[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2309-S2313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. LINCOLN (for herself, Mr. Cleland, and Mr. Dorgan):
  S. 531. A bill to promote recreation on Federal lakes, to require 
Federal agencies responsible for managing Federal lakes to pursue 
strategies for enhancing recreational experiences of the public, and 
for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the National 
Recreation Lakes Act of 2001--a bill that will recognize the benefits 
and value of recreation at federal lakes and give recreation a seat at 
the table in the management decisions of all our federal lakes. I am 
proud to be joined in this effort today by Senator Cleland of Georgia 
and Senator Dorgan of North Dakota.
  Recreation on our federal lakes has become a powerful tourist magnet, 
attracting some 900 million visitors annually and generating an 
estimated $44 billion in economic activity--mostly spent on privately-
provided goods and services. And by the middle of this century, our 
federal lakes are expected to host nearly 2 billion visitors per year.
  Yet, even with the millions of visitors each year to our lakes and 
reservoirs, recreation has suffered from a lack of unifying policy 
direction and leadership, as well as insufficient interagency and 
intergovernmental planning and coordination. Most federal agencies are 
focused on the traditional functions of man-made lakes and reservoirs: 
flood control, hydroelectric power, water supply, irrigation, and 
navigation. And often recreation is left out of the decision process.
  This legislation will reaffirm that recreation is also an authorized 
purpose at almost all federal lakes and direct the agencies managing 
these projects to take action to reemphasize recreation programs in 
their management plans. This legislation will emphasize partnerships 
between the Federal Government, local governments, and private groups 
to promote responsible recreation on all our federal lakes.
  It will establish a National Recreation Lakes Demonstration Program 
comprised of up to 25 lakes across the nation. At each of these federal 
lakes, the managing agency will be empowered to develop creative 
agreements with private sector recreation providers as well as state 
land agencies to enhance recreation opportunities. Rather than just 
building new federal campgrounds with tax dollars, we need to create 
new partnerships to provide support for building recreation 
infrastructure that is in line with visitor and tourist desires for 
recreation. The National Recreation Lakes Demonstration Program will be 
a pilot project to test these creative agreements and management 
techniques on a small scale to demonstrate their effectiveness at 
promoting recreation on federal lakes.

[[Page S2310]]

  Second, this legislation will establish a Federal Recreation Lakes 
Leadership Council to coordinate the National Recreation Lakes 
Demonstration Program and coordinate efforts among federal agencies to 
promote recreation on federal lakes.
  It also will include the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers in the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program. The Fee 
Demo Program has had wide successes in Arkansas and across the country 
in allowing individual parks and recreation areas to keep more of their 
fee revenues on-site to reduce the often overwhelming maintenance 
backlog.

  The legislation will also provide for periodic review of the 
management of recreation at federal water projects--something long 
overdue. A great deal has changed since many of the water projects were 
authorized, yet the initial legislative direction from over 70 years 
ago continues to be the basis for the management practices now in the 
year 2001--and that is not right.
  Finally, the legislation will provide new opportunities to link the 
national recreation lakes initiative with other federal recreation 
assistance efforts, including the Wallop-Breaux program for boating and 
fishing.
  Let me give you a little background on how this legislation was 
developed. In 1996, the U.S. Senate recognized that recreation was 
becoming more important on federal lakes and conceived the National 
Recreation Lakes Study Commission to review the current and anticipated 
demand for recreational opportunities on federally managed lakes and 
reservoirs. The National Recreation Lakes Study Commission were charged 
to ``review the current and anticipated demand for recreational 
opportunities at federally managed man-made lakes and reservoirs'' and 
``to develop alternatives for enhanced recreational use of such 
facilities.''
  The Commission released its long-awaited report confirming the impact 
of recreation on federally-managed, man-made lakes in June of last 
year. The Commission also recognized that we are far from realizing 
their full potential. The study documented that these lakes are 
powerful tourist magnets, attracting some 900 million visitors annually 
and generating an estimated $44 billion dollars in economic activity--
mostly spent on privately-provided goods and services.
  During the Energy and Natural Resources Committee's hearing in 1999 
on the Recreation Lakes Study, the chairman and I spent some time 
discussing how children today do not take full advantage of the outdoor 
opportunities that are available to them. It is so important that we 
encourage our children to enjoy the great outdoors that often times is 
less than an hour's drive away.
  As the mother of twin 4-year-old boys, I feel we need to encourage 
our children to be children, not to become adults too quickly, to learn 
how to enjoy the outdoors. The only way we can do that is by exposing 
them to it early and often.
  In this Nation, we have nearly 1,800 federally managed lakes and 
reservoirs. There are 38 in my home state of Arkansas. With so many 
federal lakes throughout the country, there's no reason why we 
shouldn't do all we can to promote recreation. I know that in Arkansas, 
we don't think twice about getting away to the lake for the weekend to 
go boating or fishing, or to just get away from the day-to-day grind. 
And that doesn't even begin to get into the tremendous economic impact 
from recreation on our federal lakes.
  Last August, I conducted a tour of two of our Corps of Engineers 
managed lakes in Arkansas--Lake Ouachita and Greers Ferry Lake--to 
observe how our lakes are managed and to see where recreation falls on 
the priority list. I saw many opportunities where the Corps of 
Engineers, working with local officials and private citizens, could, 
through innovative management techniques, better provide for the 
recreation needs of the thousands of Arkansans that visit Arkansas' 
lakes each year. This bill will enable our federal lakes in Arkansas 
and around the country to invest in and manage for recreation so we all 
can enjoy a day out on the lake.

  This bill is not an attempt to completely rewrite how federal lakes 
in this country are managed or to put recreation in front of all other 
authorized purposes at federal lakes. The National Recreation Lakes Act 
of 2001 will work with all current laws and regulations to ensure that 
recreation is given a seat at the table when the management decisions 
are made for our federal lakes.
  This is a good bill. In everything from the creation of jobs to the 
money that tourists like myself spend at the marinas and local stores 
surrounding the lake--our Federal lakes and reservoirs have an immense 
recreational value that can and does bring revenues into our local 
economies. The best way to encourage and expand this aspect is to 
ensure that recreation is given a higher priority in the management of 
our federal lakes.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation and look 
forward to the debate on how we can promote recreation on our federal 
lakes.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 531

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Recreation Lakes 
     Act of 2001''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       (1) recreation is an authorized purpose at almost all 
     Federal lakes;
       (2) lakes created by Federal dam projects have become 
     powerful magnets for diverse recreation activities, drawing 
     hundreds of millions of visits annually and generating tens 
     of billions of dollars in economic benefits;
       (3) recreational opportunities are provided at such lakes, 
     on surrounding land, and on downstream tailwaters by Federal 
     agencies and through partnerships among Federal, State, and 
     local government agencies and private persons; and
       (4) the quality of recreational opportunities at and around 
     Federal lakes depends on clean air and water and attractive 
     viewsheds.
       (b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to require Federal agencies responsible for management 
     of lakes created by Federal dam projects to pursue strategies 
     for enhancing recreational experiences at the lakes; and
       (2) to direct Federal agencies to investigate the 
     possibilities for the use of, and to use, creative management 
     of the project lakes that optimizes both recreational 
     opportunities and other purposes of the project lakes, 
     including--
       (A) provision of agricultural and municipal water supplies;
       (B) provision of flood control and navigation benefits;
       (C) production of hydroelectric power; and
       (D) protection of water quality.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Federal Lakes 
     Recreation Leadership Council established by section 5.
       (2) National recreation demonstration lake.--The term 
     ``national recreation demonstration lake'' means a project 
     lake that is designated as a national recreation 
     demonstration lake under section 4.
       (3) Participating agency.--The term ``participating 
     agency'' means--
       (A) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;
       (B) the Bureau of Land Management;
       (C) the Bureau of Reclamation;
       (D) the National Park Service;
       (E) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;
       (F) the Forest Service;
       (G) the Army Corps of Engineers;
       (H) the Tennessee Valley Authority; and
       (I) any other project lake management agency that 
     participates in the Program at the request of the Council.
       (4) Program.--The term ``Program'' means the national 
     recreation lakes demonstration program established by section 
     4.
       (5) Project lake.--The term ``project lake'' means an 
     impoundment of water that--
       (A) is part of a water resources project operated, 
     maintained, or constructed by or with the participation of 
     any Federal agency;
       (B) has a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre feet or 
     more; and
       (C) includes recreation as an authorized purpose.
       (6) Project lake management agency.--The term ``project 
     lake management agency'' means a Federal agency that manages 
     a project lake.
       (7) Recreation.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``recreation'' means--
       (i) a water-related recreational activity that takes place 
     on, adjacent to, or in a project lake or tailwater; and
       (ii) a recreational activity or wildlife-related activity 
     that takes place on federally managed land in the vicinity of 
     a project

[[Page S2311]]

     lake that is permitted under a land management plan in effect 
     on the date of enactment of this Act.
       (B) Inclusions.--The term ``recreation'' includes--
       (i) boating (including power boating, sailing, rafting, 
     kayaking, and canoeing), diving, swimming, camping, trail-
     based activities, and picnicking; and
       (ii) fishing and other wildlife-related activity.

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL RECREATION LAKES DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established the National 
     Recreation Lakes Demonstration Program consisting of the 25 
     national recreation demonstration lakes to be established 
     under this Act.
       (b) Criteria.--
       (1) In general.--The Council shall develop and establish 
     criteria for use in selecting project lakes managed by 
     participating agencies for designation as national recreation 
     demonstration lakes.
       (2) Requirements.--The criteria shall--
       (A) include lake size, diversity of current and potential 
     recreational uses, opportunities for partnerships with 
     private and public entities, and present and projected 
     regional recreation demand; and
       (B) require a strong showing of local support from the area 
     of the lake, including support from State and local 
     governments, private citizens, and businesses.
       (3) Consultation.--In developing the criteria, the Council 
     shall consult with participating agencies to encourage the 
     nomination of project lakes for the Program so as to include 
     project lakes in all regions of the country and project lakes 
     that will provide a variety of recreational experiences.
       (c) Nomination of National Recreation Demonstration 
     Lakes.--A participating agency or an interest group located 
     in the immediate vicinity of a project lake may nominate the 
     project lake to become a national recreation demonstration 
     lake by submitting to the Council a nomination in accordance 
     with such procedures as the Council may establish.
       (d) Designation of National Recreation Demonstration 
     Lakes.--
       (1) In general.--On receiving the nominations from 
     participating agencies and local interest groups, the Council 
     shall designate 25 project lakes to be national recreation 
     demonstration lakes.
       (2) Selection criteria.--In selecting project lakes for 
     designation as national recreation demonstration lakes, the 
     Council shall endeavor to include project lakes in all 
     regions of the country and project lakes that will provide a 
     variety of recreational experiences.
       (3) Effective Period.--A designation of a project lake as a 
     national recreation demonstration lake shall be effective for 
     a period not to exceed 10 years.
       (e) Authorized Activities at National Recreation 
     Demonstration Lakes.--
       (1) Enhancement of recreation activities.--Each 
     participating agency shall use authorities under this Act to 
     enhance opportunities for recreation activities on, in, and 
     in the vicinity of national recreation demonstration lakes.
       (2) New authorities.--In accordance with the Act of October 
     22, 1986 (16.U.S.C 497b) and the Act of November 13, 1998 (16 
     U.S.C. 5951 et seq.), the head of any participating agency 
     except the National Park Service may conduct any activity to 
     experiment with permits, fees, concession agreements, and 
     innovative management structures at a national recreation 
     demonstration lake under the jurisdiction of the 
     participating agency.
       (3) Assistance to units of local government in the vicinity 
     of a national recreation demonstration lake.--The head of any 
     participating agency that manages a national recreation 
     demonstration lake may carry out activities (including 
     planning and marketing activities, the establishment of 
     advisory boards, and other activities) to improve 
     communications and cooperation between the agency and local 
     community interests in the vicinity of the lake with respect 
     to management of the national recreation demonstration lake.
       (f) Local Advisory Committees.--
       (1) Establishment and purpose.--Under guidelines developed 
     by the Council, the head of a participating agency shall 
     establish, for each national recreation demonstration lake 
     managed by the agency, a local advisory committee comprised 
     of State and local government and private sector 
     representatives.
       (2) Duties.--The duties of a local advisory committee shall 
     be to recommend and coordinate with project lake managers on 
     projects proposed to be completed by the participating agency 
     under the Program.
       (3) Other authorities and requirements.--
       (A) Meetings.--All meetings of a local advisory committee 
     shall be announced at least 1 week in advance in a local 
     newspaper of record and shall be open to the public.
       (B) Records.--A local advisory committee shall maintain 
     records of the meetings of the committee and make the records 
     available for public inspection.
       (C) Compensation.--Members of a local advisory committee 
     shall not receive any compensation.
       (D) Federal advisory committee act.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to a local 
     advisory committee established under paragraph (1).

      SEC. 5. FEDERAL LAKES RECREATION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.

       (a) Establishment.--There is established a council to be 
     known as the ``Federal Lakes Recreation Leadership Council'' 
     as contemplated by the memorandum of agreement among the 
     Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, 
     Secretary of the Army, and Chairman of the Tennessee Valley 
     Authority dated October 27, 1999.
       (b) Membership.--The Council shall be composed of--
       (1) the Secretary of the Interior (or designee), who shall 
     serve as the Chairperson of the Council;
       (2) the Secretary of the Army (or designee);
       (3) the Secretary of Agriculture (or designee);
       (4) the Director of the Tennessee Valley Authority (or 
     designee);
       (5) a representative of the recreation industry, appointed 
     by the President;
       (6) a representative of the National Association of State 
     Park Directors, appointed by the President; and
       (7) a director of a State Fish and Wildlife Agency, 
     appointed by the President.
       (c) Terms; Vacancies.--
       (1) Term.--
       (A) In general.--Except as provided under subparagraph (B), 
     a member shall be appointed for the life of the Council.
       (B) Presidential appointee.--A member of the Council 
     appointed under paragraphs (5), (6), or (7) of subsection (b) 
     shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.
       (2) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Council--
       (A) shall not affect the powers of the Council; and
       (B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original 
     appointment was made.
       (d) Purpose.--The purpose of the Council shall be to--
       (1) increase the awareness of the social and economic 
     values associated with project lake recreation among project 
     lake management agencies and other stakeholders with an 
     interest in recreation at project lakes;
       (2) develop policies that provide an environment for 
     success that emphasizes the role of recreation at project 
     lakes;
       (3) protect and manage recreation and other resources to 
     optimize all resource benefits; and
       (4) promote a process that will involve Federal, State, 
     tribal, and local units of government and field managers in 
     the planning, development, and management of recreation uses 
     at project lakes.
       (e) Duties.--The Council shall--
       (1)(A) work to implement the goals and recommendations of 
     the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission as detailed in 
     the Commission's 1999 report entitled ``Reservoirs of 
     Opportunity''; and
       (B) use the report as a guide for all Council actions;
       (2) solicit each project lake management agency to become a 
     participating agency;
       (3) respond to requests for assistance from Members of 
     Congress in drafting legislation, including new authorization 
     and funding requirements, to best achieve the purposes of 
     this Act;
       (4) promote collaboration among agencies to provide 
     training opportunities, interagency development assignments, 
     and regular lake manager meetings;
       (5) promote the development and consistency of--
       (A) data collection at project lakes, including--
       (i) making scientific assessments of watershed and natural 
     resource conditions; and
       (ii) making assessments of customer facility and 
     infrastructure needs; and
       (B) required maintenance schedules;
       (6) promote agency policies that encourage construction, 
     operation, and maintenance of high quality visitor and 
     recreational services and facilities by concessioners and 
     permittees at project lakes, including adequate opportunities 
     for profitability and recovery of capital investments;
       (7) develop consistent guidance to encourage construction, 
     operation, and maintenance of commercial recreation 
     facilities and other visitor amenities at project lakes;
       (8) recognize and reward innovation and collaboration at 
     project lakes;
       (9) develop public information materials to identify the 
     type and location of recreation facilities and programs at 
     project lakes;
       (10) promote cooperation and share new approaches from 
     Federal and State managing agencies, Indian tribes, and the 
     private sector to embrace a culture of innovation and 
     entrepreneurship;
       (11) develop training courses on business skills to close 
     the recreation needs gap;
       (12) support annual regional workshops with State, tribal, 
     local, and private sector participants to seek feedback and 
     assistance in achieving the goals of the Program;
       (13) develop and establish an application and selection 
     process to implement the Program;
       (14) develop guidelines for the formation of local advisory 
     committees to be established by project lake management 
     agencies managing national recreation demonstration lakes; 
     and
       (15) develop and administer a competitive grant program for 
     distributing available funds among national recreation 
     demonstration lakes for purposes described in this Act under 
     which--
       (A) the total number of lakes improved under the program 
     shall not exceed 25 lakes; and

[[Page S2312]]

       (B) grants are provided in a manner that, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, reflects the geographical diversity of 
     the United States.
       (f) Principles.--In all its actions and recommendations, 
     the Council shall consider the following principles:
       (1) Watershed health.--The health of the watersheds 
     associated with project lakes must be protected.
       (2) Neighboring communities.--Neighboring communities 
     should be encouraged to participate in planning the 
     recreation needs and other uses of project lakes to help to 
     diversify the economic base of the community and promote 
     sustainable practices to protect resources.
       (3) Federal responsibilities.--Federal responsibilities to 
     enhance recreation at project lakes while operating projects 
     to optimize water use for all beneficial purposes should be 
     reaffirmed.
       (4) Management flexibility.--Management flexibility should 
     be increased and support for management innovation should be 
     demonstrated.
       (5) Support.--Public and private support should be 
     attracted to provide public outdoor recreation activities at 
     project lakes.
       (g) FACA.--The Council shall be subject to the Federal 
     Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
       (h) Termination of Council.--The Council shall terminate 15 
     years after the date on which funds are first made available 
     to carry out this section.

      SEC. 6. PERIODIC REVIEW AND REVISION OF OPERATING POLICIES 
                   FOR PROJECT LAKES.

       (a) Reports.--
       (1) Project lake management agencies.--Not later than 1 
     year after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of 
     each project lake management agency shall submit to the 
     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the 
     Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives, and 
     the Council a report that describes--
       (A) actions taken by the agency to communicate to personnel 
     of the agency the requirements of this Act and other laws 
     relating to recreation use of project lakes; and
       (B) actions to be taken by the agency to expand recreation 
     opportunities at project lakes, including a schedule for 
     taking the actions.
       (2) Council.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the 
     Council shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
     Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Resources of 
     the House of Representatives a report describing actions 
     taken by participating agencies to expand recreation 
     opportunities at project lakes.
       (3) Participating agencies.--
       (A) Periodic reports.--The head of each participating 
     agency shall periodically report to the Council regarding 
     activities of the participating agency under this section.
       (B) Comprehensive review.--Not later than 5 years after the 
     date of enactment of this Act and at least once every 15 
     years thereafter, the head of each participating agency shall 
     conduct a comprehensive review of operating policies for 
     project lakes managed by the agency that describes--
       (i) the actions taken by the agency to communicate to 
     personnel of the agency the requirements of this Act and 
     other laws relating to recreation use of project lakes; and
       (ii) the actions to be taken by the agency to expand 
     recreation opportunities at project lakes, including a 
     schedule for taking the actions.
       (b) Policies.--
       (1) In general.--The head of each project lake management 
     agency shall--
       (A) revise the policies of the agency as necessary to 
     incorporate new information and ensure coordinated management 
     of project lakes to produce high levels of benefits for 
     recreation and all authorized purposes and designated uses of 
     project lakes; and
       (B) where recreation is consistent with the project lake 
     purposes and designated uses of project lands and waters, 
     give recreation appropriate attention in all agency decisions 
     and policies relating to the project lake.
       (2) Tailwaters.--In conducting any activity relating to the 
     tailwater of a project lake, the head of a project lake 
     management agency shall--
       (A) investigate ways to consider recreational uses 
     dependent on water release schedules and release volumes;
       (B) consider release schedules to enhance such 
     opportunities and uses of the tailwater; and
       (C) appropriately balance all of the purposes of the 
     project.

      SEC. 7. RECREATION FEE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

       Section 315 of the Department of the Interior and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a note; 
     Public Law 104-134), is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting ``, the Bureau of Reclamation,'' after 
     ``the National Park Service'';
       (B) by striking ``Service) and'' and inserting 
     ``Service),''; and
       (C) by inserting before ``shall each'' the following: ``, 
     and the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Corps of 
     Engineers)'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``four agencies'' and 
     inserting ``6 agencies''; and
       (3) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``and'' and inserting a comma; and
       (B) by inserting ``, and the Secretary of the Army'' before 
     ``shall carry out''.

     SEC. 8. USE OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT FUNDING FOR MATCHING 
                   REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATION PROJECTS AT 
                   NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKES.

       (a) Federal Water Project Recreation Act.--The Federal 
     Water Project Recreation Act is amended--
       (1) in section 2 (16 U.S.C. 460l-13)--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``it and to bear'' and 
     all that follows through ``recreation,'' and inserting ``the 
     project,''; and
       (B) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``recreation and''; and
       (ii) by striking ``recreation or'';
       (2) in section 3 (16 U.S.C. 460l-14)--
       (A) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``it and will bear'' 
     the first place it appears and all that follows through 
     ``recreation,'' and inserting ``the project,''; and
       (B) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2); and
       (3) in section 4 (16 U.S.C. 460l-15), by striking 
     ``recreation and'' and all that follows through ``those 
     purposes'' and inserting ``fish and wildlife purposes''.
       (b) Federal Aid in Fish Restoration Act.--The Act of August 
     9, 1950 (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) is amended by striking the 
     first section 13 (relating to effective date) and the second 
     section 13 (relating to State use of contributions) and 
     inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 13. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT SPENDING TO 
                   NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF COVERED RECREATION 
                   PROJECTS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Covered recreation project.--The term `covered 
     recreation project' means construction or reconstruction of a 
     facility for recreation at a national recreation 
     demonstration lake that is carried out with assistance under 
     this Act.
       ``(2) National recreation demonstration lake.--The term 
     `national recreation demonstration lake' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes 
     Act of 2001.
       ``(3) Recreation.--The term `recreation' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes 
     Act of 2001.
       ``(b) Treatment of Use of Amounts Appropriated for a 
     Federal Water Project.--The use for any covered recreation 
     project of amounts appropriated for a Federal water project 
     shall be treated as payment of the non-Federal share of costs 
     required under this Act.''.
       (c) Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act.--The Act of 
     September 2, 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 10 as section 11; and
       (2) by inserting after section 9 the following:

     ``SEC. 10. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT SPENDING TO 
                   NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF RECREATION PROJECTS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Covered recreation project.--The term `covered 
     recreation project' means construction or reconstruction of a 
     facility for recreation at a national recreation 
     demonstration lake that is carried out with assistance under 
     this Act.
       ``(2) National recreation demonstration lake.--The term 
     `national recreation demonstration lake' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes 
     Act of 2001.
       ``(3) Recreation.--The term `recreation' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes 
     Act of 2001.
       ``(b) Treatment of Use of Amounts Appropriated for a 
     Federal Water Project.--The use for any covered recreation 
     project of amounts appropriated for a Federal water project 
     shall be treated as payment of the non-Federal share of costs 
     required under this Act.''.

     SEC. 9. COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTION OR 
                   REPLACEMENT OF RECREATION FACILITY.

       (a) Assistance Authorized.--The head of each project lake 
     management agency may provide financial assistance to a State 
     or local agency to cover a portion of the total costs 
     incurred for the reconstruction or replacement of a 
     recreation facility operated under an agreement with the 
     State or local agency at a project lake.
       (b) Costs Included.--The total costs of reconstruction or 
     replacement of a recreation facility include the costs 
     associated with all components of the reconstruction or 
     replacement project, including--
       (1) project administration;
       (2) the provision of technical assistance; and
       (3) contracting and construction costs.
       (c) Limitation.--Assistance provided under subsection (a) 
     shall not be used for costs incurred in maintaining or 
     operating the recreation facility.

     SEC. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

       This Act does not affect--
       (1) the purposes of any project lake authorized before the 
     date of enactment of this Act;
       (2) the authority of any State to manage fish and wildlife; 
     or
       (3) the authority of any State or the Federal Government to 
     enter into any agreement relating to a project lake.

     SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 
     through 2006, to remain available until expended.
       (b) Administrative Costs.--Not more than 5 percent of the 
     funds made available under

[[Page S2313]]

     subsection (a) may be used to pay administrative costs 
     incurred by the Secretary of the Interior in coordinating the 
     activities of the Council and participating agencies under 
     this Act.

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I want to express my support for the 
National Recreation Lakes Act which is being introduced today by 
Senator Blanche Lincoln and others. This bill will give recreation 
interests a seat at the table when decisions are made about the use of 
Federal lakes. I think that this bill in an important part of 
recognizing the great benefits that our Federal lakes provide to 
communities all across the country.
  This bill creates a pilot program that will encompass 25 national 
recreation demonstration lakes. These lakes will ensure that 
recreational interests get a voice in the decision making process. We 
rely on these lakes for so many different things: irrigation, hydro-
power, navigation. In many cases, recreational interests are an 
afterthought. This bill will give recreation the priority that it 
deserves.
  Lake Sakakawea is located in my home state of North Dakota. I have 
worked with the community leaders there to try and make the importance 
of recreational interests a part of the discussion regarding the level 
of the lake and the use of the water in the lake. This is a perfect 
example of a lake that would benefit from this legislation.
  I commend Senator Lincoln for the hard work that she has done on this 
legislation and I look forward to working with her to move this bill 
through the legislative process.
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