,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aejh ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ag1 #bjac,mr4 ,cardin 7for himself1 ,mrs4 ,boxer1 and ,mr4 ,reid7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency to establish a program of awarding grants to owners or operators of water systems to increase the resiliency or adaptability of the systems to any ongoing or forecasted changes to the hydrologic conditions of a region of the ,united ,states4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,water ,infrastructure ,resiliency and ,sustainability ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,administrator ,the term ,administrator means the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#b7 ,hydrologic condition ,the term hydrologic condition means the quality1 quantity1 or reliability of the water resources of a region of the ,united ,states4 7#c7 ,owner or operator of a water system 7,a7 ,in general ,the term owner or operator of a water system means an entity 7including a regional1 ,state1 tribal1 local1 municipal1 or private entity7 that owns or operates a water system4 7,b7 ,inclusions ,the term owner or operator of a water system includes-- 7i7 a non-,federal entity that has operational responsibilities for a federally1 tribally1 or ,state-owned water system2 and 7ii7 an entity established by an agreement between-- 7,i7 an entity that owns or operates a water system2 and 7,,ii7 at least #a other entity4 7#d7 ,water system ,the term water system means-- 7,a7 a community water system 7as defined in section #adja of the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;f772 7,b7 a treatment works 7as defined in section #bab of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abib771 including a municipal separate storm sewer system 7as that term is used in that ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq4772 7,c7 a decentralized wastewater treatment system for domestic sewage2 7,d7 a groundwater storage and replenishment system2 7,e7 a system for transport and delivery of water for irrigation or conservation2 or 7,f7 a natural or engineered system that manages floodwater4 #c4 ,water infrastructure resiliency and sustainability 7a7 ,program ,the ,administrator shall establish and implement a program1 to be known as the ,water ,infrastructure ,resiliency and ,sustainability ,program1 under which the ,administrator shall award grants for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah to owners or operators of water systems for the purpose of increasing the resiliency or adaptability of the water systems to any ongoing or forecasted changes 7based on the best available research and data7 to the hydrologic conditions of a region of the ,united ,states4 7b7 ,use of funds ,as a condition on receipt of a grant under this ,act1 an owner or operator of a water system shall agree to use the grant funds exclusively to assist in the planning1 design1 construction1 implementation1 operation1 or maintenance of a program or project that meets the purpose described in subsection 7a7 by-- 7#a7 conserving water or enhancing water use efficiency1 including through the use of water metering and electronic sensing and control systems to measure the effectiveness of a water efficiency program2 7#b7 modifying or relocating existing water system infrastructure made or projected to be significantly impaired by changing hydrologic conditions2 7#c7 preserving or improving water quality1 including through measures to manage1 reduce1 treat1 or reuse municipal stormwater1 wastewater1 or drinking water2 7#d7 investigating1 designing1 or constructing groundwater remediation1 recycled water1 or desalination facilities or systems to serve existing communities2 7#e7 enhancing water management by increasing watershed preservation and protection1 such as through the use of natural or engineered green infrastructure in the management1 conveyance1 or treatment of water1 wastewater1 or stormwater2 7#f7 enhancing energy efficiency or the use and generation of renewable energy in the management1 conveyance1 or treatment of water1 wastewater1 or stormwater2 7#g7 supporting the adoption and use of advanced water treatment1 water supply management 7such as reservoir reoperation and water banking71 or water demand management technologies1 projects1 or processes 7such as water reuse and recycling1 adaptive conservation pricing1 and groundwater banking7 that maintain or increase water supply or improve water quality2 7#h7 modifying or replacing existing systems or constructing new systems for existing communities or land that is being used for agricultural production to improve water supply1 reliability1 storage1 or conveyance in a manner that-- 7,a7 promotes conservation or improves the efficiency of use of available water supplies2 and 7,b7 does not further exacerbate stresses on ecosystems or cause redirected impacts by degrading water quality or increasing net greenhouse gas emissions2 7#i7 supporting practices and projects1 such as improved irrigation systems1 water banking and other forms of water transactions1 groundwater recharge1 stormwater capture1 groundwater conjunctive use1 and reuse or recycling of drainage water1 to improve water quality or promote more efficient water use on land that is being used for agricultural production2 7#aj7 reducing flood damage1 risk1 and vulnerability by-- 7,a7 restoring floodplains1 wetland1 and upland integral to flood management1 protection1 prevention1 and response2 7,b7 modifying levees1 floodwalls1 and other structures through setbacks1 notches1 gates1 removal1 or similar means to facilitate reconnection of rivers to floodplains1 reduce flood stage height1 and reduce damage to properties and populations2 7,c7 providing for acquisition and easement of flood-prone land and properties in order to reduce damage to property and risk to populations2 or 7,d7 promoting land use planning that prevents future floodplain development2 7#aa7 conducting and completing studies or assessments to project how changing hydrologic conditions may impact the future operations and sustainability of water systems2 or 7#ab7 developing and implementing measures to increase the resilience of water systems and regional and hydrological basins1 including the ,colorado ,river ,basin1 to rapid hydrologic change or a natural disaster 7such as tsunami1 earthquake1 flood1 or volcanic eruption74 7c7 ,application ,to seek a grant under this ,act1 the owner or operator of a water system shall submit to the ,administrator an application that-- 7#a7 includes a proposal for the program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement to be planned1 designed1 constructed1 implemented1 or maintained by the water system2 7#b7 provides the best available research or data that demonstrate-- 7,a7 the risk to the water resources or infrastructure of the water system as a result of ongoing or forecasted changes to the hydrologic system of a region1 including rising sea levels and changes in precipitation patterns2 and 7,b7 the manner in which the proposed program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement would perform under the anticipated hydrologic conditions2 7#c7 describes the manner in which the proposed program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement is expected-- 7,a7 to enhance the resiliency of the water system1 including source water protection for community water systems1 to the anticipated hydrologic conditions2 or 7,b7 to increase efficiency in the use of energy or water of the water system2 and 7#d7 describes the manner in which the proposed program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement is consistent with an applicable ,state1 tribal1 or local climate adaptation plan1 if any4 7d7 ,priority 7#a7 ,water systems at greatest and most immediate risk ,in selecting grantees under this ,act1 subject to section #d7;b71 the ,administrator shall give priority to owners or operators of water systems that are1 based on the best available research and data1 at the greatest and most immediate risk of facing significant negative impacts due to changing hydrologic conditions4 7#b7 ,goals ,in selecting among applicants described in paragraph 7#a71 the ,administrator shall ensure that1 to the maximum extent practicable1 the final list of applications funded for each year includes a substantial number that propose to use innovative approaches to meet #a or more of the following goals3 7,a7 ,promoting more efficient water use1 water conservation1 water reuse1 or recycling4 7,b7 ,using decentralized1 low-impact development technologies and nonstructural approaches1 including practices that use1 enhance1 or mimic the natural hydrological cycle or protect natural flows4 7,c7 ,reducing stormwater runoff or flooding by protecting or enhancing natural ecosystem functions4 7,d7 ,modifying1 upgrading1 enhancing1 or replacing existing water system infrastructure in response to changing hydrologic conditions4 7,e7 ,improving water quality or quantity for agricultural and municipal uses1 including through salinity reduction4 7,f7 ,providing multiple benefits1 including to water supply enhancement or demand reduction1 water quality protection or improvement1 increased flood protection1 and ecosystem protection or improvement4 7e7 ,cost-,sharing requirement 7#a7 ,federal share ,the share of the cost of any program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement that is the subject of a grant awarded by the ,administrator to the owner or operator of a water system under subsection 7a7 paid through funds distributed under this ,act shall not exceed #ej percent of the cost of the program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement4 7#b7 ,calculation of non-,federal share ,in calculating the non-,federal share of the cost of a program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement proposed by a water system in an application submitted under subsection 7c71 the ,administrator shall-- 7,a7 include the value of any in-kind services that are integral to the completion of the program1 strategy1 or infrastructure improvement1 including reasonable administrative and overhead costs2 and 7,b7 not include any other amount that the water system involved receives from the ,federal ,government4 7f7 ,davis-,bacon compliance 7#a7 ,in general ,all laborers and mechanics employed by contractors and subcontractors on projects funded directly by or assisted in whole or in part by this ,act shall be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects of a character similar in the locality as determined by the ,secretary of ,labor in accordance with subchapter ,,iv of chapter #ca of part ,a of subtitle ,,ii of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code 7commonly referred to as the ,davis-,bacon ,act74 7#b7 ,authority ,with respect to the labor standards specified in this subsection1 the ,secretary of ,labor shall have the authority and functions set forth in ,reorganization ,plan ,numbered #ad of #aiej 7#fd ,stat4 #abfg2 #e ,u4,s4,c4 ,app47 and section #cade of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7g7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #c years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report that-- 7#a7 describes the progress in implementing this ,act2 and 7#b7 includes information on project applications received and funded annually under this ,act4 #d4 ,authorization of ,appropriations 7a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this ,act #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjad through #bjah4 7b7 ,reduction of flood damage1 risk1 and vulnerability ,of the amount made available to carry out this ,act for a fiscal year1 not more than #bj percent may be made available to grantees for activities described in subsection 7b77#aj74