[House Report 116-290]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


116th Congress   }                                      {      Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session     }                                      {     116-290

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



 
       PROMOTING UNITED GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO SAVE OUR SOUND ACT

                                _______
                                

 November 14, 2019.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on 
            the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. DeFazio, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 2247]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 2247) to amend the Federal Water 
Pollution Control Act to provide assistance for programs and 
activities to protect the water quality of Puget Sound, and for 
other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably 
thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as 
amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose of Legislation...........................................     8
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     8
Hearings.........................................................     9
Legislative History and Consideration............................    10
Committee Votes..................................................    10
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................    10
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................    10
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................    10
Performance Goals and Objectives.................................    12
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................    12
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
  Benefits.......................................................    12
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................    12
Preemption Clarification.........................................    12
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................    13
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................    13
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................    13
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............    14

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting United Government Efforts to 
Save Our Sound Act'' or the ``PUGET SOS Act''.

SEC. 2. PUGET SOUND COORDINATED RECOVERY.

  Title I of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 124. PUGET SOUND.

  ``(a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions apply:
          ``(1) Coastal nonpoint pollution control program.--The term 
        `Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program' means the State of 
        Washington's Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program 
        approved by the Secretary of Commerce as required under section 
        6217 of the Coastal Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 
        1990.
          ``(2) Director.--The term `Director' means the Director of 
        the Program Office.
          ``(3) International joint commission.--The term 
        `International Joint Commission' means the International Joint 
        Commission established by the United States and Canada under 
        the International Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 (36 Stat. 
        2448).
          ``(4) Pacific salmon commission.--The term `Pacific Salmon 
        Commission' means the Pacific Salmon Commission established by 
        the United States and Canada under the Treaty between the 
        Government of the United States of America and the Government 
        of Canada Concerning Pacific Salmon, signed at Ottawa, January 
        28, 1985 (commonly known as the `Pacific Salmon Treaty').
          ``(5) Program office.--The term `Program Office' means the 
        Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office established by 
        subsection (c).
          ``(6) Puget sound action agenda; action agenda.--The term 
        `Puget Sound Action Agenda' or `Action Agenda' means the most 
        recent plan developed by the Puget Sound National Estuary 
        Program Management Conference, in consultation with the Tribal 
        Management Conference, and approved by the Administrator as the 
        comprehensive conservation and management plan for Puget Sound 
        under section 320.
          ``(7) Puget sound federal leadership task force.--The term 
        `Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force' means the Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force established by subsection 
        (d).
          ``(8) Puget sound federal task force.--The term `Puget Sound 
        Federal Task Force' means the Puget Sound Federal Task Force 
        established in 2016 under a memorandum of understanding among 9 
        Federal agencies.
          ``(9) Puget sound national estuary program management 
        conference; management conference.--The term `Puget Sound 
        National Estuary Program Management Conference' or `Management 
        Conference' means the management conference for Puget Sound 
        convened pursuant to section 320.
          ``(10) Puget sound partnership.--The term `Puget Sound 
        Partnership' means the State agency that is established under 
        the laws of the State of Washington (section 90.71.210 of the 
        Revised Code of Washington), or its successor agency, that has 
        been designated by the Administrator as the lead entity to 
        support the Puget Sound National Estuary Program Management 
        Conference.
          ``(11) Puget sound region.--
                  ``(A) In general.--The term `Puget Sound region' 
                means the land and waters in the northwest corner of 
                the State of Washington from the Canadian border to the 
                north to the Pacific Ocean on the west, including Hood 
                Canal and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
                  ``(B) Inclusion.--The term `Puget Sound region' 
                includes all of the water that falls on the Olympic and 
                Cascade Mountains and flows to meet Puget Sound's 
                marine waters.
          ``(12) Puget sound tribal management conference.--The term 
        `Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference' means the 20 treaty 
        Indian tribes of western Washington and the Northwest Indian 
        Fisheries Commission.
          ``(13) Salish sea.--The term `Salish Sea' means the network 
        of coastal waterways on the west coast of North America that 
        includes the Puget Sound, the Strait of Georgia, and the Strait 
        of Juan de Fuca.
          ``(14) Salmon recovery plans.--The term `Salmon Recovery 
        Plans' means the recovery plans for salmon and steelhead 
        species approved by the Secretary of the Interior under section 
        4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
          ``(15) State advisory committee.--The term `State Advisory 
        Committee' means the advisory committee established by 
        subsection (e).
          ``(16) Treaty rights at risk initiative.--The term `Treaty 
        Rights at Risk Initiative' means the report from the treaty 
        Indian tribes of western Washington entitled `Treaty Rights at 
        Risk: Ongoing Habitat Loss, the Decline of the Salmon Resource, 
        and Recommendations for Change' and dated July 14, 2011, or its 
        successor report, which outlines issues and offers solutions 
        for the protection of Tribal treaty rights, recovery of salmon 
        habitat, and management of sustainable treaty and non-treaty 
        salmon fisheries, including through tribal salmon hatchery 
        programs.
  ``(b) Consistency.--
          ``(1) In general.--All Federal agencies represented on the 
        Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall act 
        consistently with the protection of Tribal, treaty-reserved 
        rights and, to the greatest extent practicable given such 
        agencies' existing obligations under Federal law, act 
        consistently with the objectives and priorities of the Action 
        Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at Risk 
        Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, 
        when--
                  ``(A) conducting Federal agency activities within or 
                outside Puget Sound that affect any land or water use 
                or natural resources of Puget Sound and its tributary 
                waters, including activities performed by a contractor 
                for the benefit of a Federal agency;
                  ``(B) interpreting and enforcing regulations that 
                impact the restoration and protection of Puget Sound;
                  ``(C) issuing Federal licenses or permits that impact 
                the restoration and protection of Puget Sound; and
                  ``(D) granting Federal assistance to State, local, 
                and Tribal governments for activities related to the 
                restoration and protection of Puget Sound.
          ``(2) Exemptions.--Any Federal agency activity necessary for 
        national security, determined by the President to be in the 
        paramount interest of the United States, or determined by the 
        Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, in consultation with 
        the State Advisory Committee and the Puget Sound Tribal 
        Management Conference, to be necessary to complete a project 
        that was approved prior to the date of enactment of this 
        section shall be exempt from the consistency requirements 
        established in paragraph (1).
  ``(c) Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office.--
          ``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the 
        Environmental Protection Agency a Puget Sound Recovery National 
        Program Office to be located in the State of Washington.
          ``(2) Director.--
                  ``(A) In general.--The Director of the Program Office 
                shall be a career reserved position, as such term is 
                defined in section 3132(a)(8) of title 5, United States 
                Code.
                  ``(B) Qualifications.--The Director of the Program 
                Office shall have leadership and project management 
                experience and shall be highly qualified to--
                          ``(i) direct the integration of multiple 
                        project planning efforts and programs from 
                        different agencies and jurisdictions; and
                          ``(ii) align numerous, and often conflicting, 
                        needs toward implementing a shared Action 
                        Agenda with visible and measurable outcomes.
          ``(3) Delegation of authority; staffing.--The Administrator 
        shall delegate to the Director such authority and provide such 
        staff as may be necessary to carry out this section.
          ``(4) Duties.--The Director shall--
                  ``(A) coordinate and manage the timely execution of 
                the requirements of this section, including the 
                formation and meetings of the Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force;
                  ``(B) coordinate activities related to the 
                restoration and protection of Puget Sound across the 
                Environmental Protection Agency;
                  ``(C) coordinate and align the activities of the 
                Administrator with the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery 
                Plans, the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the 
                Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
                  ``(D) promote the efficient use of Environmental 
                Protection Agency resources in pursuit of Puget Sound 
                restoration and protection;
                  ``(E) serve on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force and collaborate with, help coordinate, and 
                implement activities with other Federal agencies that 
                have responsibilities involving Puget Sound restoration 
                and protection;
                  ``(F) provide or procure such other advice, technical 
                assistance, research, assessments, monitoring, or other 
                support as is determined by the Director to be 
                necessary or prudent to most efficiently and 
                effectively fulfill the objectives and priorities of 
                the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty 
                Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint 
                Pollution Control Program consistent with the best 
                available science and to ensure the health of the Puget 
                Sound ecosystem;
                  ``(G) track the progress of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency toward meeting the Agency's specified 
                objectives and priorities within the Action Agenda;
                  ``(H) implement the recommendations of the 
                Comptroller General, set forth in the report entitled 
                `Puget Sound Restoration: Additional Actions Could 
                Improve Assessments of Progress' and dated July 19, 
                2018;
                  ``(I) serve as liaison and coordinate activities for 
                the restoration and protection of the Salish Sea, with 
                Canadian authorities, the Pacific Salmon Commission, 
                and the International Joint Commission; and
                  ``(J) carry out such additional duties as the 
                Administrator determines necessary and appropriate.
  ``(d) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.--
          ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Puget Sound 
        Federal Leadership Task Force.
          ``(2) Duties.--
                  ``(A) General duties.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall--
                          ``(i) uphold Federal trust responsibilities 
                        to restore and protect resources crucial to 
                        Tribal treaty rights, including by carrying out 
                        government-to-government consultation;
                          ``(ii) provide a venue for dialogue and 
                        coordination across all Federal agencies on the 
                        Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force to 
                        align Federal resources for the purposes of 
                        carrying out the requirements of this section 
                        and all other Federal laws that contribute to 
                        the restoration and protection of Puget Sound, 
                        including by--
                                  ``(I) enabling and encouraging the 
                                Federal agencies represented on the 
                                Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
                                Force to act consistently with the 
                                objectives and priorities of the Action 
                                Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the 
                                Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and 
                                the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control 
                                Program;
                                  ``(II) facilitating the coordination 
                                of Federal activities that impact the 
                                restoration and protection of Puget 
                                Sound;
                                  ``(III) facilitating the delivery of 
                                feedback given by Federal agencies to 
                                the Puget Sound Partnership during the 
                                development of the Federal Action Plan;
                                  ``(IV) facilitating the resolution of 
                                (and, if necessary, seek to mediate in 
                                cooperation with the Executive Office 
                                of the President) interagency conflicts 
                                associated with the restoration and 
                                protection of Puget Sound among the 
                                agencies represented on the Puget Sound 
                                Federal Leadership Task Force;
                                  ``(V) providing a forum for 
                                exchanging information among agencies 
                                regarding activities being conducted, 
                                including obstacles or efficiencies 
                                found, during Puget Sound restoration 
                                and protection activities; and
                                  ``(VI) promoting the efficient use of 
                                government resources in pursuit of 
                                Puget Sound restoration and protection 
                                through coordination and collaboration, 
                                including by ensuring that the Federal 
                                efforts relating to the science 
                                necessary for restoration and 
                                protection of Puget Sound is 
                                consistent, and not duplicative, across 
                                the Federal Government;
                          ``(iii) catalyze public leaders at all levels 
                        to work together toward shared goals by 
                        demonstrating interagency best practices coming 
                        from the members of the Puget Sound Federal 
                        Leadership Task Force;
                          ``(iv) provide advice and support on 
                        scientific and technical issues and act as a 
                        forum for the exchange of scientific 
                        information about Puget Sound;
                          ``(v) identify and inventory Federal 
                        environmental research and monitoring programs 
                        related to Puget Sound, and provide such 
                        inventory to the Puget Sound National Estuary 
                        Program Management Conference;
                          ``(vi) ensure that Puget Sound restoration 
                        and protection activities are as consistent as 
                        practicable with ongoing restoration and 
                        protection and related efforts in the Salish 
                        Sea that are being conducted by Canadian 
                        authorities, the Pacific Salmon Commission, and 
                        the International Joint Commission;
                          ``(vii) establish any necessary working 
                        groups or advisory committees necessary to 
                        assist the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
                        Force in its duties, including public policy 
                        and scientific issues;
                          ``(viii) raise national awareness of the 
                        significance of Puget Sound;
                          ``(ix) work with the Office of Management and 
                        Budget to give input on the crosscut budget 
                        under subsection (h); and
                          ``(x) submit a biennial report under 
                        subsection (g) on the progress made towards 
                        carrying out the Federal Action Plan.
                  ``(B) Puget sound federal action plan.--
                          ``(i) In general.--Not later than 5 years 
                        after the date of enactment of this section and 
                        every 5 years thereafter, the Puget Sound 
                        Federal Leadership Task Force shall develop and 
                        approve a Federal Action Plan that leverages 
                        Federal programs across agencies and serves to 
                        coordinate diverse programs on a specific suite 
                        of priorities on Puget Sound recovery.
                          ``(ii) Revision of puget sound federal action 
                        plan.--Not less often than once every 5 years 
                        after the date of completion of the Federal 
                        Action Plan described in clause (i), the Puget 
                        Sound Leadership Task Force shall review, and 
                        revise as appropriate, the Federal Action Plan.
                  ``(C) Feedback by federal agencies.--In facilitating 
                feedback under subparagraph (A)(ii)(III), the Puget 
                Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall request 
                Federal agencies to consider, at a minimum, possible 
                Federal actions designed to--
                          ``(i) further the goals, targets, and actions 
                        of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, 
                        the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the 
                        Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
                          ``(ii) implement and enforce this Act, the 
                        Endangered Species Act of 1973, and all other 
                        Federal laws that contribute to the restoration 
                        and protection of Puget Sound, including those 
                        that protect Tribal treaty rights;
                          ``(iii) prevent the introduction and spread 
                        of invasive species;
                          ``(iv) prevent the destruction of marine and 
                        wildlife habitats;
                          ``(v) protect, restore, and conserve forests, 
                        wetlands, riparian zones, and nearshore waters 
                        that provide marine and wildlife habitat;
                          ``(vi) promote resilience to climate change 
                        and ocean acidification effects;
                          ``(vii) conserve and recover endangered 
                        species under the Endangered Species Act of 
                        1973;
                          ``(viii) restore fisheries so that they are 
                        sustainable and productive;
                          ``(ix) preserve biodiversity;
                          ``(x) restore and protect ecosystem services 
                        that provide clean water, filter toxic 
                        chemicals, and increase ecosystem resilience; 
                        and
                          ``(xi) improve water quality and restore 
                        wildlife habitat, including by preventing and 
                        managing stormwater runoff, incorporating 
                        erosion control techniques and trash capture 
                        devices, using sustainable stormwater 
                        practices, and mitigating and minimizing 
                        nonpoint source pollution, including marine 
                        litter.
          ``(3) Participation of state advisory committee and puget 
        sound tribal management conference.--
                  ``(A) In general.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force shall carry out its duties with input from, 
                and in collaboration with, the State Advisory Committee 
                and Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference.
                  ``(B) Specific advice and recommendations.--The Puget 
                Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall seek the 
                advice and recommendations of the State Advisory 
                Committee and Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference 
                on the actions, progress, and issues pertaining to 
                restoration and protection of Puget Sound.
          ``(4) Use of previous work.--The Puget Sound Federal 
        Leadership Task Force shall, to the extent practicable, use the 
        work product produced, relied upon, and analyzed by the Puget 
        Sound Federal Task Force in order to avoid duplicating the 
        efforts of the Puget Sound Federal Task Force.
          ``(5) Membership.--
                  ``(A) Qualifications.--Members appointed under this 
                paragraph shall have experience and expertise in 
                matters of restoration and protection of large 
                watersheds and bodies of water or related experience 
                that will benefit the restoration and protection effort 
                of Puget Sound.
                  ``(B) Composition.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall be composed of the 
                following members:
                          ``(i) Secretary of agriculture.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Agriculture:
                                  ``(I) A representative of the 
                                National Forest Service.
                                  ``(II) A representative of the 
                                Natural Resources Conservation Service.
                          ``(ii) Secretary of commerce.--A 
                        representative of the National Oceanic and 
                        Atmospheric Administration appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Commerce.
                          ``(iii) Secretary of defense.--The following 
                        individuals appointed by the Secretary of 
                        Defense:
                                  ``(I) A representative of the Corps 
                                of Engineers.
                                  ``(II) A representative of the Joint 
                                Base Lewis-McChord.
                                  ``(III) A representative of the Navy 
                                Region Northwest.
                          ``(iv) Director.--The Director of the Program 
                        Office.
                          ``(v) Secretary of homeland security.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Homeland Security:
                                  ``(I) A representative of the Coast 
                                Guard.
                                  ``(II) A representative of the 
                                Federal Emergency Management Agency.
                          ``(vi) Secretary of the interior.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of the Interior:
                                  ``(I) A representative of the Bureau 
                                of Indian Affairs.
                                  ``(II) A representative of the United 
                                States Fish and Wildlife Service.
                                  ``(III) A representative of the 
                                United States Geological Survey.
                                  ``(IV) A representative of the 
                                National Park Service.
                          ``(vii) Secretary of transportation.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Transportation:
                                  ``(I) A representative of the Federal 
                                Highway Administration.
                                  ``(II) A representative of the 
                                Federal Transit Administration.
                          ``(viii) Additional members.--Representatives 
                        of such other agencies, programs, and 
                        initiatives as the Puget Sound Federal 
                        Leadership Task Force determines necessary.
          ``(6) Leadership.--The Co-Chairs shall ensure the Puget Sound 
        Federal Leadership Task Force completes its duties through 
        robust discussion of all relevant issues. The Co-Chairs shall 
        share leadership responsibilities equally.
          ``(7) Co-chairs.--The following members of the Puget Sound 
        Federal Leadership Task Force appointed under paragraph (5) 
        shall serve as Co-Chairs of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
        Task Force:
                  ``(A) The representative of the National Oceanic and 
                Atmospheric Administration.
                  ``(B) The representative of the Puget Sound Recovery 
                National Program Office.
                  ``(C) The representative of the Corps of Engineers.
          ``(8) Meetings.--
                  ``(A) Initial meeting.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall meet not later than 180 
                days after the date of enactment of this section--
                          ``(i) to determine if all Federal agencies 
                        are properly represented;
                          ``(ii) to establish the bylaws of the Puget 
                        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force;
                          ``(iii) to establish necessary working groups 
                        or committees; and
                          ``(iv) to determine subsequent meeting times, 
                        dates, and logistics.
                  ``(B) Subsequent meetings.--After the initial 
                meeting, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
                shall meet, at a minimum, twice per year to carry out 
                the duties of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
                Force.
                  ``(C) Working group meetings.--Meetings of any 
                established working groups or committees of the Puget 
                Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall not be 
                considered a biannual meeting for purposes of 
                subparagraph (B).
                  ``(D) Joint meetings.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall offer to meet jointly with 
                the Puget Sound National Estuary Program Management 
                Conference and the Puget Sound Tribal Management 
                Conference, at a minimum, once per year. A joint 
                meeting under this subparagraph may be considered a 
                biannual meeting of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force for purposes of subparagraph (B), if agreed 
                upon.
                  ``(E) Quorum.--A majority number of the members of 
                the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall 
                constitute a quorum.
                  ``(F) Voting.--For the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force to pass a measure, a two-thirds percentage 
                of the quorum must vote in the affirmative.
          ``(9) Puget sound federal leadership task force procedures 
        and advice.--
                  ``(A) Advisors.--The Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force, and any working group of the Puget Sound 
                Federal Leadership Task Force, may seek advice and 
                input from any interested, knowledgeable, or affected 
                party as the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
                or working group, respectively, determines necessary to 
                perform its duties.
                  ``(B) Compensation.--A member of the Puget Sound 
                Federal Leadership Task Force shall receive no 
                additional compensation for service as a member on the 
                Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
                  ``(C) Travel expenses.--Travel expenses incurred by a 
                member of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
                in the performance of service on the Puget Sound 
                Federal Leadership Task Force may be paid by the agency 
                or department that the member represents.
  ``(e) State Advisory Committee.--
          ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a State Advisory 
        Committee.
          ``(2) Membership.--The committee shall consist of up to 7 
        members designated by the governing body of the Puget Sound 
        Partnership, in consultation with the Governor of Washington, 
        who will represent Washington State agencies that have 
        significant roles and responsibilities related to Puget Sound 
        recovery.
  ``(f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Puget Sound Federal 
Leadership Task Force, State Advisory Committee, and any working group 
of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, shall not be 
considered an advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
  ``(g) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force Biennial Report on 
Puget Sound Recovery Activities.--
          ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this section, and biennially thereafter, the Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, in collaboration with the 
        Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference and the State Advisory 
        Committee, shall submit to the President, Congress, and the 
        Governor of Washington a report that summarizes the progress, 
        challenges, and milestones of the Puget Sound Federal 
        Leadership Task Force on the restoration and protection of 
        Puget Sound.
          ``(2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall include 
        a description of the following:
                  ``(A) The roles of each State and local government 
                entity that has jurisdiction and each Federal agency 
                carrying out restoration and preservation in the Puget 
                Sound region and the progress made toward meeting the 
                identified objectives and priorities of the Action 
                Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at 
                Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
                Control Program.
                  ``(B) If available, the roles and progress of Tribal 
                governments that have jurisdiction in the Puget Sound 
                region toward meeting the identified objectives and 
                priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, 
                the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal 
                Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
                  ``(C) A summary of the progress each Federal agency 
                has made in implementing their specific 
                responsibilities under the Action Agenda, Salmon 
                Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, 
                and the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
                  ``(D) The role of each Federal agency in protecting 
                Tribal treaty rights, including by carrying out its 
                tribal trust responsibilities, and a summary of the 
                progress each agency has made in protecting those 
                rights.
                  ``(E) A summary of specific recommendations 
                concerning implementation of the Action Agenda, 
                including challenges, barriers, and anticipated 
                milestones, targets, and timelines.
                  ``(F) A summary of progress made by Federal agencies 
                toward the priorities identified in the Federal Action 
                Plan.
  ``(h) Crosscut Budget Report.--
          ``(1) Financial report.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this section, and every 5 years thereafter, the 
        Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in 
        consultation with the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
        Force, shall submit to Congress and make available to the 
        public, including on the internet, a financial report that is 
        certified by the head of each agency represented by the Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
          ``(2) Contents.--The report shall contain an interagency 
        crosscut budget relating to Puget Sound restoration and 
        protection activities that displays--
                  ``(A) the proposed funding for any Federal 
                restoration and protection activity to be carried out 
                in the succeeding fiscal year, including any planned 
                interagency or intra-agency transfer, for each of the 
                Federal agencies that carry out restoration and 
                protection activities;
                  ``(B) the estimated expenditures for Federal 
                restoration and protection activities from the 
                preceding 2 fiscal years, the current fiscal year, and 
                the succeeding fiscal year; and
                  ``(C) the estimated expenditures for Federal 
                environmental research and monitoring programs from the 
                preceding 2 fiscal years, the current fiscal year, and 
                the succeeding fiscal year.
          ``(3) Included recovery activities.--With respect to 
        activities described in the report, the report shall only 
        describe activities that have funding amounts not less than 
        $100,000.
          ``(4) Submission to congress.--The Director of the Office of 
        Management and Budget shall submit the report to--
                  ``(A) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
                on Natural Resources, the Committee on Energy and 
                Commerce, and the Committee on Transportation and 
                Infrastructure of the House of Representatives; and
                  ``(B) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee 
                on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on 
                Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate.
  ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any other 
funds authorized to be appropriated for activities related to Puget 
Sound, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section 
$50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.
  ``(j) Preservation of Treaty Obligations and Existing Federal 
Status.--
          ``(1) Tribal treaty rights.--Nothing in this section affects 
        any right reserved by treaty between the United States and 1 or 
        more Indian Tribes.
          ``(2) Other federal law.--Nothing in this section affects the 
        requirements and procedures of other Federal law.
  ``(k) Consistency.--Actions authorized or implemented under this 
section shall be consistent with--
          ``(1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Salmon 
        Recovery Plans of the State of Washington;
          ``(2) the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and the Coastal 
        Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
          ``(3) the water quality standards of the State of Washington 
        approved by the Administrator under section 303; and
          ``(4) other applicable Federal requirements.''.

                         Purpose of Legislation

    The purpose of H.R. 2247, as amended, is to establish a new 
regional program office within the U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) to support restoration efforts and 
activities in the Puget Sound, to coordinate Federal 
restoration efforts and activities within the Sound, and to 
authorize Federal appropriations for such restoration efforts 
and activities.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    Puget Sound is a deep fjord estuary spanning much of the 
state of Washington and extending north into Canada. The Sound 
is the second largest estuary in the United States, and 
encompasses a complex landscape featuring mountains, farmlands, 
urban development, rivers, forests, wetlands, and approximately 
2,500 miles of shoreline. The Puget Sound watershed, including 
its tributary waters, is one of the most ecologically diverse 
ecosystems in North America, with natural resources that have 
ecological, economic, and cultural importance both to the 
United States and to the 4.5 million people living within the 
Puget Sound watershed, including many Tribal nations. The 
health and productivity of Sound is the cornerstone of the 
region's quality of life and vibrant economy, including a 
nationally-significant salmon fishery, as well as commercial 
aquaculture operations, agriculture, and commercial navigation, 
just to name a few.
    Human development and other actions have degraded the water 
quality and habitat of the Sound, including that of critical 
species like salmon and orca whales. Threats to the Puget 
Sound, such as water pollution, sediment contamination, 
environmental degradation, and habitat loss, jeopardize the 
economic productivity and natural resources of the region. In 
1988, the Puget Sound was designated an Estuary of National 
Significance, and later joined EPA's National Estuaries Program 
(under section 320 of the Clean Water Act) to develop and 
implement plans for restoration and protection of the Sound.
    Federal restoration efforts in the Puget Sound come from a 
variety of Federal agencies and sources, the primary sources of 
which are the Puget Sound Geographic program--a specific line 
item in EPA's environment and program management account--and 
an allocation from EPA's National Estuary Program. The 
Committee has received several estimates on the amount of 
Federal funding allocated to Puget Sound restoration efforts; 
however, the Committee cannot document exactly how much Federal 
funding has gone to restoration efforts in recent years, and 
from what Federal agencies.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\See GAO Report to the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure, House of Representatives, Puget Sound Restoration: 
Additional Actions Could Improve Assessment of Progress (GAO-18-453). 
Noting that ``total expenditures across all restoration efforts are 
unknown, in part, because data limitation such as difficulties 
isolating expenditures specific to the Puget Sound basin for some 
efforts''.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    A July 2018 report by the U.S. Government Accountability 
Office (GAO),\2\ requested by the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure, on Federal and state efforts supporting the 
Puget Sound found that involved entities engaged in a range of 
activities including habitat protection, water quality 
improvement, and monitoring. The report also looked at the 
efficacy of this coordination, finding that the threats the 
Sound faces still outpace the efforts to combat them. According 
to GAO, further investment and a program with clear leadership 
and coordination of objectives will be crucial to achieving the 
long-term restoration and protection goals of this diverse and 
dynamic ecosystem.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \2\Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                Hearings

    For the purposes of section 103(i) of H. Res. 6 of the 
116th Congress, the following hearing was used to develop or 
consider H.R. 2247:
    On June 25, 2019, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
Environment held a hearing titled, ``Protecting and Restoring 
America's Iconic Waters.'' The Subcommittee received testimony 
from: Preston D. Cole, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of 
Natural Resources; Dave Pine, Supervisor, District 1, San Mateo 
County Board of Supervisors, Chair of the San Francisco Bay 
Restoration Authority Governing Board; Laura Blackmore, 
Executive Director, Puget Sound Partnership; William C. Baker, 
President, Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Kristi Trail, Executive 
Director, Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation; and Tom Ford, 
Director, Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program, The Bay 
Foundation. Topics discussed included the importance of 
establishing a national program office, within the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, to focus governmental and 
nongovernmental efforts to restore and maintain the ecological 
health and water quality related to the Puget Sound.

                 Legislative History and Consideration

    H.R. 2247 was introduced in the House on April 10, 2019, by 
Mr. Heck and Mr. Kilmer and referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure. Within the Committee, H.R. 
2247 was referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
Environment.
    The Chair discharged the Subcommittee on Water Resources 
and Environment from further consideration of H.R. 2247 on 
September 19, 2019.
    The Committee met in open session to consider H.R. 2247 on 
September 19, 2019, and ordered the measure to be reported to 
the House with a favorable recommendation, as amended, by voice 
vote, a quorum being present.
    The following amendment was offered:
    An Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute offered by Mr. 
DeFazio (#1); was AGREED TO by voice vote.

                            Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires each committee report to include the 
total number of votes cast for and against on each record vote 
on a motion to report and on any amendment offered to the 
measure or matter, and the names of those members voting for 
and against.
    There were no recorded votes taken in connection with 
consideration of H.R. 2247, as amended.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in this report.

               New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures

    Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives does not apply where a cost estimate and 
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974 has been timely submitted prior to the filing of the 
report and is included in the report. Such a cost estimate is 
included in this report.

               Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate

    With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has 
received the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2247, as amended, 
from the Director of the Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                 Washington, DC, November 14, 2019.
Hon. Peter A. DeFazio,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2247, the PUGET 
SOS Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Stephen 
Rabent.
            Sincerely,
                                         Phillip L. Swagel,
                                                          Director.
    Enclosure.

              [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
    

    H.R. 2247 would authorize the appropriation of $50 million 
annually through 2024 for the Environmental Protection Agency 
(EPA) to establish and operate the Puget Sound Recovery 
National Program Office. The office would coordinate EPA 
activities to support the restoration and protection of the 
Puget Sound, provide grants and technical assistance for 
projects, and conduct research. Under the bill, the office 
would establish a task force composed of several federal 
agencies that would develop a federal action plan to support 
the recovery and ecological health of the Puget Sound, 
coordinate federal activity, review restoration and protection 
activities, and provide technical support. Lastly, the Office 
of Management and Budget would need to issue a report every 
five years about federal funding for restoration and protection 
activities for the Puget Sound.
    CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $223 
million over the 2020-2024 period and $27 million after 2024, 
assuming appropriation of the specified amounts. Estimated 
outlays are based on spending patterns for similar programs, 
though estimated spending in the first year is lower to account 
for the time required to establish the office. The costs of the 
legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 
300 (natural resources and environment).

               TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER H.R. 2247
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       2020      2021      2022      2023      2024    2020-2024
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorization......................................        50        50        50        50        50        250
Estimated Outlays..................................        20        55        48        50        50        223
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Stephen Rabent. 
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 
Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                    Performance Goals and Objectives

    With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
performance goal and objective of this legislation is to 
provide additional Federal resources for coordinated Federal, 
state, local, and nongovernmental efforts to restore and 
maintain the ecological health and water quality related to the 
Puget Sound.

                    Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 2247, as amended, establishes or reauthorizes a program 
of the federal government known to be duplicative of another 
federal program, a program that was included in any report from 
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to 
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a 
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance.

   Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
                                Benefits

    In compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of the rule 
XXI.

                       Federal Mandates Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act (Public Law 104-4).

                        Preemption Clarification

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the 
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, 
or tribal law. The Committee finds that H.R. 2247, as amended, 
does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law.

                      Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                  Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 
104-1).

             Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Sec. 1. Short title

    This section provides that this bill may be cited as the 
``Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound Act'' 
or the ``PUGET SOS Act''.

Sec. 2. Puget sound coordinated recovery

    This section amends Title 1 of the Federal Water Pollution 
Control Act, more commonly known as the Clean Water Act, to add 
a new section (section 124) that: (1) establishes within the 
Environmental Protection Agency a new Puget Sound Recovery 
National Program Office to coordinate restoration activities 
carried out by the Agency in the Sound; (2) establishes a new 
Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force to align Federal 
restoration activities in the Sound; and (3) authorizes $50 
million annually through fiscal year 2024 to carry out this 
section.
    Subsection (a) establishes definitions for the following 
terms used in this section: ``Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
Control''; ``Director''; ``International Joint Commission''; 
``Pacific Salmon Commission''; ``Program Office''; ``Puget 
Sound Action Agenda''; ``Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
Force''; ``Puget Sound Federal Task Force''; ``Puget Sound 
National Estuary Program Management Conference''; ``Puget Sound 
Partnership''; ``Puget Sound Region''; ``Puget Sound Tribal 
Management Conference''; ``Salish Sea''; ``Salmon Recovery 
Plans''; ``State Advisory Committee''; and ``Treaty Rights at 
Risk Initiative''.
    Subsection (b) requires that all Federal agencies 
represented on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
carry out any Federal actions in the Puget Sound consistent 
with the objectives and priorities of the Puget Sound Action 
Agenda (developed as the comprehensive conservation and 
management plan for the Puget Sound under section 320 of the 
Clean Water Act), treaty obligations, existing salmon recovery 
plans, and the State of Washington's coastal nonpoint pollution 
control program (developed under section 6217 of the Coastal 
Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990).
    Subsection (c) establishes within EPA a Puget Sound 
Recovery National Program Office located in the State of 
Washington. The Puget Sound National Program Office is to be 
headed by a career civil servant Program Director, who would be 
responsible to carry out the requirements of this section.
    Subsection (d) establishes a Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
Task Force to include representatives from the following 
Federal departments and offices: EPA, the Department of 
Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of 
Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of 
the Interior, the Department of Transportation, and any other 
agency, program, or initiative as the Task Force determines 
necessary. The Task Force would be responsible for: (1) 
upholding the Federal trust responsibilities to restore and 
protect resources crucial to Tribal treaty rights (including 
ongoing Tribal consultation); (2) promoting dialogue and 
coordination across all Federal agencies on the Task Force to 
align Federal resources for the restoration and protection of 
the Puget Sound; and (3) coordinating with State and local 
public leaders, international counterparts and partners in 
meeting the requirements of this section. In addition, 
subparagraph (d)(2)(B) requires the Task Force to develop, 
within 5 years of the date of enactment, and to periodically 
revise, a Federal Action Plan to coordinate (and leverage) 
Federal expenditures (under varying Federal authorities) for 
the protection and restoration of the Puget Sound.
    Subsection (e) establishes a State Advisory Committee, 
consisting of 7 members designated by the governing body of the 
Puget Sound Partnership, in coordination with the Governor of 
the State of Washington. The Task Force is responsible for 
seeking advice and recommendations from the State Advisory 
Committee on actions, progress, and issues pertaining to the 
restoration and protection of the Puget Sound (subsection 
(d)(3) of this Act).
    Subsections (g) and (h) require the development of several 
reports to track Federal actions related to the Puget Sound and 
progress in meeting restoration and protection activities. 
Subsection (g) requires the Task Force to develop and submit to 
Congress a biennial report on Puget Sound recovery actions. 
Subsection (h) requires the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget to develop and transmit to Congress a 
cross-cut budget on Federally-funded restoration and protection 
activities related to the Puget Sound.
    Subsection (i) authorizes Federal appropriations of $50 
million annually through fiscal year 2024 to carry out the 
requirements of this section.
    Subsections (j) and (k) provide that nothing in this 
section affects any rights reserved by treaty between the 
United States and Native American Tribes or any requirements, 
procedures, or obligations under Federal law.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is 
printed in italic and existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

                  FEDERAL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ACT

TITLE I--RESEARCH AND RELATED PROGRAMS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 124. PUGET SOUND.

  (a) Definitions.--In this section, the following definitions 
apply:
          (1) Coastal nonpoint pollution control program.--The 
        term ``Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program'' 
        means the State of Washington's Coastal Nonpoint 
        Pollution Control Program approved by the Secretary of 
        Commerce as required under section 6217 of the Coastal 
        Zone Act Reauthorization Amendments of 1990.
          (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the 
        Director of the Program Office.
          (3) International joint commission.--The term 
        ``International Joint Commission'' means the 
        International Joint Commission established by the 
        United States and Canada under the International 
        Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 (36 Stat. 2448).
          (4) Pacific salmon commission.--The term ``Pacific 
        Salmon Commission'' means the Pacific Salmon Commission 
        established by the United States and Canada under the 
        Treaty between the Government of the United States of 
        America and the Government of Canada Concerning Pacific 
        Salmon, signed at Ottawa, January 28, 1985 (commonly 
        known as the ``Pacific Salmon Treaty'').
          (5) Program office.--The term ``Program Office'' 
        means the Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office 
        established by subsection (c).
          (6) Puget sound action agenda; action agenda.--The 
        term ``Puget Sound Action Agenda'' or ``Action Agenda'' 
        means the most recent plan developed by the Puget Sound 
        National Estuary Program Management Conference, in 
        consultation with the Tribal Management Conference, and 
        approved by the Administrator as the comprehensive 
        conservation and management plan for Puget Sound under 
        section 320.
          (7) Puget sound federal leadership task force.--The 
        term ``Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force'' 
        means the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
        established by subsection (d).
          (8) Puget sound federal task force.--The term ``Puget 
        Sound Federal Task Force'' means the Puget Sound 
        Federal Task Force established in 2016 under a 
        memorandum of understanding among 9 Federal agencies.
          (9) Puget sound national estuary program management 
        conference; management conference.--The term ``Puget 
        Sound National Estuary Program Management Conference'' 
        or ``Management Conference'' means the management 
        conference for Puget Sound convened pursuant to section 
        320.
          (10) Puget sound partnership.--The term ``Puget Sound 
        Partnership'' means the State agency that is 
        established under the laws of the State of Washington 
        (section 90.71.210 of the Revised Code of Washington), 
        or its successor agency, that has been designated by 
        the Administrator as the lead entity to support the 
        Puget Sound National Estuary Program Management 
        Conference.
          (11) Puget sound region.--
                  (A) In general.--The term ``Puget Sound 
                region'' means the land and waters in the 
                northwest corner of the State of Washington 
                from the Canadian border to the north to the 
                Pacific Ocean on the west, including Hood Canal 
                and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
                  (B) Inclusion.--The term ``Puget Sound 
                region'' includes all of the water that falls 
                on the Olympic and Cascade Mountains and flows 
                to meet Puget Sound's marine waters.
          (12) Puget sound tribal management conference.--The 
        term ``Puget Sound Tribal Management Conference'' means 
        the 20 treaty Indian tribes of western Washington and 
        the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
          (13) Salish sea.--The term ``Salish Sea'' means the 
        network of coastal waterways on the west coast of North 
        America that includes the Puget Sound, the Strait of 
        Georgia, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
          (14) Salmon recovery plans.--The term ``Salmon 
        Recovery Plans'' means the recovery plans for salmon 
        and steelhead species approved by the Secretary of the 
        Interior under section 4(f) of the Endangered Species 
        Act of 1973.
          (15) State advisory committee.--The term ``State 
        Advisory Committee'' means the advisory committee 
        established by subsection (e).
          (16) Treaty rights at risk initiative.--The term 
        ``Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative'' means the report 
        from the treaty Indian tribes of western Washington 
        entitled ``Treaty Rights at Risk: Ongoing Habitat Loss, 
        the Decline of the Salmon Resource, and Recommendations 
        for Change'' and dated July 14, 2011, or its successor 
        report, which outlines issues and offers solutions for 
        the protection of Tribal treaty rights, recovery of 
        salmon habitat, and management of sustainable treaty 
        and non-treaty salmon fisheries, including through 
        tribal salmon hatchery programs.
  (b) Consistency.--
          (1) In general.--All Federal agencies represented on 
        the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall act 
        consistently with the protection of Tribal, treaty-
        reserved rights and, to the greatest extent practicable 
        given such agencies' existing obligations under Federal 
        law, act consistently with the objectives and 
        priorities of the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, 
        the Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the Coastal 
        Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, when--
                  (A) conducting Federal agency activities 
                within or outside Puget Sound that affect any 
                land or water use or natural resources of Puget 
                Sound and its tributary waters, including 
                activities performed by a contractor for the 
                benefit of a Federal agency;
                  (B) interpreting and enforcing regulations 
                that impact the restoration and protection of 
                Puget Sound;
                  (C) issuing Federal licenses or permits that 
                impact the restoration and protection of Puget 
                Sound; and
                  (D) granting Federal assistance to State, 
                local, and Tribal governments for activities 
                related to the restoration and protection of 
                Puget Sound.
          (2) Exemptions.--Any Federal agency activity 
        necessary for national security, determined by the 
        President to be in the paramount interest of the United 
        States, or determined by the Puget Sound Federal 
        Leadership Task Force, in consultation with the State 
        Advisory Committee and the Puget Sound Tribal 
        Management Conference, to be necessary to complete a 
        project that was approved prior to the date of 
        enactment of this section shall be exempt from the 
        consistency requirements established in paragraph (1).
  (c) Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office.--
          (1) Establishment.--There is established in the 
        Environmental Protection Agency a Puget Sound Recovery 
        National Program Office to be located in the State of 
        Washington.
          (2) Director.--
                  (A) In general.--The Director of the Program 
                Office shall be a career reserved position, as 
                such term is defined in section 3132(a)(8) of 
                title 5, United States Code.
                  (B) Qualifications.--The Director of the 
                Program Office shall have leadership and 
                project management experience and shall be 
                highly qualified to--
                          (i) direct the integration of 
                        multiple project planning efforts and 
                        programs from different agencies and 
                        jurisdictions; and
                          (ii) align numerous, and often 
                        conflicting, needs toward implementing 
                        a shared Action Agenda with visible and 
                        measurable outcomes.
          (3) Delegation of authority; staffing.--The 
        Administrator shall delegate to the Director such 
        authority and provide such staff as may be necessary to 
        carry out this section.
          (4) Duties.--The Director shall--
                  (A) coordinate and manage the timely 
                execution of the requirements of this section, 
                including the formation and meetings of the 
                Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force;
                  (B) coordinate activities related to the 
                restoration and protection of Puget Sound 
                across the Environmental Protection Agency;
                  (C) coordinate and align the activities of 
                the Administrator with the Action Agenda, 
                Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at 
                Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint 
                Pollution Control Program;
                  (D) promote the efficient use of 
                Environmental Protection Agency resources in 
                pursuit of Puget Sound restoration and 
                protection;
                  (E) serve on the Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force and collaborate with, 
                help coordinate, and implement activities with 
                other Federal agencies that have 
                responsibilities involving Puget Sound 
                restoration and protection;
                  (F) provide or procure such other advice, 
                technical assistance, research, assessments, 
                monitoring, or other support as is determined 
                by the Director to be necessary or prudent to 
                most efficiently and effectively fulfill the 
                objectives and priorities of the Action Agenda, 
                Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at 
                Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint 
                Pollution Control Program consistent with the 
                best available science and to ensure the health 
                of the Puget Sound ecosystem;
                  (G) track the progress of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency toward meeting the Agency's 
                specified objectives and priorities within the 
                Action Agenda;
                  (H) implement the recommendations of the 
                Comptroller General, set forth in the report 
                entitled ``Puget Sound Restoration: Additional 
                Actions Could Improve Assessments of Progress'' 
                and dated July 19, 2018;
                  (I) serve as liaison and coordinate 
                activities for the restoration and protection 
                of the Salish Sea, with Canadian authorities, 
                the Pacific Salmon Commission, and the 
                International Joint Commission; and
                  (J) carry out such additional duties as the 
                Administrator determines necessary and 
                appropriate.
  (d) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.--
          (1) Establishment.--There is established a Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force.
          (2) Duties.--
                  (A) General duties.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall--
                          (i) uphold Federal trust 
                        responsibilities to restore and protect 
                        resources crucial to Tribal treaty 
                        rights, including by carrying out 
                        government-to-government consultation;
                          (ii) provide a venue for dialogue and 
                        coordination across all Federal 
                        agencies on the Puget Sound Federal 
                        Leadership Task Force to align Federal 
                        resources for the purposes of carrying 
                        out the requirements of this section 
                        and all other Federal laws that 
                        contribute to the restoration and 
                        protection of Puget Sound, including 
                        by--
                                  (I) enabling and encouraging 
                                the Federal agencies 
                                represented on the Puget Sound 
                                Federal Leadership Task Force 
                                to act consistently with the 
                                objectives and priorities of 
                                the Action Agenda, Salmon 
                                Recovery Plans, the Treaty 
                                Rights at Risk Initiative, and 
                                the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution 
                                Control Program;
                                  (II) facilitating the 
                                coordination of Federal 
                                activities that impact the 
                                restoration and protection of 
                                Puget Sound;
                                  (III) facilitating the 
                                delivery of feedback given by 
                                Federal agencies to the Puget 
                                Sound Partnership during the 
                                development of the Federal 
                                Action Plan;
                                  (IV) facilitating the 
                                resolution of (and, if 
                                necessary, seek to mediate in 
                                cooperation with the Executive 
                                Office of the President) 
                                interagency conflicts 
                                associated with the restoration 
                                and protection of Puget Sound 
                                among the agencies represented 
                                on the Puget Sound Federal 
                                Leadership Task Force;
                                  (V) providing a forum for 
                                exchanging information among 
                                agencies regarding activities 
                                being conducted, including 
                                obstacles or efficiencies 
                                found, during Puget Sound 
                                restoration and protection 
                                activities; and
                                  (VI) promoting the efficient 
                                use of government resources in 
                                pursuit of Puget Sound 
                                restoration and protection 
                                through coordination and 
                                collaboration, including by 
                                ensuring that the Federal 
                                efforts relating to the science 
                                necessary for restoration and 
                                protection of Puget Sound is 
                                consistent, and not 
                                duplicative, across the Federal 
                                Government;
                          (iii) catalyze public leaders at all 
                        levels to work together toward shared 
                        goals by demonstrating interagency best 
                        practices coming from the members of 
                        the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
                        Force;
                          (iv) provide advice and support on 
                        scientific and technical issues and act 
                        as a forum for the exchange of 
                        scientific information about Puget 
                        Sound;
                          (v) identify and inventory Federal 
                        environmental research and monitoring 
                        programs related to Puget Sound, and 
                        provide such inventory to the Puget 
                        Sound National Estuary Program 
                        Management Conference;
                          (vi) ensure that Puget Sound 
                        restoration and protection activities 
                        are as consistent as practicable with 
                        ongoing restoration and protection and 
                        related efforts in the Salish Sea that 
                        are being conducted by Canadian 
                        authorities, the Pacific Salmon 
                        Commission, and the International Joint 
                        Commission;
                          (vii) establish any necessary working 
                        groups or advisory committees necessary 
                        to assist the Puget Sound Federal 
                        Leadership Task Force in its duties, 
                        including public policy and scientific 
                        issues;
                          (viii) raise national awareness of 
                        the significance of Puget Sound;
                          (ix) work with the Office of 
                        Management and Budget to give input on 
                        the crosscut budget under subsection 
                        (h); and
                          (x) submit a biennial report under 
                        subsection (g) on the progress made 
                        towards carrying out the Federal Action 
                        Plan.
                  (B) Puget sound federal action plan.--
                          (i) In general.--Not later than 5 
                        years after the date of enactment of 
                        this section and every 5 years 
                        thereafter, the Puget Sound Federal 
                        Leadership Task Force shall develop and 
                        approve a Federal Action Plan that 
                        leverages Federal programs across 
                        agencies and serves to coordinate 
                        diverse programs on a specific suite of 
                        priorities on Puget Sound recovery.
                          (ii) Revision of puget sound federal 
                        action plan.--Not less often than once 
                        every 5 years after the date of 
                        completion of the Federal Action Plan 
                        described in clause (i), the Puget 
                        Sound Leadership Task Force shall 
                        review, and revise as appropriate, the 
                        Federal Action Plan.
                  (C) Feedback by federal agencies.--In 
                facilitating feedback under subparagraph 
                (A)(ii)(III), the Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall request Federal 
                agencies to consider, at a minimum, possible 
                Federal actions designed to--
                          (i) further the goals, targets, and 
                        actions of the Action Agenda, Salmon 
                        Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at 
                        Risk Initiative, and the Coastal 
                        Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
                          (ii) implement and enforce this Act, 
                        the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and 
                        all other Federal laws that contribute 
                        to the restoration and protection of 
                        Puget Sound, including those that 
                        protect Tribal treaty rights;
                          (iii) prevent the introduction and 
                        spread of invasive species;
                          (iv) prevent the destruction of 
                        marine and wildlife habitats;
                          (v) protect, restore, and conserve 
                        forests, wetlands, riparian zones, and 
                        nearshore waters that provide marine 
                        and wildlife habitat;
                          (vi) promote resilience to climate 
                        change and ocean acidification effects;
                          (vii) conserve and recover endangered 
                        species under the Endangered Species 
                        Act of 1973;
                          (viii) restore fisheries so that they 
                        are sustainable and productive;
                          (ix) preserve biodiversity;
                          (x) restore and protect ecosystem 
                        services that provide clean water, 
                        filter toxic chemicals, and increase 
                        ecosystem resilience; and
                          (xi) improve water quality and 
                        restore wildlife habitat, including by 
                        preventing and managing stormwater 
                        runoff, incorporating erosion control 
                        techniques and trash capture devices, 
                        using sustainable stormwater practices, 
                        and mitigating and minimizing nonpoint 
                        source pollution, including marine 
                        litter.
          (3) Participation of state advisory committee and 
        puget sound tribal management conference.--
                  (A) In general.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall carry out its 
                duties with input from, and in collaboration 
                with, the State Advisory Committee and Puget 
                Sound Tribal Management Conference.
                  (B) Specific advice and recommendations.--The 
                Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall 
                seek the advice and recommendations of the 
                State Advisory Committee and Puget Sound Tribal 
                Management Conference on the actions, progress, 
                and issues pertaining to restoration and 
                protection of Puget Sound.
          (4) Use of previous work.--The Puget Sound Federal 
        Leadership Task Force shall, to the extent practicable, 
        use the work product produced, relied upon, and 
        analyzed by the Puget Sound Federal Task Force in order 
        to avoid duplicating the efforts of the Puget Sound 
        Federal Task Force.
          (5) Membership.--
                  (A) Qualifications.--Members appointed under 
                this paragraph shall have experience and 
                expertise in matters of restoration and 
                protection of large watersheds and bodies of 
                water or related experience that will benefit 
                the restoration and protection effort of Puget 
                Sound.
                  (B) Composition.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall be composed of the 
                following members:
                          (i) Secretary of agriculture.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Agriculture:
                                  (I) A representative of the 
                                National Forest Service.
                                  (II) A representative of the 
                                Natural Resources Conservation 
                                Service.
                          (ii) Secretary of commerce.--A 
                        representative of the National Oceanic 
                        and Atmospheric Administration 
                        appointed by the Secretary of Commerce.
                          (iii) Secretary of defense.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of Defense:
                                  (I) A representative of the 
                                Corps of Engineers.
                                  (II) A representative of the 
                                Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
                                  (III) A representative of the 
                                Navy Region Northwest.
                          (iv) Director.--The Director of the 
                        Program Office.
                          (v) Secretary of homeland security.--
                        The following individuals appointed by 
                        the Secretary of Homeland Security:
                                  (I) A representative of the 
                                Coast Guard.
                                  (II) A representative of the 
                                Federal Emergency Management 
                                Agency.
                          (vi) Secretary of the interior.--The 
                        following individuals appointed by the 
                        Secretary of the Interior:
                                  (I) A representative of the 
                                Bureau of Indian Affairs.
                                  (II) A representative of the 
                                United States Fish and Wildlife 
                                Service.
                                  (III) A representative of the 
                                United States Geological 
                                Survey.
                                  (IV) A representative of the 
                                National Park Service.
                          (vii) Secretary of transportation.--
                        The following individuals appointed by 
                        the Secretary of Transportation:
                                  (I) A representative of the 
                                Federal Highway Administration.
                                  (II) A representative of the 
                                Federal Transit Administration.
                          (viii) Additional members.--
                        Representatives of such other agencies, 
                        programs, and initiatives as the Puget 
                        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
                        determines necessary.
          (6) Leadership.--The Co-Chairs shall ensure the Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force completes its 
        duties through robust discussion of all relevant 
        issues. The Co-Chairs shall share leadership 
        responsibilities equally.
          (7) Co-chairs.--The following members of the Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force appointed under 
        paragraph (5) shall serve as Co-Chairs of the Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force:
                  (A) The representative of the National 
                Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
                  (B) The representative of the Puget Sound 
                Recovery National Program Office.
                  (C) The representative of the Corps of 
                Engineers.
          (8) Meetings.--
                  (A) Initial meeting.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall meet not later than 
                180 days after the date of enactment of this 
                section--
                          (i) to determine if all Federal 
                        agencies are properly represented;
                          (ii) to establish the bylaws of the 
                        Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
                        Force;
                          (iii) to establish necessary working 
                        groups or committees; and
                          (iv) to determine subsequent meeting 
                        times, dates, and logistics.
                  (B) Subsequent meetings.--After the initial 
                meeting, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force shall meet, at a minimum, twice per 
                year to carry out the duties of the Puget Sound 
                Federal Leadership Task Force.
                  (C) Working group meetings.--Meetings of any 
                established working groups or committees of the 
                Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall 
                not be considered a biannual meeting for 
                purposes of subparagraph (B).
                  (D) Joint meetings.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force shall offer to meet 
                jointly with the Puget Sound National Estuary 
                Program Management Conference and the Puget 
                Sound Tribal Management Conference, at a 
                minimum, once per year. A joint meeting under 
                this subparagraph may be considered a biannual 
                meeting of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force for purposes of subparagraph (B), if 
                agreed upon.
                  (E) Quorum.--A majority number of the members 
                of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
                Force shall constitute a quorum.
                  (F) Voting.--For the Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force to pass a measure, a two-
                thirds percentage of the quorum must vote in 
                the affirmative.
          (9) Puget sound federal leadership task force 
        procedures and advice.--
                  (A) Advisors.--The Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force, and any working group of 
                the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, 
                may seek advice and input from any interested, 
                knowledgeable, or affected party as the Puget 
                Sound Federal Leadership Task Force or working 
                group, respectively, determines necessary to 
                perform its duties.
                  (B) Compensation.--A member of the Puget 
                Sound Federal Leadership Task Force shall 
                receive no additional compensation for service 
                as a member on the Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force.
                  (C) Travel expenses.--Travel expenses 
                incurred by a member of the Puget Sound Federal 
                Leadership Task Force in the performance of 
                service on the Puget Sound Federal Leadership 
                Task Force may be paid by the agency or 
                department that the member represents.
  (e) State Advisory Committee.--
          (1) Establishment.--There is established a State 
        Advisory Committee.
          (2) Membership.--The committee shall consist of up to 
        7 members designated by the governing body of the Puget 
        Sound Partnership, in consultation with the Governor of 
        Washington, who will represent Washington State 
        agencies that have significant roles and 
        responsibilities related to Puget Sound recovery.
  (f) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The Puget Sound Federal 
Leadership Task Force, State Advisory Committee, and any 
working group of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, 
shall not be considered an advisory committee under the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
  (g) Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force Biennial Report 
on Puget Sound Recovery Activities.--
          (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this section, and biennially 
        thereafter, the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task 
        Force, in collaboration with the Puget Sound Tribal 
        Management Conference and the State Advisory Committee, 
        shall submit to the President, Congress, and the 
        Governor of Washington a report that summarizes the 
        progress, challenges, and milestones of the Puget Sound 
        Federal Leadership Task Force on the restoration and 
        protection of Puget Sound.
          (2) Contents.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
        include a description of the following:
                  (A) The roles of each State and local 
                government entity that has jurisdiction and 
                each Federal agency carrying out restoration 
                and preservation in the Puget Sound region and 
                the progress made toward meeting the identified 
                objectives and priorities of the Action Agenda, 
                Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at 
                Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint 
                Pollution Control Program.
                  (B) If available, the roles and progress of 
                Tribal governments that have jurisdiction in 
                the Puget Sound region toward meeting the 
                identified objectives and priorities of the 
                Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plans, the 
                Treaty Rights at Risk Initiative, and the 
                Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program.
                  (C) A summary of the progress each Federal 
                agency has made in implementing their specific 
                responsibilities under the Action Agenda, 
                Salmon Recovery Plans, the Treaty Rights at 
                Risk Initiative, and the Coastal Nonpoint 
                Pollution Control Program.
                  (D) The role of each Federal agency in 
                protecting Tribal treaty rights, including by 
                carrying out its tribal trust responsibilities, 
                and a summary of the progress each agency has 
                made in protecting those rights.
                  (E) A summary of specific recommendations 
                concerning implementation of the Action Agenda, 
                including challenges, barriers, and anticipated 
                milestones, targets, and timelines.
                  (F) A summary of progress made by Federal 
                agencies toward the priorities identified in 
                the Federal Action Plan.
  (h) Crosscut Budget Report.--
          (1) Financial report.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the date of enactment of this section, and every 5 
        years thereafter, the Director of the Office of 
        Management and Budget, in consultation with the Puget 
        Sound Federal Leadership Task Force, shall submit to 
        Congress and make available to the public, including on 
        the internet, a financial report that is certified by 
        the head of each agency represented by the Puget Sound 
        Federal Leadership Task Force.
          (2) Contents.--The report shall contain an 
        interagency crosscut budget relating to Puget Sound 
        restoration and protection activities that displays--
                  (A) the proposed funding for any Federal 
                restoration and protection activity to be 
                carried out in the succeeding fiscal year, 
                including any planned interagency or intra-
                agency transfer, for each of the Federal 
                agencies that carry out restoration and 
                protection activities;
                  (B) the estimated expenditures for Federal 
                restoration and protection activities from the 
                preceding 2 fiscal years, the current fiscal 
                year, and the succeeding fiscal year; and
                  (C) the estimated expenditures for Federal 
                environmental research and monitoring programs 
                from the preceding 2 fiscal years, the current 
                fiscal year, and the succeeding fiscal year.
          (3) Included recovery activities.--With respect to 
        activities described in the report, the report shall 
        only describe activities that have funding amounts not 
        less than $100,000.
          (4) Submission to congress.--The Director of the 
        Office of Management and Budget shall submit the report 
        to--
                  (A) the Committee on Appropriations, the 
                Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee 
                on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on 
                Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
                of Representatives; and
                  (B) the Committee on Appropriations, the 
                Committee on Environment and Public Works, and 
                the Committee on Commerce, Science, and 
                Transportation of the Senate.
  (i) Authorization of Appropriations.--In addition to any 
other funds authorized to be appropriated for activities 
related to Puget Sound, there is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this section $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
2020 through 2024.
  (j) Preservation of Treaty Obligations and Existing Federal 
Status.--
          (1) Tribal treaty rights.--Nothing in this section 
        affects any right reserved by treaty between the United 
        States and 1 or more Indian Tribes.
          (2) Other federal law.--Nothing in this section 
        affects the requirements and procedures of other 
        Federal law.
  (k) Consistency.--Actions authorized or implemented under 
this section shall be consistent with--
          (1) the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Salmon 
        Recovery Plans of the State of Washington;
          (2) the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 and the 
        Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program;
          (3) the water quality standards of the State of 
        Washington approved by the Administrator under section 
        303; and
          (4) other applicable Federal requirements.

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