[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3152 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 3152

 To provide for a comprehensive study by the National Research Council 
 of the National Academies to assess the water management, needs, and 
   conservation of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 18, 2008

  Mr. Nelson of Florida (for himself and Mr. Martinez) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                      Environment and Public Works

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide for a comprehensive study by the National Research Council 
 of the National Academies to assess the water management, needs, and 
   conservation of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STUDY ON THE APALACHICOLA-CHATTAHOOCHEE-FLINT RIVER SYSTEM.

    (a) National Research Council Study.--Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Army shall 
enter into an agreement with the National Research Council of the 
National Academies under which the Council shall conduct a 
comprehensive study of the water management, needs, and conservation of 
the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System (in this Act referred 
to as the ``ACF River System'').
    (b) Matters To Be Addressed.--The study under subsection (a) shall 
include the following:
            (1) A summary of the existing body of scientific knowledge 
        on--
                    (A) the ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, and 
                biogeochemistry of the Apalachicola River and the 
                greater ACF River System;
                    (B) the ecosystem services provided by the 
                Apalachicola River;
                    (C) the impact of variation in freshwater flow on 
                the ecology of the river and downstream coastal 
                ecosystems, including the Apalachicola Bay ecosystem; 
                and
                    (D) how to restore the natural hydraulic function 
                of the ACF River System, including restoration of 
                floodplains and wetlands.
            (2) An assessment of models that serve as the basis for the 
        master manuals of the ACF River System.
            (3) An assessment of water availability, supply options, 
        demand-management alternatives, and socioeconomic factors that 
        influence uses in the ACF River System, including water 
        quality, navigation, hydropower, recreation, in-stream ecology, 
        and flood control.
            (4) An assessment of policies, regulations, and other 
        factors that affect Federal water project operations.
            (5) Recommendations for an approach to determine water 
        limits that recognize the needs of all water users along the 
        ACF River System, including adequate in-stream flow 
        requirements.
            (6) Recommendations for any additional measures to address 
        the long-term watershed management needs of the ACF River 
        System as the National Research Council considers appropriate.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 2 years after entering into an 
agreement under subsection (a), the National Research Council shall 
submit to the Secretary of the Army and Congress a report containing 
the findings of the study under subsection (a) and such other 
recommendations as the Council considers appropriate.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this Act, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,200,000.
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