,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bigc ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,august #a1 #bjac ,mr4 ,tonko introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 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 the ,secretary of ,interior to carry out projects and conduct research on water resources in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin1 to establish a ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin ,commission1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds the following3 7#a7 ,the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin together with the ,erie ,canal connects the ,great ,lakes to the ,atlantic ,ocean and includes the #ac1djj square mile area encompassing five large sub-basins3 the ,upper ,hudson ,river sub-basin1 the ,mohawk ,river sub-basin1 the ,lower ,hudson ,river sub-basin1 the ,passaic ,river sub-basin1 and the ,raritan ,river sub-basin4 7#b7 ,the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin played an essential role in the birth of our ,nation and its westward expansion4 ,the water of the ,hudson-,mohawk ,basin is the ink used to write the early ,united ,states history of ,european settlement and the ,american ,revolution4 ,the ,basin's rivers served as a major transportation corridor connecting the communities along it from the ,atlantic ,ocean to the ,great ,lakes4 7#c7 ,the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin includes the largest metropolitan area of the country3 the ,new ,york-,new ,jersey metropolitan area4 ,this metropolitan area1 together with the many communities in the ,upper ,hudson1 ,mohawk1 and ,lower ,hudson sub-basins1 makes the area one of the most densely and heavily populated river basins in the country with over #ae1jjj1jjj people4 7#d7 ,the water resources of the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin are functionally interrelated and their uses are interdependent4 ,a single entity is essential to provide effective communication1 coordination1 and cooperation among ,federal1 ,state1 and local governments1 non-governmental organizations1 and the private sector for this area4 7#e7 ,the ,new ,york-,new ,jersey ,harbor ,estuary is a complex natural harbor at the junction of three major water bodies1 the ,new ,york ,bight1 the ,hudson ,river and the ,long ,island ,sound4 ,in addition1 it receives freshwater inputs from the ,raritan and ,passaic ,rivers4 ,the health and productivity of the ,new ,york ,bight is affected directly by the quality of the freshwater inputs to the estuary from the ,hudson1 ,passaic1 and ,raritan ,rivers4 7#f7 ,the headwaters of the ,hudson originate within the ,adirondack ,mountains1 a treasured northeastern wilderness area1 protected under the ,new ,york ,state constitution since #ahid4 ,the ,hudson's path south through the ,hudson ,river ,highlands1 and the ,mohawk's path south east to its junction with the ,hudson1 provides the only natural break in the ,appalachian ,mountain chain4 7#g7 ,the ,mohawk ,valley's abundant natural resources1 and fertile floodplain soils provided a rich endowment that first supported the ,mohawk nation and the ,iroquois ,confederacy and later supported ,european settlement and the development of industry and commerce4 7#h7 ,the ,mohawk ,river and its watershed drain directly into the ,hudson ,river providing the largest freshwater input to the brackish water mix that characterizes the ,hudson ,river ,estuary and supports a biologically rich and productive ecosystem4 7#i7 ,the ,mohawk ,river is integrated with the ,erie ,canal along much of its channel4 ,therefore1 tying the operation of the ,canal system to the health of the ,mohawk and the ,hudson ,rivers4 7#aj7 ,individuals in many communities throughout the ,basin have experienced devastating flooding that led to tremendous costs for businesses1 ,state1 and local governments4 ,a holistic approach to river and stream monitoring1 updated floodplain maps1 and development of floodplain management strategies based upon improved understanding of the ,basin's hydrology would make communities safer and more resistant and resilient to flood events4 7#aa7 ,climate change is occurring and1 as a result1 sea level rise along the ,united ,states eastern coastline will increase the vulnerability of coastal communities to storm surge and flooding in the ,new ,york-,new ,jersey harbors and along the major rivers in the ,basin4 7#ab7 ,each of the subwatersheds of the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin receives support of programs administered by ,federal1 ,state1 regional1 and local organizations4 7#ac7 ,there has been little integration of planning and program implementation to address the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin in a holistic manner4 7#ad7 ,new ,york1 ,new ,jersey1 ,vermont1 ,massachusetts1 and ,connecticut have a long history of achievements working together on resource management issues through their memberships in the ,delaware ,river ,basin ,commission1 the ,susquehanna ,river ,basin ,commission1 the ,appalachian ,regional ,commission1 the ,new ,england ,interstate ,water ,pollution ,control ,commission1 and the ,lake ,champlain ,basin ,program4 7#ae7 ,the basin-wide impacts experienced as a result of recent hurricanes and storms illustrate the need for integrated1 basin-wide planning to address water management challenges and vulnerability to flooding4 7#af7 ,protection and restoration of wetlands1 expanded use of green infrastructure1 strengthening of dams and levees1 and upgrading of wastewater and water treatment infrastructure will be necessary to reduce the impacts of extreme weather events and maintain water quality and public health4 7#ag7 ,development and implementation of projects to control flooding and improve water quality must be done with the full participation of local communities and citizens1 address the needs they identify1 and be conducted in a manner that respects private property and is consistent with the authorities of state and local jurisdictions4 #c4 ,definitions 7a7 ,hudson-,mohawk river basin ,the term ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin means the area of drainage of the ,hudson1 ,mohawk1 ,passaic and ,raritan ,rivers and their tributaries into the ,new ,york-,new ,jersey ,harbor ,estuary4 ,this includes areas in ,new ,york1 ,new ,jersey1 ,vermont1 ,massachusetts1 and ,connecticut4 7b7 ,commission ,the term ,commission means the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin ,commission established under section #d4 7c7 ,water resources ,the term water resources means all surface waters and ground waters contained or otherwise originating within the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin4 #d4 ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin ,commission 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,president shall-- 7#a7 establish the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin ,commission in cooperation with the ,governors of the ,states included in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin to coordinate activities being undertaken by the ,states1 advisory committees1 local governments1 institutions of higher education1 and non-governmental organizations to address environmental1 economic1 and cultural issues associated with the management and use of resources in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,watershed2 and 7#b7 designate the ,secretary of ,interior to serve as a member of the ,commission and as coordinator of participation of relevant ,federal agencies in the activities of the ,commission4 7b7 ,membership ,the ,commission shall include a ,federal representative designated by the ,president1 and the ,governors of the #e ,states whose territory is encompassed by the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin and its associated ground waters3 ,new ,york1 ,new ,jersey1 ,connecticut1 ,massachusetts1 and ,vermont4 ,the ,governor of each of the #e ,states shall appoint an alternate to act on that ,governor's behalf1 including attendance at meetings of the ,commission and with the power to vote in the absence of the member4 7c7 ,duties of the ,commission ,the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 develop and implement plans1 policies1 and projects relating to the water resources of the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin2 7#b7 adopt and promote uniform and coordinated policies for management and conservation of water resources in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin2 7#c7 adopt an annual capital budget1 including all projects the ,commission proposes to undertake or continue during the budget period with a statement of the estimated cost of each project and the method of financing the project2 and 7#d7 coordinate and direct the development1 implementation1 operation1 and financing of water resources projects consistent with its plans and policies4 #e4 ,comprehensive plan 7a7 ,plan development ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall develop and adopt a comprehensive plan for the development and use of water resources of the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin4 ,in developing the plan the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 consult with ,state and ,federal agencies with jurisdiction over water resources1 local governments1 non-governmental organizations1 public utilities1 water users1 and other interested parties2 7#b7 prior to adoption of the plan or any subsequent revision of the plan1 publish a draft plan and provide opportunity for public comment2 7#c7 ensure that the plan addresses needs in each of the five sub-basins2 and 7#d7 periodically review and revise the plan4 7b7 ,plan contents ,the plan shall address all projects and facilities required for development1 conservation1 use1 management1 and control of the water resources of the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin to meet present and future needs4 ,the plan shall-- 7#a7 identify water resource needs in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin related to water supply1 water quality1 flooding1 ecosystems1 fisheries1 energy production1 navigation1 recreation1 agriculture1 and economic development and establish goals for protection or enhancement of water resources to address the identified needs2 7#b7 inventory the historic and cultural resources of the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin and identify projects to provide for cultural enrichment1 preservation of cultural resources1 public education about local heritage and historical significance of properties1 canals1 and other historic sites within the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin2 7#c7 provide a comprehensive assessment of the status of water resources in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin and identify additional research and information required to support management of water resources in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin2 and 7#d7 provide a mechanism to promote communication and coordination among the organizations engaged in water resource management activities to encourage efficient use of scarce resources1 avoid conflicts and inconsistencies1 to promote consistent and fair treatment of all water users1 and to promote collaborative working relationships among all entities working in the ,hudson-,mohawk ,river ,basin4 #f4 ,water resources program ,the ,commission shall adopt a water resources program on an annual basis1 based upon the comprehensive plan1 that identifies specific projects and facilities to be undertaken by the ,commission1 other governmental and private entities1 educational institutions1 non-governmental organizations1 and individuals during the immediate #e-year period in each of the five sub-basins4 ,the water resources program shall include a systematic presentation for each of the five sub-basins of-- 7#a7 the specific needs to be addressed by the water resources program2 7#b7 the existing and proposed projects1 studies1 and facilities required to satisfy the identified needs2 7#c7 the subset of projects and studies that will be undertaken by the ,commission during such period2 and 7#d7 the budget for the identified projects and studies4 #g4 ,savings provisions ,nothing in this ,act shall be construed to repeal1 modify1 or limit the authority of-- 7#a7 the ,federal ,government or the ,state government members of the ,commission to enact legislation or enforce any additional conditions or restrictions within their jurisdictions2 and 7#b7 local governments to regulate land use as provided for by law or regulation4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,commission ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,commission #ejj1jjj for each fiscal year to carry out the duties of the ,commission4 7b7 ,comprehensive plan ,there is authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary of ,interior #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjae through #bjba to carry out projects consistent with the comprehensive plan that are identified in the annual ,hudson-,mohawk ,water ,resources ,program adopted by the ,commission in accordance with section #f4