legislation: 103-s-2093
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| 103-s-2093 | 103 | s | 2093 | Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1994 | Environmental Protection | 1994-05-10 | 1994-06-16 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6998-6999) | Senate | Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] | MT | D | B000243 | 0 | TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Water Program Funding Title II: Toxic Pollution Prevention and Control Title III: Nonpoint Pollution Control and Watershed Planning Title IV: Municipal Pollution Control Title V: Permit Program and Enforcement Title VI: Program Management Title VII: Wetlands Title VIII: Coastal Protection Title IX: Innovative Technology Title X: Interstate Water Quality Programs Water Pollution Prevention and Control Act of 1994 - Title I: Water Program Funding - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand the list of projects for which State water pollution control revolving fund monies are available. (Sec. 101) Authorizes States to: (1) reduce amounts required for matching contributions to capitalization grants for water pollution control revolving funds by an amount equal to the amount of technical assistance provided to publicly owned treatment works or subsurface sewage disposal systems that serve 10,000 or fewer individuals; and (2) forgive an amount of loan principal for disadvantaged communities with respect to loans for water pollution control activities. Revises the allotment formula for revolving funds and extends the authorization of appropriations for such funds through FY 2000. Increases amounts authorized to be appropriated for FY 1996 through 2000 subject to certain on-budget deficit estimates. Reserves funds for a grant to implement a plan for the elimination of discharges to Onondaga Lake, New York. (Sec. 102) Extends the authorization of appropriations for specified pollution control programs through FY 2000. Title II: Toxic Pollution Prevention and Control - Adds to the list of requirements for effluent limitation guidelines that the Administrator: (1) in determining the best practicable control technology and best measures available, give highest priority to source reduction measures; (2) identify control measures to limit the release of pollutants associated with wastewater to other environmental media; and (3) prohibit specific control measures that are likely to have a significant adverse effect on any environmental medium. (Sec. 201) Revises provisions concerning pretreatment standards to require the Administrator to promulgate pretreatment standards for the introduction of pollutants (currently, pollutants which are not susceptible to treatment or would interfere with the operation of the treatment works) into publicly owned treatment works. (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator to publish a water quality criteria plan every five years. Requires the initial plan to contain at least eight sediment quality criteria. Directs the Administrator to: (1) require pesticide registrants to provide information sufficient to publish criteria unless the pesticide will not enter water in more than de minimis amounts; and (2) ensure that information necessary to publish criteria for chemical substances that are the subject of a premanufacture notice pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act is submitted unless certain conditions are met. Requires the Administrator to publish guidance concerning contaminant levels in finfish and shellfish for use by States in the issuance of finfish and shellfish consumption advisories to protect recreational and subsistence fishers. Prohibits sediment quality criteria published under this Act from being: (1) used as a standard for determining appropriate cleanup levels or for whether cleanup should be undertaken; or (2) deemed an applicable requirement for remediation unless the Administrator determines criteria appropriate for such use. Requires States to report triennially to the Administrator on the designated uses of waters. Deems all waters for which a use has not been designated to be designated as fishable and swimmable, unless a State establishes an alternative use. Directs States to adopt pollutant specific standards for any pollutant for which criteria are published if the discharge of such pollutant could interfere with designated water uses. Requires States to implement antidegradation policies. Directs States to implement programs to protect outstanding national resource waters. Requires permitting authorities to conduct antidegradation reviews for a water prior to issuing a permit to a point source authorizing any new or expanded discharge of a pollutant. (Sec. 203) Directs the Administrator to review and revise the list of toxic pollutants subject to this Act at least every five years. Authorizes persons to petition the Administrator to establish effluent standards. Requires the Administrator to offer to enter into arrangements with the National Academy of Sciences to study the effects of pollution found in navigable waters on the development of aquatic life, wildlife, or humans. Directs the Administrator to: (1) publish a list of substances anticipated to cause significant and widespread adverse effects on the development of aquatic life, wildlife, or humans; (2) publish a comprehensive strategy to control, prevent, and remediate water pollution or sediment contamination associated with listed substances; and (3) report to specified congressional committees on an estimate of the costs and benefits of each action proposed under the strategy. (Sec. 204) Authorizes the Administrator to impose pretreatment requirements on industrial users that introduce pollutants into publicly owned treatment works. Prohibits the introduction of hazardous wastes into publicly owned treatment works unless certain conditions are met. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for: (1) toxic reduction action plans (one of the conditions to be met if introducing hazardous wastes) to be implemented by certain commercial users that are not subject to categorical pretreatment standards and that introduce toxic pollutants or hazardous wastes into treatment works; and (2) technical assistance to small communities to assist in minimizing the introduction of toxic pollutants and hazardous wastes from commercial sources into treatment works. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations revising the definition and applicability of certain local limits under Federal regulations as may be necessary to protect health and the environment with respect to hazardous wastes discharged to publicly owned treatment works. Requires revised limits to address all points from which hazardous wastes may be released from a treatment works to the environment. Directs the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on actual discharges of hazardous wastes to treatment works to determine quantities, the sources of the discharges, the releases from various release points, and resulting threats to health and the environment. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes a publicly owned treatment works to apply to the Administrator for the designation of the treatment works as a publicly owned industrial treatment works. Provides for approval of the application if: (1) greater than 75 percent of the wastewater received is from one or more industrial sources; (2) the works was specifically designed to treat pollutants associated with such sources; (3) the works consistently complies with applicable effluent limitations that are as stringent as those that would apply if the works were an industrial facility; (4) sludge from the works meets requirements for beneficial reuse; and (5) the works has imposed controls on all pollutants received from such sources as necessary to protect health and the environment. (Sec. 205) Amends the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 to require facilities that are subject to toxic chemical release reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 and whose reports total releases and transfers of toxic chemicals in excess of 200,000 pounds annually to prepare pollution prevention plans. Deems small businesses to be in compliance with such requirement if they retain a pollution prevention opportunities assessment manual and checklist. Requires facilities to include pollution prevention progress reports with each annual filing of toxic chemical release reports. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish an integrated pollution prevention information network; (2) develop industry-specific pollution prevention opportunities assessment manuals and checklists for industrial categories with respect to which the lack of information is an impediment to pollution prevention by small businesses; and (3) establish a program to promote local voluntary programs to prevent pollution and promote energy conservation. (Sec. 206) Requires the Administrator to establish an integrated| permit pilot program at up to ten demonstration sites that: (1) combines all applicable Federal environmental requirements (with exceptions) into a single integrated permit; and (2) provides the sites the opportunity to demonstrate innovative and alternative methods of compliance with such requirements. Permits the Administrator, with the consent of the State in which a demonstration site is located, to temporarily waive Federal environmental statutory and regulatory requirements (with exceptions, including limitations of emissions) for such sites. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance grants to applicant organizations and local communities in the vicinity of demonstration sites. Requires demonstration projects to terminate within ten years of this Act's enactment. Authorizes appropriations. Title III: Nonpoint Pollution Control and Watershed Planning - Requires States to conduct and report to the Administrator on programs to monitor the quality of navigable waters and aquatic sediment. (Sec. 301) Establishes the Intergovernmental Task Force on Monitoring Water Quality to coordinate Federal and State water and sediment quality monitoring programs. (Sec. 302) Revises provisions concerning State assessments of nonpoint source pollution. Requires States to submit to the Administrator every five years a list of navigable waters that cannot, without additional action to control nonpoint source pollution, be anticipated to attain or maintain: (1) water and sediment quality standards; and (2) in the case of a parameter with respect to which no water or sediment quality standard is in effect, water and sediment quality that supports the designated use. Authorizes States to include within such list other waters that are: (1) threatened with impairment; (2) outstanding national resource waters; or (3) groundwater threatened with nonpoint source pollution. Requires States to delineate land areas of the watersheds of listed waters. Revises requirements for State nonpoint source management programs. Requires such programs to be submitted for approval every five years. Authorizes States to select alternative management practices that are not identified in the national program guidance if such practices are as effective in controlling nonpoint source pollution. Permits alternative requirements with respect to specific sources with the Administrator's approval and subject to other conditions. Considers approved coastal nonpoint pollution control programs to meet the requirements for such programs. Requires the Administrator to implement programs for States that fail to do so. Directs the Administrator to publish guidance for nonpoint source management programs, taking into account certain regional variations and land and water management practices. Authorizes the Administrator to list new sources in the guidance if they are likely to contribute to pollution preventing the attainment of water or sediment quality standards. Authorizes sources located in watershed areas of listed waters to implement site-specific water quality plans in lieu of management measures outlined in the national guidance. Provides that certain existing plans implemented under conservation compliance and agricultural water protection programs under the Food Security Act of 1985 satisfy site-specific plan requirements subject to certain conditions. Requires the Administrator to establish a formula for the allocation of sums based on certain factors related to nonpoint source pollution. Sets forth limitations on funding. Withholds up to 50 percent of funds from States that fail to implement nonpoint source programs. Authorizes (current law requires) the Administrator to make grants to States for groundwater protection activities that will advance nonpoint source pollution control. Extends the authorization to carry out nonpoint source programs through FY 2000. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants: (1) for certain education and outreach activities regarding nonpoint pollution source control; and (2) to the CleanMarina Program to support the reduction of pollution from marina facilities and recreational boating activities. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for the implementation of nonpoint source water pollution control measures on Federal lands and for the prevention of water pollution resulting from highway construction. Directs the Administrator to review and approve each plan for the construction of an animal waste management facility. Authorizes the Administrator to provide technical assistance and education concerning the design of such facilities. Requires the Administrator to publish guidelines for the design, operation, and management of publicly owned subsurface sewage organizations. (Sec. 303) Authorizes State Governors to designate waters and associated land areas as watershed management units. Makes certain watershed planning activities eligible for assistance. Authorizes State Governors to submit watershed management plans to the Administrator for approval. Makes approved plan activities eligible for Federal assistance. Provides for extensions of discharge permits in watershed planning units, subject to certain conditions. Title IV: Municipal Pollution Control - Requires permits issued for discharges from combined storm and sanitary sewers to conform with combined sewer overflow control policy under Federal regulations published by the Administrator in January 1993. (Sec. 401) Authorizes the issuance of permits for compliance with a long-term control plan for a term of up to 15 years. (Sec. 402) Applies permit requirements to stormwater discharges associated with commercial activity. Exempts sources of discharges composed entirely of stormwater from municipal storm sewer systems, with certain exceptions, from permit requirements (currently, such exemption is only available prior to October 1, 1994). Provides that permits issued for discharges from municipal storm sewers composed entirely of stormwater shall not require compliance with numeric effluent limitations and water quality standards shall not be applied as effluent limitations. Authorizes the Administrator to issue a consolidated permit for discharges from a storm sewer system owned by a municipality and the stormwater discharges from industrial or commercial sources owned by the same municipality. Requires the Administrator to establish permit requirements for stormwater discharges from commercial and light industrial sources. Directs the Administrator to list each municipal storm sewer system the discharge from which is the sole or principal cause for the failure of receiving waters affected by the discharge to achieve a designated use or other water quality standard. Requires such systems to obtain discharge permits. Requires a revised list at least every five years. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt certain commercial and light industrial stormwater discharges from permit requirements. (Sec. 403) Requires EPA to be the primary coordinator for all Federal policies related to municipal, commercial, residential, and industrial water conservation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Army Corps of Engineers, to provide technical assistance and take specified actions to encourage water conservation. Directs the Secretary to establish a national clearinghouse on water conservation. Authorizes appropriations. Title V: Permit Program and Enforcement - Requires fees for discharge permits to be used for point source elements of the water quality program and sewage sludge use and disposal and pretreatment programs. Establishes a Federal Water Pollution Control Permit Fund. (Sec. 502) Requires a permit applicant, in the case of a new discharge resulting from facility construction, to apply for a permit prior to the commencement of construction. Modifies permit application requirements. (Sec. 503) Revises enforcement and penalty provisions. Title VI: Program Management - Requires the Administrator to conduct research with respect to the harmful effects on the health and habitat of fish, shellfish, and wildlife caused by water pollutants. (Sec. 601) Authorizes appropriations for research programs. (Sec. 603) Establishes employee protection provisions to apply to cases where employees refuse to perform duties that would constitute violations of the Clean Water Act. (Sec. 606) Increases the amount required to be reserved for assistance to Indian tribes for the construction of treatment works and nonpoint source pollution control programs. Permits State revolving funds to be used for assistance to Indian tribes. Requires the Administrator to issue permits for discharges to navigable waters on Federal Indian reservations unless the Indian tribe has been delegated permit issuance authority. (Sec. 607) Requires the Administrator to establish a national water quality education program as well as specified volunteer awards programs related to water pollution control. (Sec. 608) Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) an Arid West Water Quality Research Project; and (2) an Arid West Water Quality Research Board. Requires the project to: (1) be located at the EPA monitoring laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada; (2) develop data for water quality criteria documents for species and environments appropriate for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams; and (3) conduct additional research. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator to convene a working group to: (1) recommend revisions to methodology used to develop water quality criteria to include criteria appropriate for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams; and (2) make recommendations for additional scientific research and other information needed for the development of water quality criteria that can be adapted by States to reflect special regional and site-specific characteristics, especially with respect to the arid West. Direct the Administrator to: (1) revise such methodology in accordance with the recommendations; and (2) publish at least two criteria documents addressing such streams. Requires the Administrator to promote the environmentally beneficial use of reclaimed water and the development of appropriate water quality criteria and standards for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams: (1) that have a limited ability to maintain traditional water resources; and (2) with respect to which the discharge of reclaimed water to otherwise arid or semiarid environments can also support limited aquatic and riparian habitat that would otherwise not exist. Authorizes States to establish an alternative use for ephemeral and effluent-dependent streams if such streams cannot attain current designated uses because of natural, ephemeral, intermittent, or low flow conditions or water levels. Permits revised or new interim water quality criteria for such streams. (Sec. 610) Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Army Corps of Engineers, to establish a grant program to provide assistance to States and political subdivisions for the construction of environmental education facilities. Requires facilities to be used to enhance public awareness of the importance of aquatic, marine, and other natural resources and to serve as a clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 611) Requires certain water pollution control plans prepared by States, localities, and other nonfederal entities pursuant to the Clean Water Act to evaluate the acquisition of lands or interests as a means of meeting the goals of such plans. Permits the use of funding under the Clean Water Act for such acquisitions if: (1) the lands or interests are acquired from willing sellers and held in perpetuity in public ownership; and (2) the plan finds the acquisition to be effective and appropriate. Makes acquired lands available for public recreational purposes to the extent possible considering the environmental sensitivity and suitability of the lands. (Sec. 612) Directs the Administrator to establish: (1) an Environmental Financial Advisory Board to provide expert advice on issues affecting the costs and financing of environmental activities at the Federal, State, and local levels; and (2) Environmental Finance Centers in each of the ten Federal regions. Authorizes the Centers to: (1) provide training of State and local officials; (2) publish materials relating to financing of environmental infrastructure; (3) conduct conferences and advisory panels on specific environmental finance issues; (4) establish information services; (5) generate case studies and reports; (6) develop surveys of financial issues and needs of State and local governments; (7) identify financial programs and alternative financing mechanisms for training purposes; (8) hold public meetings; and (9) collaborate and exchange information. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 613) Directs the Administrator to: (1) conduct a comprehensive research program concerning U.S. lakes; and (2) appoint a Lake Research Advisory Committee. Requires States to designate the use of each publicly-owned lake consistent with the following uses: (1) public drinking water supply; (2) swimming and related body contact recreation; and (3) resource protection. Directs the Administrator to publish: (1) water quality criteria for freshwater lakes; and (2) guidance to assist States in the adoption of lake water quality standards for contaminants for which criteria documents have been published. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the clean lakes program through FY 2000. Revises requirements for lake water quality demonstration programs. Adds to the priority list for such programs China Lake, Maine, Flathead Lake, Montana, and Candlewood Lake, Connecticut. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on phosphates in detergent products. Directs the Administrator to implement a national education program on lake quality and protection. Provides for a Lake Watch Program and a Lake Watch Award. Amends the Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 to require the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to undertake a program to prevent the dissemination of Eurasian Milfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum), a type of aquatic weed. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit the importation of such species into the United States. (Sec. 614) Applies certain Federal wage standards to contract employees working on projects (currently, treatment works) financed under the Clean Water Act. (Sec. 615) Requires the Administrator to consult with any Federal agency having jurisdiction over food processing activities prior to the promulgation of any requirements for an effluent guideline, new source performance standard, pretreatment standard, process change, or use restriction which will affect food processing activities to ensure that the guideline, standard, change, or restriction will not adversely affect food safety or the integrity and wholesomeness of a food product. (Sec. 616) Revises provisions concerning training grants and contracts to require the Administrator to implement a national program to train individuals in the operation of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment works and other water pollution control facilities. Provides for grants to institutions of higher education and State agencies to support such programs. Requires chief operators of publicly owned treatment works that have discharge permits and such additional personnel as may be designated by a State to be certified as proficient. Directs the Administrator to issue certification guidelines. Authorizes appropriations for training and scholarship programs. Title VII: Wetlands - Prohibits the Administrator and the Secretary of the Army from taking private property for public |use without just compensation. (Sec. 702) Prohibits the issuance of revisions to or clarifications of the guidelines for identifying and delineating wetlands under the Clean Water Act until the National Academy of Sciences has completed a specified wetlands study. Provides for the continued use of the 1987 Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual until such guidelines are issued. Requires wetlands located on agricultural and associated nonagricultural lands to be delineated by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with a specified January 1994 memorandum. Directs the Secretary to delineate wetlands on rangelands using the 1987 manual. Authorizes the Administrator to issue guidelines to identify and delineate wetlands. Earmarks funding for: (1) wetlands delineation training programs; and (2) assistance to private landowners who lack financial capacity to identify or delineate wetlands in order to apply for dredge or fill permits or avoid impacts to wetlands. Provides for a public information program on Federal regulations, permitting requirements, and wetlands delineation. (Sec. 704) Sets forth permit decision deadlines and administrative appeal procedures, including procedures for landowners to appeal regulatory jurisdiction determinations. (Sec. 705) Authorizes the issuance of general permits on a State, regional, or nationwide basis for any category of activities involving discharges of dredge or fill material if the activities are similar in nature and will cause only minimal adverse environmental effects when performed separately and cumulatively. (Sec. 706) Exempts prior converted croplands and certain waters and activities from regulation under dredged and fill permit provisions. (Sec. 707) Provides for the establishment of mitigation banks (wetlands restoration projects that provide compensation credits to offset foreseeable wetlands losses from future discharges of dredged or fill material into navigable waters if compensatory mitigation is not practicable). (Sec. 710) Authorizes funding to States for wetlands conservation and watershed management planning. Requires the Administrator to carry out a wetlands and watershed management research program. Establishes a committee to coordinate Federal, State, and local government wetlands policies. Provides for the development of a National Cooperative Wetlands Restoration Strategy. Requires the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator to establish a wetlands restoration pilot program. (Sec. 711) Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to administer wetlands programs. Authorizes appropriations. Title VIII: Coastal Protection - Extends the authorization of appropriations for the national estuary program through FY 2000. Revises requirements for estuary management conferences and conservation plans and provisions regarding research and grants. Adds Charlotte Harbor, Florida, to the list of estuaries to be given priority consideration. (Sec. 802) Directs the Administrator to revise water quality for pathogens. Requires the Administrator to revise the aquatic life criteria for each pollutant with respect to which such criteria for freshwater have been published and revise such criteria to address aquatic life in marine waters. Directs each State with coastal recreation waters to adopt water quality standards for pathogens. Requires the Administrator to establish numeric water quality standards for marine waters that: (1) are not located within the jurisdiction of a State; and (2) are located within 200 miles seaward of the landward boundary of the territorial seas. (Sec. 803) Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a national program to provide information, education, and technical assistance to owners of land bordering marine water; (2) establish the Ocean Watch Program to encourage nonprofit citizens groups to engage in activities to assess and protect marine and ocean waters; and (3) provide an annual Ocean Watch Award. (Sec. 804) Make it unlawful to discharge sewage: (1) into certain designated waters; and (2) that has not been treated by a marine sanitation device. Makes the construction of marine pumpout stations provided for in plans approved under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 eligible for State revolving fund assistance. Makes it unlawful for the owner or operator of a marina that has a docking or mooring capacity for more than 500 vessels: (1) beginning on January 1, 2000, to fail to provide pumpout stations and waste reception facilities for marine sanitation devices unless a plan developed under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992 expressly waives such requirement; and (2) to fail to comply with a plan pursuant to such Act. Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to carry out an information and education program to encourage compliance with marine sanitation device requirements and foster understanding concerning water quality and pollution prevention. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 805) Revises provisions concerning the issuance of permits with respect to ocean discharges. Prohibits permits for such discharges if: (1) a discharge may cause or contribute to the violation of water and sediment quality standards; or (2) discharge alternatives were not adequately evaluated. Directs the Administrator to: (1) biennially list marine waters that do not and are not likely to support the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and allow for recreational activities in and on the waters; and (2) take actions to prevent the further degradation of water and sediment quality of a priority marine water. (Sec. 806) Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to provide financial assistance to local governments for the construction of facilities for the control of overflows from combined storm and sanitary sewers to marine waters. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 807) Directs the Administrator to publish regulations specifying methods to be used by States to monitor coastal recreation waters, during periods of use by the public, for compliance with standards. Requires notification of local governments and the public of water quality standards violations. Directs the Administrator to: (1) issue guidance on uniform assessment and monitoring procedures for floatable materials in coastal recreation waters; and (2) specify the conditions under which the presence of floatable materials constitutes a threat to public health and safety. Authorizes grants to States for carrying out such requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Provides for a research program to develop better indicators for detecting harmful bacteria and viruses in coastal recreation waters. Title IX: Innovative Technology - Requires the Administrator to establish a program to demonstrate practices, methods, technologies, or processes that may be effective in the prevention and control of sources of water pollution or aquatic habitat degradation or loss. Authorizes grants for such projects. Permits the Administrator, as part of such program, to: (1) enter into cooperative agreements with State permitting authorities and the managers of Federal facilities for the demonstration of innovative and alternative approaches for the prevention and control of point and nonpoint sources of water pollution at properties owned by the Federal Government; and (2) select proposals for funding agreements for projects to demonstrate comprehensive and innovative technologies for the prevention, control, or remediation of acid, metal-contaminated, or other mine water pollution that results from active, inactive, or abandoned hard rock mining operations. (Sec. 901) Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 902) Authorizes the Administrator, with State consent, to temporarily waive permit limitations for certain point sources for purposes of encouraging the development and testing of certain innovative production or pollution prevention processes, pollution control technologies, or recycling methods. Limits waivers to 90 days and provides for extensions. (Sec. 903) Provides for limited waivers from national categorical pretreatment standards under certain conditions for facilities that apply innovative production or pollution prevention processes, pollution control technologies, or recycling methods. Limits waivers to 90 days and provides for extensions. (Sec. 904) Directs the Administrator to establish a program to verify, evaluate, and disseminate: (1) performance and cost information on technologies, processes, techniques, and management measures appropriate for controlling water pollution; and (2) information on the properties and toxicity of substitute chemicals. Requires the Administrator to establish and update a list of technologies and alternative chemicals verified under the program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 905) Authorizes States to submit programs to assist small business sources of water pollution to the Administrator for approval. Requires the Administrator to establish a small business source assistance program within EPA. Title X: Interstate Water Quality Programs - Establishes a Gulf of Mexico Program to: (1) protect the coastal and marine waters and natural habitats of the Gulf; (2) protect human health and the food supply; and (3) ensure the recreational use of the Gulf in ways consistent with the economic well being of the region. (Sec. 1001) Establishes a Gulf of Mexico Commission to make recommendations to the President on Program goals. Provides for a Management and Restoration Plan for the Gulf. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress on the environmental quality of the Gulf and impact of Gulf environmental problems on economic conditions. Authorizes grants to Gulf States to further the implementation of the Plan. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1002) Directs the Administrator to develop a Great Lakes testing manual that implements the national guidance for the disposal of sediment material into U.S. waters. Requires the Administrator to report to the Congress on the general condition of Confined Disposal Facilities (CDFs) located in the Great Lakes basin and to identify each facility that is causing or is at risk of causing an exceedance of water or sediment quality standards or interfering with protection of designated uses. Directs the Administrator to publish a ranking of at least 15 priority harbors within the Great Lakes system for development of long-term sediment management strategies for harbor maintenance. Makes it unlawful, with respect to such harbors, to discharge sediment dredged from the harbors at any location in the open waters of the Great Lakes or any CDF or to establish, expand, or modify any CDF that receives sediment from the harbors unless specified conditions are met. Requires the Administrator and the Secretary of the Army to jointly issue guidelines for the development of sediment management strategies for such harbors. Provides for sediment management working groups for each site subject to routine navigational dredging. Requires all dredging and disposal operations to be consistent with such strategies. Directs the Secretary to: (1) develop tributary sediment models for each major river system that deposits sediment into a Great Lakes federally authorized commercial harbor, channel harbor, channel maintenance project site, or area of concern; (2) develop an analytical method to project the effectiveness of sediment source reduction approaches; and (3) use such method to conduct sediment load reduction analyses to estimate the effectiveness of such approaches. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Great Lakes National Program Office to conduct demonstration projects of promising technologies to remedy contaminated sediments. Replaces provisions concerning the Great Lakes Research Office to establish a Great Lakes Research Council. Revises provisions regarding Lakewide Management Plans to require the Administrator to publish the final plans for: (1) Lake Michigan and Lake Superior by January 1, 1995; and (2) Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Ontario by January 1, 1998. Raises the ceiling on, and extends the authorization of, appropriations for a health research report regarding the Great Lakes. Directs the Administrator to seek the cooperation of Canada in developing a binational program to restore and protect water and sediment quality within the watershed area of Lake Superior. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Great Lakes program through FY 2000. (Sec. 1003) Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) continue the Chesapeake Bay Program; and (2) maintain a Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Establishes a Chesapeake Bay Federal Agencies Committee to coordinate Federal activities relating to the restoration of the Bay. Requires Federal agencies to report to the President on activities planned and undertaken, and resources provided, to meet responsibilities under the Program. Directs Federal agencies that own or operate facilities within the Bay watershed to assess the facilities to ensure compliance with the Program and include a plan for addressing such impacts in the report to the President. Requires the Administrator to establish a habitat restoration program in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Authorizes technical and financial assistance to public and nonprofit agencies to carry out such program. Directs the Administrator to develop a basinwide toxic reduction strategy, as well as research and monitoring to improve understanding of intermedia transfers of toxic pollutants and the ultimate fate of the pollutants within the Bay ecosystem. Authorizes financial assistance for specified activities. Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Program through FY 2000. (Sec. 1004) Requires the Administrator to continue the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Watershed Program and to establish a Tri-State Implementation Council to implement the management plan developed for the Program. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1005) Establishes a Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment. Authorizes grants to the Council and to the St. Croix International Waterway Commission. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1006) Directs the Administrator to establish a Mississippi River Program within EPA to carry out specified activities to protect and restore the Mississippi River. Establishes the Mississippi River Program Office. Requires the Administrator and the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to report on the environmental quality and and ecosystem health of the Mississippi River and the impact on economic viability, human health, and ecological health of plants and animals. Directs the Administrator to design a strategy for developing a monitoring program to assess the environmental quality of such ecosystem. Requires the Governors of the Mississippi River States, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator to form a Mississippi River States Council to: (1) assist in collecting assessment and monitoring data; (2) ratify a Management, Protection, and Restoration Plan and (3) facilitate coordination on issues related to restoration of environmental quality. Authorizes grants for the development and implementation of the Plan. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1007) Extends the authorization for, and raises the ceiling on, appropriations to implement the Long Island Sound program. Designates the Connecticut River and the watershed of such river in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut as a multistate watershed. Requires the New England Interstate Water Pollution Commission to coordinate State and interstate management efforts. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1008) Directs the Administrator to make grants to maintain the Narragansett Bay Project and to implement a comprehensive conservation and management plan. Authorizes grants to carry out the Project. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1009) Requires the Administrator to establish an Executive Council of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Estuary Restoration Program to coordinate the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1010) Extends the authorization of appropriations for the Lake Champlain program. | 2025-08-26T13:52:31Z |