[Senate Report 114-256]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                      Calendar No. 470
114th Congress     }                                      {     Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session        }                                      {    114-256

======================================================================



 
                   LAKE TAHOE RESTORATION ACT OF 2015

                                _______
                                

                  May 18, 2016.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Inhofe, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 1724]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 1724) to provide for environmental 
restoration activities and forest management activities in the 
Lake Tahoe Basin, and for other purposes, reports favorably 
thereon with an amendment and recommends that the bill, as 
amended, do pass.

                    General Statement and Background

    Lake Tahoe, located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, is the 
second deepest lake in North America and the 10th deepest 
(1,645 feet deep) lake in the world. Known for the incredible 
clarity of its waters and its scenery, Lake Tahoe is a major 
tourist and recreational attraction for California and Nevada.
    In the 1960s, leaders in California and Nevada approved a 
bi-state compact that created a regional planning agency to 
oversee development at Lake Tahoe. In 1969, the United States 
Congress ratified the agreement and created the Tahoe Regional 
Planning Agency (TRPA). The Compact was revised in 1980 to give 
TRPA authority to adopt environmental quality standards known 
as thresholds and to enforce ordinances to achieve the 
thresholds. In 1997, TRPA created the Environmental Improvement 
Plan (EIP), which involved 50 state, federal, and local 
agencies and included capital improvement, research, and 
maintenance projects to restore Lake clarity and the Basin's 
environment.
    A 1997 Presidential Executive Order created the Lake Tahoe 
Federal Interagency Partnership to lead a 10-year clean-up 
effort. As part of this partnership, Congress passed the Lake 
Tahoe Restoration Act (P.L. 106-506; 114 Stat. 2358), which was 
originally passed in 2000 and authorized $300 million over ten 
years to restore the Lake. The funding supported land 
acquisition, erosion control, forest management, fire 
suppression, and improving local watersheds and water quality. 
The 2000 Lake Tahoe Restoration Act has enabled over 270 
environmental projects and restoration activities around the 
Lake.
    In 2003, Congress established an ongoing source of funding 
for Tahoe restoration efforts. Proceeds from federal land sales 
in the Las Vegas area are set aside to fund the annual federal 
contribution to the restoration of the basin.
    The Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015 authorizes $415 
million over 10 years to be spent in the Tahoe Basin for 
wildfire prevention, invasive species management, storm water 
protection, trout recovery, and overall management, among other 
things.

                     Objectives of the Legislation

    A bill to provide for environmental restoration activities 
and forest management activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin, and 
for other purposes.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 notes that this Act may be cited as the ``Lake 
Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015''.

Sec. 2. Findings and purposes

    Section 2 amends the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act by updating 
its ``Findings and Purposes'' section to include relevant 
findings and actions since 2000, including references to the 
2011 and 2012 Lake Tahoe Forums and updated estimates of the 
level of support provided by the Federal Government, the States 
of California and Nevada, units of local government and the 
private sector to the Lake Tahoe Basin since 1997.

Sec. 3. Definitions

    Section 3 amends the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act by revising 
and expanding the definitions sections to include additional 
terms.

Sec. 4. Improved administration of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

    Section 4 amends Section 4 of the Lake Tahoe Restoration 
Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 Stat. 2353) to add subsections (c) 
through (f), which include additional requirements and 
authorities for the management of the Lake Tahoe Basin.
    Subsection (c) requires the Secretary to coordinate with 
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 
(Administrator) as well as State and local agencies and 
organizations, including local fire departments and volunteer 
groups.
    This subsection also requires the Secretary to: (1) conduct 
forest management activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin in a 
manner that helps achieve and maintain the environmental 
threshold carrying capacities established by the Tahoe Regional 
Planning Agency (Agency) and attains multiple ecosystem 
benefits, unless the attainment of such benefits would 
excessively increase the project's cost in relation to the 
additional benefits gained; (2) establish post project ground 
condition criteria for ground disturbance caused by forest 
management activities; and (3) provide for monitoring to 
ascertain the attainment of such conditions.
    Subsection (d) withdraws federal land located in the Unit 
from: (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, or disposal under 
the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the 
mining laws; and (3) disposition under all laws relating to 
mineral and geothermal leasing.
    Subsection (e) requires the Lake Tahoe Basin Management 
Unit to support the attainment of environmental threshold 
carrying capacities.
    Subsection (f) allows the Secretary to enter into contracts 
or 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 Lake Tahoe 
basin projects or programs. This authority is supplemental to 
all other cooperative authorities of the Secretary.

Sec. 5. Authorized programs

    Section 5 replaces Section 5 (Public Law 106-506; 114 Stat. 
2351) of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act and provides 
authorizations for the basin's highest priority projects and 
programs, including:
           $150 million for fire risk reduction and 
        forest management;
           $45 million for invasive species management;
           $113 million for stormwater management, 
        erosion projects; and
           $20 million made available to the Director 
        of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for the 
        Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Recovery Program.
    This section also establishes civil penalties not to exceed 
$1,000 per violation for launching a boat that is not 
decontaminated to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Sec. 6. Program performance and accountability

    Section 6 is amended by striking section 6 (Public Law 106-
506; 114 Stat. 2351) and inserting the following:
    Subsection (a) authorizes $5 million from appropriated 
funds for the Secretary to carry out this section.
    Subsection (b) requires the Secretary of Agriculture, the 
Administrator of the EPA, and the Director of the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, and the Director of the United States 
Geological Survey, to regularly consult with the heads of the 
Washoe Tribe, applicable Federal, State, regional, and local 
governmental agencies, and the Lake Tahoe Federal Advisory 
Committee to ensure effective implementation of this Act.
    Subsection (c) allows the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to 
enter into interagency agreements with non-Federal interests in 
the Lake Tahoe Basin to provide programmatic technical 
assistance for the Environmental Improvement Program.
    Subsection (d) directs the Secretary, the Administrator, 
the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
Director of the United States Geological Survey, the Tahoe 
Regional Planning Agency, and the States of California and 
Nevada, to develop and update an integrated multiagency 
programmatic assessment and monitoring plan and evaluating the 
effectiveness of the Agency's Environmental Improvement 
Program; and use integrated multiagency performance measures 
established under this section.
    Subsection (e) directs the Secretary, in cooperation with 
the Chair of the Lake Tahoe Federal Interagency Partnership, 
the Administrator, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, the Director of the United States Geological Survey, 
the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, and the States of 
California and Nevada, to provide an annual report to Congress 
on: the status of Federal, state, and local projects authorized 
by the Act; Federal, state and local expenditures, monitoring 
and assessment, and public outreach and education.
    Subsection (f) requires the President to submit a cross-cut 
budget.

Sec. 7. Conforming amendments; updates to related laws

    Section 7 is amended by striking (Public Law 106-506; 114 
Stat. 2351) sections 8 and 9, and then, redesignating sections 
10, 11 and 12 to sections 8, 9 and 10 respectively.
    This section also updates the Tahoe Regional Planning 
Compact that reflect recent changes to both California and 
Nevada state law.
    This section also amends section 5303(r) of title 49 U.S.C. 
to update the definition of a bi-state metropolitan planning 
organization.

Sec. 8. Authorization of appropriations

    Section 8 amends Section 10 (as redesignated by section 
7(a)(2)) of the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act by authorizing 
$415,000,000 to be appropriated over the next 10 years to 
implement the Act.

Sec. 9. Land transfers to improve management efficiencies of Federal 
        and State land

    Section 9 amends section 3(b) of P.L. 96-586 (94 Stat. 
3384) to clarify the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to 
transfer or acquire land or interest in land within the Lake 
Tahoe Basin Management Unit with appropriate units of State 
government.

                          Legislative History

    In the 113th Congress, a similar version of this bill (S. 
1451) passed the Committee by voice vote in June 2015. Senators 
Heller, Reid, Boxer and Feinstein introduced S. 1724 on July 9, 
2015, and the bill was referred to the Committee on Environment 
and Public Works. On January 20, 2016, the Committee reported 
the bill favorably with an amendment.

                                Hearings

    In the 111th Congress, on February 24, 2010, the Senate 
Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Subcommittee 
on Water and Wildlife held a joint legislative hearing on Great 
Water Bodies bills (i.e., Lake Tahoe, Puget Sound, Long Island 
Sound, Columbia River Basin, and the Great Lakes), including a 
previous version of S. 1724.

                             Rollcall Votes

    The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to 
consider S. 1724 on January 20, 2016. The bill was ordered 
favorably reported by voice vote. No rollcall votes were taken.

                      Regulatory Impact Statement

    In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee finds that any 
regulatory impacts on owners and operators of watercraft 
operating in waters of the Lake Tahoe Basin would be minimal 
because the regional agency for the Lake Tahoe Basin already 
subjects watercraft to inspection requirements.

                          Mandates Assessment

    In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 
(Public Law 10-44), the Committee notes that the Congressional 
Budget Office found that, while S. 1724 would impose an 
intergovernmental and private-sector mandate as defined in the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) on owners and operators of 
watercraft launched in the waters of the Lake Tahoe Basin, CBO 
estimates that the cost of the mandates would fall below the 
annual thresholds established in UMRA for intergovernmental and 
private-sector mandates ($77 million and $154 million in 2016, 
respectively, adjusted annually for inflation).

                          Cost of Legislation

    Section 403 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
Control Act requires that a statement of the cost of the 
reported bill, prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, be 
included in the report. That statement follows:

                                                      May 17, 2016.
Hon. Jim Inhofe,
Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
     Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 1724, the Lake Tahoe 
Restoration Act of 2015.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Jeff LaFave.
            Sincerely,
                                                        Keith Hall.
    Enclosure.

S. 1724--Lake Tahoe Restoration Act of 2015

    Summary: S. 1724 would authorize appropriations totaling 
$415 million to restore the ecological health of the Lake Tahoe 
Basin. Those funds would be available to the Forest Service, 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and several other 
agencies for projects to reduce the risk of fire, manage storm 
water, restore various watersheds, and protect against invasive 
species. The bill also would authorize the Forest Service to 
convey certain federal lands to California and Nevada.
    Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO 
estimates that implementing S. 1724 would cost $193 million 
over the 2017-2021 period and $222 million after 2021. Enacting 
the legislation could increase offsetting receipts (from 
inspection fees) and associated direct spending, as well as 
revenues (from civil penalties); therefore, pay-as-you-go 
procedures apply. However, CBO estimates that the net effects 
of new offsetting receipts, direct spending, and revenues would 
be negligible each year.
    CBO also estimates that enacting S. 1724 would not increase 
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
    S. 1724 would impose an intergovernmental and private-
sector mandate as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 
(UMRA) on owners and operators of watercraft launched in the 
waters of the Lake Tahoe Basin. CBO estimates that the cost of 
the mandates would fall below the annual thresholds established 
in UMRA for intergovernmental and private-sector mandates ($77 
million and $154 million in 2016, respectively, adjusted 
annually for inflation).
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary effect of S. 1724 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300 
(natural resources and environment).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                            2017     2018     2019     2020     2021   2017-2021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONa
 
Forest Service Programs:
    Estimated Authorization Level.......................       24       24       24       24       24       119
    Estimated Outlays...................................       17       23       24       24       24       110
Multi-agency Programs:
    Estimated Authorization Level.......................       11       11       11       11       11        57
    Estimated Outlays...................................        8       10       11       11       11        52
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs:
    Estimated Authorization Level.......................        7        7        7        7        7        33
    Estimated Outlays...................................        5        7        7        7        7        31
    Total Increases:
        Estimated Authorization Level...................       42       42       42       42       42       208
        Estimated Outlays...............................       30       39       42       42       42      193
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding.
\a\Additional spending of $222 million would occur after 2021.

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
legislation will be enacted in 2016 and the authorized amounts 
will be appropriated over the 2017-2026 period. Outlays are 
estimated based on historical spending patterns for ongoing and 
similar activities.

Spending subject to appropriation

    Section 8 would authorize the appropriation of $415 million 
over the 10-year period beginning after the enactment of the 
bill for several federal agencies to perform ecological 
restoration activities in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Because the 
bill does not specify a specific authorization amount by year 
(only the total amount for the period), CBO assumes that the 
$415 million would be appropriated evenly over the 10-year 
period--amounting to about $42 million a year and $208 million 
over the 2017-2021 period.
    The amounts authorized under section 8 would be allocated 
as follows:
     For Forest Service programs, $237 million ($24 
million a year) to reduce the risk of fire, conduct restoration 
projects, fund environmental research in the Lake Tahoe Basin, 
carry out certain land conveyances, and oversee and coordinate 
certain multi-agency activities.
     For multi-agency programs at the Forest Service, 
the Environmental Protection Agency, and several other 
agencies, $113 million ($11 million a year) to make grants to 
state and local governments for certain water management 
projects.
     For the USFWS, $65 million ($7 million a year) to 
protect against invasive species and restore Lohontan cutthroat 
trout to the Lake Tahoe Basin.
    Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO 
estimates that implementing those provisions would cost $193 
million over the 2017-2021 period and $222 million after 2021.

Direct spending and revenues

    S. 1724 would require the USFWS to ensure that watercraft 
are inspected prior to launching in the waters of the Lake 
Tahoe Basin to prevent organisms from other bodies of water 
from contaminating the basin. The bill would authorize the 
agency to establish inspection and decontamination stations 
within the basin and to certify nonfederal entities to operate 
similar facilities. The bill also would allow any entity 
performing those activities to collect and spend fees to cover 
the cost of operating those facilities. CBO expects that the 
USFWS would certify the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency to 
conduct inspections and collect fees under the bill; we 
estimate that the collection and expenditure of such fees would 
have a negligible effect on net direct spending in any year.
    The bill also would establish civil penalties for 
individuals who launch watercraft in the Lake Tahoe Basin that 
have not been inspected and decontaminated in accordance with 
standards established by the USFWS. Any penalties collected 
would be recorded as revenues in the budget and deposited into 
the general fund of the U.S. Treasury. Based on information 
obtained from the USFWS, CBO estimates that annual revenues 
from those civil penalties would be negligible.
    Finally, the bill would authorize the Secretary to convey 
2,000 acres of federal lands to the state of California in 
exchange for a similar amount of state-owned lands and 130 
acres to the state of Nevada without consideration. Because 
none of the affected lands are expected to generate receipts 
over the next ten years under current law, CBO estimates that 
conveying the affected lands would not affect direct spending.
    Pay-as-you-go considerations: The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go 
Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement 
procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or 
revenues. S. 1724 could increase offsetting receipts (from 
inspection fees) and associated direct spending. The bill also 
could increase revenues (from civil penalties); therefore, pay-
as-you-go procedures apply. However, CBO estimates that any 
increase in offsetting receipts would be offset by similar 
increases in direct spending and any new revenues from 
penalties would be negligible.
    Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO 
estimates that enacting S. 1724 would not increase net direct 
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 
10-year periods beginning in 2027.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 1724 would 
impose an intergovernmental and private-sector mandate as 
defined in UMRA on owners and operators of watercraft. The bill 
would require those owners and operators to submit their 
watercraft for inspection prior to launching in waters of the 
Lake Tahoe Basin. Because the regional agency for the Lake 
Tahoe Basin currently subjects watercraft to inspection 
requirements, most owners and operators would already be in 
compliance with the bill's requirements. Therefore, CBO 
estimates that the cost to comply with the mandate would be 
minimal and would fall below the annual thresholds established 
in UMRA for intergovernmental and private-sector mandates ($77 
million and $154 million in 2016, respectively, adjusted 
annually for inflation).
    The bill would benefit state, local and tribal governments 
in California and Nevada by authorizing federal grants and 
technical assistance for fire prevention, forest management 
activities, and environmental improvement projects located in 
the Lake Tahoe Basin. The bill also would authorize conveyances 
of federal land to California and Nevada. Any costs incurred by 
those entities, including matching contributions, would be 
incurred voluntarily.
    Previous CBO estimate: On December 8, 2015, CBO transmitted 
a cost estimate for H.R. 3382, the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act 
of 2015, as ordered reported by the House Committee on Natural 
Resources on October 8, 2015. S. 1724 and H.R. 3382 would 
provide funding for similar activities; however, the amounts 
authorized to be appropriated would be different. In addition, 
H.R. 3382 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to sell 
certain lands in California. S. 1724 would authorize the 
Secretary to exchange those lands for nonfederal lands. CBO's 
cost estimates reflect those differences.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Jeff LaFave; Impact on 
state, local, and tribal governments: Jon Sperl; Impact on the 
private sector: Amy Petz.
    Estimate approved by: H. Samuel Papenfuss, 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 
initalic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown 
in roman:

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Lake Tahoe Restoration Act

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Lake Tahoe Restoration Act''.

[SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

  [(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
          [(1) Lake Tahoe, one of the largest, deepest, and 
        clearest lakes in the world, has a cobalt blue color, a 
        unique alpine setting, and remarkable water clarity, 
        and is recognized nationally and worldwide as a natural 
        resource of special significance;
          [(2) in addition to being a scenic and ecological 
        treasure, Lake Tahoe is one of the outstanding 
        recreational resources of the United States, offering 
        skiing, water sports, biking, camping, and hiking to 
        millions of visitors each year, and contributing 
        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) Lake Tahoe is in the midst of an environmental 
        crisis; the Lake's water clarity has declined from a 
        visibility level of 105 feet in 1967 to only 70 feet in 
        1999, and scientific estimates indicate that if the 
        water quality at the Lake continues to degrade, Lake 
        Tahoe will lose its famous clarity in only 30 years;
          [(5) sediment and algae-nourishing phosphorous and 
        nitrogen continue to flow into the Lake from a variety 
        of sources, including land erosion, fertilizers, air 
        pollution, urban runoff, highway drainage, streamside 
        erosion, land disturbance, and ground water flow;
          [(6) methyl tertiary butyl ether--
                  [(A) has contaminated and closed more than 
                one-third of the wells in South Tahoe; and
                  [(B) is advancing on the Lake at a rate of 
                approximately 9 feet per day;
          [(7) destruction of wetlands, wet meadows, and stream 
        zone habitat has compromised the Lake's ability to 
        cleanse itself of pollutants;
          [(8) approximately 40 percent of the trees in the 
        Lake Tahoe basin are either dead or dying, and the 
        increased quantity of combustible forest fuels has 
        significantly increased the risk of catastrophic forest 
        fire in the Lake Tahoe basin;
          [(9) as the largest land manager in the Lake Tahoe 
        basin, with 77 percent of the land, the Federal 
        Government has a unique responsibility for restoring 
        environmental health to Lake Tahoe;
          [(10) 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 in 1969 (Public Law 91-148; 83 Stat. 
                360) and in 1980 (Public Law 96-551; 94 Stat. 
                3233);
                  [(B) the establishment of the Lake Tahoe 
                Basin Management Unit in 1973; and
                  [(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;
          [(11) the President renewed the Federal Government's 
        commitment to Lake Tahoe in 1997 at the Lake Tahoe 
        Presidential Forum, when he committed to increased 
        Federal resources for environmental restoration at Lake 
        Tahoe and established the Federal Interagency 
        Partnership and Federal Advisory Committee to consult 
        on natural resources issues concerning the Lake Tahoe 
        basin;
          [(12) the States of California and Nevada have 
        contributed proportionally to the effort to protect and 
        restore Lake Tahoe, including--
                  [(A) expenditures--
                          [(i) exceeding $200,000,000 by the 
                        State of California since 1980 for land 
                        acquisition, erosion control, and other 
                        environmental projects in the Lake 
                        Tahoe basin; and
                          (ii) exceeding $30,000,000 by the 
                        State of Nevada since 1980 for the 
                        purposes described in clause (i); and
                  [(B) the approval of a bond issue by voters 
                in the State of Nevada authorizing the 
                expenditure by the State of an additional 
                $20,000,000; and
          [(13) significant additional investment from Federal, 
        State, local, and private sources is needed to stop the 
        damage to Lake Tahoe and its forests, and restore the 
        Lake Tahoe basin to ecological health.
  [(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this Act are--
          [(1) to enable the Forest Service to plan and 
        implement significant new environmental restoration 
        activities and forest management activities to address 
        the phenomena described in paragraphs (4) through (8) 
        of subsection (a) in the Lake Tahoe basin;
          [(2) to ensure that Federal, State, local, regional, 
        tribal, and private entities continue to work together 
        to improve water quality and manage Federal land in the 
        Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit; and
          [(3) to provide funding to local governments for 
        erosion and sediment control projects on non-Federal 
        land if the projects benefit the Federal land.]

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

  (a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
          (1) Lake Tahoe--
                  (A) is one 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 one 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 conservation and restoration of the natural 
        beauty and recreation opportunities in the area;
          (4) the ecological health of the Lake Tahoe Basin 
        continues to be challenged by the impacts of land use 
        and transportation patterns developed in the last 
        century;
          (5) the alteration of wetland, wet meadows, and 
        stream zone habitat have compromised the capacity of 
        the watershed to filter sediment, nutrients, and 
        pollutants before reaching Lake Tahoe;
          (6) forests in the Lake Tahoe Basin suffer from over 
        a century of fire damage 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;
          (7) the establishment of several aquatic and 
        terrestrial invasive species (including perennial 
        pepperweed, milfoil, and Asian clam) threatens the 
        ecosystem of the Lake Tahoe Basin;
          (8) there is an ongoing threat to the economy and 
        ecosystem of the Lake Tahoe Basin of the introduction 
        and establishment of other invasive species (such as 
        yellow starthistle, New Zealand mud snail, Zebra 
        mussel, and quagga mussel);
          (9) 78 percent of the land in the Lake Tahoe Basin is 
        administered by the Federal Government, which makes it 
        a Federal responsibility to restore ecological health 
        to the Lake Tahoe Basin;
          (10) the Federal Government has a long history of 
        environmental stewardship at Lake Tahoe, including--
                  (A) congressional consent to the 
                establishment of the 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 programs 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;
          (11) the Assistant Secretary 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;
          (12) the Chief of Engineers, under direction from the 
        Assistant Secretary, has continued to be a significant 
        contributor to Lake Tahoe Basin restoration, 
        including--
                  (A) stream and wetland restoration; and
                  (B) programmatic technical assistance;
          (13) 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 ecological 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;
          (14) 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;
          (15) since 1997, the Federal Government, the States 
        of California and Nevada, units of local government, 
        and the private sector have contributed more than 
        $1,740,000,000 to the Lake Tahoe Basin, including--
                  (A) $576,300,000 from the Federal Government;
                  (B) $654,600,000 from the State of 
                California;
                  (C) $112,500,000 from the State of Nevada;
                  (D) $74,900,000 from units of local 
                government; and
                  (E) $323,700,000 from private interests;
          (16) significant additional investment from Federal, 
        State, local, and private sources is necessary--
                  (A) to restore and sustain the ecological 
                health of the Lake Tahoe Basin;
                  (B) to adapt to the impacts of fluctuating 
                water temperature and precipitation; and
                  (C) to prevent the introduction and 
                establishment of invasive species in the Lake 
                Tahoe Basin; and
          (17) the Secretary has indicated that the Lake Tahoe 
        Basin Management Unit has the capacity for at least 
        $10,000,000 annually 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, 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 in the Lake Tahoe Basin;
          (2) to ensure that Federal, State, local, regional, 
        tribal, and private entities continue to work together 
        to manage land in the Lake Tahoe Basin;
          (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 resource 
                management in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

[SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          [(1) Environmental threshold carrying capacity.--The 
        term ``environmental threshold carrying capacity'' has 
        the meaning given the term in article II of the Tahoe 
        Regional Planning Compact set forth in the first 
        section of Public Law 96-551 (94 Stat. 3235).
          [(2) Fire risk reduction activity.--
                  [(A) In general.--The term ``fire risk 
                reduction activity'' means an activity that is 
                necessary to reduce the risk of wildfire to 
                promote forest management and simultaneously 
                achieve and maintain the environmental 
                threshold carrying capacities established by 
                the Planning Agency in a manner consistent, 
                where applicable, with chapter 71 of the Tahoe 
                Regional Planning Agency Code of Ordinances.
                  [(B) Included activities.--The term ``fire 
                risk reduction activity'' includes--
                          [(i) prescribed burning;
                          [(ii) mechanical treatment;
                          [(iii) road obliteration or 
                        reconstruction; and
                          [(iv) such other activities 
                        consistent with Forest Service 
                        practices as the Secretary determines 
                        to be appropriate.
          [(3) 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).
          [(4) Priority list.--The term ``priority list'' means 
        the environmental restoration priority list developed 
        under section 6.
          [(5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of 
        the Forest Service.]

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 13057 (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) stream environment zone restoration and 
                other watershed and wildlife habitat 
                enhancements;
                  (D) nonnative invasive species management; 
                and
                  (E) 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 5(b).
          (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.

  (a) In General.--The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit shall 
be administered by the Secretary in accordance with this Act 
and the laws applicable to the National Forest System.
  (b) Relationship to Other Authority.--
          (1) Private or non-federal land.--Nothing in this Act 
        grants regulatory authority to the Secretary over 
        private or other non-Federal land.
          (2) Planning agency.--Nothing in this Act affects or 
        increases the authority of the Planning Agency.
          (3) Acquisition under other law.--Nothing in this Act 
        affects the authority of the Secretary to acquire land 
        from willing sellers in the Lake Tahoe[basin]Basin 
        under any other law.
  (c) 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 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 subparagraph 
                (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 program 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-program ground condition 
                criteria for ground disturbance caused by 
                forest management activities; and
                  (B) provide for monitoring to ascertain the 
                attainment of the post-program conditions.
  (d) 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) this Act; or
                  (B) Public Law 96-586 (94 Stat. 3381) 
                (commonly known as the `Santini-Burton Act').
  (e) Environmental Threshold Carrying Capacity.--The Lake 
Tahoe Basin Management Unit shall support the attainment of the 
environmental threshold carrying capacities.
  (f) Cooperative Authorities.--During the 4 fiscal years 
following the date of enactment of the Lake Tahoe Restoration 
Act of 2015, the Secretary, in conjunction with land adjustment 
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 programs.

SEC. 5. CONSULTATION WITH PLANNING AGENCY AND OTHER ENTITIES.

  [(a) In General.--With respect to the duties described in 
subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with and seek the 
advice and recommendations of--
          [(1) the Planning Agency;
          [(2) the Tahoe Federal Interagency Partnership 
        established by Executive Order No. 13057 (62 Fed. Reg. 
        41249) or a successor Executive order;
          [(3) the Lake Tahoe Basin Federal Advisory Committee 
        established by the Secretary on December 15, 1998 (64 
        Fed. Reg. 2876) (until the committee is terminated);
          [(4) Federal representatives and all political 
        subdivisions of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit; 
        and
          [(5) the Lake Tahoe Transportation and Water Quality 
        Coalition.
  [(b) Duties.--The Secretary shall consult with and seek 
advice and recommendations from the entities described in 
subsection (a) with respect to--
          [(1) the administration of the Lake Tahoe Basin 
        Management Unit;
          [(2) the development of the priority list;
          [(3) the promotion of consistent policies and 
        strategies to address the Lake Tahoe basin's 
        environmental and recreational concerns;
          [(4) the coordination of the various programs, 
        projects, and activities relating to the environment 
        and recreation in the Lake Tahoe basin to avoid 
        unnecessary duplication and inefficiencies of Federal, 
        State, local, tribal, and private efforts; and
          [(5) the coordination of scientific resources and 
        data, for the purpose of obtaining the best available 
        science as a basis for decisionmaking on an ongoing 
        basis.]

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZED PROGRAMS.

  (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 program that--
          (1) is described in subsection (d);
          (2) is included in the Priority List under subsection 
        (b); and
          (3) furthers the purposes of the Environmental 
        Improvement Program if the program has been subject to 
        environmental review and approval, respectively, as 
        required under Federal law, Article VII of the Compact, 
        and State law, as applicable.
  (b) Priority List.--
          (1) Deadline.--Not later than March 15 of the year 
        after the date of enactment of the Lake Tahoe 
        Restoration Act of 2015, 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 (or a successor organization) shall 
        submit to Congress a prioritized Environmental 
        Improvement Program list for the Lake Tahoe Basin for 
        each program category described in subsection (d).
          (2) Criteria.--The ranking of the Priority List shall 
        be based on the best available science and the 
        following criteria:
                  (A) The 4-year threshold carrying capacity 
                evaluation.
                  (B) The ability to measure progress or 
                success of the program.
                  (C) The potential to significantly contribute 
                to the achievement and maintenance of the 
                environmental threshold carrying capacities 
                identified in Article II of the Compact.
                  (D) The ability of a program to provide 
                multiple benefits.
                  (E) The ability of a program to leverage non-
                Federal contributions.
                  (F) Stakeholder support for the program.
                  (G) The justification of Federal interest.
                  (H) Agency priority.
                  (I) Agency capacity.
                  (J) Cost-effectiveness.
                  (K) Federal funding history.
          (3) Revisions.--The Priority List submitted under 
        paragraph (1) shall be revised every 2 years.
          (4) Funding.--Of the amounts made available under 
        section 10(a), $80,000,000 shall be made available to 
        the Secretary to carry out projects listed on the 
        Priority List.
  (c) Restriction.--The Administrator shall use not more than 3 
percent of the funds provided under subsection (a) for 
administering the programs described in paragraphs (1) and (2) 
of subsection (d).
  (d) Description of Activities.--
          (1) Fire risk reduction and forest management.--
                  (A) In general.--Of the amounts made 
                available under section 10(a), $150,000,000 
                shall be made available to the Secretary to 
                carry out, including by making grants, the 
                following programs:
                          (i) Programs 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 programs, including 
                        feasibility assessments.
                          (iv) Angora Fire Restoration under 
                        the jurisdiction of the Secretary.
                          (v) Washoe Tribe programs 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(c).
                          (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.
                          (ix) Stewardship end result 
                        contracting projects carried out under 
                        section 604 of the Healthy Forests 
                        Restoration Act of 2003 (16 U.S.C. 
                        6591c).
                  (B) Minimum allocation.--Of the amounts made 
                available to the Secretary to carry out 
                subparagraph (A), at least $100,000,000 shall 
                be used by the Secretary for programs 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 
                                                program goals 
                                                and objectives; 
                                                and
                                          (bb) document in all 
                                        requests for Federal 
                                        funding, and include in 
                                        the total program 
                                        budget, evidence of the 
                                        commitment to provide 
                                        the non-Federal share 
                                        through in-kind 
                                        contributions.
          (2) Invasive species management.--
                  (A) In general.--Of the amounts made 
                available under section 10(a), $45,000,000 
                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 
                subparagraph (B).
                  (B) Description of activities.--The Director 
                of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 
                in coordination with the Assistant Secretary, 
                the Planning Agency, the California Department 
                of Fish and Wildlife, and the Nevada Department 
                of Wildlife, shall deploy strategies consistent 
                with the Lake Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species 
                Management Plan to prevent the introduction or 
                spread of aquatic invasive species in the Lake 
                Tahoe region.
                  (C) Criteria.--The strategies referred to in 
                subparagraph (B) shall provide that--
                          (i) combined inspection and 
                        decontamination stations be established 
                        and operated at not less than 2 
                        locations in the Lake Tahoe region; and
                          (ii) watercraft not be allowed to 
                        launch in waters of the Lake Tahoe 
                        region if the watercraft has not been 
                        inspected in accordance with the Lake 
                        Tahoe Aquatic Invasive Species 
                        Management Plan.
                  (D) Certification.--The Planning Agency may 
                certify State and local agencies to perform the 
                decontamination activities described in 
                subparagraph (C)(i) 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 
                paragraph.
                  (E) Applicability.--The strategies and 
                criteria developed under this paragraph shall 
                apply to all watercraft to be launched on water 
                within the Lake Tahoe region.
                  (F) 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 paragraph.
                  (G) Civil penalties.--
                          (i) In general.--Any person that 
                        launches, attempts to launch, or 
                        facilitates launching of watercraft not 
                        in compliance with strategies deployed 
                        under this paragraph shall be liable 
                        for a civil penalty in an amount not to 
                        exceed $1,000 per violation.
                          (ii) Other authorities.--Any 
                        penalties assessed under this 
                        subparagraph shall be separate from 
                        penalties assessed under any other 
                        authority.
                  (H) Limitation.--The strategies and criteria 
                under subparagraphs (B) and (C), 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 developed under subparagraphs (B) and 
                (C), respectively.
                  (I) Supplemental authority.--The authority 
                under this paragraph is supplemental to all 
                actions taken by non-Federal regulatory 
                authorities.
                  (J) Savings clause.--Nothing in this title 
                restricts, affects, or amends 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.
          (3) Stormwater management, erosion control, and total 
        watershed restoration.--Of the amounts made available 
        under section 10(a), $113,000,000 shall be made 
        available--
                  (A) to the Secretary, the Secretary of the 
                Interior, the Assistant Secretary, or the 
                Administrator for the Federal share of 
                stormwater management and related programs 
                consistent with the adopted Total Maximum Daily 
                Load and near-shore water quality goals;
                  (B) for grants by the Secretary and the 
                Administrator to carry out the programs 
                described in subparagraph (A);
                  (C) to the Secretary or the Assistant 
                Secretary for the Federal share of the Upper 
                Truckee River restoration programs and other 
                watershed restoration programs identified in 
                the Priority List established under section 
                5(b); and
                  (D) for grants by the Administrator to carry 
                out the programs described in subparagraph (C).
          (4) Special status species management.--Of the 
        amounts made available under section 10(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.

[SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PRIORITY LIST.

  [(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall develop a priority 
list of potential or proposed environmental restoration 
projects for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
  [(b) Development of Priority List.--In developing the 
priority list, the Secretary shall--
          [(1) use the best available science, including any 
        relevant findings and recommendations of the watershed 
        assessment conducted by the Forest Service in the Lake 
        Tahoe basin; and
          [(2) include, in order of priority, potential or 
        proposed environmental restoration projects in the Lake 
        Tahoe basin that--
                  [(A) are included in or are consistent with 
                the environmental improvement program adopted 
                by the Planning Agency in February 1998 and 
                amendments to the program;
                  [(B) would help to achieve and maintain the 
                environmental threshold carrying capacities 
                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.
  [(c) Focus in Determining Order of Priority.--In determining 
the order of priority of potential and proposed environmental 
restoration projects under subsection (b)(2), the focus shall 
address projects (listed in no particular order) involving--
          [(1) erosion and sediment control, including the 
        activities described in section 2(g) of Public Law 96-
        586 (94 Stat. 3381) (as amended by section 7 of this 
        Act);
          [(2) the acquisition of environmentally sensitive 
        land from willing sellers--
                  [(A) using funds appropriated from the land 
                and water conservation fund established under 
                section 2 of the Land and Water Conservation 
                Fund Act of 1965 (16 U.S.C. 460l-5); or
                  [(B) under the authority of Public Law 96-586 
                (94 Stat. 3381);
          [(3) fire risk reduction activities in urban areas 
        and urban-wildland interface areas, including high 
        recreational use areas and urban lots acquired from 
        willing sellers under the authority of Public Law 96-
        586 (94 Stat. 3381);
          [(4) cleaning up methyl tertiary butyl ether 
        contamination; and
          [(5) the management of vehicular parking and traffic 
        in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, especially--
                  [(A) improvement of public access to the Lake 
                Tahoe basin, including the promotion of 
                alternatives to the private automobile;
                  [(B) the Highway 28 and 89 corridors and 
                parking problems in the area; and
                  [(C) cooperation with local public 
                transportation systems, including--
                          [(i) the Coordinated Transit System; 
                        and
                          [(ii) public transit systems on the 
                        north shore of Lake Tahoe.
  [(d) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall provide for continuous 
scientific research on and monitoring of the implementation of 
projects on the priority list, including the status of the 
achievement and maintenance of environmental threshold carrying 
capacities.
  [(e) Consistency With Memorandum of Understanding.--A project 
on the priority list shall be conducted in accordance with the 
memorandum of understanding signed by the Forest Supervisor and 
the Planning Agency on November 10, 1989, including any 
amendments to the memorandum as long as the memorandum remains 
in effect.
  [(f)) Review of Priority List.--Periodically, but not less 
often than every 3 years, the Secretary shall--
          [(1) review the priority list;
          [(2) consult with--
                  [(A) the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency;
                  [(B) interested political subdivisions; and
                  [(C) the Lake Tahoe Water Quality and 
                Transportation Coalition;
          [(3) make any necessary changes with respect to--
                  [(A) the findings of scientific research and 
                monitoring in the Lake Tahoe basin;
                  [(B) any change in an environmental threshold 
                as determined by the Planning Agency; and
                  [(C) any change in general environmental 
                conditions in the Lake Tahoe basin; and
          [(4) submit to Congress a report on any changes made.
  [(g) Cleanup of Hydrocarbon Contamination.--
          [(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, subject to the 
        availability of appropriations, make a payment of 
        $1,000,000 to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and 
        the South Tahoe Public Utility District to develop and 
        publish a plan, not later than 1 year after the date of 
        the enactment of this Act, for the prevention and 
        cleanup of hydrocarbon contamination (including 
        contamination with MTBE) of the surface water and 
        ground water of the Lake Tahoe basin.
          [(2) Consultation.--In developing the plan, the Tahoe 
        Regional Planning Agency and the South Tahoe Public 
        Utility District shall consult with the States of 
        California and Nevada and appropriate political 
        subdivisions.
          [(3) Willing sellers.--The plan shall not include any 
        acquisition of land or an interest in land except an 
        acquisition from a willing seller.
  [(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to 
be appropriated, for the implementation of projects on the 
priority list and the payment identified in subsection (g), 
20,000,000 for the first fiscal year that begins after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and for each of the 9 fiscal years 
thereafter.]

SEC. 6. PROGRAM PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

  (a) Program Performance and Accountability.--
          (1) In general.--Of the amounts made available under 
        section 10(a), not less than $5,000,000 shall be made 
        available to the Secretary to carry out this section.
          (2) Planning agency.--Of the amounts described in 
        paragraph (1), not less than 50 percent shall be made 
        available to the Planning Agency to carry out the 
        program oversight and coordination activities 
        established under subsection (d).
  (b) 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.
  (c) Corps of Engineers; Interagency Agreements.--
          (1) 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.
          (2) Local cooperation agreements.--
                  (A) 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.
                  (B) Components.--The agreement entered into 
                under subparagraph (A) shall--
                          (i) describe the nature of the 
                        technical assistance;
                          (ii) describe any legal and 
                        institutional structures necessary to 
                        ensure the effective long-term 
                        viability of the end products by the 
                        non-Federal interest; and
                          (iii) include cost-sharing provisions 
                        in accordance with subparagraph (C).
                  (C) Federal share.--
                          (i) In general.--The Federal share of 
                        program costs under each local 
                        cooperation agreement under this 
                        paragraph shall be 65 percent.
                          (ii) Form.--The Federal share may be 
                        in the form of reimbursements of 
                        program costs.
                          (iii) 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 
                        paragraph.
  (d) Effectiveness Evaluation and Monitoring.--In carrying out 
this Act, the Secretary, the Administrator, and the Directors, 
in coordination with the Planning Agency and the States of 
California and Nevada, shall--
          (1) develop and implement a plan for integrated 
        monitoring, assessment, and applied research to 
        evaluate the effectiveness of the Environmental 
        Improvement Program;
          (2) include funds in each program funded under this 
        section for monitoring and assessment of results at the 
        program level; and
          (3) use the integrated multiagency performance 
        measures established under this section.
  (e) Reporting Requirements.--Not later than March 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 subsection 
(a), shall submit to Congress a report that describes--
          (1) the status of all Federal, State, local, and 
        private programs authorized under this Act, including 
        to the maximum extent practicable, for programs that 
        will receive Federal funds under this Act during the 
        current or subsequent fiscal year--
                  (A) the program scope;
                  (B) the budget for the program; and
                  (C) the justification for the program, 
                consistent with the criteria established in 
                section 5(b)(2);
          (2) Federal, State, local, and private expenditures 
        in the preceding fiscal year to implement the 
        Environmental Improvement Program;
          (3) accomplishments in the preceding fiscal year in 
        implementing this Act in accordance with the 
        performance measures and other monitoring and 
        assessment activities; and
          (4) public education and outreach efforts undertaken 
        to implement programs authorized under this Act.
  (f) 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. FIRE RISK REDUCTION ACTIVITIES.

  [(a) In General.--In conducting fire risk reduction 
activities in the Lake Tahoe basin, the Secretary shall, as 
appropriate, coordinate with State and local agencies and 
organizations, including local fire departments and volunteer 
groups.
  [(b) Ground Disturbance.--The Secretary shall, to the maximum 
extent practicable, minimize any ground disturbances caused by 
fire risk reduction activities.]

[SEC. 9. AVAILABILITY AND SOURCE OF FUNDS.

  [(a) In General.--Funds authorized under this Act and the 
amendment made by this Act--
          [(1) shall be in addition to any other amounts 
        available to the Secretary for expenditure in the Lake 
        Tahoe basin; and
          [(2) shall not reduce allocations for other Regions 
        of the Forest Service.
  [(b) Matching Requirement.--Except as provided in subsection 
(c), funds for activities under section 6 and section 7 of this 
Act shall be available for obligation on a 1-to-1 basis with 
funding of restoration activities in the Lake Tahoe basin by 
the States of California and Nevada.
  [(c) Relocation Costs.--The Secretary shall provide two-
thirds of necessary funding to local utility districts for the 
costs of relocating facilities in connection with environmental 
restoration projects under section 6 and erosion control 
projects under section 2 of Public Law 96-586.]

SEC. [10] 8. AMENDMENT OF PUBLIC LAW 96-586.

  Section 3(a) of Public Law 96-586 (94 Stat. 3383) is amended 
by adding at the end the following:
          ``(5) Willing sellers. Land within the Lake Tahoe 
        Basin Management Unit subject to acquisition under this 
        section that is owned by a private person shall be 
        acquired only from a willing seller.''.

SEC. [11] 9. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

  Nothing in this Act exempts the Secretary, Director, or 
Administrator from the duty to comply with any applicable 
Federal law.

SEC. [12] 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
necessary to carry out this Act.]

SEC. 10. 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 2015.
  (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, the Environmental Protection 
        Agency, or the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
  (c) Cost-Sharing Requirement.--Except as provided in 
subsection (d) and section 5(d)(1)(D), funds for activities 
carried out under section 5 shall be available for obligation 
on a 1-to-1 basis with funding of restoration activities in the 
Lake Tahoe Basin by the States of California and Nevada.
  (d) Relocation Costs.--Notwithstanding subsection (c), the 
Secretary shall provide to local utility districts \2/3\ of the 
costs of relocating facilities in connection with--
          (1) environmental restoration programs under sections 
        5 and 6; and
          (2) erosion control programs under section 2 of 
        Public Law 96-586 (94 Stat. 3381).
  (e) Signage.--To the maximum extent practicable, a program 
provided assistance under this Act shall include appropriate 
signage at the program site that--
          (1) provides information to the public on--
                  (A) the amount of Federal funds being 
                provided to the program; and
                  (B) this Act; and
          (2) displays the visual identity mark of the 
        Environmental Improvement Program.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


           [PUBLIC LAW 96-551--DEC. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 3240]

                    TAHOE REGIONAL PLANNING COMPACT

    carrying capacities. Within 18 months after the effective 
date of the amendments to this compact, the agency shall adopt 
environmentalthreshold carrying capacities for the region.
  (c) Within 1 year after the adoption of the environmental 
threshold carrying capacities for the region, the agency shall 
amend the regional plan so that, at a minimum, the plan and all 
of its elements, as implemented through agency ordinances, 
rules and regulations,achieves and maintains the adopted 
environmental threshold carrying capacities. Each element of 
the plan shall contain implementation provisions and time 
schedules for such implementation by ordinance. The planning 
commission and governing body shall continuously review and 
maintain the regional planand, in so doing, shall ensure that 
the regional plan reflects changing economic conditions and the 
economic effect of regulation on commerce. The regional plan 
shall consist of a diagram, or diagrams, and text, or texts 
setting forth the projects and proposals for implementation of 
the regional plan, a description of the needs and goals of the 
region and a statement of thepolicies, standards and elements 
of the regional plan.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Chapter 53 of Title 49, United States Code

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



Sec. 5301. Policies, findings, and purposes

  (a) Development and Revitalization of Public Transportation 
Systems.--It is in the interest of the United States, including 
its economic interest, to foster the development and 
revitalization of public transportation systems that--
          (1)* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 5303. Metropolitan transportation planning

  (a) Policy.--It is in the national interest to--
          (1)* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (r) BI-STATE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION.-
          (1) DEFINITION OF BI-STATE MPO REGION.-In this 
        subsection, the term `Bi-State Metropolitan Planning 
        Organization'has the meaning given the term `region' in 
        subsection (a) of Article II of the Lake Tahoe Regional 
        Planning Compact (Public Law 96-551; 94 Stat. 3234).
          (2) TREATMENT.-For the purpose of this title, the Bi-
        State Metropolitan Planning Organization shall be 
        treated as-
                  (A) a metropolitan planning organization;
                  (B) a transportation management area under 
                subsection(k); and
                  (C) an urbanized area, which is comprised of 
                a population of 145,000and 25 square miles of 
                land area in the State of California and a 
                population of 65,000and 12 square miles of land 
                area in the State of Nevada.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                   [PUBLIC LAW 96-586--94 Stat. 3384]

                           SANTINI-BURTON ACT

   Section 1. (a) The Congress finds that--
  (1) the Bureau of Land Management has extensive land 
ownership in small parcels interspersed with or adjacent to 
private lands in urban areas of Clark County, Nevada;
  (2)* * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

   Sec. 3. (a)(1) The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to 
acquire by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated 
funds, or otherwise, lands and interests in lands which were 
unimproved as of the date of enactment of this Act (except as 
provided in subsection (c)), and which are environmentally 
sensitive lands within the meaning of paragraph (2). The funds 
used for acquisition of such lands and interests in lands shall 
be the funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this 
Act, and no such funds may be expended until the final map has 
been filed in accordance with paragraph (2)(B). Such funds 
shall be in addition to any other amounts available to the 
Secretary of Agriculture for expenditure in the Lake Tahoe 
Basin.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(b) Lands]
  (b) Administration of Acquired Land.--
          (1) In general.--Land acquired under this section 
        shall be administered as a part of the United States 
        National Forest System; except that the Secretary of 
        Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest 
        Service, may, in the case of lands which are unsuitable 
        for Forest Service administration, transfer such lands 
        or interests therein to an appropriate unit of State or 
        local government with appropriate deed restrictions to 
        protect the environmental quality and public 
        recreational use of the lands concerned.
          (2) California conveyances.--
                  (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 California Tahoe 
                                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--
                                  (I) to ensure compliance with 
                                this Act; and
                                  (II) to ensure that the 
                                transfer of development rights 
                                associated with the conveyed 
                                parcels shall not be recognized 
                                or available for transfer under 
                                chapter 51 of the Code of 
                                Ordinances for the Tahoe 
                                Regional Planning Agency.
          (3) Nevada conveyances.--
                  (A) In general.--In accordance with this 
                section and on request by the Governor of 
                Nevada, the Secretary may transfer the land or 
                interests in land described in subparagraph (B) 
                to the State of Nevada without consideration, 
                subject to appropriate deed restrictions to 
                protect the environmental quality and public 
                recreational use of the land transferred.
                  (B) Description of land.--The land referred 
                to in subparagraph (A) includes--
                          (i) the approximately 38.68 acres of 
                        Forest Service land identified on the 
                        map entitled `State of Nevada 
                        Conveyances' as `Van Sickle Unit USFS 
                        Inholding'; and
                          (ii) the approximately 92.28 acres of 
                        Forest Service land identified on the 
                        map entitled `State of Nevada 
                        Conveyances' as `Lake Tahoe Nevada 
                        State Park USFS Inholding'.
                  (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--
                                  (I) to ensure compliance with 
                                this Act; and
                                  (II) to 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.
          (4) Reversion.--If a parcel of land transferred under 
        paragraph (2) or (3) is used in a manner that is 
        inconsistent with the use described for the parcel of 
        land in paragraph (2) or (3), respectively, the parcel 
        of land, shall, at the discretion of the Secretary, 
        revert to the United States.
          (5) Funding.--
                  (A) In general.--Of the amounts made 
                available under section 10(a) of the Lake Tahoe 
                Restoration Act (Public Law 106-506; 114 Stat. 
                2351), 2,000,000 shall be made available to the 
                Secretary to carry out the activities under 
                paragraphs (2) and (3).
                  (B) Other funds.--Of the amounts available to 
                the Secretary under paragraph (1), not less 
                than 50 percent shall be provided to the 
                California Tahoe Conservancy to facilitate the 
                conveyance of land described in paragraphs (2) 
                and (3).

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