,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #cddi ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #ab1 #bjac,ms4 ,edwards 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,levin1 ,ms4 ,norton1 ,ms4 ,moore1 ,mr4 ,moran1 ,mr4 ,crdenas1 ,ms4 ,de,gette1 ,mr4 ,blumenauer1 ,mr4 ,dingell1 ,mr4 ,price of ,north ,carolina1 ,mr4 ,sarbanes1 ,mr4 ,rush1 ,mrs4 ,napolitano1 ,mr4 ,delaney1 ,ms4 ,chu1 ,mr4 ,honda1 ,ms4 ,esty1 ,ms4 ,shea-,porter1 and ,mr4 ,cartwright7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology1 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 establish centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,innovative ,stormwater ,infrastructure ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 many water resources in the ,united ,states are declining1 particularly in urban and agricultural areas2 7#b7 the decline of water resources is the result of-- 7,a7 an increase in population1 water consumption1 and impermeable surfaces2 and 7,b7 the negative effects of urbanization1 commercial and industrial activities1 and increasing and persistent droughts2 and 7#c7 an ,october #bjjh study by the ,national ,research ,council found that some of the benefits of innovative stormwater control infrastructure include-- 7,a7 increased water supplies2 7,b7 the creation of jobs2 7,c7 cost savings2 and 7,d7 a reduction of stormwater runoff1 surface water discharge1 stormwater pollution1 and stormwater flows to protect and restore natural hydrology1 meeting local conditions to the maximum extent feasible4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#b7 ,center ,the term center means a center of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure established under section #d7;a74 7#c7 ,eligible entity ,the term eligible entity means-- 7,a7 a ,state1 tribal1 or local government2 or 7,b7 a local1 regional1 or other entity that manages stormwater1 drinking water resources1 or waste water resources4 7#d7 ,eligible institution 7,a7 ,in general ,the term eligible institution means an institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 or a research institution1 that has demonstrated excellence in innovative stormwater control infrastructure by-- 7i7 conducting research on innovative stormwater control infrastructure to determine the means by which innovative infrastructure reduces stormwater runoff1 enhances and protects drinking water sources1 and improves water quality2 7ii7 developing and disseminating information regarding the means by which an organization can use innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 7iii7 providing technical assistance to an organization for an innovative stormwater control infrastructure project2 7iv7 developing best practices standards for innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 7v7 providing job training relating to innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 7vi7 developing course curricula for-- 7,i7 elementary schools 7as defined in section #iaja of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ghja772 7,,ii7 secondary schools 7as defined in that section72 7,,iii7 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja772 or 7,,iv7 vocational schools2 7vii7 training students regarding innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 or 7viii7 providing information to the ,federal ,government or ,state1 tribal1 and local governments regarding the implementation of innovative stormwater control infrastructure4 7,b7 ,associated definition ,for purposes of subparagraph 7,a71 the term research institution means an entity that is-- 7i7 described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 7ii7 exempt from tax under section #eja7;a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 and 7iii7 organized and operated for research purposes4 7#e7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section #eah7;h7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #acgg7;h774 7#f7 ,state ,the term ,state means-- 7,a7 each of the several ,states of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 the ,district of ,columbia2 7,c7 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico2 7,d7 ,guam2 7,e7 ,american ,samoa2 7,f7 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands2 7,g7 the ,federated ,states of ,micronesia2 7,h7 the ,republic of the ,marshall ,islands2 7,i7 the ,republic of ,palau2 and 7,j7 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands4 7#g7 ,innovative stormwater control infrastructure 7,a7 ,in general ,the term innovative stormwater control infrastructure means any green infrastructure stormwater management technique that-- 7i7 uses natural systems or engineered systems that mimic natural processes to infiltrate1 evapotranspire1 or capture stormwater2 and 7ii7 preserves1 enhances1 or mimics natural hydrology to protect or restore water quality4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the term innovative stormwater control infrastructure includes-- 7i7 methods that promote absorption1 uptake1 percolation1 evapotranspiration1 and filtration by soil and plant life2 and 7ii7 the preservation or restoration of-- 7,i7 natural topography1 including hills1 plains1 ravines1 and shorelines2 7,,ii7 interconnected networks of natural land that protect essential ecological functions critical for water quality2 7,,iii7 ecological function1 including forests1 grasslands1 and deserts2 7,,iv7 bodies of water1 including lakes1 flood plains1 headwaters1 and wetlands2 and 7,v7 native soil characteristics of composition1 structure1 and transmissivity4 #d4 ,centers of ,excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure 7a7 ,establishment of centers 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall provide grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible institutions to establish and maintain not less than #c1 and not more than #e1 centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure1 to be located in various regions throughout the ,united ,states4 7#b7 ,general operation ,each center shall-- 7,a7 conduct research on innovative stormwater control infrastructure that is relevant to the geographical region in which the center is located1 including stormwater and sewer overflow reduction1 other approaches to water resource enhancement1 and other environmental1 economic1 and social benefits2 7,b7 develop manuals and establish industry standards on best management practices relating to ,state1 tribal1 local1 and commercial innovative stormwater control infrastructure for use by ,state1 tribal1 and local governments and the private sector2 7,c7 develop and administer testing and evaluation protocols to measure and verify the performance of stormwater infrastructure products and practices2 7,d7 provide information regarding research conducted under subparagraph 7,a71 manuals developed under subparagraph 7,b71 and testing and evaluation performed under subparagraph 7,c7 to the national electronic clearinghouse center for publication on the ,internet website established under subsection 7c7 to provide to the ,federal ,government and ,state1 tribal1 and local governments and the private sector information regarding innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 7,e7 provide technical assistance to ,state1 tribal1 and local governments to assist with the construction1 operation1 and maintenance of innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects2 7,f7 collaborate with institutions of higher education and private and public organizations in the geographical region in which the center is located on innovative stormwater control infrastructure research and technical assistance projects2 7,g7 assist institutions of higher education1 secondary schools1 and vocational schools to develop innovative stormwater control infrastructure curricula2 7,h7 provide training regarding innovative stormwater control infrastructure to institutions of higher education and professional schools2 7,i7 evaluate regulatory and policy issues relating to innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 and 7,j7 coordinate with the other centers to avoid duplication of efforts4 7b7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible institution shall prepare and submit to the ,administrator an application at such a time1 in such form1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may require4 7c7 ,national electronic clearinghouse center ,of the centers established under subsection 7a77#a71 #a shall-- 7#a7 be designated as the national electronic clearinghouse center2 and 7#b7 in addition to the other functions of that center-- 7,a7 develop1 operate1 and maintain an ,internet website and a public database that contain information relating to innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 and 7,b7 post to the website information from all centers4 #e4 ,innovative stormwater control infrastructure project grants 7a7 ,grant authority ,the ,administrator shall provide grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible entities to carry out innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects in accordance with this section4 7b7 ,innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects 7#a7 ,planning and development grants ,the ,administrator may make planning and development grants under this section for the following projects3 7,a7 ,planning and designing innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects1 including engineering surveys1 landscape plans1 maps1 and implementation plans4 7,b7 ,identifying and developing standards and revisions to local zoning1 building1 or other local codes necessary to accommodate innovative stormwater control infrastructure projects4 7,c7 ,identifying and developing fee structures to provide financial support for design1 installation1 and operations and maintenance of innovative stormwater control infrastructure4 7,d7 ,developing training and educational materials regarding innovative stormwater control infrastructure for distribution to-- 7i7 individuals and entities with applicable technical knowledge2 and 7ii7 the public4 7,e7 ,developing an innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard program described in section #f7;e74 7#b7 ,implementation grants ,the ,administrator may make implementation grants under this section for the following projects3 7,a7 ,installing innovative stormwater control infrastructure4 7,b7 ,protecting or restoring interconnected networks of natural areas that protect water quality4 7,c7 ,monitoring and evaluating the environmental1 economic1 or social benefits of innovative stormwater control infrastructure4 7,d7 ,implementing a best practices standard for an innovative stormwater control infrastructure program4 7,e7 ,implementing an innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard program described in section #f7;e74 7c7 ,application ,except as otherwise provided in this ,act1 to be eligible to receive a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall prepare and submit to the ,administrator an application at such time1 in such form1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may require1 including1 as applicable-- 7#a7 a description of the innovative stormwater control infrastructure project2 7#b7 a plan for monitoring the impacts of the innovative stormwater control infrastructure project on the water quality and quantity2 7#c7 an evaluation of other environmental1 economic1 and social benefits of the innovative stormwater control infrastructure project2 and 7#d7 a plan for the long-term operation and maintenance of the innovative stormwater control infrastructure project4 7d7 ,additional requirement for innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard project ,in addition to an application under subsection 7c71 a ,state or ,indian tribe applying for a grant for an innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard program described in section #f7;e7 shall prepare and submit to the ,administrator a schedule of increasing minimum percentages of the annual water to be managed using innovative stormwater control infrastructure under the program4 7e7 ,priority ,in making grants under this section1 the ,administrator shall give priority to applications submitted on behalf of-- 7#a7 a community that-- 7,a7 has combined storm and sanitary sewers in the collection system of the community2 or 7,b7 is a low-income or disadvantaged community1 as determined by the ,administrator2 or 7#b7 an eligible entity that will use not less than #aj percent of the grant to provide service to a low-income or disadvantaged community1 as determined by the ,administrator4 7f7 ,maximum amounts 7#a7 ,planning and development grants 7,a7 ,single grant ,the amount of a single planning and development grant provided under this section shall be not more than #bjj1jjj4 7,b7 ,aggregate amount ,the total amount of all planning and development grants provided under this section for a fiscal year shall be not more than #a_/c of the total amount made available to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,implementation grants 7,a7 ,single grant ,the amount of a single implementation grant provided under this section shall be not more than #c1jjj1jjj4 7,b7 ,aggregate amount ,the total amount of all implementation grants provided under this section for a fiscal year shall be not more than #b_/c of the total amount made available to carry out this section4 7g7 ,federal share 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 the ,federal share of a grant provided under this section shall not exceed #fe percent of the total project cost4 7#b7 ,credit for implementation grants ,the ,administrator shall credit toward the non-,federal share of the cost of an implementation project carried out under this section the cost of planning1 design1 and construction work completed for the project using funds other than funds provided under this ,act4 7#c7 ,exception ,the ,administrator may waive the ,federal share limitation under paragraph 7#a7 for an eligible entity that has adequately demonstrated financial need4 #f4 ,environmental ,protection ,agency innovative stormwater control infrastructure promotion 7a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall ensure that the ,office of ,water1 the ,office of ,enforcement and ,compliance1 the ,office of ,research and ,development1 and the ,office of ,policy of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency promote the use of innovative stormwater control infrastructure in and coordinate the integration of innovative stormwater control infrastructure into permitting programs1 planning efforts1 research1 technical assistance1 and funding guidance4 7b7 ,duties ,the ,administrator shall ensure that the ,office of ,water-- 7#a7 promotes the use of innovative stormwater control infrastructure in the programs of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7#b7 supports establishing public-private partnerships and other innovative financing mechanisms in the implementation of innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 and 7#c7 coordinates efforts to increase the use of innovative stormwater control infrastructure with-- 7,a7 other ,federal departments and agencies2 7,b7 ,state1 tribal1 and local governments2 and 7,c7 the private sector4 7c7 ,regional innovative stormwater control infrastructure promotion ,the ,administrator shall direct each regional office of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 as appropriate based on local factors1 to promote and integrate the use of innovative stormwater control infrastructure within the region that includes-- 7#a7 a plan for monitoring1 financing1 mapping1 and designing the innovative stormwater control infrastructure2 7#b7 outreach and training regarding innovative stormwater control infrastructure implementation for ,state1 tribal1 and local governments1 tribal communities1 and the private sector2 and 7#c7 the incorporation of innovative stormwater control infrastructure into permitting and other regulatory programs1 codes1 and ordinance development1 including the requirements under consent decrees and settlement agreements in enforcement actions4 7d7 ,innovative stormwater control infrastructure information-,sharing ,the ,administrator shall promote innovative stormwater control infrastructure information-sharing1 including through an ,internet website1 to share information with1 and provide technical assistance to1 ,state1 tribal1 and local governments1 tribal communities1 the private sector1 and the public regarding innovative stormwater control infrastructure approaches for-- 7#a7 reducing water pollution2 7#b7 protecting water resources2 7#c7 complying with regulatory requirements2 and 7#d7 achieving other environmental1 public health1 and community goals4 7e7 ,innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard ,the ,administrator1 in collaboration with ,state1 tribal1 and local water resource managers1 shall establish voluntary measurable goals1 to be known as the innovative stormwater control infrastructure portfolio standard1 to increase the percentage of annual water managed by eligible entities that use innovative stormwater control infrastructure4 #g4 ,report to ,congress ,not later than ,september #cj1 #bjae1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report that includes1 with respect to the period covered by the report-- 7#a7 a description of all grants provided under this ,act2 7#b7 a detailed description of-- 7,a7 the projects supported by those grants2 and 7,b7 the outcomes of those projects2 7#c7 a description of the improvements in technology1 environmental benefits1 resources conserved1 efficiencies1 and other benefits of the projects funded under this ,act2 7#d7 recommendations for improvements to promote and support innovative stormwater control infrastructure for the centers1 grants1 and activities under this ,act2 and 7#e7 a description of existing challenges concerning the use of innovative stormwater control infrastructure4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjai4