[Senate Report 109-352] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] Calendar No. 646 109th Congress Report SENATE 2d Session 109-352 ====================================================================== EXTEND AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN _______ September 27, 2006.--Ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Inhofe, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany S. 3630] [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was referred a bill (S. 3630) to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize a program relating to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass. General Statement and Background The Lake Pontchartrain Basin watershed covers a 5,000 square mile area and includes 16 Louisiana parishes and four Mississippi counties. Almost 1.5 million people live in the area of Lake Pontchartrain, the 630 square mile lake at the center of the basin, making it the most densely populated area in Louisiana. The Basin also includes Lakes Borgne and Maurepas, and these three lakes comprise one of the largest estuaries in the U.S. The Basin supports numerous species of fish, birds, mammals, and plants, and its fisheries contribute over $35 million to the local economy by providing much of the seafood harvested in the Gulf Coast. The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program was created in 2000 as part of the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act. It authorized $20 million a year for fiscal years 2001 to 2005 to fund research and projects aimed at the restoring the environmental health of the Lake. Objectives of the Legislation S. 3630 would extend the authorization of appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program through 2011. Section-by-Section Analysis Section 1--Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Reauthorization--This section extends the authorization for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin program through 2011. Section 2--Makes a technical correction redesignating Section 121 of the Clean Water Act as Section 122. Legislative History On July 10, 2006, Senator David Vitter introduced S. 3630. Rollcall Votes The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to consider S. 3630 on September 13, 2006. There were no recorded votes taken in connection with ordering S. 3630 reported. A motion to order S. 3630 reported to the Senate was agreed to by voice vote. Regulatory Impact Statement In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee makes evaluation of the regulatory impact of the reported bill. The bill does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of individuals. Mandates Assessment In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-4), the committee finds that S. 2781 would not impose Federal intergovernmental unfunded mandates on State, local, or tribal governments. Cost of Legislation Section 403 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act requires that a statement of the cost of the reported bill, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, be included in the report. That statement follows: S. 3630--A bill to amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to reauthorize a program relating to the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, and for other purposes Summary: CBO estimates that implementing this legislation would cost $84 million over the next five years, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. S. 3630 would extend the authorization of appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program through 2011. (That authorization terminated in 2005.) The legislation would authorize the appropriation of $20 million annually through 2011 for this program. Such funding would be used to support public education projects and efforts to restore the ecological health of the lake basin. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues. S. 3630 contains no intergovernmental or private- sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. Estimated cost to the Federal Government: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the bill will be enacted near the beginning of fiscal year 2007 and that the authorized amounts will be appropriated for each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 2007. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for ongoing activities. The estimated budgetary impact of S. 3630 is shown in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and the environment). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By fiscal year, in millions of dollars-- ----------------------------------------------------- 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION Spending Under Current Law for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program: Budget Authority\1\................................... 2 0 0 0 0 0 Estimated Outlays..................................... 1 1 0 0 0 0 Proposed Changes: Authorization Level................................... 0 20 20 20 20 20 Estimated Outlays..................................... 0 8 17 19 20 20 Spending Under S. 3630 for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program: Authorization Level\1\................................ 2 20 20 20 20 20 Estimated Outlays..................................... 1 9 17 19 20 20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\The 2006 level is the amount appropriated for that year to EPA to implement the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program. Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 3630 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA. Louisiana and Mississippi, and local governments in those states, that participate in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Restoration Program would benefit from the bill's reauthorization of grants, research, and restoration activities for the basin. Any costs to participate in the program would be incurred voluntarily. Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Susanne S. Mehlman. Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Lisa Ramirez- Branum. Impact on the Private Sector: Amy Petz. Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. Changes in Existing Law In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill as reported are shown as follows: Existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman: FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT * * * * * * * TITLE I--RESEARCH AND RELATED PROGRAMS DECLARATION OF GOALS AND POLICY Sec. 101. (a) The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. In order to achieve this objective it is hereby declared that, consistent with the provisions of this Act---- (1) * * * * * * * * * * SEC. 121. LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BASIN. (a) Establishment of Restoration Program.--* * * * * * * * * * (f) Authorization of Appropriations.-- (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through [2005] 2011. Such sums shall remain available until expended. (2) Public education projects.--Not more than 15 percent of the amount appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) in a fiscal year may be expended on grants for public education projects under subsection (d)(2). SEC. [121]122. WET WEATHER WATERSHED PILOT PROJECTS. (a) In General.--* * * * * * * * * *