S.Amdt. 859

1. Adds SEC. 5_____. GREATER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN SEVERE FLOODING AND DROUGHT MANAGEMENT STUDY at the end of title V

   Adds a section

   In S. 601 · Reported to Senate

   (b) Reports.--The Secretary shall report to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House of Representatives any emergency actions taken pursuant to this section.

   Inserted: SEC. 5_____. GREATER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN SEVERE FLOODING AND DROUGHT MANAGEMENT STUDY.

   Inserted: (a) Definitions.--In this section:

   Inserted: (1) Greater mississippi river basin.--The term "greater Mississippi River Basin" means the area covered by hydrologic units 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, as identified by the United States Geological Survey as of the date of enactment of this Act.

   Inserted: (2) Lower mississippi river.--The term "lower Mississippi River" means the portion of the Mississippi River that begins at the confluence of the Ohio River and flows to the Gulf of Mexico.

   Inserted: (3) Middle mississippi river.--The term "middle Mississippi River" means the portion of the Mississippi River that begins at the confluence of the Missouri River and flows to the lower Mississippi River.

   Inserted: (4) Severe flooding and drought.--The term "severe flooding and drought" means severe weather events that threaten personal safety, property, and navigation on the inland waterways of the United States.

   Inserted: (b) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a study of the greater Mississippi River Basin--

   Inserted: (1) to improve the coordinated and comprehensive management of water resource projects in the greater Mississippi River Basin relating to severe flooding and drought conditions; and

   Inserted: (2) to evaluate the feasibility of any modifications to those water resource projects and develop new water resource projects to improve the reliability of navigation and more effectively reduce flood risk.

   Inserted: (c) Contents.--The study shall--

   Inserted: (1) identify any Federal actions necessary to prevent and mitigate the impacts of severe flooding and drought, including changes to authorized channel dimensions, operational procedures of locks and dams, and reservoir management within the Mississippi River Basin;

   Inserted: (2) evaluate the effect on navigation and flood risk management to the Mississippi River of all upstream rivers and tributaries, especially the confluence of the Illinois River, Missouri River, Arkansas River, White River, and Ohio River;

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   Inserted: (3) identify and make recommendations to remedy challenges to the Corps of Engineers presented by severe flooding and drought, including river access, in carrying out its mission to maintain safe, reliable navigation; and

   Inserted: (4) identify and locate natural or other potential impediments to maintaining navigation on the middle and lower Mississippi River during periods of low water.

   Inserted: (d) Consultation and Use of Existing Data.--In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall--

   Inserted: (1) consult with appropriate committees of Congress, Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies, environmental interests, river navigation industry representatives, other shipping and business interests, organized labor, and nongovernmental organizations;

   Inserted: (2) to the maximum extent practicable, use data in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act; and

   Inserted: (3) incorporate lessons learned and best practices developed as a result of past severe flooding and drought events, including major floods and the successful effort to maintain navigation during the near historic low water levels on the Mississippi River during the winter of 2012-2013.

   Inserted: (e) Cost-sharing.--The Federal share of the cost of carrying out the study under this section shall be 100 percent.

   Inserted: (f) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study carried out under this section.

   Original wording

   At the end of title V, add the following:

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As printed