,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cged ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,february #g1 #bjbd,ms4 ,baldwin 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,duckworth1 and ,ms4 ,smith7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to establish the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative to carry out projects for the protection and restoration of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative ,act or the ,,mrrri ,act4 #b4 ,findings2 purpose 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the ,mississippi ,river flows more than #b1cjj miles from its source at ,lake ,itasca through the center of the continental ,united ,states to the ,gulf of ,mexico2 7#b7 as of #bjai1 the main stem of the ,mississippi ,river flows through #aj ,states that collectively are home to #ee1djj1jjj people2 7#c7 the ,mississippi ,river provides drinking water to more than #bj1jjj1jjj people in #ej cities2 7#d7 the ,mississippi ,river drives a vibrant natural resource and recreation-based economy that-- 7,a7 generates nearly #ejj1jjj1jjj1jjj in annual revenue2 and 7,b7 directly employs more than #a1ejj1jjj people2 7#e7 the ,mississippi ,river and its #cj1jjj1jjj acre floodplain provide an ecological lifeline for all of ,north ,america1 supporting more than #ghj species of fish and wildlife and providing a vital migration corridor for #fj percent of all ,north ,american birds and #dj percent of the migratory waterfowl in the ,united ,states2 7#f7 the ,mississippi ,river serves as a major transportation corridor for grain and cargo2 7#g7 ,congress has designated the ,mississippi ,river ,system as a nationally significant ecosystem and a nationally significant navigation system1 the only inland river system to receive both designations2 7#h7 despite the critical value of the ,mississippi ,river to the ,united ,states1 the ,mississippi ,river is in a severe state of ecological decline1 as documented by the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey1 the ,corps of ,engineers1 and other ,federal and ,state agencies2 7#i7 modifications to the ,mississippi ,river have resulted in the extensive loss of wetlands and complex river habitats1 causing profound harm to the treasured fish and wildlife resources in the ,united ,states and increasing flood risks to communities2 7#aj7 polluted runoff has drastically reduced water quality and created a massive dead zone in the ,gulf of ,mexico2 7#aa7 invasive aquatic species threaten-- 7,a7 the ecological integrity of the ,mississippi ,river and ,gulf of ,mexico2 and 7,b7 the fisheries and recreation organizations in the ,mississippi ,river and the ,gulf of ,mexico that rely on a healthy ecosystem2 7#ab7 ecological degradation of the ,mississippi ,river has resulted in-- 7,a7 more flooding2 7,b7 less wildlife2 7,c7 fewer jobs2 7,d7 reduced recreational opportunities2 and 7,e7 higher costs for keeping communities safe and ensuring that communities have clean drinking water2 7#ac7 the consequences of ecological degradation have disproportionately harmed rural communities1 economically disadvantaged communities1 and communities of color2 and 7#ad7 existing ,federal programs lack sufficient coordination1 funding1 and participation with ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 local governments1 and nongovernmental organizations-- 7,a7 to address the challenges described in this subsection2 and 7,b7 to reverse the decline of the ,mississippi ,river4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act is to establish the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative1 a nonregulatory initiative-- 7#a7 to protect and restore the ecological health and resilience of the ,mississippi ,river for-- 7,a7 current and succeeding generations of people of the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 the fish and wildlife that rely on the ,mississippi ,river and the floodplain of the ,mississippi ,river2 and 7#b7 to build on existing efforts and provide funding for projects and activities to protect and restore the nationally significant resources of the ,mississippi ,river by-- 7,a7 establishing the ,mississippi ,river ,national ,program ,office2 7,b7 establishing the focus areas for the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative2 7,c7 identifying qualifying activities for the programs and projects of the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative2 7,d7 to guide the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative1 directing the development of-- 7i7 actionable goals2 7ii7 an action plan2 7iii7 a science plan2 and 7iv7 updates to the goals and plans described in clauses 7i7 through 7iii72 7,e7 establishing criteria for measuring the success of the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative in restoring the ecological health and resilience of the ,mississippi ,river2 7,f7 requiring the ,administrator to coordinate and consult with ,federal and non-,federal stakeholders to carry out the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative2 and 7,g7 establishing the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor ,research ,centers4 #c4 ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative ,title ,i of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #abea et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #abg4 ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,action plan ,the term action plan means the action plan required under subsection 7d77#b77;,a71 including any updates to that plan4 7#b7 ,agency ,the term ,agency means the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#c7 ,community of color ,the term community of color means a geographically distinct area in which the population of any of the following categories of individuals is higher than the average population of that category for the ,state in which the geographically distinct area is located3 7,a7 ,black4 7,b7 ,african ,american4 7,c7 ,asian4 7,d7 ,pacific ,islander4 7,e7 ,hispanic4 7,f7 ,latino4 7,g7 ,indian 7as defined in section #bjb of the ,indian ,land ,consolidation ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #bbja774 7#d7 ,economically disadvantaged community ,the term economically disadvantaged community means any census block group in which #cj percent or more of the population are individuals with an annual household income that is not more than the greater of-- 7,a7 an amount equal to #hj percent of the median income of the area in which the household is located1 as reported by the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development2 and 7,b7 an amount equal to #bjj percent of the ,federal poverty line4 7#e7 ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative2 ,,mrrri ,the terms ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative and ,,mrrri means the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative established under subsection 7c77#a74 7#f7 ,,mrrri ,director ,the term ,,mrrri ,director means the ,director of the ,mississippi ,river ,national ,program ,office appointed by the ,administrator under subsection 7b77#c74 7#g7 ,mississippi ,river ,corridor ,the term ,mississippi ,river ,corridor means the portions of the ,mississippi ,river watershed 7including tributary watersheds7 located in a ,mississippi ,river ,state4 7#h7 ,mississippi ,river ,state ,the term ,mississippi ,river ,state means any of the ,states of ,arkansas1 ,illinois1 ,iowa1 ,kentucky1 ,louisiana1 ,minnesota1 ,mississippi1 ,missouri1 ,tennessee1 or ,wisconsin4 7#i7 ,program ,office ,the term ,program ,office means the ,mississippi ,river ,national ,program ,office established by the ,administrator under subsection 7b77#a74 7#aj7 ,relevant ,federal agency ,the term relevant ,federal agency means any of the following ,federal agencies3 7,a7 ,the ,department of ,agriculture1 including-- 7i7 the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service2 and 7ii7 the ,forest ,service4 7,b7 ,the ,department of the ,interior1 including-- 7i7 the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs2 7ii7 the ,united ,states ,fish and ,wildlife ,service2 7iii7 the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey2 and 7iv7 the ,national ,park ,service4 7,c7 ,the ,corps of ,engineers4 7,d7 ,the ,federal ,emergency ,management ,agency4 7,e7 ,the ,national ,oceanic and ,atmospheric ,administration4 7,f7 ,the ,coast ,guard4 7,g7 ,any other ,federal agency the ,,mrrri ,director determines to be relevant4 7#aa7 ,rural ,the term rural means an area that is not delineated by the ,bureau of the ,census as an urbanized area or an urban cluster based on decennial census results4 7#ab7 ,tribal government ,the term ,tribal government means the recognized governing body of any ,indian ,tribe1 band1 nation1 pueblo1 village1 community1 component band1 or component reservation individually identified 7including parenthetically7 in the most recent list published pursuant to section #ajd7;a7 of the ,federally ,recognized ,indian ,tribe ,list ,act of #aiid 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #eaca7;a774 7#ac7 ,tribal organization ,the term ,tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7b7 ,mississippi ,river ,national ,program ,office 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall establish a ,mississippi ,river ,national ,program ,office within the ,agency to carry out the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative4 7#b7 ,location ,the ,program ,office shall be located in a ,mississippi ,river ,state4 7#c7 ,director ,the ,program ,office shall be headed by a ,director1 appointed by the ,administrator1 who-- 7,a7 has management experience and technical expertise relating to the ,mississippi ,river2 and 7,b7 is highly qualified to direct the development of programs and plans on a variety of issues related to restoration of the ,mississippi ,river4 7#d7 ,functions ,the ,,mrrri ,director shall-- 7,a7 coordinate actions of the ,agency that seek to protect and restore the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor2 7,b7 develop1 implement1 and update the ,,mrrri1 the actionable goals under subsection 7d77#a71 and the action plan1 in coordination with relevant ,federal agencies and non-,federal entities2 7,c7 7i7 document information and updates related to the development and implementation of the ,,mrrri1 the actionable goals under subsection 7d77#a7 and the action plan2 and 7ii7 make that information and those updates available to the public1 including on a public website2 7,d7 facilitate engagement and consultation with ,tribal governments and ,tribal organizations to ensure ,tribal needs and priorities are solicited early and throughout the development of the actionable goals under subsection 7d77#a7 and the action plan2 7,e7 work cooperatively with the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs and other relevant ,federal agencies to carry out subparagraph 7,d72 and 7,f7 submit to ,congress1 and make available on a public website1 an annual report describing-- 7i7 progress made in implementing the ,,mrrri2 7ii7 the coordination of the ,,mrrri with other ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local programs2 7iii7 any funds transferred to relevant ,federal agencies under this section2 7iv7 any grants awarded under subsection 7c77#c77;,b72 and 7v7 specific projects and activities carried out pursuant to this section4 7#e7 ,agreements ,in carrying out paragraph 7#d71 the ,,mrrri ,director may enter into agreements1 as applicable1 with relevant ,federal agencies and non-,federal entities4 7#f7 ,tribal liaison ,the ,,mrrri ,director shall appoint a ,tribal ,liaison within the ,program ,office-- 7,a7 to ensure enhanced interagency technical support1 communication1 and coordination with ,tribal governments1 ,tribal organizations1 and ,tribal stakeholders2 and 7,b7 to carry out other duties as determined necessary to meet the needs of ,indian ,tribes4 7c7 ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative 7#a7 ,establishment ,there is established within the ,agency the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative to implement projects and activities for systemic1 large-scale restoration of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor4 7#b7 ,focus areas ,any project or activity carried out under this section shall address at least #a of the following focus areas3 7,a7 ,the improvement of water quality in the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor and drinking water quality in the ,mississippi ,river ,states by-- 7i7 reducing the amount of polluted runoff1 excess agricultural nutrients1 and sediment in the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor2 and 7ii7 improving source water protections4 7,b7 ,the improvement of community resilience throughout the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor by restoring the ability of the ,mississippi ,river floodplain1 riverine wetlands1 delta and coastal wetlands1 and backwaters to minimize and ameliorate flood and storm risks4 7,c7 ,the protection and restoration of fish and wildlife habitat in and along the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor4 7,d7 ,the prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species in the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor4 7,e7 ,the improvement of communication and partnership activities related to the focus areas described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d74 7,f7 ,monitoring1 collecting1 and evaluating scientific data to assess the focus areas described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d74 7#c7 ,project and activity implementation 7,a7 ,in general ,funds made available to carry out the ,,mrrri may be used to implement eligible projects and activities described in paragraph 7#e7 that are carried out by a relevant ,federal agency or a non-,federal entity4 7,b7 ,grant authority ,the ,,mrrri ,director1 or the head of any other relevant ,federal agency receiving funds under this section1 may make a grant to1 or otherwise enter into an agreement with1 any non-,federal entity 7including any ,state1 local1 or ,tribal governmental entity1 nonprofit organization1 institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 or individual7 that the ,,mrrri ,director or agency head determines is qualified to carry out an eligible project or activity described in paragraph 7#e74 7#d7 ,project and activity selection 7,a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the ,,mrrri1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall collaborate with relevant ,federal agencies to select projects and activities to be implemented pursuant to this section using appropriate principles and criteria1 including-- 7i7 the selection of an equitable distribution of projects and activities along the entire ,mississippi ,river ,corridor2 7ii7 the ability of a project to achieve strategic and measurable environmental outcomes2 7iii7 the recognition that projects and activities may provide benefits to local or regional communities or to the entire ,mississippi ,river ,corridor2 7iv7 the feasibility of prompt implementation1 timely achievement of measurable results1 and resource leveraging2 and 7v7 the opportunity to improve interagency1 intergovernmental1 and interorganizational coordination and collaboration to reduce duplication and improve measurable environmental outcomes4 7,b7 ,priority ,in selecting projects and activities under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,,mrrri ,director shall give priority to projects or activities that carry out actions described in paragraph 7#e77;,b77xi74 7,c7 ,compatibility ,the ,,mrrri ,director shall ensure that projects and activities carried out under this section are compatible with-- 7i7 the ability of the ,corps of ,engineers to maintain navigation in the ,mississippi ,river2 and 7ii7 the structural integrity or effectiveness of ,federal1 ,state1 local1 or ,tribal disaster risk reduction infrastructure4 7#e7 ,eligible projects and activities 7,a7 ,in general ,funds made available to carry out this section may only be used to implement a project or activity that-- 7i7 addresses at least #a of the focus areas described in paragraph 7#b72 and 7ii7 carries out at least #a of the actions described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,actions described ,the actions referred to in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 are actions that-- 7i7 protect or restore naturally occurring hydrologic1 geomorphic1 and ecological functions and processes1 including the restoration or rehabilitation of wetlands1 in-stream habitats 7including through reconnection of side channels and backwaters71 living shorelines1 or upland habitats2 7ii7 remove or modify structures1 including culverts1 levees1 and dams1 to restore-- 7,i7 natural hydrology of rivers1 streams1 floodplains1 wetlands1 or coasts2 or 7,,ii7 the form1 function1 or processes of rivers1 streams1 floodplains1 wetlands1 or coasts2 7iii7 permanently protect privately owned lands through fee title acquisition or enrollment into voluntary permanent wetland1 flooding1 or other conservation easements2 7iv7 facilitate habitat restoration using responsibly sourced and clean dredged sediment material by covering the cost differential between the ,federal standard for dredge disposal and the cost of transportation2 7v7 relocate1 elevate1 or demolish and clean up flood-prone structures and carry out any related floodplain restoration2 7vi7 increase water retention and infiltration through actions that promote a healthy soil ecosystem1 including maximizing soil cover1 maximizing soil biodiversity1 and maximizing the presence of living roots2 7vii7 reduce nonpoint sources of pollution and promote landscape-scale vegetative cover 7including perennial grains1 perennial woody crops1 winter annual cover crops1 perennial pasture1 and other approaches to maintain year-round vegetative cover7 through the implementation of voluntary initiatives developed with the support of market research2 7viii7 reduce stormwater flows and inflows that contribute to combined sewer overflow events1 and accelerate the adoption of urban stormwater pollution prevention minimum control measures through municipal separate storm sewer system permits issued under section #djb7p72 7ix7 facilitate the cleanup of legacy contaminants that are not hazardous substances 7as defined in section #aja of the ,comprehensive ,environmental ,response1 ,compensation1 and ,liability ,act of #aihj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ifja772 7x7 control1 manage1 or eradicate nonnative aquatic invasive species or reintroduce native aquatic species1 including through-- 7,i7 investments in technology and research to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species2 7,,ii7 the use of in-river physical deterrents or controls2 or 7,,iii7 the promotion of commercial harvesting of nonnative aquatic species2 7xi7 address the disproportionate effects of the ecological degradation of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor on economically disadvantaged communities in rural and urban areas and on communities of color1 including through-- 7,i7 community based participatory research2 7,,ii7 project or community-wide planning2 7,,iii7 outreach and community engagement2 or 7,,iv7 restoration-related job training and workforce development2 or 7xii7 additional actions determined to be eligible pursuant to subsection 7d77#b77;,b77v74 7,c7 ,protection against invasive plant species ,funds made available to carry out this section may not be used for a project or activity that proposes to use a plant that has an elevated risk of becoming invasive1 as determined by the ,,mrrri ,director through the use of a credible weed risk assessment tool4 7#f7 ,monitoring plan ,a relevant ,federal agency or non-,federal entity receiving funds to carry out a project or activity under this section shall develop a detailed plan for monitoring the implementation and ecological success of that project or activity1 as applicable1 that-- 7,a7 describes criteria for ecological success by which the project or activity will be evaluated based on replacement of lost functions and values of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor habitat1 including hydrologic and vegetative characteristics2 7,b7 identifies an entity responsible for the monitoring2 and 7,c7 includes continuation of the monitoring until the project or activity is determined to be successful based on documented achievement of the ecological success criteria described under subparagraph 7,a74 7d7 ,actionable goals2 action plans 7#a7 ,actionable goals ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall develop measurable goals for the ,,mrrri1 including establishing criteria for measuring the success of the ,,mrrri in-- 7,a7 addressing the focus areas described in subsection 7c77#b72 and 7,b7 restoring the overall ecological health and resilience of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor4 7#b7 ,action plan 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall develop an action plan to make progress on the ,,mrrri through the implementation of ,,mrrri projects and activities under subsection 7c74 7,b7 ,contents ,the ,,mrrri ,director shall include in the action plan-- 7i7 a description of existing ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and regional plans1 programs1 and activities affecting the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor that may be used to advance the ,,mrrri2 7ii7 recommendations for a comprehensive approach to advancing systemic1 large-scale restoration of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor that1 where appropriate1 leverages existing ,federal and ,state programs2 7iii7 a multi-year plan that identifies objectives within each of the focus areas described in subsection 7c77#b71 with corresponding commitments for activities1 research1 and measures for progress to meet those objectives2 7iv7 a plan to monitor the implementation of any recommendations developed under clause 7ii72 and 7v7 a description of any additional actions the ,,mrri ,director determines are eligible under this section4 7,c7 ,project recommendations ,the action plan may include recommendations for specific projects or activities that advance the objectives developed under subparagraph 7,b77iii71 including timelines1 budgets1 and the identification of entities responsible for the implementation of those projects or activities4 7#c7 ,updates 7,a7 ,in general ,not less frequently than once every #e years1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall review and update the actionable goals developed under paragraph 7#a7 and the action plan4 7,b7 ,integration with science plan ,in updating the action plan under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,,mrrri ,director shall incorporate any relevant information contained in the science plan developed pursuant to section #d7;c7 of the ,,mrrri ,act4 7#d7 ,coordination and consultation ,in developing and updating the actionable goals developed under paragraph 7#a7 and the action plan1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall-- 7,a7 consult with ,mississippi ,river ,states1 ,tribal governments within ,mississippi ,river ,states1 the ,secretary of the ,interior1 the ,chief of ,engineers1 and the ,secretary of ,agriculture2 7,b7 engage with relevant ,federal agencies1 units of local government1 nongovernmental organizations1 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 and members of the public2 and 7,c7 solicit input from the entities described in subparagraph 7,b7 through a formal public notice and comment period4 7e7 ,funding 7#a7 ,transfer of funds to ,federal entities ,the ,,mrrri ,director may use funds made available to carry out this section for each fiscal year-- 7,a7 to transfer funds to the head of any relevant ,federal agency1 with the concurrence of the head of the relevant ,federal agency1 to carry out activities in accordance with this section2 7,b7 to transfer funds to other ,federal programs to be used for achieving specifically targeted and measurable environmental outcomes that advance the actionable goals developed and updated under subsection 7d72 and 7,c7 to enter into an interagency agreement with the head of any relevant ,federal agency to carry out projects and activities in accordance with this section4 7#b7 ,transfer of funds to ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs ,the ,,mrrri ,director shall transfer not less than #e percent of the funds made available to carry out this section for each fiscal year to the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 with the concurrence of the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 to make grants or otherwise enter into agreements with ,tribal governments or ,tribal organizations to carry out projects or activities under this section4 7#c7 ,availability of funds to implement projects prior to completion of the first action plan ,before the date on which the first action plan is developed under subsection 7d77#b71 the ,,mrrri ,director may transfer funds to a relevant ,federal agency or another ,federal entity1 or award a grant or otherwise enter into an agreement with a non-,federal entity-- 7,a7 to carry out projects or activities that meet the requirements of subsection 7c77#e72 or 7,b7 to establish the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor ,research ,centers required under section #d7;b7 of the ,,mrrri ,act4 7#d7 ,cost share 7,a7 ,in general ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 the ,federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out by a non-,federal entity under this section shall not exceed #hj percent of the total cost of the project or activity4 7,b7 ,exceptions 7i7 ,indian ,tribes ,the ,federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out by a ,tribal government or ,tribal organization under this section shall be #ajj percent4 7ii7 ,priority projects and activities ,the ,federal share of the cost of a project or activity described in subsection 7c77#e77;,b77xi7 carried out by a non-,federal entity shall be #ajj percent4 7,c7 ,in-kind contribution ,the non-,federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out under this section may include the value of an in-kind contribution provided by a non-,federal entity4 7#e7 ,limitations ,no funds made available to carry out this section may be used for any water infrastructure project or activity for which financial assistance is received under-- 7,a7 a ,state water pollution control revolving fund established under section #fjc2 7,b7 a ,state drinking water treatment revolving loan fund established under section #adeb of the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;j-#ab72 or 7,c7 the ,water ,infrastructure ,finance and ,innovation ,act of #bjad 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #cija et seq474 7#f7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this section waives any requirement under any applicable ,federal environmental law1 including-- 7,a7 this ,act2 7,b7 the ,national ,environmental ,policy ,act of #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et seq472 7,c7 the ,endangered ,species ,act of #aigc 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #aeca et seq472 or 7,d7 the ,fish and ,wildlife ,coordination ,act 7#af ,u4,s4,c4 #ffa et seq474 7f7 ,set-,aside 7#a7 ,in general ,of the total amount made available to carry out the ,,mrrri for each fiscal year-- 7,a7 not less than #be percent shall be used for projects or activities that carry out actions described in subsection 7c77#e77;,b77xi72 and 7,b7 not less than #aj percent shall be used for projects or activities carried out in a persistent poverty county that has had poverty rates of #bj percent or greater1 as determined by the ,bureau of the ,census1 for at least #cj consecutive years preceding the fiscal year4 7#b7 ,action plan 7,a7 ,in general ,of the total amount made available to carry out the ,,mrrri for each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year after which the action plan is first developed1 not more than #e percent may be used for projects and activities that are eligible under subsection 7c77#e7 but that do not address an objective identified in the action plan under subsection 7d77#b77;,b77iii74 7,b7 ,priority ,in carrying out subparagraph 7,a71 the ,,mrrri ,director shall prioritize projects or activities that reduce the effects of natural disasters or respond to emerging threats from natural disasters4 7g7 ,activities by other relevant ,federal ,agencies 7#a7 ,in general ,the head of a relevant ,federal agency that is engaged in1 or has authority over1 a program relating to research1 monitoring1 and planning to maintain1 enhance1 preserve1 or rehabilitate the environmental quality and natural resources of the ,mississippi ,river shall-- 7,a7 submit to the ,administrator an annual report describing the activities of the agency relating to the ,,mrrri2 7,b7 strive to identify new projects and activities to support the goals of the ,,mrrri2 7,c7 ensure that any funding provided through the ,,mrrri supplements1 and not supplants1 funding obtained through other agency budgets or other sources of funds for activities relating to the ,mississippi ,river2 and 7,d7 strive to maintain1 and where possible increase1 the base level of funding for activities of the relevant ,federal agency related to the ,mississippi ,river1 without regard to funding under the ,,mrrri4 7h7 ,budget item 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall1 in the annual budget submission of the ,agency to ,congress1 include a funding request for the ,,mrrri as a separate budget line item4 7#b7 ,inclusion ,the budget justification for the budget line item described in paragraph 7#a7 shall include the amount to support the operation and activities of the ,program ,office4 4 #d4 ,mississippi ,river ,corridor research centers and science plan 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 7#b7 ,,fwpca terms ,the terms ,,mrrri1 ,,mrrri ,director1 ,mississippi ,river ,corridor1 ,mississippi ,river ,state1 relevant ,federal agency1 ,tribal government1 and ,tribal organization have the meanings given those terms in section #abg7;a7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act4 7b7 ,mississippi ,river ,corridor ,research ,centers 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of the ,interior shall coordinate with the ,,mrrri ,director to establish a network of #d ,mississippi ,river ,corridor ,research ,centers within the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey4 7#b7 ,location ,the network of research centers established under paragraph 7#a7 shall consist of-- 7,a7 a ,national ,mississippi ,river ,corridor ,research ,center located at an office of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey2 and 7,b7 #c regional research centers1 each of which shall be based out of a host institution of higher education 7as defined in section #aja of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja771 of which-- 7i7 #a shall be an ,upper ,mississippi ,river ,research ,center located in the region from the headwaters of the ,mississippi ,river to the confluence of the ,mississippi ,river with the ,missouri ,river2 7ii7 #a shall be a ,middle ,mississippi ,river ,research ,center located in the region downriver from the confluence of the ,missouri ,river to the confluence of the ,ohio ,river2 and 7iii7 #a shall be a ,lower ,mississippi ,river ,research ,center located in the region downriver from the confluence of the ,ohio ,river to the ,gulf of ,mexico4 7#c7 ,functions ,the functions of the research centers established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be-- 7,a7 to conduct scientific research on the ,,mrrri focus areas described in section #abg7;c77#b7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act2 7,b7 to consult with and advise relevant ,federal agencies on-- 7i7 the improvement of programs that monitor water quality in the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor and the health of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor habitat or the establishment of such programs1 where necessary2 7ii7 the impact of projects and activities carried out under the ,,mrrri2 and 7iii7 any additional goals1 priorities1 metrics1 and research objectives proposed as part of the science plan described in subsection 7c77#b72 and 7,c7 to consult1 and1 to the extent practicable1 collaborate1 with relevant ,federal agencies and non-,federal entities with respect to research1 monitoring1 and other efforts to promote the restoration and resiliency of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor4 7#d7 ,integration with other ,federal activities ,the ,secretary of the ,interior shall ensure that research and other activities carried out at a research center established under paragraph 7#a7 are carried out in coordination with other ,federal research and monitoring activities related to efforts to promote the restoration and resiliency of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor4 7c7 ,science plan 7#a7 ,mississippi ,river science forum 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,director shall host a ,mississippi ,river science forum with relevant ,federal agencies1 ,mississippi ,river ,states1 ,tribal governments1 ,tribal organizations1 academia1 and other non-,federal entities-- 7i7 to share current science and identify data gaps and areas of concern relating to the ecological health of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor2 and 7ii7 to determine the resources that are necessary-- 7,i7 to address any data gaps and areas of concern identified under clause 7i72 and 7,,ii7 to develop an integrated science plan under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the date on which the ,director hosts the ,mississippi ,river science forum under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,director shall submit a report on the findings from that forum to-- 7i7 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7ii7 the ,,mrrri ,director2 7iii7 the ,committees on ,appropriations1 ,natural ,resources1 and ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7iv7 the ,committees on ,appropriations1 ,energy and ,natural ,resources1 and ,environment and ,public ,works of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,science plan development 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date on which the ,mississippi ,river science forum required by paragraph 7#a77;,a7 concludes1 the ,director shall develop a science plan that establishes priorities1 metrics1 and research proposals for the ,,mrrri4 7,b7 ,submission ,on completion of the science plan developed under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,director shall make the plan available on a public website and submit the plan to the ,,mrrri ,director to inform the implementation of the actionable goals and action plans developed for the ,,mrrri under section #abg7;d7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act4 7,c7 ,updates ,not less frequently than once every #e years1 the ,director shall coordinate with the ,,mrrri ,director and the research centers established under subsection 7b77#a7 to review and update the science plan developed under subparagraph 7,a74 7,d7 ,coordination ,in developing and updating the science plan under this paragraph1 the ,director shall solicit input and comment from the public through a formal public notice and comment period4