1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the National Drought Preparedness Act of
2005
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Effect of Act.
Title I—Drought preparedness
Subtitle A—National Drought
Council
Sec. 101. Membership and
voting.
Sec. 102. Duties of the
Council.
Sec. 103. Powers of the
Council.
Sec. 104. Council personnel
matters.
Sec. 105. Authorization of
appropriations.
Sec. 106. Termination of
Council.
Subtitle B—National Office of Drought
Preparedness
Sec. 111. Establishment.
Sec. 112. Director of the
Office.
Sec. 113. Office staff.
Subtitle C—Drought preparedness
plans
Sec. 121. Drought Assistance
Fund.
Sec. 122. Drought preparedness
plans.
Sec. 123. Federal plans.
Sec. 124. State and tribal
plans.
Sec. 125. Regional and local
plans.
Sec. 126. Plan elements.
Title II—Wildfire suppression
Sec. 201. Grants for prepositioning
wildfire suppression resources.
2.Congress finds that—
(1)drought is a
natural disaster;
(2)regional drought
disasters in the United States cause serious economic and environmental losses,
yet there is no national policy to ensure an integrated and coordinated Federal
strategy to prepare for, mitigate, or respond to such losses;
(3)drought has an
adverse effect on resource-dependent businesses and industries (including the
recreation and tourism industries);
(4)State, tribal,
and local governments have to increase coordinated efforts with each Federal
agency involved in drought monitoring, planning, mitigation, and
response;
(5)effective drought
monitoring—
(A)is a critical
component of drought preparedness and mitigation; and
(B)requires a
comprehensive, integrated national program that is capable of providing
reliable, accessible, and timely information to persons involved in drought
planning, mitigation, and response activities;
(6)the National
Drought Policy Commission was established in 1998 to provide advice and
recommendations on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy
designed to prepare for and respond to serious drought emergencies;
(7)according to the
report issued by the National Drought Policy Commission in May 2000, the
guiding principles of national drought policy should be—
(A)to favor
preparedness over insurance, insurance over relief, and incentives over
regulation;
(B)to establish
research priorities based on the potential of the research to reduce drought
impacts;
(C)to coordinate the
delivery of Federal services through collaboration with State and local
governments and other non-Federal entities; and
(D)to improve
collaboration among scientists and managers; and
(8)the National
Drought Council, in coordination with Federal agencies and State, tribal, and
local governments, should provide the necessary direction, coordination,
guidance, and assistance in developing a comprehensive drought preparedness
system.
3.In this Act:
(1)The
term Council means the National Drought Council established by
section 101(a).
(2)Critical
service providerThe term critical service provider
means an entity that provides power, water (including water provided by an
irrigation organization or facility), sewer services, or wastewater
treatment.
(3)The
term Director means the Director of the Office appointed under
section 112(a).
(4)The
term drought means a natural disaster that is caused by a
deficiency in precipitation—
(A)that may lead to
a deficiency in surface and subsurface water supplies (including rivers,
streams, wetlands, ground water, soil moisture, reservoir supplies, lake
levels, and snow pack); and
(B)that causes or
may cause—
(i)substantial
economic or social impacts; or
(ii)physical damage
or injury to individuals, property, or the environment.
(5)The
term Fund means the Drought Assistance Fund established by section
121(a).
(6)The term Indian tribe has the meaning given
the term in section
4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b).
(7)The term interstate watershed means a
watershed that crosses a State or tribal boundary.
(8)The
term mitigation means a short- or long-term action, program, or
policy that is implemented in advance of or during a drought to minimize any
risks and impacts of drought.
(9)National
integrated drought information systemThe term National
Integrated Drought Information System means a comprehensive system that
collects and integrates information on the key indicators of drought, including
stream flow, ground water levels, reservoir levels, soil moisture, snow pack,
and climate (including precipitation and temperature), in order to make usable,
reliable, and timely assessments of drought, including the severity of drought
and drought forecasts.
(10)The term neighboring country means Canada
and Mexico.
(11)The
term Office means the National Office of Drought Preparedness
established under section 111.
(12)The
term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
(13)The
term State means—
(A)each of the
several States of the United States;
(B)the District of
Columbia;
(C)the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico;
(D)Guam;
(E)American
Samoa;
(F)the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands;
(G)the Federated
States of Micronesia;
(H)the Republic of
the Marshall Islands;
(I)the Republic of
Palau; and
(J)the United States
Virgin Islands.
(14)The
term trigger means the thresholds or criteria that must be
satisfied before mitigation or emergency assistance may be provided to an
area—
(A)in which drought
is emerging; or
(B)that is
experiencing a drought.
(15)The term Under Secretary means the Under
Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.
(16)The term United States, when used in a
geographical sense, means all of the States.
(17)
(A)The term watershed means—
(i)a
region or area with common hydrology;
(ii)an
area drained by a waterway that drains into a lake or reservoir;
(iii)the total area
above a designated point on a stream that contributes water to the flow at the
designated point; or
(iv)the topographic
dividing line from which surface streams flow in 2 different directions.
(B)The
term watershed does not include a region or area described in
subparagraph (A) that is larger than a river basin.
(18)The term watershed group means a group of
individuals that—
(A)represents the
broad scope of relevant interests in a watershed; and
(B)works in a
collaborative manner to jointly plan the management of the natural resources in
the watershed; and
(C)is formally
recognized by each of the States in which the watershed lies.
4.This Act does not
affect—
(1)the authority of
a State to allocate quantities of water under the jurisdiction of the State;
or
(2)any State water
rights established as of the date of enactment of this Act.
<enum>I</enum><header>Drought
preparedness</header>
<subtitle id="ID1FA4F8743BEA47D1885D7FF585D08B33"><enum>A</enum><header>National Drought
Council</header>
<section id="IDA85143664ACB443DA242139F63DE00C6"><enum>101.</enum><header>Membership and
voting</header>
<subsection id="IDF8AB610CE05A44759C48B9B8A900AFB7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>There is established in the Office of the Secretary a
council to be known as the <quote>National Drought Council</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDB51E1D36133F4977A5A566F96200A4FE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Membership</header>
<paragraph id="IDA490433C4A374BC08EA37900CFD2FCD2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Composition</header><text>The
Council shall be composed of—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID0E87D69A7A29407D9CA68CD561726046"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the
Secretary;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID48C2FDF32DBE4C87818960E006783103"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary of
Commerce;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD4E1CDCA98A3423BB721AF19BE1482E6"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the Secretary of
the Army;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBD3656F68D5F45CFAAC55E3FAB8F7EFE"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the Secretary of
the Interior;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID20604C0953A1493F9F772838A68C1CCE"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the Director of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID254D3D42ED6047128C2E5DB56F839218"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD06C78A22CD0443F81D9AFEBC677AFC3"><enum>(G)</enum><text>4 members
appointed by the Secretary, in coordination with the National Governors
Association—</text>
<clause id="ID973CD6DE31CA4443A10044569690986D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>who
shall each be a Governor of a State; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID4DEDED35D4CD44EDBD42E0CDCBF26D21"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>who shall
collectively represent the geographic diversity of the United States;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBEBD2FEB27274B82AFE597F3E6F6FE58"><enum>(H)</enum><text>1 member
appointed by the Secretary, in coordination with the National Association of
Counties;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDAADE4864803A4E96AC24D8BCFFE3759E"><enum>(I)</enum><text>1 member
appointed by the Secretary, in coordination with the United States Conference
of Mayors;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDF9D85D5483224DCB961B247872EE6859"><enum>(J)</enum><text>1 member
appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with Indian tribes,
to represent the interests of tribal governments; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9F9DBC9BDB4E40929F2F00145BFD10F7"><enum>(K)</enum><text>1 member
appointed by the Secretary, in coordination with the National Association of
Conservation Districts, to represent local soil and water conservation
districts.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID6B1DA769381E4269AC5B7123BD73286E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Date of
appointment</header><text>The appointment of each member of the Council shall
be made not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID3E673C5F2B2D4C409FA0B8F630081EE6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Term;
vacancies</header>
<paragraph id="IDEC9BDA3FA9B5478ABD052822ADD26570"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Term</header>
<subparagraph id="ID9D1D75CD17404DF2AE5285003487EB38"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a member of the
Council shall serve for the life of the Council.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDFD3FA98FC40F4B288202A843F7443C57"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exception</header><text>A
member of the Council appointed under subparagraphs (G) through (K) of
subsection (b)(1) shall be appointed for a term of 2 years.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID047AD55F3C394854B600F6284B92876F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Vacancies</header>
<subparagraph id="ID5265847BC29345A0A74D270321BF18A9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A vacancy on the Council—</text>
<clause id="ID67962795B0C94B61891BAF76D9CADCA1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall not affect
the powers of the Council; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDF393835D6659447CB926001C46D4365B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall be filled
in the same manner as the original appointment was made.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID24D0F43C397545A6A3F92FBCA23C1C59"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Duration of
appointment</header><text>A member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before
the expiration of the term for which the predecessor was appointed shall be
appointed only for the remainder of the term.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID7606C4D89CC04764997B2DF5552E1105"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Meetings</header>
<paragraph id="ID2734B85803EF483BB83693BBE1C27259"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Council shall meet at the call of the
co-chairs.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDD2363C4137E140C0A07743E4DED41142"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Frequency</header><text>The
Council shall meet at least semiannually.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDB0F8C8F17B564C4D9532E5965FA03E9B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Quorum</header><text>A
majority of the members of the Council, including a designee of a member, shall
constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings or conduct other
business.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDFC1CB532A4AF476F8B8494BAE61767E0"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Co-chairs</header>
<paragraph id="IDA803C4AC71A547CA8C006003C56B0022"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>There shall be a Federal co-chair and non-Federal
co-chair of the Council.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID601D6BDD4C3A4E53873B6D47938D8C28"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Appointment</header>
<subparagraph id="IDC55F23919D7741D681336F8083214226"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Federal
co-chair</header><text>The Secretary shall be Federal co-chair.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDE3B82F7528C64791BDBCC942945163B9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Non-federal
co-chair</header><text>Every 2 years, the Council members appointed under
subparagraphs (G) through (K) of subsection (b)(1) shall select a non-Federal
co-chair from among the members appointed under those subparagraphs.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID92DC30BAE9B9427A848FD81E8BA86627"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Director</header>
<paragraph id="IDF8F18A2CBE814078846C9175DCF0A5E8"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Director shall serve as Director of the
Council.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID52184ED7E44A44BFA87797F2D6D10944"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The
Director shall serve the interests of all members of the Council.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="IDE43C559497C44B1D9D27CC88C3C0815D"><enum>102.</enum><header>Duties of the
Council</header>
<subsection id="ID02B0F0275F154D97BDD6BA9DE02CBC12"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Council shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID82FA5D2D8132432900291F5F2E1BDD13"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 1
year after the date of the first meeting of the Council, develop a
comprehensive National Drought Policy Action Plan that—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID968CD29F2C8E4CCB95BA4800CEBA8111"><enum>(A)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="ID29DA064380624D89A7AC2159CA8D8249"><enum>(i)</enum><text>delineates and
integrates responsibilities for activities relating to drought (including
drought preparedness, mitigation, research, risk management, training, and
emergency relief) among Federal agencies; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID5DA68E6FE56C4B728863DBAF49008722" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>ensures that those activities are
coordinated with the activities of the States, local governments, Indian
tribes, and neighboring countries;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8F94878656AE4473B1883CFC106F1CA6"><enum>(B)</enum><text>is consistent
with—</text>
<clause id="IDB2E96A94D92640558140EEA3002C1B02"><enum>(i)</enum><text>this Act and
other applicable Federal laws; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDBF58957B1C3C4E8698A197F596B478B6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the laws and
policies of the States for water management;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5F06C3C54B654EE2A212BCC38E487E8B"><enum>(C)</enum><text>is integrated
with drought management programs of the States, Indian tribes, local
governments, watershed groups, and private entities; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1A0B99997E154BE993312D119D6063FD"><enum>(D)</enum><text>avoids
duplicating Federal, State, tribal, local, watershed, and private drought
preparedness and monitoring programs in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDA88C038DB5D643FD9F9C28BF365644E4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>evaluate Federal
drought-related programs in existence on the date of enactment of this Act and
make recommendations to Congress and the President on means of
eliminating—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID5BB0DA6C439F4472BA018B201642F825"><enum>(A)</enum><text>discrepancies
between the goals of the programs and actual service delivery;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3115207F191F48EBA086CD36D7A3CB25"><enum>(B)</enum><text>duplication among
programs; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID998376A74317410BBC1DB716ED12BEEA"><enum>(C)</enum><text>any other
circumstances that interfere with the effective operation of the
programs;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID171EBF8B40E64F5D815E3766D8A62CED"><enum>(3)</enum><text>make
recommendations to the President, Congress, and appropriate Federal Agencies
on—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID733A5CE0C49C47CB92E67762B7939F78"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the establishment
of common interagency triggers for authorizing Federal drought mitigation
programs; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID53A08DEA7DBE4ECFBA00C96040618BAF"><enum>(B)</enum><text>improving the
consistency and fairness of assistance among Federal drought relief
programs;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDD25DDBC4576E444EA99EDC2C0899BCAA"><enum>(4)</enum><text>in conjunction
with the Secretary of Commerce, coordinate and prioritize specific activities
to establish and improve the National Integrated Drought Information System
by—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDFEA744D865844C4E8DCD22FF967600C8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>taking into
consideration the limited resources for—</text>
<clause id="ID042F3C1366184DA0B6C22F9CF3D2FFEF"><enum>(i)</enum><text>drought
monitoring, prediction, and research activities; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID326BBEDD5C6B4E94BC00C0E31747CE70"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>water supply
forecasting; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA29C30FFAEDD46D4915E94A51B7D4F72"><enum>(B)</enum><text>providing for the
development of an effective drought early warning system that—</text>
<clause id="ID979A90F6CA8844F9A5CC98EE85E28412"><enum>(i)</enum><text>communicates
drought conditions and impacts to—</text>
<subclause id="ID82293B0F723545DAB24E74D3811FC3D9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>decisionmakers at
the Federal, regional, State, tribal, and local levels of government;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID86253994741149FD919740283EF02DEA"><enum>(II)</enum><text>the private
sector; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDB77366109CBF46BDA9961883B623CE9D"><enum>(III)</enum><text>the public;
and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="IDD7DA3CFEA2B24F8D87AA12066B8D0617"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>includes
near-real-time data, information, and products developed at the Federal,
regional, State, tribal, and local levels of government that reflect regional
and State differences in drought conditions;</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID91C88D5B642E4F50BD00503CCDAA71F3"><enum>(5)</enum><text>in conjunction
with the Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of the Interior—</text>
<subparagraph id="id65FABACF44A244E290B481584CB014A0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>encourage and
facilitate the development of drought preparedness plans under subtitle C,
including establishing the guidelines under sections 121(c) and 122(a);
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID74484357E58A48F59EE2590191DC06C0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>based on a review
of drought preparedness plans, develop and make available to the public drought
planning models to reduce water resource conflicts relating to water
conservation and droughts;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2E305C72A0C94D53AF878F695EF432A5"><enum>(6)</enum><text>develop and
coordinate public awareness activities to provide the public with access to
understandable, and informative materials on drought, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDC099835B9E0A45DA8B70AE5720BC5123"><enum>(A)</enum><text>explanations of
the causes of drought, the impacts of drought, and the damages from
drought;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID35AA843184E840139000A8C3EC20ED56"><enum>(B)</enum><text>descriptions of
the value and benefits of land stewardship to reduce the impacts of drought and
to protect the environment;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID40BEA539F9624FCFA08F600014ACB5D0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>clear
instructions for appropriate responses to drought, including water
conservation, water reuse, and detection and elimination of water leaks;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID095C18D255A54AF8A85C8861C6200100"><enum>(D)</enum><text>information on
State and local laws applicable to drought; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID086D13C4899A40D095CB2E094126A91B"><enum>(E)</enum><text>information on
the assistance available to resource-dependent businesses and industries during
a drought; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDD8CE2C32EC8641198D911CA9FE4CC553"><enum>(7)</enum><text>establish
operating procedures for the Council.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDE62CB4E6438B48329F35F2D939D120CD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Consultation</header><text>In
carrying out this section, the Council shall consult with groups affected by
drought emergencies, including groups that represent—</text>
<paragraph id="ID7169645F2F38475AB39C8CE9311B11E9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>agricultural
production, wildlife, and fishery interests;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID641FB5DE37B7406791F0F2001592B222"><enum>(2)</enum><text>forestry and fire
management interests;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0684712540354877B05DA9003BAB2775"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the credit
community;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7560E0E69BCA4460A6D26B436E912E61"><enum>(4)</enum><text>rural and urban
water associations;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3119B906E0894382B5B5008500B4D555"><enum>(5)</enum><text>environmental
interests;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID321240025A65448AA55F9D69F8E78716"><enum>(6)</enum><text>engineering and
construction interests;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDBCDA8FBDC0AB4299A2B11BF93E53B9D7"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the portion of
the science community that is concerned with drought and climatology;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID17C4A23158E44C65AE17001294FCC71D"><enum>(8)</enum><text>resource-dependent
businesses and other private entities (including the recreation and tourism
industries); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID151A32C3D68346449723D54942AFF100"><enum>(9)</enum><text>watershed
groups.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6C29F177B840413998BECD22D223D63D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Agency roles
and responsibilities</header>
<paragraph id="ID39AA9F80A5794FEDB8EBA5EFE8E2F836"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Designation of
lead agencies</header>
<subparagraph id="ID56A3DE7606C14A70BC12F998EF5E1D9D"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Department of
Commerce</header><text>The Department of Commerce shall be the lead agency for
purposes of implementing subsection (a)(4).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDFB236E4E02244152937470EC67BA3509"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Departments of
the army and the interior</header><text>The Department of the Army and the
Department of the Interior shall jointly be the lead agency for purposes of
implementing—</text>
<clause id="ID11CEA99EC48D46A89B5DF5BF07F3F439"><enum>(i)</enum><text>paragraphs (5)
and (6) of section subsection (a); and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID9515568A4C914F03AF67550906E5BE23"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>section
122.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDC576250CA76546028B98C4ACFE7D403B"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Department of
Agriculture</header><text>The Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with
the lead agencies designated under subparagraphs (A) and (B), shall be the lead
agency for purposes of implementing section 121.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDAD841E14EE704B3DA934B1A28D437083"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Cooperation
from other Federal Agencies</header><text>The head of each Federal agency shall
cooperate as appropriate with the lead agencies in carrying out any duties
under this Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID19061F40D4E14CCA90D23BF5BD7049AF"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports to
Congress</header>
<paragraph id="ID03F7F87B627A44FB9D4CFC85EE3B79DC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Annual
report</header>
<subparagraph id="IDEB1DD71449CF463FBC8FE500BDFBB8FC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of the first meeting
of the Council, and annually thereafter, the Council shall submit to Congress a
report on the activities carried out under this title.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID35381EDC439A48AFB642084BA1E820C3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Inclusions</header>
<clause id="ID2196AC4F34274B059B209D94004982B1"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The annual report shall include a summary of drought
preparedness plans completed under sections 123 through 125.</text>
</clause><clause id="ID8EB8CBA45412413D92A8889644A3FB2B"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Initial
report</header><text>The initial report submitted under subparagraph (A) shall
include any recommendations of the Council under paragraph (2) or (3) of
subsection (a).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID2EC6DE88B572446A9900C69200CED1FD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Final
report</header><text>Not later than 7 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Council shall submit to Congress a report that recommends—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDFD84147070484630AF41BC6F4B9C5BD6"><enum>(A)</enum><text>amendments to
this Act; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6EAB62D8946844FF009FDB05B2392EB1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>whether the
Council should continue.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID5DC237D0A35E4191A9C9DDC08F10F694"><enum>103.</enum><header>Powers of the
Council</header>
<subsection id="ID749E69EE310F473585858522D2886031"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Hearings</header><text>The
Council may hold hearings, meet and act at any time and place, take any
testimony and receive any evidence that the Council considers advisable to
carry out this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDD94B7805A36B4F7EA897E9FBE7949C9F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Information
from Federal Agencies</header>
<paragraph id="IDF410D0F69CDC4712972050D2D0C07735"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Council may obtain directly from any Federal agency
any information that the Council considers necessary to carry out this
title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE863F3DEBA2A4CFCA941C321C6DFBA05"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Provision of
information</header>
<subparagraph id="ID37FE90A5AC424F7D92C796F5CC410034"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), on request of the
Secretary or the non-Federal co-chair, the head of a Federal agency may provide
information to the Council.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBBE4FFD21E0B4880A7249704EBCF179D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
head of a Federal agency shall not provide any information to the Council that
the Federal agency head determines the disclosure of which may cause harm to
national security interests.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID0175F0ABE88740C1BB26E7C300A64DC0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Postal
services</header><text>The Council may use the United States mail in the same
manner and under the same conditions as other agencies of the Federal
Government.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDAADEA53E1EC749F8AF8D5DD49D2ED269"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Gifts</header><text>The
Council may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or
property.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID7492BEAC97E04BFAB4E2281200665280"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Federal
facilities</header><text>If the Council proposes the use of a Federal facility
for the purposes of carrying out this title, the Council shall solicit and
consider the input of the Federal agency with jurisdiction over the
facility.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID2443EC81757B49ABA30694BC94DDFA3E"><enum>104.</enum><header>Council
personnel matters</header>
<subsection id="IDF2D0AFA1757D42CA8FF7D533267DF0D6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Compensation of
members</header>
<paragraph id="IDBB7A71E0342F443E9DE9742697DCBD00"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Non-federal
employees</header><text>A member of the Council who is not an officer or
employee of the Federal Government shall serve without compensation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID8D01DCEF3D8B4CEFA8B1545046B600C4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal
employees</header><text>A member of the Council who is an officer or employee
of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to the
compensation received for services of the member as an officer or employee of
the Federal Government.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID5E4F86D4DF104E51B6D797F58BD87000"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Travel
expenses</header><text>A member of the Council shall be allowed travel expenses
at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter
57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or regular place of
business of the member in the performance of the duties of the Council.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID5F9F149D05174EF783F18EC99BADEFCE"><enum>105.</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $2,000,000 for each of
the 7 fiscal years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</section><section id="ID7E17DD58891F43F5AEA741226BB5D3C1"><enum>106.</enum><header>Termination of
Council</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Council shall
terminate 8 years after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</section></subtitle><subtitle id="IDF3EF32CC422C437D8EBF9867A23B6C82"><enum>B</enum><header>National Office
of Drought Preparedness</header>
<section id="IDAE2A309545B742A785884BA613A09B56"><enum>111.</enum><header>Establishment</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish an office to
be known as the <quote>National Office of Drought Preparedness</quote>, which
shall be under the jurisdiction of the Under Secretary, to provide assistance
to the Council in carrying out this title.</text>
</section><section id="IDE594E87737294AE2AB3F72A65C7060A4"><enum>112.</enum><header>Director of
the Office</header>
<subsection id="ID5192C9A6725845B9BF8CE0FAD721E6B5"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Appointment</header>
<paragraph id="ID83047C1B9CED4594A93C49F75FDD5FBB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Under Secretary shall appoint a Director of the
Office under sections 3371 through 3375 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDD77E7B01AF0D4E0FAA00912F3FF3BFC0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Qualifications</header><text>The
Director shall be a person who has experience in—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID3857C0B9C5BD40EDA0AC8EA1FAF5A5A4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>public
administration; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2D114A6F2A3A466CB4ADCB003BA54DD1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>drought
mitigation or drought management.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4251E91D39BE4A239500C008C7087B9F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Powers</header><text>The
Director may hire such other additional personnel or contract for services with
other entities as necessary to carry out the duties of the Office.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID1DCE9829F0BD45ECA6F5F781002EFCFA"><enum>113.</enum><header>Office
staff</header>
<subsection id="ID0F3C765B5E334673ADC9A900543068C0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Office shall have at least 5 full-time staff,
including the detailees detailed under subsection (b)(1).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID7F927C6F468E4545B96EC409AAE69EA8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Detailees</header>
<paragraph id="ID77133A85B3884DA3B74BF5FF91F47959"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Required
detailees</header><text>There shall be detailed to the Office, on a
nonreimbursable basis—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDE65A278469634407A71FE642B3C7F705"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by the Director
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1 employee of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency with expertise in emergency planning;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID592D724AE9384E2D0085BFE8E1D7BF6E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by the Secretary
of Commerce, 1 employee of the Department of Commerce with experience in
drought monitoring;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID4A9A8207A8624A4D9600C51F00A7F620"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by the Secretary
of the Interior, 1 employee of the Bureau of Reclamation with experience in
water planning; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5F1AE752213541D5826B11A6B2BFAA60"><enum>(D)</enum><text>by the Secretary
of the Army, 1 employee of the Army Corps of Engineers with experience in water
planning.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID293BEFB6918B4E55831EDD1E10AA7DC8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Additional
detailees</header>
<subparagraph id="IDF2EA32AEE3DC4EFA875605DF2793F93B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In addition to any employees detailed under paragraph
(1), any other employees of the Federal Government may be detailed to the
Office.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBAE99576962246E0B1B7E8BC36122922"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Reimbursement</header><text>An
employee detailed under subparagraph (A) shall be detailed without
reimbursement, unless the Secretary, on the recommendation of the Director,
determines that reimbursement is appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID0ED6286FF0F24E36B8FD3B0015443BE2"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Civil service
status</header><text>The detail of an employee under paragraph (1) or (2) shall
be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section></subtitle><subtitle id="IDBE605CAA55EB4C16A5467E394D13FD93"><enum>C</enum><header>Drought
preparedness plans</header>
<section id="ID401113619EE74AB984D8ADB961AD0046"><enum>121.</enum><header>Drought
Assistance Fund</header>
<subsection id="ID2CA5CCD2692B466C8E83735594239EE7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>There
is established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the
<quote>Drought Assistance Fund</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDA7918637BBC24C02B88C80A054C8B11C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The
Fund shall be used to pay the costs of—</text>
<paragraph id="ID57995B95DC314A0685081947FA8E3719"><enum>(1)</enum><text>providing
technical and financial assistance (including grants and cooperative
assistance) to States, Indian tribes, local governments, watershed groups, and
critical service providers for the development and implementation of drought
preparedness plans under sections 123 through 125;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDB30275286D9144C5AD33AAA0E245008D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>providing to
States, Indian tribes, local governments, watershed groups, and critical
service providers the Federal share, as determined by the Secretary, in
consultation with the other members of the Council, of the cost of mitigating
the overall risk and impacts of droughts;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9CAAD253B21A423FA38EE4420025F765"><enum>(3)</enum><text>assisting States,
Indian tribes, local governments, watershed groups, and critical service
providers in the development of mitigation measures to address environmental,
economic, and human health and safety issues relating to drought;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID7A3657DC652947818F074683A558F076"><enum>(4)</enum><text>expanding the
technology transfer of drought and water conservation strategies and innovative
water supply techniques;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDEBC9357C1F5E4CDCBAED9099C9F21854"><enum>(5)</enum><text>developing
post-drought evaluations and recommendations; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDA9BFB59C5AE3482B00F38400EC39F225"><enum>(6)</enum><text>supplementing, if
necessary, the costs of implementing actions under section 102(a)(4).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6FB0D66DBACA4AFABC7CC44726222F4E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Guidelines</header>
<paragraph id="ID9A7336AFE81346979734239C77BD7B31"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, in consultation with the non-Federal
co-chair and with the concurrence of the Council, shall promulgate guidelines
to implement this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4612E0CFF892435180DA5099F5FEE3D3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>General
requirements</header><text>The guidelines shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID6BFA85E3E5574F70AC7C659156F833FC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>ensure the
distribution of amounts from the Fund within a reasonable period of
time;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDF51D18B4E0574D990033B77D2CE43C67"><enum>(B)</enum><text>take into
consideration regional differences;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID80E0B111CF7445FC8F22E72FD7A153CD"><enum>(C)</enum><text>take into
consideration all impacts of drought in a balanced manner;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID358EE65D1BBD4DB7AE6BD6CF26B704EF"><enum>(D)</enum><text>prohibit the use
of amounts from the Fund for Federal salaries that are not directly related to
the provision of drought assistance;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9C75FAA077124D3BB5D255CFAEE5B041"><enum>(E)</enum><text>require that
amounts from the Fund provided to States, local governments, watershed groups,
and critical service providers under subsection (b)(1) be coordinated with and
managed by the State in which the local governments, watershed groups, or
critical service providers are located, consistent with the drought
preparedness priorities and relevant water management plans in the
State;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID581B7D4547F34C39B4492B5BCE32105C"><enum>(F)</enum><text>require that
amounts from the Fund provided to Indian tribes under subsection (b)(1) be used
to implement plans that are, to the maximum extent practicable—</text>
<clause id="IDC014B31E84A74A06BACCBB67D2FDDF9B"><enum>(i)</enum><text>coordinated with
any State in which land of the Indian tribe is located; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID778C2F219FA14552BBDC7C437CFC1F3B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>consistent with
existing drought preparedness and water management plans of the State;
and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDE60EAB586C514213A533006DA3009F29"><enum>(G)</enum><text>require that a
State, Indian tribe, local government, watershed group, or critical service
provider that receives Federal funds under paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection
(b) pay, using amounts made available through non-Federal grants, cash
donations made by non-Federal persons or entities, or any other non-Federal
funds, not less than 25 percent of the total cost of carrying out a project for
which Federal funds are provided under this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID94907B18584A4A1E83B382F681E8D686"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Special
requirements applicable to interstate watersheds</header>
<subparagraph id="IDE4933F8CAE544CE187EC00D99B03E65C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Development of
drought preparedness plans</header><text>The guidelines promulgated under
paragraph (1) shall require that, to receive financial assistance under
subsection (b)(1) for the development of drought preparedness plans for
interstate watersheds, the States or Indian tribes in which the interstate
watershed is located shall—</text>
<clause id="ID25DC80A335604D6EB179C6828F0015E6"><enum>(i)</enum><text>cooperate in the
development of the plan; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDBD75D48195904FEF8DBB7F6F7099006B"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in
developing the plan—</text>
<subclause id="ID8AFE949BBBEC4B71B9039BC022C2A778"><enum>(I)</enum><text>ensure that the
plan is consistent with any applicable State and tribal water laws, policies,
and agreements;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDCAC887ED394E487B88919755AD58C93E"><enum>(II)</enum><text>ensure that the
plan is consistent and coordinated with any interstate stream compacts;</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDDCB465F04A00412CB6B2F463D8C8E291"><enum>(III)</enum><text>include the
participation of any appropriate watershed groups; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="IDCDBEF7C48C2E430B91526ED0B38B484E"><enum>(IV)</enum><text>recognize that
while implementation of the plan will involve further coordination among the
appropriate States and Indian tribes, each State and Indian tribe has sole
jurisdiction over implementation of the portion of the watershed within the
State or tribal boundaries.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA8DE6E7B1EE9449C8101B9E652F6FE74"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Implementation
of drought preparedness plans</header><text>The guidelines promulgated under
paragraph (1) shall require that, to receive financial assistance under
subsection (b)(1) for the implementation of drought preparedness plans for
interstate watersheds, the States or Indian tribes in which the interstate
watershed is located shall, to the maximum extent practicable—</text>
<clause id="IDF10B2DFA25294D22A23300E4F220AC65"><enum>(i)</enum><text>cooperate in
implementing the plan;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDFCA5259E677E4E11BE02CBFA39373683"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in
implementing the plan—</text>
<subclause id="ID9D025A300E724054B0B3B09C5EE780B2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>provide that the
distribution of funds to all States and Indian tribes in which the watershed is
located is not required; and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="ID2694B6A7CF74496289400066916B4140"><enum>(II)</enum><text>consider the
level of impact within the watershed on the affected States or Indian tribes;
and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="ID05AE49F3DF3C4508BB6E915E04726FC3"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>ensure that
implementation of the plan does not interfere with State water rights in
existence on the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID31699B314F9141BEB7A9CA2C899C60C2"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text>There are authorized to be appropriated to the
Fund such sums as are necessary to carry out subsection (b).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="IDEAFA61C014CD4779A021CB26D5550436"><enum>122.</enum><header>Drought
preparedness plans</header>
<subsection id="IDEE66CB10B90F4EDEAA91B4EC68B08DDE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the
Army shall, with the concurrence of the Council, jointly promulgate guidelines
for administering a national program to provide technical and financial
assistance to States, Indian tribes, local governments, watershed groups, and
critical service providers for the development, maintenance, and implementation
of drought preparedness plans.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6EDC7E92862A440C94CAB2081DC47C2C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>To
build on the experience and avoid duplication of efforts of Federal, State,
local, tribal, and regional drought plans in existence on the date of enactment
of this Act, the guidelines may recognize and incorporate those plans.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="ID79365956CB5C432BBB8100005156B2A3"><enum>123.</enum><header>Federal
plans</header>
<subsection id="ID374D9E51778E4DAEA7C8283040B98437"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, the Secretary of the Interior, the
Secretary of the Army, and other appropriate Federal agency heads shall develop
and implement Federal drought preparedness plans for agencies under the
jurisdiction of the appropriate Federal agency head.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID6DD1D2CD56E34188898CC05900EE9F6B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>The
Federal plans—</text>
<paragraph id="IDBD6D70013D134E0FBD1826BA85932C70"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall be
integrated with each other;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID58CB76ED663F4D59B74E22A5826773E5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>may be included
as components of other Federal planning requirements;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID702BC57FFD6442A3A2F998E3354F6898"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall be
integrated with drought preparedness plans of State, tribal, and local
governments that are affected by Federal projects and programs; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID07F323D9E0CD42699700372DB157B5F1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>shall be
completed not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID4CD458244AF64813BEBEF645A547BD8F"><enum>124.</enum><header>State and
tribal plans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">States and Indian
tribes may develop and implement State and tribal drought preparedness plans
that—</text>
<paragraph id="ID465B71BE618B4B1099DD1BCB4121E5CF"><enum>(1)</enum><text>address
monitoring of resource conditions that are related to drought;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2F40D2A2AF08475FB2BA7332C0D41407"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identify areas
that are at a high risk for drought;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4308020E7E83483580712EC908E432AF"><enum>(3)</enum><text>describes
mitigation strategies to address and reduce the vulnerability of an area to
drought; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID01B5221911AB45F0B67FFE1B6C5F7518"><enum>(4)</enum><text>are integrated
with State, tribal, and local water plans in existence on the date of enactment
of this Act.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID155D4EB20CD8401F9BB4215CC97C7EC0"><enum>125.</enum><header>Regional and
local plans</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Local governments,
watershed groups, and regional water providers may develop and implement
drought preparedness plans that—</text>
<paragraph id="ID11C252CE14C84A11B301C7E1B56523E7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>address
monitoring of resource conditions that are related to drought;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1D14BB8B91084474821374350797FA53"><enum>(2)</enum><text>identify areas
that are at a high risk for drought;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6B1A86CEF0664EB6004F7F4CACD8D4DE"><enum>(3)</enum><text>describe
mitigation strategies to address and reduce the vulnerability of an area to
drought; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3F09ABDBF29247E7A600E791609352F6"><enum>(4)</enum><text>are integrated
with corresponding State plans.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="ID05FD4E641A574334A95FE1A5F8E3F07D"><enum>126.</enum><header>Plan
elements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The drought
preparedness plans developed under sections 123 through 125—</text>
<paragraph id="IDDA8496C849F0463AAEAEBCDC9CC7CC6B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>shall be
consistent with Federal and State laws, contracts, and policies;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID00E161A3347C4354A6C1B49ECAADA973"><enum>(2)</enum><text>shall allow each
State to continue to manage water and wildlife in the State;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID9838488B30164EFB007042369F87E67F"><enum>(3)</enum><text>shall address the
health, safety, and economic interests of those persons directly affected by
drought;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID712291417E444194AFCF11FD4494C67C"><enum>(4)</enum><text>shall address the
economic impact on resource-dependent businesses and industries, including
regional tourism;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDE9F1548978704AB79D79E04046A6FC8F"><enum>(5)</enum><text>may
include—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID36C5FEA50EF34F229B9DF4F5DAFBA26E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>provisions for
water management strategies to be used during various drought or water shortage
thresholds, consistent with State water law;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID108822EA7A8948DF989F8D8CE3933400"><enum>(B)</enum><text>provisions to
address key issues relating to drought (including public health, safety,
economic factors, and environmental issues such as water quality, water
quantity, protection of threatened and endangered species, and fire
management);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID753A5949469D42F18B51343794A864C4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>provisions that
allow for public participation in the development, adoption, and implementation
of drought plans;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDCBCA8F0C02A44781A28851389FF41D33"><enum>(D)</enum><text>provisions for
periodic drought exercises, revisions, and updates;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID810C1C95E39041D0B0BFF2B222AAAA51"><enum>(E)</enum><text>a hydrologic
characterization study to determine how water is being used during times of
normal water supply availability to anticipate the types of drought mitigation
actions that would most effectively improve water management during a
drought;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9B733E2FFD0C4AF19C7B34001B535938"><enum>(F)</enum><text>drought
triggers;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID78E91BA811BA45D0A8C4252DF27B7207"><enum>(G)</enum><text>specific
implementation actions for droughts;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDD91FF9EE0B284B6289B1CB3CAAE8CF00"><enum>(H)</enum><text>a water shortage
allocation plan, consistent with State water law; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID67C5996F00894385982944C42B3C91A2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>comprehensive
insurance and financial strategies to manage the risks and financial impacts of
droughts; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDC23EC72110FA4470AE5459000019B752"><enum>(6)</enum><text>shall take into
consideration—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDE97E828358C346A3822DBDF1AA5E90A9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the financial
impact of the plan on the ability of the utilities to ensure rate stability and
revenue stream; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID178C6FB2A5D44759BB396E6F2DCE80E3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>economic impacts
from water shortages.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></section></subtitle><enum>II</enum><header>Wildfire
suppression</header>
<section id="IDE602E46140314F01A8522604F7F0888F"><enum>201.</enum><header>Grants for
prepositioning wildfire suppression resources</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Title II of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/5131">42 U.S.C. 5131</external-xref> et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2526EF0206544F7DB17D11C77C1ED98E" style="OLC">
<section id="ID190B6B37B63249C69F794271E653D975"><enum>205.</enum><header>Grants for
prepositioning wildfire suppression resources</header>
<subsection id="ID0BE738607A544E84B05C405C9DF1F6BA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Findings and
purpose</header>
<paragraph id="ID38D2C8B687494C8DB698BEE1996B3BCA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Findings</header><text>Congress
finds that—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID24141D7341BA492F8436BF44C35FAECA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>droughts increase
the risk of catastrophic wildfires that—</text>
<clause id="ID7152146D72314793B200CB5082ACFE8E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>drastically alter
and otherwise adversely affect the landscape for communities and the
environment;</text>
</clause><clause id="IDDFFEBB1239F64123B1B927AC004FE052"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>because of the
potential of such wildfires to overwhelm State wildfire suppression resources,
require a coordinated response among States, Federal agencies, and neighboring
countries; and</text>
</clause><clause id="ID6C44D2DB17F643CDB772794D6EF31F44"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>result in
billions of dollars in losses each year;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDDF2B063BD4C440F985783CBF426833B8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Federal
Government must, to the maximum extent practicable, prevent and suppress such
catastrophic wildfires to protect human life and property;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDDC6D4D7A216F404E8C4B515C0301C481"><enum>(C)</enum><text>not taking into
account State, local, and private wildfire suppression costs, during the period
of 2000 through 2004, the Federal Government expended more than $5,800,000,000
for wildfire suppression costs, at an average annual cost of almost
$1,200,000,000;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDBCA878B13F9743C2BA9556A650DCD8A3"><enum>(D)</enum><text>since 1980, 2.8
percent of Federal wildfires have been responsible for an average annual cost
to the Forest Service of more than $350,000,000;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id39E735561F85482CBC3E84B67B01DCA4"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the Forest
Service estimates that annual national mobilization costs are between
$40,000,000 and $50,000,000;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4C6DC2D168F04F7EA52ADAABCB02342F"><enum>(F)</enum><text>saving 10 percent
of annual national mobilization costs through more effective use of local
resources would reduce costs by $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 each year;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDA814B791C13644C5B4599CFFF291B65B"><enum>(G)</enum><text>it is more
cost-effective to prevent wildfires by prepositioning wildfire fighting
resources to catch flare-ups than to commit millions of dollars to respond to
large uncontrollable fires; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDC95E8E0DC3874922BC1651321786FFA2"><enum>(H)</enum><text>it is in the best
interest of the United States to invest in catastrophic wildfire prevention and
mitigation by easing the financial burden of prepositioning wildfire
suppression resources.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID6C9EE87A3EF64930AFA799D6D96C5D2B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text>The
purpose of this section is to encourage the mitigation and prevention of
wildfires by providing financial assistance to States for prepositioning of
wildfire suppression resources.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID379E6528BA3A43C784515CA66ECA79AE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Authorization</header><text>Subject
to the availability of funds, the Director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (referred to in this section as the <quote>Director</quote>) shall
reimburse a State for the cost of prepositioning wildfire suppression resources
on potential multiple and large fire complexes when the Director determines, in
accordance with the national and regional severity indices contained in the
Forest Service handbook entitled <quote>Interagency Standards for Fire and Fire
Aviation Operations</quote>, that a wildfire event poses a threat to life and
property in the area.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDC94371C853EB41FE8500DD95CC8E9FAE"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text>Wildfire
suppression resources of the Federal Government, neighboring countries, and any
State other than the State requesting assistance are eligible for reimbursement
under this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDDDFC205FB22C43F0A9B035E216E49BAD"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reimbursement</header>
<paragraph id="IDCF16BE2F83474D1DA4FB2C62841883D7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Director may reimburse a State for the costs of
prepositioning of wildfire suppression resources of the entities specified in
subsection (c), including mobilization to, and demobilization from, the staging
or prepositioning area.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDC02F48982BA14322904E90A546C80475"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>For
a State to receive reimbursement under paragraph (1)—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID0E53542E98F645469534032F352290E2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any resource
provided by an entity specified in subsection (c) shall have been specifically
requested by the State seeking reimbursement; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5E8B809D1C644CB8AF67AFC802DBB751"><enum>(B)</enum><text>staging or
prepositioning costs—</text>
<clause id="IDBD25FC5786F0476793539BCEA103A8E0"><enum>(i)</enum><text>shall be expended
during the approved prepositioning period; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2F99633CED7A4773802C1D7B5D8101B4"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>shall be
reasonable.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id669AE265FEED4C888EBDE21B4A2B1B35"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>The
amount of all reimbursements made under this subsection during any year shall
not exceed
$50,000,000.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section>