,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bhge ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #ca1 #bjac ,ms4 ,velzquez introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,financial ,services and ,armed ,services1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to authorize programs and activities for the improvement and protection of ports and harbors1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,waterfront of ,tomorrow ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,studies 7a7 ,measures ,to improve flood protection and climate resilience for ,new ,york ,city 7#a7 ,study ,the ,secretary of the ,army shall conduct a study of measures to improve flood protection and climate resilience for ,new ,york ,city1 using both traditional engineering and green infrastructure technologies4 7#b7 ,contents ,in conducting the study1 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 assess traditional engineering solutions1 including tide gates and seawalls2 7,b7 assess1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration1 the use of alternative approaches1 including oyster reef restoration1 tidal wetland restoration and construction1 and other natural designs that reduce storm surge impacts and retain storm water while providing additional environmental benefits2 7,c7 identify the cost and time associated with implementing the measures described in subparagraphs 7,a7 and 7,b71 the potential impact of such measures on the surrounding environment1 and any adverse impacts of such measures on local housing1 commerce1 or recreation2 and 7,d7 make a recommendation as to which of such measures would provide the greatest protection for ,new ,york ,city coastal communities and critical infrastructure from an event of a magnitude that is equal to or greater than ,hurricane ,sandy4 7#c7 ,coordination to prevent duplication of efforts ,the ,secretary shall carry out the activities under this section in coordination with the study to be conducted by the ,secretary under the heading ,corps of ,engineers--,civil--,investigations in title ,,ii of ,public ,law #aac-b 7#abg ,stat4 #e74 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall transmit to ,congress a report on the results of the study4 7#e7 ,corps of ,engineers ,the ,secretary shall carry out this subsection acting through the ,chief of ,engineers4 7b7 ,environmental impact of major disasters 7#a7 ,study ,the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 in consultation with the ,administrator of the ,occupational ,safety and ,health ,administration1 shall conduct a study of the environmental impact of each major disaster that the ,administrator determines will have a significant environmental impact on the waters of the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,determinations ,in making determinations under paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency shall ensure that the ,administrator conducts studies under this subsection with respect to1 at a minimum1 #aj percent of the major disasters declared in a fiscal year4 7#c7 ,contents ,the ,administrator shall conduct a study under this subsection with respect to a major disaster with the specific goal of determining-- 7,a7 whether industrial facilities discharged pollutants or other hazards into local waterways or the water supply during the major disaster2 and 7,b7 if so1 how to avoid or minimize the risk of such pollution incidents in the future4 7#d7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the declaration of a major disaster described in paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall transmit to ,congress a report on the results of the study conducted under this subsection with respect to the major disaster4 7#e7 ,major disaster defined ,in this subsection1 the term major disaster has the meaning given that term in section #ajb of the ,robert ,t4 ,stafford ,disaster ,relief and ,emergency ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #eabb74 #c4 ,national freight policy 7a7 ,goals ,section #afg7;b7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking and at the end of paragraph 7#e72 7#b7 by striking the period at the end of paragraph 7#f7 and inserting a semicolon2 7#c7 by striking the semicolon at the end of paragraph 7#g7 and inserting 2 and2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7#h7 to ensure that the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of moving cargo through a community are fully accounted for in establishing the national freight network4 4 7b7 ,ports and harbors ,section #afg7;c7 of title #bc1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,ports and harbors ,the ,secretary shall ensure that ports and harbors are incorporated into the national freight network4 4 #d4 ,next generation ports 7a7 ,improvements to port infrastructure and intermodal rail and highway networks 7#a7 ,grants ,the ,secretary of the ,army is authorized to make grants to ,states and local governments for projects to improve port infrastructure and intermodal rail and highway networks4 7#b7 ,consideration of local preferences and environmental concerns ,in making grants to ,states and local governments under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall ensure that local preferences and environmental concerns are incorporated into any port infrastructure and intermodal transportation improvements1 so that disruptions and adverse impacts are minimized4 7b7 ,green ports 7#a7 ,designation ,the ,administrator of the ,maritime ,administration1 acting jointly with the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 shall establish a green port designation for ports that meet certain environmental standards4 7#b7 ,grants and technical assistance ,the ,administrator of the ,maritime ,administration is authorized to provide grants and technical assistance to a port designated as a green port pursuant to paragraph 7#a7 to implement innovations that minimize the environmental impacts of port operations4 #e4 ,waterfronts as main streets 7a7 ,establishment of grant program ,the ,secretary of ,commerce1 acting through the ,administrator of the ,economic ,development ,administration1 shall carry out a grant program in accordance with the requirements of this section4 7b7 ,award of grants ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary may make grants to ,states and local governments for projects to establish environmentally sustainable waterfront areas4 7c7 ,applications ,a ,state or local government seeking a grant under the program shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7d7 ,criteria 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish criteria for awarding grants for projects under the program4 7#b7 ,priority ,the criteria shall include an assessment of whether the applicant is able to demonstrate the potential of a project-- 7,a7 to generate economic growth and job creation2 or 7,b7 to improve the environmental sustainability of waterfront areas4 7e7 ,maximum grant amount ,the ,secretary may not make grants under this section to a ,state or local government in an amount that exceeds #aj1jjj1jjj in the aggregate4 7f7 ,reporting requirement ,as a condition for receiving a grant under the program1 a ,state or local government shall agree to submit to the ,secretary an annual report on the achievement of performance measures1 including the criteria described in subsection 7d77#b71 by the ,state or local government for a period of #c years after the grant is awarded4 7g7 ,federal share ,the ,federal share of the cost of a project carried out with funds from a grant under the program may not exceed #ge percent4