,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #eaea ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #bh1 #bjbf,ms4 ,baldwin 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 ,purpose ,it is the purpose of this ,act to establish the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative to protect and restore the ecological health and resilience of the ,mississippi ,river for current and succeeding generations of ,americans and for the fish and wildlife that rely on the ,mississippi ,river and its floodplain4 ,the ,,mrrri is a nonregulatory initiative that will build upon 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 and identifying qualifying activities for ,,mrrri programs and projects2 7#c7 directing the development of actionable goals1 an action plan1 and a science plan1 and regular updates to such plans1 to guide the ,,mrrri and ensuring the integration of the ,,mrrri with other ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 and local programs2 7#d7 establishing criteria for measuring the success of the ,,mrrri in restoring the ecological health and resilience of the ,mississippi ,river2 7#e7 requiring the ,environmental ,protection ,agency to coordinate and consult with ,federal and non-,federal stakeholders to implement the ,,mrrri2 and 7#f7 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 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,agency ,the term ,agency means the ,environmental ,protection ,agency4 7#b7 ,hypoxia ,task ,force ,the term ,hypoxia ,task ,force means the ,inter-,agency ,task ,force on ,harmful ,algal ,blooms and ,hypoxia established pursuant to section #fjc of the ,harmful ,algal ,blooms and ,hypoxia ,research and ,control ,act of #aiih 7#cc ,u4,s4,c4 #djja74 7#c7 ,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#d7 ,mississippi ,river ,state ,the term ,mississippi ,river ,state means ,arkansas1 ,illinois1 ,iowa1 ,kentucky1 ,louisiana1 ,minnesota1 ,mississippi1 ,missouri1 ,tennessee1 or ,wisconsin4 7#e7 ,,mrrri ,the term ,,mrrri means the ,mississippi ,river ,restoration and ,resilience ,initiative established by this section4 7#f7 ,,mrrri ,director ,the term ,,mrrri ,director means the ,director of the ,mississippi ,river ,national ,program ,office established under this section4 7#g7 ,program office ,the term ,program ,office means the ,mississippi ,river ,national ,program ,office established by this section4 7#h7 ,tribal government ,the term ,tribal government means the recognized governing body of an ,indian tribe1 band1 nation1 pueblo1 village1 community1 component band1 or component reservation1 individually identified 7including parenthetically7 in the list published pursuant to section #ajd of the ,federally ,recognized ,indian ,tribe ,list ,act of #aiid 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #eaca74 7#i7 ,tribal organization ,the term ,tribal organization has the meaning given such term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#aj7 ,relevant ,federal agency ,the term relevant ,federal agency means any of the following 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 is relevant4 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 has management experience and technical expertise relating to the ,mississippi ,river and who 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 actionable goals1 and action plan required by this section1 in coordination with relevant ,federal agencies and non-,federal entities2 7,c7 document information and updates related to the development and implementation of the ,,mrrri1 actionable goals1 and action plan and make such information and 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 and action plan required by this section2 7,e7 work cooperatively with the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs and other ,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 this section2 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 to ensure enhanced interagency technical support1 communication1 and coordination with ,tribal governments1 ,tribal organizations1 and ,tribal stakeholders1 and to carry out other duties as determined necessary to meet the needs of ,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 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 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 by a non-,federal entity4 7,b7 ,grant authority ,the ,,mrrri ,director1 or the head of any other ,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 such term is 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 described in paragraph 7#e74 7#d7 ,project 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 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 ,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 7,a7 ,in general ,funds made available to carry out this section may only be used to implement a project or activity that addresses at least #a of the focus areas described in paragraph 7#b7 and that carries out at least one of the actions described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,actions described ,the actions referred to in subparagraph 7,a7 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 demolish1 and clean up flood-prone structures1 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 #ifja77 or designated as hazardous substances pursuant to section #ajb of that ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ifjb72 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 deterrent or controls2 or 7,,iii7 the promotion of commercial harvesting of nonnative aquatic species2 7xi7 build capacity within communities to undertake ,,mrrri projects to address the effects of the ecological degradation of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor1 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 ,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 such project or activity1 as applicable1 that-- 7,a7 describes criteria for ecological success by which the project 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 such monitoring2 and 7,c7 includes continuation of such monitoring until the project 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 addressing the focus areas established in subsection 7c77#b7 and in 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 developed under subparagraph 7,a7-- 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 progress2 7iv7 a plan to monitor the implementation of any recommendations developed under this subparagraph2 and 7v7 a description of any additional actions the ,,mrrri ,director determines are eligible under this section4 7,c7 ,project recommendations ,the action plan described in subparagraph 7,a7 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 such projects4 7#c7 ,updates 7,a7 ,in general ,not less than once every #e years1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall review and update the actionable goals and action plan developed under this subsection4 7,b7 ,integration with science plan ,in updating the action plan pursuant to this paragraph1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall incorporate any relevant information contained in the science plan developed pursuant to section #d7;b7 of the ,,mrrri ,act4 7#d7 ,coordination and consultation ,in developing and updating the actionable goals and action plan required under this subsection1 the ,,mrrri ,director shall-- 7,a7 consult with ,mississippi ,river ,states1 ,tribal governments within such ,states1 the ,secretary of the ,interior1 the ,chief of ,engineers1 the ,secretary of ,agriculture1 and the ,hypoxia ,task ,force2 7,b7 engage with relevant ,federal agencies1 local governments1 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 ,with funds made available to carry out this section for each fiscal year1 the ,,mrrri ,director may-- 7,a7 transfer funds to the head of any relevant ,federal agency1 with the concurrence of the head of such agency1 to carry out activities in accordance with this section2 7,b7 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 enter into an interagency agreement with the head of any relevant ,federal agency to carry out 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 to the ,director of the ,bureau of ,indian ,affairs1 with the concurrence of such ,director1 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 another ,federal entity1 or award a grant or otherwise enter into an agreement with a non-,federal entity1 to-- 7,a7 carry out projects or activities that meet the requirements of subsection 7c77#e72 or 7,b7 establish the research centers required under section #d7;a7 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 ,exception ,the ,federal share of the cost of a project or activity carried out by a ,tribal government or ,tribal organization under this section1 and the ,federal share of the cost of a project or activity described in subsection 7c77#e77;,b77xi7 carried out by a non-,federal entity1 shall be #ajj percent of the total cost of the project or activity4 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 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 7f7 ,set aside for action plan 7#a7 ,in general ,of the total amount of funds made available to carry out the ,,mrrri under this section for each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year after which the action plan required under subsection 7d77#b7 is developed1 not more than #e percent may be used for projects and activities that are eligible under subsection 7c77#e71 but that do not address an objective identified in the action plan under subsection 7d77#b77;,b77iii74 7#b7 ,priority ,in using funds under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,,mrrri ,director shall prioritize projects that reduce the effects of natural disasters or respond to emerging threats from natural disasters4 7g7 ,activities by ,other ,federal ,agencies 7#a7 ,in general ,the head of a relevant ,federal agency that is engaged in1 or has authority over1 programs 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 an annual report to the ,administrator 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 does not supplant1 funding obtained through other agency budgets or other sources of funds for activities related to the ,mississippi ,river2 and 7,d7 strive to maintain1 and where possible increase1 the base level of funding for activities of such 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 ,agency's annual budget submission 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 7i7 ,rules of construction ,nothing in this section may be construed to-- 7#a7 waive 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 seq472 or 7#b7 supplant the functions of the ,hypoxia ,task ,force4 4 #d4 ,mississippi ,river ,corridor research centers and science plan 7a7 ,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 #c ,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 #b regional research centers1 each of which shall be based out of a host university1 as follows3 7i7 ,an ,upper ,mississippi ,river ,research ,center located in the region from the headwaters of the ,mississippi ,river to the confluence of the ,ohio ,river4 7ii7 ,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 this subsection shall be to-- 7,a7 conduct scientific research on the ,,mrrri focus areas described in section #abg7;c77#b7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act 7as added by this ,act72 7,b7 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 7b77#b72 and 7,c7 consult and1 to the extent practicable1 collaborate with relevant ,federal agencies and non-,federal entities regarding 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 under this subsection 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 7b7 ,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 of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey shall host a ,mississippi ,river science forum with relevant ,federal agencies1 ,mississippi ,river ,states1 ,tribal governments1 ,tribal organizations1 academia1 and other non-,federal entities to-- 7i7 share current science and identify data gaps and areas of concern related to the ecological health of the ,mississippi ,river ,corridor2 and 7ii7 determine the resources that are necessary to-- 7,i7 address any data gaps and areas of concern identified under clause 7i72 and 7,,ii7 develop an integrated science plan under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,report ,not later than #bgj days after the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey hosts the ,mississippi ,river science forum under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,director shall submit a report on the findings from such forum to-- 7i7 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency2 7ii7 the ,,mrrri ,director2 7iii7 the ,committee on ,appropriations1 the ,committee on ,natural ,resources1 and the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7iv7 the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate4 7#b7 ,science plan development 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the conclusion of the ,mississippi ,river science forum required by paragraph 7#a71 the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey shall develop a science plan that establishes priorities1 metrics1 and research proposals for the ,,mrrri4 7,b7 ,submission ,upon completion of the science plan developed under this paragraph1 the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey shall make such plan available on a public website and submit such 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 ,act 7as added by this ,act74 7,c7 ,updates ,not less than once every #e years1 the ,director of the ,united ,states ,geological ,survey shall coordinate with the ,,mrrri ,director and the research centers established under subsection 7a7 to review and update the science plan developed under this subsection4 7,d7 ,coordination ,in developing and updating the science plan1 the ,director shall solicit input and comment from the public through a formal public notice and comment period4 #e4 ,definitions ,in this ,act1 the terms ,,mrrri1 ,,mrrri ,director1 ,mississippi ,river ,corridor1 ,mississippi ,river ,state1 relevant ,federal agency1 ,tribal government1 and ,tribal organization have the meanings given such terms in section #abg7;a7 of the ,federal ,water ,pollution ,control ,act1 as added by this ,act4