the Natural Resources Conservation Service a stream habitat improvement program to provide cost-share payments to landowners for stream habitat improvement projects; and (2) provide a higher payment share to a landowner who carries out a project in partnership with a nonprofit organization.

Gives priority for projects that: (1) remove a small dam or in-stream structure; (2) improve fish passage; (3) protect streamside areas; (4) improve water flow; or (5) improve in-stream flow quality or temperature regimes. Authorizes the Secretary to provide a higher payment share to a landowner who carries out a priority project.

Latest Action: 04/30/2007 - Committee on Environment and Public Works. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Boxer. With written report No. 110-58.

Bill Text
An original bill to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes. 4/30/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) Water Resources Development Act of 2007 - Renews the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Authorizes Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) water resources development and conservation projects, including flood control, environmental restoration, shoreline protection, and inland navigation projects. Title I: Water Resources Projects - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes specified projects for navigation, ecosystem restoration, flood or storm damage reduction, and related purposes in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,[...]

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Latest Action: 11/09/2007 - Became Public Law No: 110-114.

Bill Text
To provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for other purposes. 11/8/2007--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on July 31, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Water Resources Development Act of 2007 - Reauthorizes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Authorizes flood control, navigation, and environmental projects and studies by the Army Corps of Engineers.Title I: Water Resources Projects - (Sec. 1001) Authorizes projects for navigation, ecosystem or environmental restoration, and hurricane, flood, or storm damage reduction in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota,[...]

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Latest Action: 03/14/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To ensure the continuation and improvement of coastal restoration. 3/13/2007--Introduced. Community Beaches Protection Act - Rewrites provisions regarding the federal shore protection program to: (1) provide for the protection and restoration of beaches and other coastal infrastructure, as well as shore protection; and (2) include the purpose of promoting healthful recreation. Includes among areas to be given preference: (1) areas where regional sediment management plans have been adopted; and (2) areas that promote human health and safety and the quality of life. Directs the Secretary of the Army to pay the federal share of the cost of carrying out shore protection projects and research that encourages the protection, restoration, and enhancement of shores, sandy beaches, and other coastal infrastructure. Sets forth revised provisions regarding the federal share of the cost, which shall be equal for beach erosion control projects for purposes of recreation [...]

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Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye with amendments. With written report No. 110-218.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize and amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, and for other purposes. 11/2/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to set forth findings and purposes for the Act. (Sec. 3) Revises the definitions of "hydrographic data" and "hydrographic services" to include shoreline surveying and water level observations. (Sec. 4) Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promote safe, efficient, and environmentally sound marine transportation and to provide hydrographic services. Revises the Administrator's authorities, including providing hydrographic services to save and protect life and property and support the resumption of commerce in response to emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and homeland [...]

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Latest Action: 06/07/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7385-7386)

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize and amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, and for other purposes. 6/7/2007--Introduced. Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 to set forth findings and purposes for the Act. Revises the definitions of "hydrographic data" and "hydrographic services" to include shoreline surveying and water level observations. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to promote safe, efficient, and environmentally sound marine transportation and to provide hydrographic services. Revises the Administrator's authorities, including providing hydrographic services to save and protect life and property and support the resumption of commerce in response to emergencies, natural and man-made disasters, and homeland security and maritime domain awareness needs. Modifies membership and compensation provisions [...]

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Latest Action: 06/11/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide assistance in implementing cultural heritage, conservation, and recreational activities in the Connecticut River watershed of the States of New Hampshire and Vermont.

6/11/2007--Introduced.

Upper Connecticut River Partnership Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Connecticut River Grants and Technical Assistance Program to provide grants and technical assistance to the governments of New Hampshire and Vermont, local governments, nonprofits, and the private sector to carry out projects for the conservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic and other resources in the Connecticut River watershed. Limits to a maximum of 75% the federal share of the cost of any project funded by a grant under this Act.

Latest Action: 07/09/2007 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Dorgan. With written report No. 110-127.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 7/9/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Corps of Engineers-Civil - Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration; (2) general investigations and construction (including rescissions of funds); (3) flood damage reduction for the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri; (4) operation, maintenance, and administration of laws pertaining to regulation of navigable waters and wetlands; (5) clean up of [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 06/04/2008 - Reported by the Committee on Transportation. H. Rept. 110-685, Part I.

Bill Text
To provide for a study by the National Academy of Sciences of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality. 6/4/2008--Reported to House without amendment, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to arrange for the National Academy of Sciences to prepare a two-part study of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality, addressing issues of: (1) hydrology and water quality (including the potential for impacts to wetlands, shoreline erosion, and saltwater intrusion as a result of sea level rise, as well as significant regional variation in precipitation events from historic patterns); and (2) policy considerations (including an identification of the scientific consensus, assumptions, and uncertainties [...]

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Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held.

Bill Text
To amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize assistance to coastal states to develop coastal climate change adaptation plans pursuant to approved management programs approved under section 306, to minimize contributions to climate change, and for other purposes.

2/14/2008--Introduced.

Coastal State Climate Change Planning Act of 2008 - Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to establish a coastal climate change adaptation planning and response program to provide assistance to coastal states to voluntarily develop coastal climate change adaptation plans and to provide financial and technical assistance and training to enable coastal states to implement those plans through coastal states' enforceable policies.

Authorizes, subject to the availability of appropriations, grants to coastal states for developing the plans and grants for implementation.

Latest Action: 10/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Bill Text
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow for expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for certain harbor construction activities, and for other purposes.

10/2/2007--Introduced.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit automatic expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for: (1) annual shoreline erosion control projects, including breakwater construction and sand replenishment; and (2) an environmental mitigation or remediation component, granting priority to projects containing a critical habitat as defined by the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.

Bill Text
To establish the Raritan Bay Stewardship Initiative. 10/2/2007--Introduced. Raritan Bay Stewardship Initiative of 2007 - States as the purpose of this Act the establishment of the Raritan Bay Stewardship Initiative to identify, protect, and enhance sites within the Raritan Bay ecosystem with significant ecological, educational, open space, public access, or recreational value through a bi-state network of sites. Establishes the Raritan Bay Stewardship Initiative Region within New York and New Jersey. Establishes the Raritan Bay Stewardship Advisory Committee, which shall: (1) identify 20 initial Raritan Bay stewardship sites; (2) seek to ensure an equal distribution of funds between New York and New Jersey for the initial sites (authorizes site owners to apply to have the sites identified as stewardship sites); (3) identify additional recreation areas and natural areas with ecological value as potential stewardship sites; (4) publish a list of sites that further [...]

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Latest Action: 07/09/2007 - Committee on Appropriations. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Dorgan. With written report No. 110-127.

Bill Text
An original bill making appropriations for energy and water development for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. 7/9/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2008 - Title I: Corps of Engineers-Civil - Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, and aquatic ecosystem restoration; (2) general investigations and construction (including rescissions of funds); (3) flood damage reduction for the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri; (4) operation, maintenance, and administration of laws pertaining to regulation of navigable waters and wetlands; (5) clean up of [...]

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