[Senate Report 113-189]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 420
113th Congress } { Report
SENATE
2d Session } { 113-189
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CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND WATERTRAILS NETWORK REAUTHORIZATION ACT
_______
June 5, 2014.--Ordered to be printed
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Mrs. Boxer, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1077]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was
referred the bill (S. 1077) to amend the Chesapeake Bay
Initiative Act of 1998 to provide for the reauthorization of
the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network, having
considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.
General Statement and Background
Originally authorized in 1998, the Chesapeake Gateways and
Watertrails program set up a network of Chesapeake Bay-related
sites, such as parks, wildlife refuges, and trails. The program
includes 160 sites in six states and the District of Columbia.
The National Park Service (NPS) provides matching grants for
projects that enhance public education of and access to the
Chesapeake Bay. Visitation at Gateways sites exceeds 10 million
people annually, and the competitive grants program is
currently oversubscribed.
At the direction of Congress, the National Park Service
conducted its Chesapeake Bay Special Resource Study in 2004.
The draft study concluded that an enhanced version of the
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network would be the most effective and
efficient way for the NPS to help protect and raise interest in
the Chesapeake Bay. The NPS has incorporated the Gateways
Network into its permanent operations.
S. 1077, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails
Network Continuing Authorization Act, will reauthorize this
program.
Objectives of the Legislation
The Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network
Continuing Authorization Act amends the Chesapeake Bay
Initiative Act of 1998 to reauthorize appropriations for the
Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
This section provides that this Act may be cited as the
`Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network
Reauthorization Act'.
Sec. 2. Authorization of appropriations
This section amends Section 502 of the Chesapeake Bay
Initiative Act of 1998 (16 U.S.C. 461 note; Public Law 105-312)
and reauthorizes the program for fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
Legislative History
On October 19, 2011, Senator Cardin introduced this
legislation, which was cosponsored by Senators Mikulski,
Carper, Warner, Coons, and Kaine. The bill was received, read
twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and
Public Works. The committee met on February 6, 2014, to
consider the bill, and ordered S. 1077 to be reported favorably
without amendment.
Rollcall Votes
The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to
consider S. 1077 on February 6, 2014. The bill was ordered
favorably reported by voice vote with Senators Crapo, Inhofe,
Fischer, and Vitter recorded as ``no''.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that S. 1077
does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it
cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of
individuals.
Mandates Assessment
In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-4), the committee notes that the Congressional
Budget Office has found, ``[S. 1077] contains no
intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).''
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
February 27, 2014.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 1077, the Chesapeake
Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network Reauthorization Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Martin von
Gnechten.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf.
Enclosure.
S. 1077--Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network
Reauthorization Act
S. 1077 would authorize the appropriation of $3 million
annually through 2018 for the Chesapeake Bay Initiative, a
program administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and
other federal agencies to conserve resources in the Chesapeake
Bay watershed. Based on information provided by the NPS and
assuming the appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO
estimates that implementing the bill would cost $9 million over
the 2016-2019 period. Funding is authorized for the program
under current law through fiscal year 2015. In 2014 the program
received funding of $2 million. Enacting S. 1077 would not
affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go
procedures do not apply.
The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Martin von
Gnechten. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill
as reported are shown as follows: Existing law proposed to be
omitted is enclosed in [black brackets], new matter is printed
in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown
in roman:
[PUBLIC LAW 105-312--OCT. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 2961]
CHESAPEAKE BAY INITIATIVE ACT OF 1998
* * * * * * *
SEC. 502. CHESAPEAKE BAY GATEWAYS AND WATERTRAILS.
(a) Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network.--
* * * * * * *
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each
of [fiscal years 1999 through 2003.] fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
* * * * * * *