[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 113 (Thursday, August 1, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6223-S6229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Reid, Mr. Heller, and Mrs. 
        Boxer):
  S. 1451. A bill to provide for environmental restoration activities 
and forest management activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin, to amend 
title 18, United States Code, to prohibit the importation or shipment 
of quagga mussels, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to again discuss the need 
to restore and protect Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is a national treasure. 
Her alpine beauty has drawn and inspired people for centuries: artists 
and poets, John Muir and Mark Twain, and countless millions the world 
over.
  As a girl, I went to Lake Tahoe to ride horses through the woods, to 
swim in the clear blue waters and to bike around the magnificent Basin.
  For over 16 years, representatives from different ends of the 
political spectrum have come together to Keep Tahoe Blue.
  The challenges are great. Climate change and drought have created a 
persistent threat from catastrophic wildfire. Sedimentation and 
pollution threaten water quality and the lake's treasured clarity. And 
invasive species threaten the economy of the region.
  The time to act is now, and the federal government must take a 
leading role--78 percent of the land surrounding Lake Tahoe is public 
land, primarily the Eldorado, Toiyabe and Tahoe National Forests.
  That is why today I am reintroducing the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act 
of 2013, which is co-sponsored by Senators Harry Reid, Dean Heller and 
Barbara Boxer.
  The bill would continue the Federal commitment at Lake Tahoe by 
authorizing $415 million over ten years to improve water clarity, 
reduce the threat of catastrophic fire, combat invasive species, and 
restore and protect the environment in the Lake Tahoe Basin.
  Specifically, it would do the following:
  Provide $243 million over 10 years for the highest priority 
restoration projects, according to scientific data. The legislation 
authorizes at least $138 million for stormwater management and 
watershed restoration projects scientifically determined to be the most 
effective ways to improve water clarity.
  This bill also requires prioritized ranking of environmental 
restoration projects and authorizes $80 million for State and local 
agencies to implement these projects with costs being split evenly 
between the Federal agencies and non-federal partners.
  Eligible projects must demonstrate their cost effectiveness, 
stakeholder support, ability to leverage non-federal contributions and 
meet environmental improvement goals.
  Implementation of priority projects will improve water quality, 
forest health, air quality and fish and wildlife habitat around Lake 
Tahoe.
  Authorizes $135 million over ten years to reduce the threat of 
wildfire in Lake Tahoe. These funds will finance hazardous fuels 
reduction projects including grants to local fire agencies, who must 
contribute at least 25 percent of project costs.
  The bill also authorizes important restoration work related to the 
devastating 2007 Angora fire, which destroyed 242 residences and 67 
commercial structures. Fuels treatment on Washoe Tribal lands, wildfire 
prevention planning, and improvements to

[[Page S6224]]

local water district infrastructure to fight wildfires that reach urban 
areas are eligible for grant funding.
  The bill also creates incentives for local communities to have 
dedicated funding for defensible space inspections and enforcement.
  Protecting Lake Tahoe from the threat of quagga mussels and other 
invasive aquatic species. Protecting Lake Tahoe from the threat of 
quagga mussels and other invasive aquatic species is a major priority 
because of the serious threats posed to Lake Tahoe.
  University of California, Davis and University of Nevada, Reno 
scientists report that they have found up to 3,000 Asian clams per 
square meter at spots between Zephyr Point and Elk Point in Lake Tahoe. 
The spreading Asian clam population could put sharp shells and rotting 
algae on the Lake's beaches and help spread other invasive species such 
as quagga mussels.
  The bill would authorize $30 million for watercraft inspections and 
removal of existing invasive species. It would require all watercraft 
to be inspected and decontaminated if they are determined to be a risk 
to the lake.
  These invasive species threats are serious. For example, one quagga 
or zebra mussel can lay 1 million eggs in a year. This means that a 
single boat carrying quagga could devastate the lake's biology, local 
infrastructure, and the local economy.
  The threat to Lake Tahoe cannot be overstated. In 2007 quagga mussels 
were discovered in Lake Mead. In the 6 years since, there population 
has swelled exponentially. Today there are more than 3 trillion. The 
infestation is probably irreversible.
  There is good news. There is promising news on this front. Scientists 
have begun testing a new strategy by placing long rubber mats across 
the bottom of Lake Tahoe to cut off the oxygen to the Asian clams. 
Early research suggests that these mats were very effective at killing 
the clams. We continue to learn from this important research about how 
best to manage invasive species.
  We can fight off these invaders. But it will require drive and 
imagination and the help authorized within this bill.
  Supports reintroduction of the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. The 
legislation authorizes $20 million over 10 years for the Lahontan 
Cutthroat Trout Recovery Plan. The Lahontan Cutthroat Trout is an 
iconic species that has an important historic legacy in Lake Tahoe.
  When John C. Fremont first explored the Truckee River in January of 
1844, he called it the Salmon Trout River because he found the Pyramid 
Lake Lahontan Cutthroat Trout. The trout relied on the Truckee River 
and its tributaries for their spawning runs in spring, traveling up the 
entire river's length as far as Lake Tahoe and Donner Lake, where they 
used the cool, pristine waters and clean gravel beds to lay their eggs. 
But dams, pollution and overfishing caused the demise of the Lahontan 
Cutthroat Trout.
  Lake Tahoe is one of the historic 11 lakes where Lahontan Cutthroat 
Trout flourished in the past, and it's a critical part of the strategy 
to recover the species.
  Funds scientific research. The legislation authorizes $30 million 
over ten years for scientific programs and research which will produce 
information on long-term trends in the Basin and inform the most cost-
effective projects.
  Prohibiting mining operations in the Tahoe Basin. This legislation 
would prohibit new mining operations in the Basin, ensuring that the 
fragile watershed and Lake Tahoe's water clarity are not threatened by 
pollution from mining operations.
  Increases accountability and oversight. Every project funded by this 
legislation will have monitoring and assessment to determine the most 
cost-effective projects and best management practices for future 
projects.
  The legislation also requires the Chair of the Federal Partnership to 
work with the Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and 
Wildlife Service and regional and state agencies, to prepare an annual 
report to Congress detailing the status of all projects undertaken, 
including project scope, budget and justification and overall 
expenditures and accomplishments.
  This will ensure that Congress can have oversight on the progress of 
environmental restoration in Lake Tahoe.
  Provides for public outreach and education. The Forest Service, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Fish and Wildlife Service and Tahoe 
Regional Planning Agency will implement new public outreach and 
education programs including encouraging Basin residents and visitors 
to implement defensible space, conducting best management practices for 
water quality and preventing the introduction and proliferation of 
invasive species. In addition, the legislation requires signage on 
federally financed projects to improve public awareness of restoration 
efforts.
  Allows for increased efficiency in the management of public land. 
Under this legislation, the Forest Service would have increased 
flexibility to exchange land with state agencies which will allow for 
more cost-efficient management of public land. There is currently a 
checkerboard pattern of ownership in some areas of the Basin.
  Under this new authority, the Forest Service could exchange land with 
the California Tahoe Conservancy and the California Department of Parks 
and Recreation of approximately equal value without going through a 
lengthy process to assess the land.
  For example, if there are several plots of Forest Service land that 
surround or are adjacent to Tahoe Conservancy or California State Parks 
land, the state could transfer that land to the Forest Service so that 
it can be managed more efficiently.
  This legislation is needed because the ``Jewel of the Sierra'' is in 
big trouble. If we don't act now, we could lose Lake Tahoe, lose it 
with stunning speed, to several devastating threats.
  Anyone doubting that climate change poses a severe threat to Lake 
Tahoe should read an alarming recent report by the UC Davis Tahoe 
Environmental Research Center.
  It was written for the U.S. Forest Service by scientists who have 
devoted their professional careers to studying Lake Tahoe. And it 
paints a distinctly bleak picture of the future for the ``Jewel of the 
Sierra.''
  Among its findings are the Tahoe Basin's regional snowpack could 
decline by as much as 60 percent in the next century, with increased 
floods likely by 2050 and prolonged droughts by 2100.
  Even ``under the most optimistic projections,'' average snowpack in 
the Sierra Nevada around Tahoe will decline by 40 to 60 percent by 
2100, according to the report.
  This would likely bankrupt Tahoe's ski industry, threaten the water 
supply of Reno and other communities, and degrade the lake's fabled 
water clarity. It is devastating.
  According to the UC Davis report, an all-out attack on pollution and 
sedimentation may be the lake's last best hope.
  Geoff Schladow, director of the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research 
Center and one of the report's authors, noted the need to restore 
short-term water quality in Lake Tahoe--while there's still time to do 
it.
  ``Reducing the load of external nutrients entering the lake in the 
coming decades may be the only possible mitigation measure to reduce 
the impact of climate change on lake clarity . . . ,'' the report said.
  Without such an effort, the ``internal loading of nutrients'' could 
fundamentally change the lake and fuel algal growth, creating a 
downward spiral in water quality and clarity.
  Water clarity is one of the central problems the legislation would 
address.
  Pollution and sedimentation have threatened Lake Tahoe's water 
clarity for years now. In 1968, the first year UC Davis scientists made 
measurements using a device called a Secchi disk, clarity was measured 
at an average depth of 102.4 feet. Clarity declined over the next three 
decades, hitting a low of 64 feet in 1997.
  There has been some improvement in this decade. Last year scientists 
recorded average clarity at 75.3 feet--the clearest readings in a 
decade. But it is a fragile gain. Sedimentation and stormwater runoff 
pose a persistent threat.
  Climate change has already made itself apparent at Lake Tahoe. It 
makes the basin dry and tinder-hot, raising the risks of catastrophic 
wildfire. Daily air temperatures have increased 4 degrees since 1911. 
Snow has

[[Page S6225]]

declined as a fraction of total precipitation, from an average of 52 
percent in 1910 to just 36 percent in recent years.
  Climate change has caused Lake Tahoe's surface water temperature to 
rise over 2 degrees in 44 years. That means the cyclical deep-water 
mixing of the lake's waters will occur less frequently, and this could 
significantly disrupt Lake Tahoe's ecosystem.
  This legislation is intended to address these problems.
  Last year, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee reported 
out the bill favorably, but there was not enough time for a floor vote. 
It is my hope that this legislation can move through committee quickly 
and be passed later this year.
  A lot of good work has been done. But there's a lot more work to do, 
and time is running out.
  Mark Twain called Lake Tahoe ``the fairest picture the whole world 
affords.'' We must not be the generation who lets this picture fall 
into ruin. We must rise to the challenge, and do all we can to preserve 
this ``noble sheet of water.''
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1451

       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 ``Lake Tahoe Restoration Act 
     of 2013''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 
     Stat. 2351) is amended by striking section 2 and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

       ``(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
       ``(1) Lake Tahoe--
       ``(A) is 1 of the largest, deepest, and clearest lakes in 
     the world;
       ``(B) has a cobalt blue color, a biologically diverse 
     alpine setting, and remarkable water clarity; and
       ``(C) is recognized nationally and worldwide as a natural 
     resource of special significance;
       ``(2) in addition to being a scenic and ecological 
     treasure, the Lake Tahoe Basin is 1 of the outstanding 
     recreational resources of the United States, which--
       ``(A) offers skiing, water sports, biking, camping, and 
     hiking to millions of visitors each year; and
       ``(B) contributes significantly to the economies of 
     California, Nevada, and the United States;
       ``(3) the economy in the Lake Tahoe Basin is dependent on 
     the protection and restoration of the natural beauty and 
     recreation opportunities in the area;
       ``(4) the Lake Tahoe Basin continues to be threatened by 
     the impacts of land use and transportation patterns developed 
     in the last century that damage the fragile watershed of the 
     Basin;
       ``(5) the water clarity of Lake Tahoe declined from a 
     visibility level of 105 feet in 1967 to only 70 feet in 2008;
       ``(6) the rate of decline in water clarity of Lake Tahoe 
     has decreased in recent years;
       ``(7) a stable water clarity level for Lake Tahoe could be 
     achieved through feasible control measures for very fine 
     sediment particles and nutrients;
       ``(8) fine sediments that cloud Lake Tahoe, and key 
     nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen that support the 
     growth of algae and invasive plants, continue to flow into 
     the lake from stormwater runoff from developed areas, roads, 
     turf, other disturbed land, and streams;
       ``(9) the destruction and alteration of wetland, wet 
     meadows, and stream zone habitat have compromised the natural 
     capacity of the watershed to filter sediment, nutrients, and 
     pollutants before reaching Lake Tahoe;
       ``(10) approximately 25 percent of the trees in the Lake 
     Tahoe Basin are either dead or dying;
       ``(11) forests in the Tahoe Basin suffer from over a 
     century of fire suppression and periodic drought, which have 
     resulted in--
       ``(A) high tree density and mortality;
       ``(B) the loss of biological diversity; and
       ``(C) a large quantity of combustible forest fuels, which 
     significantly increases the threat of catastrophic fire and 
     insect infestation;
       ``(12) the establishment of several aquatic and terrestrial 
     invasive species (including perennial pepperweed, milfoil, 
     and Asian clam) threatens the ecosystem of the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin;
       ``(13) there is an ongoing threat to the Lake Tahoe Basin 
     of the introduction and establishment of other invasive 
     species (such as yellow starthistle, New Zealand mud snail, 
     and quagga mussel);
       ``(14) the report prepared by the University of California, 
     Davis, entitled the `State of the Lake Report', found that 
     conditions in the Lake Tahoe Basin had changed, including--
       ``(A) the average surface water temperature of Lake Tahoe 
     has risen by more than 1.2 degrees Fahrenheit in the past 43 
     years;
       ``(B) since 1910, the percent of precipitation that has 
     fallen as snow in the Lake Tahoe Basin decreased from 51 
     percent to 35.5 percent; and
       ``(C) daily air temperatures have increased by more than 4 
     degrees Fahrenheit and the trend in daily maximum temperature 
     has risen by approximately 2 degrees Fahrenheit;
       ``(15) 75 percent of the land in the Lake Tahoe Basin is 
     owned by the Federal Government, which makes it a Federal 
     responsibility to restore environmental health to the Basin;
       ``(16) the Federal Government has a long history of 
     environmental preservation at Lake Tahoe, including--
       ``(A) congressional consent to the establishment of the 
     Tahoe Regional Planning Agency with--
       ``(i) the enactment in 1969 of Public Law 91-148 (83 Stat. 
     360); and
       ``(ii) the enactment in 1980 of Public Law 96-551 (94 Stat. 
     3233);
       ``(B) the establishment of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management 
     Unit in 1973;
       ``(C) the enactment of Public Law 96-586 (94 Stat. 3381) in 
     1980 to provide for the acquisition of environmentally 
     sensitive land and erosion control grants in the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin;
       ``(D) the enactment of sections 341 and 342 of the 
     Department of the Interior and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 2004 (Public Law 108-108; 117 Stat. 
     1317), which amended the Southern Nevada Public Land 
     Management Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-263; 112 Stat. 2346) 
     to provide payments for the environmental restoration 
     projects under this Act; and
       ``(E) the enactment of section 382 of the Tax Relief and 
     Health Care Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-432; 120 Stat. 3045), 
     which amended the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act 
     of 1998 (Public Law 105-263; 112 Stat. 2346) to authorize 
     development and implementation of a comprehensive 10-year 
     hazardous fuels and fire prevention plan for the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin;
       ``(17) the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works 
     was an original signatory in 1997 to the Agreement of Federal 
     Departments on Protection of the Environment and Economic 
     Health of the Lake Tahoe Basin;
       ``(18) the Chief of Engineers, under direction from the 
     Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, has 
     continued to be a significant contributor to Lake Tahoe Basin 
     restoration, including--
       ``(A) stream and wetland restoration;
       ``(B) urban stormwater conveyance and treatment; and
       ``(C) programmatic technical assistance;
       ``(19) at the Lake Tahoe Presidential Forum in 1997, the 
     President renewed the commitment of the Federal Government to 
     Lake Tahoe by--
       ``(A) committing to increased Federal resources for 
     environmental restoration at Lake Tahoe; and
       ``(B) establishing the Federal Interagency Partnership and 
     Federal Advisory Committee to consult on natural resources 
     issues concerning the Lake Tahoe Basin;
       ``(20) at the 2011 and 2012 Lake Tahoe Forums, Senator 
     Reid, Senator Feinstein, Senator Heller, Senator Ensign, 
     Governor Gibbons, Governor Sandoval, and Governor Brown--
       ``(A) renewed their commitment to Lake Tahoe; and
       ``(B) expressed their desire to fund the Federal and State 
     shares of the Environmental Improvement Program through 2022;
       ``(21) since 1997, the Federal Government, the States of 
     California and Nevada, units of local government, and the 
     private sector have contributed more than $1,620,000,000 to 
     the Lake Tahoe Basin, including--
       ``(A) $521,100,000 from the Federal Government;
       ``(B) $636,200,000 from the State of California;
       ``(C) $101,400,000 from the State of Nevada;
       ``(D) $68,200,000 from units of local government; and
       ``(E) $299,600,000 from private interests;
       ``(22) significant additional investment from Federal, 
     State, local, and private sources is necessary--
       ``(A) to restore and sustain the environmental health of 
     the Lake Tahoe Basin;
       ``(B) to adapt to the impacts of changing water temperature 
     and precipitation; and
       ``(C) to protect the Lake Tahoe Basin from the introduction 
     and establishment of invasive species; and
       ``(23) the Secretary has indicated that the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin Management Unit has the capacity for at least 
     $10,000,000 for the Fire Risk Reduction and Forest Management 
     Program.
       ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
       ``(1) to enable the Chief of the Forest Service, the 
     Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and 
     the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in 
     cooperation with the Planning Agency and the States of 
     California and Nevada, to fund, plan, and implement 
     significant new environmental restoration activities and 
     forest management activities to address in the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin the issues described in paragraphs (4) through (14) of 
     subsection (a);
       ``(2) to ensure that Federal, State, local, regional, 
     tribal, and private entities continue to work together to 
     manage land in

[[Page S6226]]

     the Lake Tahoe Basin and to coordinate on other activities in 
     a manner that supports achievement and maintenance of--
       ``(A) the environmental threshold carrying capacities for 
     the region; and
       ``(B) other applicable environmental standards and 
     objectives;
       ``(3) to support local governments in efforts related to 
     environmental restoration, stormwater pollution control, fire 
     risk reduction, and forest management activities; and
       ``(4) to ensure that agency and science community 
     representatives in the Lake Tahoe Basin work together--
       ``(A) to develop and implement a plan for integrated 
     monitoring, assessment, and applied research to evaluate the 
     effectiveness of the Environmental Improvement Program; and
       ``(B) to provide objective information as a basis for 
     ongoing decisionmaking, with an emphasis on decisionmaking 
     relating to public and private land use and resource 
     management in the Basin.''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 
     Stat. 2351) is amended by striking section 3 and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       ``In this Act:
       ``(1) Administrator.--The term `Administrator' means the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
       ``(2) Assistant secretary.--The term `Assistant Secretary' 
     means the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.
       ``(3) Chair.--The term `Chair' means the Chair of the 
     Federal Partnership.
       ``(4) Compact.--The term `Compact' means the Tahoe Regional 
     Planning Compact included in the first section of Public Law 
     96-551 (94 Stat. 3233).
       ``(5) Directors.--The term `Directors' means--
       ``(A) the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife 
     Service; and
       ``(B) the Director of the United States Geological Survey.
       ``(6) Environmental improvement program.--The term 
     `Environmental Improvement Program' means--
       ``(A) the Environmental Improvement Program adopted by the 
     Planning Agency; and
       ``(B) any amendments to the Program.
       ``(7) Environmental threshold carrying capacity.--The term 
     `environmental threshold carrying capacity' has the meaning 
     given the term in article II of the compact.
       ``(8) Federal partnership.--The term `Federal Partnership' 
     means the Lake Tahoe Federal Interagency Partnership 
     established by Executive Order 13957 (62 Fed. Reg. 41249) (or 
     a successor Executive order).
       ``(9) Forest management activity.--The term `forest 
     management activity' includes--
       ``(A) prescribed burning for ecosystem health and hazardous 
     fuels reduction;
       ``(B) mechanical and minimum tool treatment;
       ``(C) road decommissioning or reconstruction;
       ``(D) stream environment zone restoration and other 
     watershed and wildlife habitat enhancements;
       ``(E) nonnative invasive species management; and
       ``(F) other activities consistent with Forest Service 
     practices, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
       ``(10) Maps.--The term `Maps' means the maps--
       ``(A) entitled--
       ``(i) `LTRA USFS-CA Land Exchange/North Shore';
       ``(ii) `USFS-CA Land Exchange/West Shore'; and
       ``(iii) `USFS-CA Land Exchange/South Shore'; and
       ``(B) dated April 12, 2013, and on file and available for 
     public inspection in the appropriate offices of--
       ``(i) the Forest Service;
       ``(ii) the California Tahoe Conservancy; and
       ``(iii) the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
       ``(11) National wildland fire code.--The term `national 
     wildland fire code' means--
       ``(A) the most recent publication of the National Fire 
     Protection Association codes numbered 1141, 1142, 1143, and 
     1144;
       ``(B) the most recent publication of the International 
     Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the International Code 
     Council; or
       ``(C) any other code that the Secretary determines provides 
     the same, or better, standards for protection against 
     wildland fire as a code described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
       ``(12) Planning agency.--The term `Planning Agency' means 
     the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency established under Public 
     Law 91-148 (83 Stat. 360) and Public Law 96-551 (94 Stat. 
     3233).
       ``(13) Priority list.--The term `Priority List' means the 
     environmental restoration priority list developed under 
     section 8.
       ``(14) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest 
     Service.
       ``(15) Stream environment zone.--The term `Stream 
     Environment Zone' means an area that generally owes the 
     biological and physical characteristics of the area to the 
     presence of surface water or groundwater.
       ``(16) Total maximum daily load.--The term `total maximum 
     daily load' means the total maximum daily load allocations 
     adopted under section 303(d) of the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1313(d)).
       ``(17) Watercraft.--The term `watercraft' means motorized 
     and non-motorized watercraft, including boats, seaplanes, 
     personal watercraft, kayaks, and canoes.''.

     SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAKE TAHOE BASIN MANAGEMENT 
                   UNIT.

       Section 4 of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 
     106-506; 114 Stat. 2353) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(3), by striking ``basin'' and 
     inserting ``Basin''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Transit.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 
     shall, consistent with the regional transportation plan 
     adopted by the Planning Agency, manage vehicular parking and 
     traffic in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, with 
     priority given--
       ``(A) to improving public access to the Lake Tahoe Basin, 
     including the prioritization of alternatives to the private 
     automobile, consistent with the requirements of the Compact;
       ``(B) to coordinating with the Nevada Department of 
     Transportation, Caltrans, State parks, and other entities 
     along Nevada Highway 28 and California Highway 89; and
       ``(C) to providing support and assistance to local public 
     transit systems in the management and operations of 
     activities under this subsection.
       ``(2) National forest transit program.--Consistent with the 
     support and assistance provided under paragraph (1)(C), the 
     Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of 
     Transportation, may enter into a contract, cooperative 
     agreement, interagency agreement, or other agreement with the 
     Department of Transportation to secure operating and capital 
     funds from the National Forest Transit Program.
       ``(d) Forest Management Activities.--
       ``(1) Coordination.--
       ``(A) In general.--In conducting forest management 
     activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, the 
     Secretary shall, as appropriate, coordinate with the 
     Administrator and State and local agencies and organizations, 
     including local fire departments and volunteer groups.
       ``(B) Goals.--The coordination of activities under 
     subparagraph (A) should aim to increase efficiencies and 
     maximize the compatibility of management practices across 
     public property boundaries.
       ``(2) Multiple benefits.--
       ``(A) In general.--In conducting forest management 
     activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, the 
     Secretary shall conduct the activities in a manner that--
       ``(i) except as provided in subparagraph (B), attains 
     multiple ecosystem benefits, including--

       ``(I) reducing forest fuels;
       ``(II) maintaining or restoring biological diversity;
       ``(III) improving wetland and water quality, including in 
     Stream Environment Zones; and
       ``(IV) increasing resilience to changing water temperature 
     and precipitation; and

       ``(ii) helps achieve and maintain the environmental 
     threshold carrying capacities established by the Planning 
     Agency.
       ``(B) Exception.--Notwithstanding clause (A)(i), the 
     attainment of multiple ecosystem benefits shall not be 
     required if the Secretary determines that management for 
     multiple ecosystem benefits would excessively increase the 
     cost of a project in relation to the additional ecosystem 
     benefits gained from the management activity.
       ``(3) Ground disturbance.--Consistent with applicable 
     Federal law and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit land and 
     resource management plan direction, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) establish post-project ground condition criteria for 
     ground disturbance caused by forest management activities; 
     and
       ``(B) provide for monitoring to ascertain the attainment of 
     the post-project conditions.
       ``(e) Withdrawal of Federal Land.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to valid existing rights and 
     paragraph (2), the Federal land located in the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin Management Unit is withdrawn from--
       ``(A) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under 
     the public land laws;
       ``(B) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; 
     and
       ``(C) disposition under all laws relating to mineral and 
     geothermal leasing.
       ``(2) Exceptions.--A conveyance of land shall be exempt 
     from withdrawal under this subsection if carried out under--
       ``(A) the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 
     114 Stat. 2351); or
       ``(B) the Santini-Burton Act (Public Law 96-586; 94 Stat. 
     3381).
       ``(f) Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacity.--The Lake 
     Tahoe Basin Management Unit shall support the attainment of 
     the environmental threshold carrying capacities.
       ``(g) Cooperative Authorities.--During the 4 fiscal years 
     following the date of enactment of the Lake Tahoe Restoration 
     Act of 2013, the Secretary, in conjunction with land 
     adjustment projects or programs, may enter into contracts and 
     cooperative agreements with States, units of local 
     government, and other public and private entities to provide 
     for fuel reduction, erosion control, reforestation, Stream 
     Environment Zone restoration, and similar management 
     activities on Federal land and non-Federal land within the 
     projects or programs.''.

[[Page S6227]]

     SEC. 5. CONSULTATION.

       The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 
     Stat. 2351) is amended by striking section 5 and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 5. CONSULTATION.

       ``In carrying out this Act, the Secretary, the 
     Administrator, and the Directors shall, as appropriate and in 
     a timely manner, consult with the heads of the Washoe Tribe, 
     applicable Federal, State, regional, and local governmental 
     agencies, and the Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee.''.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORIZED PROJECTS.

       The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 
     Stat. 2351) is amended by striking section 6 and inserting 
     the following:

     ``SEC. 6. AUTHORIZED PROJECTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, 
     the Directors, and the Administrator, in coordination with 
     the Planning Agency and the States of California and Nevada, 
     may carry out or provide financial assistance to any project 
     or program that--
       ``(1) is described in subsection (d);
       ``(2) is included in the Priority List under section 8; and
       ``(3) furthers the purposes of the Environmental 
     Improvement Program if the project has been subject to 
     environmental review and approval, respectively, as required 
     under Federal law, article 7 of the Compact, and State law, 
     as applicable.
       ``(b) Restriction.--The Administrator shall use not more 
     than 3 percent of the funds provided under subsection (a) for 
     administering the projects or programs described in 
     paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (d).
       ``(c) Monitoring and Assessment.--All projects authorized 
     under subsection (d) shall--
       ``(1) include funds for monitoring and assessment of the 
     results and effectiveness at the project and program level 
     consistent with the program developed under section 11; and
       ``(2) use the integrated multiagency performance measures 
     established under section 13.
       ``(d) Description of Activities.--
       ``(1) Stormwater management, erosion control, and total 
     maximum daily load implementation.--Of the amounts made 
     available under section 17(a), $75,000,000 shall be made 
     available--
       ``(A) to the Secretary or the Administrator for the Federal 
     share of stormwater management and related projects and 
     programs consistent with the adopted Total Maximum Daily Load 
     and near-shore water quality goals; and
       ``(B) for grants by the Secretary and the Administrator to 
     carry out the projects and programs described in subparagraph 
     (A).
       ``(2) Stream environment zone and watershed restoration.--
     Of the amounts made available under section 17(a), 
     $38,000,000 shall be made available--
       ``(A) to the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary for the 
     Federal share of the Upper Truckee River restoration projects 
     and other watershed restoration projects identified in the 
     priority list established under section 8; and
       ``(B) for grants by the Administrator to carry out the 
     projects described in subparagraph (A).
       ``(3) Fire risk reduction and forest management.--
       ``(A) In general.--Of the amounts made available under 
     section 17(a), $135,000,000 shall be made available to the 
     Secretary to carry out, including by making grants, the 
     following projects:
       ``(i) Projects identified as part of the Lake Tahoe Basin 
     Multi-Jurisdictional Fuel Reduction and Wildfire Prevention 
     Strategy 10-Year Plan.
       ``(ii) Competitive grants for fuels work to be awarded by 
     the Secretary to communities that have adopted national 
     wildland fire codes to implement the applicable portion of 
     the 10-year plan described in clause (i).
       ``(iii) Biomass projects, including feasibility assessments 
     and transportation of materials.
       ``(iv) Angora Fire Restoration projects under the 
     jurisdiction of the Secretary.
       ``(v) Washoe Tribe projects on tribal lands within the Lake 
     Tahoe Basin.
       ``(vi) Development of an updated Lake Tahoe Basin 
     multijurisdictional fuel reduction and wildfire prevention 
     strategy, consistent with section 4(d).
       ``(vii) Development of updated community wildfire 
     protection plans by local fire districts.
       ``(viii) Municipal water infrastructure that significantly 
     improves the firefighting capability of local government 
     within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
       ``(B) Minimum allocation.--Of the amounts made available to 
     the Secretary to carry out subparagraph (A), at least 
     $80,000,000 shall be used by the Secretary for projects under 
     subparagraph (A)(i).
       ``(C) Priority.--Units of local government that have 
     dedicated funding for inspections and enforcement of 
     defensible space regulations shall be given priority for 
     amounts provided under this paragraph.
       ``(D) Cost-sharing requirements.--
       ``(i) In general.--As a condition on the receipt of funds, 
     communities or local fire districts that receive funds under 
     this paragraph shall provide a 25 percent match.
       ``(ii) Form of non-federal share.--

       ``(I) In general.--The non-Federal share required under 
     clause (i) may be in the form of cash contributions or in-
     kind contributions, including providing labor, equipment, 
     supplies, space, and other operational needs.
       ``(II) Credit for certain dedicated funding.--There shall 
     be credited toward the non-Federal share required under 
     clause (i) any dedicated funding of the communities or local 
     fire districts for a fuels reduction management program, 
     defensible space inspections, or dooryard chipping.
       ``(III) Documentation.--Communities and local fire 
     districts shall--

       ``(aa) maintain a record of in-kind contributions that 
     describes--
       ``(AA) the monetary value of the in-kind contributions; and
       ``(BB) the manner in which the in-kind contributions assist 
     in accomplishing project goals and objectives; and
       ``(bb) document in all requests for Federal funding, and 
     include in the total project budget, evidence of the 
     commitment to provide the non-Federal share through in-kind 
     contributions.
       ``(4) Invasive species management.--Of the amounts to be 
     made available under section 17(a), $30,000,000 shall be made 
     available to the Director of the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service for the Aquatic Invasive Species Program and 
     the watercraft inspections described in section 9.
       ``(5) Special status species management.--Of the amounts to 
     be made available under section 17(a), $20,000,000 shall be 
     made available to the Director of the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service for the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Recovery 
     Program.
       ``(6) Lake tahoe basin science program.--Of the amounts to 
     be made available under section 17(a), $30,000,000 shall be 
     made available to the Chief of the Forest Service to develop 
     and implement, in coordination with the Tahoe Science 
     Consortium, the Lake Tahoe Basin Science Program established 
     under section 11.
       ``(7) Program performance and accountability.--
       ``(A) In general.--Of the amounts to be made available 
     under section 17(a), $5,000,000 shall be made available to 
     the Secretary to carry out sections 12, 13, and 14.
       ``(B) Planning agency.--Of the amounts described in 
     subparagraph (A), not less than 50 percent shall be made 
     available to the Planning Agency to carry out the program 
     oversight, coordination, and outreach activities established 
     under sections 12, 13, and 14.
       ``(8) Land conveyance.--
       ``(A) In general.--Of the amount made available under 
     section 17(a), $2,000,000 shall be made available to the 
     Secretary to carry out the activities under section 3(b)(2) 
     of Public Law 96-586 (94 Stat. 3384) (commonly known as the 
     `Santini-Burton Act').
       ``(B) Other funds.--Of the amounts available to the 
     Secretary under subparagraph (A), not less than 50 percent 
     shall be provided to the California Tahoe Conservancy to 
     facilitate the conveyance of land described in section 
     3(b)(2) of Public Law 96-586 (94 Stat. 3384) (commonly known 
     as the `Santini-Burton Act').''.

     SEC. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PRIORITY LIST.

       The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 
     Stat. 2351) is amended--
       (1) by striking sections 8 and 9;
       (2) by redesignating sections 10, 11, and 12 as sections 
     15, 16, and 17, respectively; and
       (3) by inserting after section 7 the following:

     ``SEC. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PRIORITY LIST.

       ``(a) Deadline.--Not later than February 15 of the year 
     after the date of enactment of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act 
     of 2013, the Chair, in consultation with the Secretary, the 
     Administrator, the Directors, the Planning Agency, the States 
     of California and Nevada, the Federal Partnership, the Washoe 
     Tribe, the Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory Committee, and the 
     Tahoe Science Consortium shall submit to Congress a 
     prioritized list of all Environmental Improvement Program 
     projects for the Lake Tahoe Basin for each program category 
     described in section 6(d).
       ``(b) Criteria.--
       ``(1) In general.--The priority of projects included in the 
     Priority List shall be based on the best available science 
     and the following criteria:
       ``(A) The 5-year threshold carrying capacity evaluation.
       ``(B) The ability to measure progress or success of the 
     project.
       ``(C) The potential to significantly contribute to the 
     achievement and maintenance of the environmental threshold 
     carrying capacities identified in the Compact for--
       ``(i) air quality;
       ``(ii) fisheries;
       ``(iii) noise;
       ``(iv) recreation;
       ``(v) scenic resources;
       ``(vi) soil conservation;
       ``(vii) forest health;
       ``(viii) water quality; and
       ``(ix) wildlife.
       ``(D) The ability of a project to provide multiple 
     benefits.
       ``(E) The ability of a project to leverage non-Federal 
     contributions.
       ``(F) Stakeholder support for the project.
       ``(G) The justification of Federal interest.
       ``(H) Agency priority.
       ``(I) Agency capacity.
       ``(J) Cost-effectiveness.
       ``(K) Federal funding history.
       ``(2) Secondary factors.--In addition to the criteria under 
     paragraph (1), the Chair

[[Page S6228]]

     shall, as the Chair determines to be appropriate, give 
     preference to projects in the Priority List that benefit 
     existing neighborhoods in the Basin that are at or below 
     regional median income levels, based on the most recent 
     census data available.
       ``(c) Revisions.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Priority List submitted under 
     subsection (b) shall be revised--
       ``(A) every 2 years; or
       ``(B) on a finding of compelling need under paragraph (2).
       ``(2) Finding of compelling need.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary, the Administrator, or 
     the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
     makes a finding of compelling need justifying a priority 
     shift and the finding is approved by the Secretary, the 
     Executive Director of the Planning Agency, the California 
     Natural Resources Secretary, and the Director of the Nevada 
     Department of Conservation, the Priority List shall be 
     revised in accordance with this subsection.
       ``(B) Inclusions.--A finding of compelling need includes--
       ``(i) major scientific findings;
       ``(ii) results from the threshold evaluation of the 
     Planning Agency;
       ``(iii) emerging environmental threats; and
       ``(iv) rare opportunities for land acquisition.
       ``(d) Funding.--Of the amount made available under section 
     17(a), $80,000,000 shall be made available to the Secretary 
     to carry out this section.

     ``SEC. 9. AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION.

       ``(a) In General.--The Director of the United States Fish 
     and Wildlife Service, in coordination with the Planning 
     Agency, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the 
     Nevada Department of Wildlife, shall deploy strategies 
     consistent with the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species 
     Management Plan to prevent the introduction of aquatic 
     invasive species into the Lake Tahoe Basin.
       ``(b) Criteria.--The strategies referred to in subsection 
     (a) shall provide that--
       ``(1) combined inspection and decontamination stations be 
     established and operated at not less than 2 locations in the 
     Lake Tahoe Basin; and
       ``(2) watercraft not be allowed to launch in waters of the 
     Lake Tahoe Basin if the watercraft has not been inspected in 
     accordance with the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species 
     Management Plan.
       ``(c) Certification.--The Planning Agency may certify State 
     and local agencies to perform the decontamination activities 
     described in subsection (b)(3) at locations outside the Lake 
     Tahoe Basin if standards at the sites meet or exceed 
     standards for similar sites in the Lake Tahoe Basin 
     established under this section.
       ``(d) Applicability.--The strategies and criteria developed 
     under this section shall apply to all watercraft to be 
     launched on water within the Lake Tahoe Basin.
       ``(e) Fees.--The Director of the United States Fish and 
     Wildlife Service may collect and spend fees for 
     decontamination only at a level sufficient to cover the costs 
     of operation of inspection and decontamination stations under 
     this section.
       ``(f) Civil Penalties.--
       ``(1) In general.--Any person that launches, attempts to 
     launch, or facilitates launching of watercraft not in 
     compliance with strategies deployed under this section shall 
     be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed 
     $1,000 per violation.
       ``(2) Other authorities.--Any penalties assessed under this 
     subsection shall be separate from penalties assessed under 
     any other authority.
       ``(g) Limitation.--The strategies and criteria under 
     subsections (a) and (b), respectively, may be modified if the 
     Secretary of the Interior, in a nondelegable capacity and in 
     consultation with the Planning Agency and State governments, 
     issues a determination that alternative measures will be no 
     less effective at preventing introduction of aquatic invasive 
     species into Lake Tahoe than the strategies and criteria.
       ``(h) Supplemental Authority.--The authority under this 
     section is supplemental to all actions taken by non-Federal 
     regulatory authorities.
       ``(i) Savings Clause.--Nothing in this title shall be 
     construed as restricting, affecting, or amending any other 
     law or the authority of any department, instrumentality, or 
     agency of the United States, or any State or political 
     subdivision thereof, respecting the control of invasive 
     species.

     ``SEC. 10. CORPS OF ENGINEERS; INTERAGENCY AGREEMENTS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Assistant Secretary may enter into 
     interagency agreements with non-Federal interests in the Lake 
     Tahoe Basin to use Lake Tahoe Partnership-Miscellaneous 
     General Investigations funds to provide programmatic 
     technical assistance for the Environmental Improvement 
     Program.
       ``(b) Local Cooperation Agreements.--
       ``(1) In general.--Before providing technical assistance 
     under this section, the Assistant Secretary shall enter into 
     a local cooperation agreement with a non-Federal interest to 
     provide for the technical assistance.
       ``(2) Components.--The agreement entered into under 
     paragraph (1) shall--
       ``(A) describe the nature of the technical assistance;
       ``(B) describe any legal and institutional structures 
     necessary to ensure the effective long-term viability of the 
     end products by the non-Federal interest; and
       ``(C) include cost-sharing provisions in accordance with 
     paragraph (3).
       ``(3) Federal share.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Federal share of project costs under 
     each local cooperation agreement under this subsection shall 
     be 65 percent.
       ``(B) Form.--The Federal share may be in the form of 
     reimbursements of project costs.
       ``(C) Credit.--The non-Federal interest may receive credit 
     toward the non-Federal share for the reasonable costs of 
     related technical activities completed by the non-Federal 
     interest before entering into a local cooperation agreement 
     with the Assistant Secretary under this subsection.

     ``SEC. 11. LAKE TAHOE BASIN SCIENCE PROGRAM.

       ``The Secretary (acting through the Station Director of the 
     Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station), the 
     Administrator, the Planning Agency, the States of California 
     and Nevada, and the Tahoe Science Consortium, shall develop 
     and implement the Lake Tahoe Basin Science Program that--
       ``(1) develops and regularly updates an integrated 
     multiagency programmatic assessment and monitoring plan--
       ``(A) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Environmental 
     Improvement Program;
       ``(B) to evaluate the status and trends of indicators 
     related to environmental threshold carrying capacities; and
       ``(C) to assess the impacts and risks of changing water 
     temperature, precipitation, and invasive species;
       ``(2) produces and synthesizes scientific information 
     necessary for--
       ``(A) the identification and refinement of environmental 
     indicators for the Lake Tahoe Basin; and
       ``(B) the evaluation of standards and benchmarks;
       ``(3) conducts applied research, programmatic technical 
     assessments, scientific data management, analysis, and 
     reporting related to key management questions;
       ``(4) develops new tools and information to support 
     objective assessments of land use and resource conditions;
       ``(5) provides scientific and technical support to the 
     Federal Government and State and local governments in--
       ``(A) reducing stormwater runoff, air deposition, and other 
     pollutants that contribute to the loss of lake clarity; and
       ``(B) the development and implementation of an integrated 
     stormwater monitoring and assessment program;
       ``(6) establishes and maintains independent peer review 
     processes--
       ``(A) to evaluate the Environmental Improvement Program; 
     and
       ``(B) to assess the technical adequacy and scientific 
     consistency of central environmental documents, such as the 
     5-year threshold review; and
       ``(7) provides scientific and technical support for the 
     development of appropriate management strategies to 
     accommodate changing water temperature and precipitation in 
     the Lake Tahoe Basin.

     ``SEC. 12. PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, the Administrator, and 
     the Directors will coordinate with the Planning Agency to 
     conduct public education and outreach programs, including 
     encouraging--
       ``(1) owners of land and residences in the Lake Tahoe 
     Basin--
       ``(A) to implement defensible space; and
       ``(B) to conduct best management practices for water 
     quality; and
       ``(2) owners of land and residences in the Lake Tahoe Basin 
     and visitors to the Lake Tahoe Basin, to help prevent the 
     introduction and proliferation of invasive species as part of 
     the private share investment in the Environmental Improvement 
     Program.
       ``(b) Scientific and Technical Guidance.--The Director of 
     the United States Geological Survey shall provide scientific 
     and technical guidance to public outreach and education 
     programs conducted under this section.
       ``(c) Required Coordination.--Public outreach and education 
     programs for aquatic invasive species under this section 
     shall--
       ``(1) be coordinated with Lake Tahoe Basin tourism and 
     business organizations; and
       ``(2) include provisions for the programs to extend outside 
     of the Lake Tahoe Basin.

     ``SEC. 13. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

       ``Not later than February 15 of each year, the Secretary, 
     in cooperation with the Chair, the Administrator, the 
     Directors, the Planning Agency, and the States of California 
     and Nevada, consistent with section 6(d)(6), shall submit to 
     Congress a report that describes--
       ``(1) the status of all Federal, State, local, and private 
     projects authorized under this Act, including to the maximum 
     extent practicable, for projects that will receive Federal 
     funds under this Act during the current or subsequent fiscal 
     year--
       ``(A) the project scope;
       ``(B) the budget for the project; and
       ``(C) the justification for the project, consistent with 
     the criteria established in section 8(b)(1);
       ``(2) Federal, State, local, and private expenditures in 
     the preceding fiscal year to implement the Environmental 
     Improvement Program and projects otherwise authorized under 
     this Act;
       ``(3) accomplishments in the preceding fiscal year in 
     implementing this Act in accordance with the performance 
     measures and

[[Page S6229]]

     other monitoring and assessment activities; and
       ``(4) public education and outreach efforts undertaken to 
     implement programs and projects authorized under this Act.

     ``SEC. 14. ANNUAL BUDGET PLAN.

       ``As part of the annual budget of the President, the 
     President shall submit information regarding each Federal 
     agency involved in the Environmental Improvement Program 
     (including the Forest Service, the Environmental Protection 
     Agency, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service), the 
     United States Geological Survey, and the Corps of Engineers), 
     including--
       ``(1) an interagency crosscut budget that displays the 
     proposed budget for use by each Federal agency in carrying 
     out restoration activities relating to the Environmental 
     Improvement Program for the following fiscal year;
       ``(2) a detailed accounting of all amounts received and 
     obligated by Federal agencies to achieve the goals of the 
     Environmental Improvement Program during the preceding fiscal 
     year; and
       ``(3) a description of the Federal role in the 
     Environmental Improvement Program, including the specific 
     role of each agency involved in the restoration of the Lake 
     Tahoe Basin.''.

     SEC. 8. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

       Section 16 of The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 
     106-506; 114 Stat. 2358) (as redesignated by section 7(2)) is 
     amended by inserting ``, Director, or Administrator'' after 
     ``Secretary''.

     SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 
     Stat. 2351) is amended by striking section 17 (as 
     redesignated by section 7(2)) and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 17. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this Act $415,000,000 for a 
     period of 10 fiscal years beginning the first fiscal year 
     after the date of enactment of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act 
     of 2013.
       ``(b) Effect on Other Funds.--Amounts authorized under this 
     section and any amendments made by this Act--
       ``(1) shall be in addition to any other amounts made 
     available to the Secretary, the Administrator, or the 
     Directors for expenditure in the Lake Tahoe Basin; and
       ``(2) shall not reduce allocations for other Regions of the 
     Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, or the 
     United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
       ``(c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--Except as provided in 
     subsection (d) and section 6(d)(3)(D), the States of 
     California and Nevada shall pay 50 percent of the aggregate 
     costs of restoration activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin 
     funded under section 6.
       ``(d) Relocation Costs.--Notwithstanding subsection (c), 
     the Secretary shall provide to local utility districts two-
     thirds of the costs of relocating facilities in connection 
     with--
       ``(1) environmental restoration projects under sections 6 
     and 8; and
       ``(2) erosion control projects under section 2 of Public 
     Law 96-586 (94 Stat. 3381).
       ``(e) Signage.--To the maximum extent practicable, a 
     project provided assistance under this Act shall include 
     appropriate signage at the project site that--
       ``(1) provides information to the public on--
       ``(A) the amount of Federal funds being provided to the 
     project; and
       ``(B) this Act; and
       ``(2) displays the visual identity mark of the 
     Environmental Improvement Program.''.

     SEC. 10. ADMINISTRATION OF ACQUIRED LAND.

       (a) In General.--Section 3(b) of Public Law 96-586 (94 
     Stat. 3384) (commonly known as the ``Santini-Burton Act'') is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``(b) Lands'' and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Administration of Acquired Land.--
       ``(1) In general.--Land''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Conveyance.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the State of California (acting 
     through the California Tahoe Conservancy and the California 
     Department of Parks and Recreation) offers to donate to the 
     United States acceptable title to the non-Federal land 
     described in subparagraph (B)(i), the Secretary--
       ``(i) may accept the offer; and
       ``(ii) not later than 180 days after the date on which the 
     Secretary receives acceptable title to the non-Federal land 
     described in subparagraph (B)(i), convey to the State of 
     California, subject to valid existing rights and for no 
     consideration, all right, title, and interest of the United 
     States in and to the Federal land that is acceptable to the 
     State of California.
       ``(B) Description of land.--
       ``(i) Non-federal land.--The non-Federal land referred to 
     in subparagraph (A) includes--

       ``(I) the approximately 1,981 acres of land administered by 
     the Conservancy and identified on the Maps as `Conservancy to 
     the United States Forest Service'; and
       ``(II) the approximately 187 acres of land administered by 
     California State Parks and identified on the Maps as `State 
     Parks to the U.S. Forest Service'.

       ``(ii) Federal land.--The Federal land referred to in 
     subparagraph (A) includes the approximately 1,995 acres of 
     Forest Service land identified on the Maps as `U.S. Forest 
     Service to Conservancy and State Parks'.
       ``(C) Conditions.--Any land conveyed under this paragraph 
     shall--
       ``(i) be for the purpose of consolidating Federal and State 
     ownerships and improving management efficiencies;
       ``(ii) not result in any significant changes in the uses of 
     the land; and
       ``(iii) be subject to the condition that the applicable 
     deed include such terms , restrictions, covenants, 
     conditions, and reservations as the Secretary determines 
     necessary to--

       ``(I) ensure compliance with this Act; and
       ``(II) ensure that the development rights associated with 
     the conveyed parcels shall not be recognized or available for 
     transfer under section 90.2 of the Code of Ordinances for the 
     Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.''.

                                 ______