I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4406 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 19, 2012 Mr. Camp (for himself and Ms. Slaughter) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To compel the Secretary of the Army to complete the Great Lakes Mississippi River Interbasin Study within 18 months and to focus particular attention on the permanent prevention of the spread of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Basins.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Stop Invasive Species Act.

2.

Asian carp

(a)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Hydrological separation

The term hydrological separation means a physical separation on the Chicago Area Waterway System that— (A)would disconnect the Mississippi River watershed from the Lake Michigan watershed; and (B)shall be designed to be adequate in scope to prevent the transfer of all aquatic species between each of those bodies of water. (2)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers. (b)

Expedited study and report

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall— (A)expedite completion of the report for the study authorized by section 3061(d) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110–114; 121 Stat. 1121); and (B)if the Secretary determines a project is justified in the completed report, proceed directly to project preconstruction engineering and design. (2)

Focus

In expediting the completion of the study and report under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall focus on— (A)the prevention of the spread of aquatic nuisance species between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins, such as through the permanent hydrological separation of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basins; and (B)the watersheds of the following rivers and tributaries associated with the Chicago Area Waterway System: (i)The Illinois River, at and in the vicinity of Chicago, Illinois. (ii)The Chicago River, Calumet River, North Shore Channel, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and Cal-Sag Channel in the State of Illinois. (iii)The Grand Calumet River and Little Calumet River in the States of Illinois and Indiana. (3)

Efficient use of funds

The Secretary shall ensure the efficient use of funds to maximize the timely completion of the study and report under paragraph (1). (4)

Deadline

The Secretary shall complete the report under paragraph (1) by not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act. (5)

Interim report

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report describing— (A)interim milestones that will be met prior to final completion of the study and report under paragraph (1); and (B)funding necessary for completion of the study and report under paragraph (1), including funding necessary for completion of each interim milestone identified under subparagraph (A).