WATER POLLUTION see also Ecology and Environment; Pollution

Amendments

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), H2875, H2876, H2877, H2878, H2879, H2880, H2881, H2882, H2883, H2884, H2885 [22MY]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), consideration (H. Res. 228), H2860 [22MY]

National Estuaries Week: designate (S. Res. 263), S8812, S8813 [13DE]

Bills and resolutions

Agriculture: codify exemptions for farming, forestry, and ranching relative to permit requirements for dredged or fill material (see H.R. 2581), H4174 [28JN]

Bureau of Reclamation: participate in Hermiston, OR, water recycling and reuse project (see S. 693), S2564 [10AP]

Colorado River: protect water quality, develop and implement a plan to prevent and eliminate pollution, and maintain a healthy ecosystem in the Lower Colorado River (see H.R. 1352), H1823 [21MR]

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (see S. 582), S1853 [14MR] (see H.R. 3), H1547 [15MR] (see H.R. 334), H221 [22JA]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), consideration (see H. Res. 228), H2837 [21MY]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), prohibit consideration due to House Rules violation and unconstitutionality (see H. Res. 225), H2803 [20MY]

Dept. of Agriculture: establish a Great Lakes basin initiative for agricultural nonpoint source pollution prevention (see H.R. 1647), H2158 [18AP]

Dept. of Education: promote environmental education (see S. 1306), S5708 [16JY] (see H.R. 2702), H4523 [16JY]

Dept. of HHS: conduct study on public health and environmental impacts of production, transportation, storage, and use of petroleum coke (see S. 1388), S6071 [30JY] (see H.R. 2298), H3251 [6JN]

Dept. of State: affirm that scientific and technical studies and analyses support that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline is an environmentally sound project (see H. Res. 214), H2654 [15MY]

Dept. of the Interior: conduct study on stormwater runoff from oil and gas operations (see H.R. 1175), H1426 [14MR]

Ecology and environment: address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia through research, forecasting and monitoring, and mitigation and control while helping communities detect, control, and mitigate such events (see S. 1254), S5498 [27JN]

EPA: carry out a pilot program to work with municipalities seeking to develop and implement integrated plans to meet Federal Water Pollution Control Act wastewater and stormwater obligations (see H.R. 2707), H4597 [17JY]

——— clarify and confirm authority to deny or restrict the use of a defined area as a dredged or fill material disposal site (see S. 830), S3028 [25AP]

——— clarify that fill material cannot be comprised of waste in order to protect water supplies (see H.R. 1837), H2436 [6MY]

——— establish centers of excellence for innovative stormwater control infrastructure (see S. 1677), S7951 [12NO] (see H.R. 3449), H6997 [12NO]

——— establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels (see S. 1359), S5907 [24JY]

——— exempt the conduct of silvicultural activities from national pollutant discharge elimination system permitting requirements (see S. 971), S3569 [16MY] (see H.R. 2026), H2717 [16MY]

——— implement guidelines for specification of certain dredged or fill material disposal sites (see S. 1470), S6208 [1AU] (see H.R. 2937), H5343 [1AU]

——— impose carbon pollution fee and use proceeds to provide rebate to consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and regulate hydraulic fracturing (see S. 332), S772 [14FE]

——— improve beach monitoring by requiring coastal States to adopt water quality standards, conduct quicker water testing, and improved monitoring and public notification programs (see H.R. 2601), H4174 [28JN]

——— limit citizens suits against publicly owned water treatment works, provide for defenses, extend period of a permit, and limit attorneys fees (see H.R. 202), H52 [4JA]

——— make permanent the moratorium on certain regulations and fines governing incidental discharges from commercial vessels under a certain size (see H.R. 3464), H7050 [13NO]

——— preserve States’ authority to make determinations relating to water quality standards (see H.R. 1948), H2574 [13MY]

——— provide guidance and clarification relative to issuance and renewal of coal mining permits for dredged or fill material (see S. 861), S3091 [6MY] (see H.R. 1829), H2436 [6MY]

——— reduce or eliminate the risk of releases of hazardous chemicals from public water systems and wastewater treatment works (see S. 67), S213 [23JA]

——— remove authority to retroactively disapprove permits to discharge dredged or fill material into navigable waters that have been issued by the Corps of Engineers (see H.R. 524), H410 [6FE]

——— require certain procedures in the conduct of a study of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources (see H.R. 2850), H5173 [30JY]

——— require testing of underground sources of drinking water in connection with hydraulic fracturing operations (see H.R. 2983), H5396 [2AU]

Federal Water Pollution Control Act: clarify maintenance exemption regarding removal of sediment, debris, and vegetation from certain structures (see H.R. 1296), H1719 [20MR]

Government regulations: clarify requirement that permit applications for the discharge of pollutants be approved by disinterested board members (see H.R. 836), H659 [26FE]

Great Lakes: establish deadline for restricting sewage dumping and fund programs and activities for improving wastewater discharges (see S. 571), S1853 [14MR] (see H.R. 1185), H1426 [14MR]

——— protect and restore (see S. 1232), S5264 [26JN] (see H.R. 2773), H4856 [22JY]

——— provide assistance for nutrient removal technologies to adjacent States (see H.R. 600), H431 [8FE]

Gulf of Mexico: provide tax relief for persons affected by the discharge of oil in connection with the explosion on, and sinking of, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon (see S. 1506), S6518 [17SE]

International Boundary and Water Commission: recognize recent efforts to address trash, sediment, and water quality issues with Mexican counterparts (see H. Res. 241), H2955 [23MY]

Lake Tahoe: provide for environmental restoration and forest management activities in surrounding basin (see S. 1451), S6207 [1AU] (see H.R. 3390), H6951 [30OC]

Long Island Sound: amend and reauthorize certain provisions relating to restoration and stewardship (see S. 1080), S3844 [23MY] (see H.R. 2174), H2954 [23MY]

Mining and mineral resources: facilitate remediation of abandoned hardrock mines (see S. 1443), S6207 [1AU] (see H.R. 2970), H5344 [1AU]

——— place a moratorium on permitting for mountaintop removal coal mining until health studies are conducted by the Dept. of HHS (see H.R. 526), H410 [6FE]

National Endowment for the Oceans: establish (see S. 646), S2146 [21MR]

National Estuaries Week: designate (see S. Res. 263), S6960 [26SE]

National Marine Technology Week: designate (see H. Res. 324), H5345 [1AU]

NOAA: improve ability to address severe marine debris events (see H.R. 1425), H1856 [9AP]

——— provide certain funds to eligible entities for activities to address marine debris impacts of 2011 Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami (see S. 1162), S4481 [13JN] (see H.R. 1491), H1955 [11AP]

Oil Pollution Act: require responsible parties to pay full cost of offshore oil spills (see S. 828), S3028 [25AP] (see H.R. 1743), H2350 [25AP]

Outer Continental Shelf: modernize and enhance Federal response to oil spills and improve oversight and regulation of offshore drilling (see H.R. 1820), H2393 [26AP]

Pesticides: clarify authorized use of registered pesticides (see S. 175), S358 [29JA]

Petroleum: establish Federal Oil Spill Research Committee and improve oil spill response plans (see S. 1483), S6208 [1AU]

Pipelines: express that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline promotes sound investment in infrastructure, energy security, and job creation (see S. Con. Res. 21), S6127 [31JY]

——— provide for expedited approval of construction, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL Pipeline (see H.R. 3703), H7687 [11DE]

Power resources: clarify that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within the boundaries of the State (see S. 1234), S5264 [26JN] (see H.R. 2513), H4078 [26JN]

——— prohibit a national energy tax and revise regulations relative to discharge of pollutants by the coal industry into certain protected waters (see S. 1514), S6518 [17SE]

——— recognize primacy of States relative to regulation of hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within the boundaries of the State (see S. 1482), S6208 [1AU]

——— require disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and repeal the oil and gas industry exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act (see S. 1135), S4212 [11JN] (see H.R. 1921), H2567 [9MY]

——— use revenues from offshore energy production to create jobs, reduce the deficit, invest in clean and renewable energy, clean up the environment, and rebuild infrastructure (see H.R. 787), H595 [15FE]

Safe Drinking Water Act: reauthorize provision of technical assistance to small public water systems (see S. 864), S3091 [6MY] (see H.R. 654), H500 [13FE]

San Francisco Bay: establish a grant program to support restoration (see S. 224), S469 [4FE] (see H.R. 843), H659 [26FE]

San Gabriel Basin Restoration Fund: extend authorization period for certain uses of funds (see H.R. 1822), H2400 [30AP]

Sewage disposal: ensure that sewage treatment plants monitor for and report discharges of raw sewage (see S. 396), S943 [27FE]

Taxation: deny certain tax benefits to persons responsible for an oil spill if such person commits certain additional violations (see H.R. 1887), H2533 [8MY]

——— disallow a deduction for amounts paid or incurred by a responsible party relating to a discharge of oil (see S. 599), S1892 [18MR] (see H.R. 480), H342 [4FE]

——— require responsible parties to pay full cost of offshore oil spills (see S. 827), S3028 [25AP]

Transportation: provide States certain authority to adopt air pollution reduction requirements for motor carriers providing services at port facilities (see S. 1435), S6206 [1AU] (see H.R. 2958), H5343 [1AU]

Water: authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds (see H.R. 1877), H2532 [8MY]

——— exempt certain lead pipes, fittings, solder, and flux that contain brass from prohibitions on leaded brass (see S. 1824), S8809 [13DE]

——— exempt fire hydrants from prohibition on the use of lead pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder, and flux (see S. 1779), S8565 [9DE] (see H.R. 3542), H7252 [19NO] (see H.R. 3588), H7353 [21NO]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (see S. 1006), S3760 [22MY]

Letters

Northern Route Approval Act: Representative Goodlatte, Committee on the Judiciary (House), H2862 [22MY]

——— Representative Grayson, E715 [21MY]

——— Representative Shuster, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House), H2863 [22MY]

Motions

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), H2892 [22MY]

Press releases

EPA Coal Rule Threatens Energy Independence, Says IBEW: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, S6693 [24SE]

Remarks in House

Arizona: ensure a Federal land exchange with Resolution Copper Mining (company) for a mining project has no adverse impact on water quality or quantity, H5860, H5861 [26SE]

Arizona State University: tribute to Biodesign Institute, E1265 [9SE]

Climate: global warming, H6809 [28OC], H6878–H6881 [29OC], H6930 [30OC]

Colorado River: inclusion on American Rivers (organization) list of most-threatened rivers, H2148 [18AP]

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, H2490, H2491 [8MY], H4090 [27JN], H5664 [19SE], H5771 [20SE]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), H1559 [18MR], H2751 [17MY], H2777, H2788, H2789 [20MY], H2811, H2812, H2813 [21MY], H2843, H2845, H2849, H2850, H2852, H2862–H2895 [22MY], H2916, H2940 [23MY], H3027 [4JN], H3226 [6JN], H3367 [13JN], H7557 [5DE], E747, E753 [23MY], E770 [3JN]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), consideration (H. Res. 228), H2852–H2862 [22MY]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), motion to recommit, H2892, H2893 [22MY]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), prohibit consideration due to House Rules violation and unconstitutionality (H. Res. 225), H2788 [20MY], H2828, H2829 [21MY]

Corps of Engineers: Florida projects funding, H4348 [10JY]

——— grant flexibility in defining the terms ‘‘fill material’’ or ‘‘discharge of fill material’’ relative to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, H4250–H4253 [9JY]

——— update regulations and guidelines defining what waters and wetlands are subject to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, H4247–H4250 [9JY]

Dept. of Agriculture: create Rural Utilities Service pilot program to address nitrate contamination of rural drinking water, H3894 [19JN]

Dept. of Energy: Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, renewable energy, energy reliability, and efficiency programs, and Office of Science funding through reductions in defense environmental cleanup funding, H4257–H4260 [9JY]

——— defense environmental cleanup funding through reductions in Weatherization Assistance Program funding, H4256, H4257 [9JY]

——— non-defense environmental cleanup funding through reductions in administration accounts funding, H4279 [9JY]

——— non-defense environmental cleanup funding through reductions in nuclear energy research programs funding, H4277 [9JY]

——— prohibit funding for implementation, administration, or enforcement of the National Ocean Policy, H4360 [10JY]

——— prohibit giving veto power over EPA rules that regulate air or water quality, H5248 [31JY]

Dept. of State: affirm that scientific and technical studies and analyses support that the proposed Keystone XL pipeline is an environmentally sound project, H2876, H2877 [22MY]

Dept. of the Interior: conduct study on stormwater runoff from oil and gas operations (H.R. 1175), H7281 [20NO]

——— preserve ability to conduct comprehensive environmental impact statements for offshore drilling projects, H4121, H4122 [27JN]

——— require offshore drilling operations have mandatory safety and environmental management controls to prevent oil spills, H4106 [27JN]

Ecology and environment: address harmful algae blooms, H4365 [10JY]

EPA: ensure ability to enforce rules that result in reduced incidence of cancer, premature mortality, asthma attacks, or respiratory disease in children and seniors, H5291 [1AU]

——— exempt the conduct of silvicultural activities from national pollutant discharge elimination system permitting requirements, H3856, H3857 [19JN]

——— limit authority to implement certain actions relative to Chesapeake Bay watershed total maximum daily loads, H3769 [19JN]

——— require certain procedures in the conduct of a study of potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources, H7286–H7288 [20NO]

——— require testing of underground sources of drinking water in connection with hydraulic fracturing operations (H.R. 2983), H5353 [2AU], H7281 [20NO]

Florida: environmental and water quality issues of waterways and restoration projects funding, H6687 [23OC]

GAO: conduct study on cost of cleanup activities in event of Keystone XL Pipeline spills, H2883, H2884 [22MY]

Great Lakes: protect and restore (H.R. 2773), H5275 [1AU]

National Academy of Sciences: study and report to Congress on impact of flooding on oil and gas facilities and resulting leaks and spills from tanks, wells, and pipelines, H7229, H7230 [19NO]

National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling: implement recommendations, H4113 [27JN]

Obama, President: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, H1362 [13MR], H1920 [11AP], H2168 [23AP], H2283 [24AP], H4016, H4019 [25JN], H4067 [26JN]

Outer Continental Shelf: modernize and enhance Federal response to oil spills and improve oversight and regulation of offshore drilling (H.R. 1820), E564 [26AP]

Power resources: clarify that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within the boundaries of the State, H4862 [23JY]

——— require disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and repeal the oil and gas industry exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act, H7203 [19NO]

——— require disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and repeal the oil and gas industry exemption from the Safe Drinking Water Act (H.R. 1921), H7281 [20NO]

Real estate: protect private property rights by limiting the power of eminent domain relative to the Keystone XL Pipeline, H2855 [22MY]

Refuse disposal: require coal ash wet disposal structures meet design, construction, operation, and maintenance criteria to prevent contamination of groundwater and sources of drinking water including the Great Lakes, H5070 [25JY]

TransCanada Pipelines LTD.: require Keystone XL Pipeline oil spill response plan be sent to each State, H2884, H2885 [22MY]

Water: authorize appropriations for State water pollution control revolving funds (H.R. 1877), E623 [8MY]

——— exempt fire hydrants from prohibition on the use of lead pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder, and flux (H.R. 3588), H7371–H7373 [2DE]

Remarks in Senate

Bureau of Reclamation: participate in Hermiston, OR, water recycling and reuse project (S. 693), S2565 [10AP]

Climate: carbon pollution reduction, S2447 [8AP]

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, S2272 [22MR], S2519 [10AP], S5735 [17JY], S8751–S8753 [12DE]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), S3879 [23MY], S3887 [3JN]

——— approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (S. 582), S1872 [14MR], S1873 [18MR]

Dept. of Education: promote environmental education (S. 1306), S5712 [16JY]

Dept. of HHS: conduct study on public health and environmental impacts of production, transportation, storage, and use of petroleum coke (S. 1388), S6074 [30JY]

EPA: establish carbon emission standards that are cost-effective, based on the best available science, and benefit middle-class and low-income families, S2298 [22MR]

——— establish national standards for discharges from cruise vessels (S. 1359), S6105 [31JY]

——— exempt the conduct of silvicultural activities from national pollutant discharge elimination system permitting requirements (S. 971), S3573 [16MY]

——— implement guidelines for specification of certain dredged or fill material disposal sites (S. 1470), S6235 [1AU]

——— impose carbon pollution fee and use proceeds to provide rebate to consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and regulate hydraulic fracturing (S. 332), S1083 [4MR], S1257 [7MR], S1283–S1285 [11MR], S1837 [14MR], S1886 [18MR], S5735 [17JY]

——— role in protecting the environment, S5784 [18JY]

Great Lakes: establish deadline for restricting sewage dumping and fund programs and activities for improving wastewater discharges (S. 571), S1859–S1861 [14MR]

——— protect and restore (S. 1232), S5272 [26JN]

Gulf of Mexico: restore natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, habitats, and wetlands of Gulf Coast States, and create jobs and revive economy of communities affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, S3223, S3227 [8MY]

Lake Tahoe: provide for environmental restoration and forest management activities in surrounding basin (S. 1451), S6223–S6225 [1AU]

Mining and mineral resources: facilitate remediation of abandoned hardrock mines (S. 1443), S6221 [1AU]

National Endowment for the Oceans: establish, S3143 [7MY], S3223, S3227, S3246 [8MY], S3564 [16MY]

National Estuaries Week: designate (S. Res. 263), S8813 [13DE]

Obama, President: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, S390 [30JA], S512–S514 [7FE], S729–S734 [14FE], S1112 [5MR], S5852 [24JY], S6550 [18SE]

Oceans: impact of global warming on ocean acidification, S6505 [17SE]

Pipelines: express that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline promotes sound investment in infrastructure, energy security, and job creation, S6415–S6421 [12SE], S6621–S6623 [19SE]

——— express that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline promotes sound investment in infrastructure, energy security, and job creation (S. Con. Res. 21), S6134 [31JY]

Power resources: clarify that a State has the sole authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing on Federal land within the boundaries of the State, S35 [22JA], S5013–S5015 [24JN]

——— prohibit a national energy tax and revise regulations relative to discharge of pollutants by the coal industry into certain protected waters, S6693 [24SE]

——— prohibit a national energy tax and revise regulations relative to discharge of pollutants by the coal industry into certain protected waters (S. 1514), S6544 [17SE], S6547 [18SE], S6612 [19SE]

——— prohibit a national energy tax and revise regulations relative to discharge of pollutants by the coal industry into certain protected waters (S. 1514), unanimous-consent request, S6612 [19SE]

San Francisco Bay: establish a grant program to support restoration (S. 224), S472 [4FE]

Water: exempt certain lead pipes, fittings, solder, and flux that contain brass from prohibitions on leaded brass (S. 1824), S8813 [13DE], S8822 [15DE]

——— exempt fire hydrants from prohibition on the use of lead pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder, and flux (H.R. 3588), S8899, S8900 [17DE]

——— prevent finalization by the EPA or Corps of Engineers of proposed guidance on identification of waters protected by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, S3408–S3410, S3412, S3416, S3417 [14MY]

Reports filed

Address Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Through Research, Monitoring, and Mitigation To Help Communities Detect, Control, and Mitigate Such Events: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senate) (S. 1254) (S. Rept. 113–121), S8100 [18NO]

Bureau of Reclamation Participation in Hermiston, OR, Water Recycling and Reuse Project: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Senate) (S. 693) (S. Rept. 113–75), S5687 [15JY]

Consideration of H.R. 3, Northern Route Approval Act: Committee on Rules (House) (H. Res. 228) (H. Rept. 113–88), H2837 [21MY]

EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Study Improvement Act: Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (House) (H.R. 2850) (H. Rept. 113–252), H6767 [23OC]

Northern Route Approval Act: Committee on Energy and Commerce (House) (H.R. 3) (H. Rept. 113–61), H2773 [17MY]

——— Committee on Natural Resources (House) (H.R. 3) (H. Rept. 113–61), H2773 [17MY]

——— Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (House) (H.R. 3) (H. Rept. 113–61), H2773 [17MY]

Rulings of the Chair

Congress: approve permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline (H.R. 3), prohibit consideration due to House Rules violation and unconstitutionality (H. Res. 225), H2829 [21MY]

Texts of

H. Res. 225, prohibit consideration of H.R. 3, Northern Route Approval Act, due to House Rules violation and unconstitutionality, H2788 [20MY]

H. Res. 228, consideration of H.R. 3, Northern Route Approval Act, H2852 [22MY]

H.R. 3, Northern Route Approval Act, H2875 [22MY]

H.R. 3588, Community Fire Safety Act, H7371 [2DE]

S. 224, San Francisco Bay Restoration Act, S472 [4FE]

S. 571, Great Lakes Water Protection Act, S1860 [14MR]

S. 861, EPA guidance and clarification relative to issuance and renewal of coal mining permits for dredged or fill material, S3093–S3096 [6MY]

S. 971, Silviculture Regulatory Consistency Act, S3573 [16MY]

S. 1359, Clean Cruise Ship Act, S5912–S5916 [24JY]

S. 1451, Lake Tahoe Restoration Act, S6225–S6229 [1AU]

S. 1514, Saving Coal Jobs Act, S6524–S6527 [17SE]

S. Con. Res. 21, express that construction of the Keystone XL pipeline promotes sound investment in infrastructure, energy security, and job creation, S6133 [31JY], S8752 [12DE]

S. Res. 263, National Estuaries Week, S6962 [26SE], S8821 [15DE]