[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 805 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 805

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


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 2, 2009

  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 Academy of Sciences 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) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) ACF river system.--The term ``ACF River System'' means 
        the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River System.
            (2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the National 
        Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Army.
    (b) National Research Council Study.--Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall offer to enter 
into an agreement with the Council under which the Council shall 
conduct a comprehensive study of the water management, needs, and 
conservation of the ACF River System.
    (c) Matters To Be Addressed.--The study under subsection (b) 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 Council considers to be appropriate.
    (d) Report.--Not later than 2 years after entering into an 
agreement under subsection (b), the Council shall submit to the 
Secretary and Congress a report containing the findings of the study 
under subsection (b), including such recommendations as the Council 
considers to be appropriate.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $1,200,000.
                                 <all>