[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 150 (Monday, September 19, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4823-S4824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. HIRONO:
  S. 4884. A bill to require the Secretary of the Interior, in 
coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, to establish a joint 
natural infrastructure science program, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill, the 
Natural Infrastructure Act of 2022. This bill requires the Secretary of 
the Interior, in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture, to 
establish a Joint Natural Infrastructure Science Program. This program, 
which would be a joint effort by the U.S. Forest Service FS and the 
U.S. Geological Survey USGS, would

[[Page S4824]]

seek to further research on the use of natural solutions to address 
evolving infrastructure needs across the country. The bill also 
requires the Secretary of the Interior to assess the costs and 
effectiveness of select natural infrastructure projects on an annual 
basis.
  The bill defines natural infrastructure as constructed landscape 
features and systems that employ nature-based solutions that promote, 
use, restore, or emulate natural ecological processes. These features, 
when compared to grey infrastructure solutions, are often more cost-
effective, increase community resilience to climate change impacts, and 
attract community support. The American Society of Civil Engineers 
estimates that our country's need for infrastructure repairs through 
2025 totals over $4 trillion. In order to meet our country's short- and 
long-term infrastructure needs, research is needed to inform the 
decisions being made by the people charged with addressing these 
infrastructure needs--civil engineers, local governments, developers, 
and the construction industry. The Joint Natural Infrastructure Science 
Program established by this bill directs USGS and FS to work with 
colleges and universities to advance ongoing natural infrastructure 
research efforts to inform future infrastructure projects. The bill 
also establishes a stakeholder advisory group to inform the Secretary 
of the Interior on appropriate research topics to be assessed by the 
Joint Natural Infrastructure Science Program.
  The bill authorizes $4 million in appropriations for each fiscal year 
from 2023 through 2033 for both the Secretaries of Agriculture and 
Interior to implement the Joint Natural Infrastructure Program. 
Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to 
publish an annual report on no fewer than 30 natural infrastructure 
projects across the country to assess the cost and effectiveness of the 
projects as well as provide recommendations on ways to improve future 
natural infrastructure projects in terms of construction, costs, and 
effectiveness. The selected projects should be diverse in terms of both 
geographic location as well as project type. These reports, coupled 
with the research generated by the Joint Natural Infrastructure Science 
Program, will help inform future infrastructure projects as we seek out 
cost-effective solutions all across the country that maximize human and 
environmental benefits in the face of evolving challenges, including 
the increasing impacts of climate change.

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