[House Report 117-42]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress    }                                    {       Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session      }                                    {       117-42

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



 
       PROMOTING UNITED GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO SAVE OUR SOUND ACT

                                _______
                                

  May 28, 2021.--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. 1144]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 1144) 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, reports favorably 
thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose of Legislation...........................................     2
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     2
Hearings.........................................................     3
Legislative History and Consideration............................     3
Committee Votes..................................................     4
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     4
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................     4
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................     5
Performance Goals and Objectives.................................     6
Duplication of Federal Programs..................................     6
Congressional Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff 
  Benefits.......................................................     6
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     6
Preemption Clarification.........................................     7
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     7
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     7
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     7
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     8

                         Purpose of Legislation

    The purpose of H.R. 1144, the ``Promoting United Government 
Efforts to Save Our Sound Act'' or the ``PUGET SOS Act,'' 
introduced by Representative Kilmer (D-WA), 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.\1\ 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,\2\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Puget Sound Partnership. (December 2, 2019). State of the Sound 
Report.
    \2\Puget Sound Nutrient Reduction Project. Accessed at https://
ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Puget-Sound/Helping-Puget-Sound/
Reducing-Puget-Sound-nutrients/Puget-Sound-Nutrient-Reduction-Project.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    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 it 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\3\--
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \3\In fiscal year 2021, the Puget Sound received a federal 
appropriation of $33.75 million under EPA's Geographic Programs 
subaccount (P.L. 116-260).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    In 2016, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 
requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) 
undertake a study on federal, state, and local efforts to 
restore the Puget Sound. In July 2018, GAO released its report, 
entitled ``Puget Sound Restoration: Additional Actions Could 
Improve Assessments of Progress'' and recommended, among other 
things, that the EPA work with the Puget Sound management 
conference to help ensure that measurable targets are developed 
where possible for the highest priority indicators currently 
lacking such targets.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\GAO-18-453.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    The report also found that involved entities engaged in a 
range of activities including habitat protection, water quality 
improvement, and monitoring.\5\ The report also looked at the 
efficacy of this coordination, finding that the threats the 
sound faces still outpace the efforts to combat them.\6\ 
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.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \5\Id.
    \6\Id.
    \7\Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                Hearings

    For the purposes of rule XIII, clause 3(c)6(A) of the 117th 
Congress, no hearings were used to develop or consider H.R. 
1144 in the 117th Congress; however, in the 116th Congress, the 
following hearing was used to develop the legislation:
    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. 1144 was introduced in the House on February 18, 2021, 
by Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Smith of Washington, and Ms. Strickland, and 
referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. 
Within the Committee, H.R. 1144 was referred to the 
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
    The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment was 
discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1144 on March 24, 
2021.
    The Full Committee considered H.R. 1144 on March 24, 2021, 
and ordered the measure to be reported to the House with a 
favorable recommendation, by a record vote of 54 yeas and 3 
nays (Roll Call Vote No. 16).

                            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.
    H.R. 1144 was ordered to be favorably reported to the House 
of Representatives, by a record vote of 54 yeas and 3 nays 
(Roll Call Vote No. 16). The vote was as follows:

Vote: 16                            Measure: H.R. 1144
    On: agreeing to H.R. 1144 and ordering to be reported to 
the House, favorably

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Member                           Vote                    Member                    Vote
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. DeFazio.....................................          Yea   Mr. Graves of MO..................          Yea
Ms. Norton......................................          Yea   Mr. Young.........................  ............
Ms. Johnson of TX...............................          Yea   Mr. Crawford......................  ............
Mr. Larsen of WA................................          Yea   Mr. Gibbs.........................          Yea
Mrs. Napolitano.................................          Yea   Mr. Webster.......................          Yea
Mr. Cohen.......................................          Yea   Mr. Massie........................          Nay
Mr. Sires.......................................          Yea   Mr. Perry.........................          Nay
Mr. Garamendi...................................          Yea   Mr. Rodney Davis of IL............          Yea
Mr. Johnson of GA...............................          Yea   Mr. Katko.........................          Yea
Mr. Carson......................................          Yea   Mr. Babin.........................          Yea
Ms. Titus.......................................          Yea   Mr. Graves of LA..................          Yea
Mr. Maloney of NY...............................          Yea   Mr. Rouzer........................          Yea
Mr. Huffman.....................................          Yea   Mr. Bost..........................          Yea
Ms. Brownley....................................          Yea   Mr. Weber of TX...................          Yea
Ms. Wilson of FL................................  ............  Mr. LaMalfa.......................          Yea
Mr. Payne.......................................          Yea   Mr. Westerman.....................          Yea
Mr. Lowenthal...................................          Yea   Mr. Mast..........................          Yea
Mr. DeSaulnier..................................          Yea   Mr. Gallagher.....................          Yea
Mr. Lynch.......................................          Yea   Mr. Fitzpatrick...................          Yea
Mr. Carbajal....................................  ............  Miss Gonzalez-Colon...............          Yea
Mr. Brown.......................................          Yea   Mr. Balderson.....................          Yea
Mr. Malinowski..................................  ............  Mr. Stauber.......................  ............
Mr. Stanton.....................................          Yea   Mr. Burchett......................          Nay
Mr. Allred......................................          Yea   Mr. Johnson of SD.................          Yea
Ms. Davids of KS................................          Yea   Mr. Van Drew......................          Yea
Mr. Garcia of IL................................          Yea   Mr. Guest.........................  ............
Mr. Delgado.....................................          Yea   Mr. Nehls.........................          Yea
Mr. Pappas......................................          Yea   Ms. Mace..........................          Yea
Mr. Lamb........................................          Yea   Ms. Malliotakis...................          Yea
Mr. Moulton.....................................  ............  Ms. Van Duyne.....................  ............
Mr. Auchincloss.................................          Yea   Mr. Gimenez.......................  ............
Ms. Bourdeaux...................................          Yea   Mrs. Steel........................          Yea
Mr. Kahele......................................          Yea
Ms. Strickland..................................  ............
Ms. Williams of GA..............................          Yea
Ms. Newman......................................          Yea
Vacancy.........................................  ............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      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. 1144 from the 
Director of the Congressional Budget Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                    Washington, DC, April 21, 2021.
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. 1144, 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. 1144 would authorize the appropriation of $50 million 
annually over the 2022-2026 period 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 report every five years 
about federal funding for restoration and protection activities 
for the Puget Sound.
    CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1144 would cost $223 
million over the 2021-2026 period and $27 million after 2026, 
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. 1144
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                              2021   2022   2023   2024   2025   2026  2021-2026
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Authorization....................................      0     50     50     50     50     50       250
Estimated Outlays..........................................      0     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 
Director of 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, and 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. 1144 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. 1144 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


Section 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 
EPA 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 2026 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 2026 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 italics 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) Federal action plan.--The term ``Federal Action 
        Plan'' means the plan developed under subsection 
        (d)(2)(B).
          (4) 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).
          (5) 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'').
          (6) Program office.--The term ``Program Office'' 
        means the Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office 
        established by subsection (c).
          (7) 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 Puget Sound Tribal Management 
        Conference, and approved by the Administrator as the 
        comprehensive conservation and management plan for 
        Puget Sound under section 320.
          (8) Puget sound federal leadership task force.--The 
        term ``Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force'' 
        means the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force 
        established under subsection (d).
          (9) 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.
          (10) 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.
          (11) 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.
          (12) 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.
          (13) 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.
          (14) 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.
          (15) 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.
          (16) State advisory committee.--The term ``State 
        Advisory Committee'' means the advisory committee 
        established by subsection (e).
          (17) 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 nontreaty salmon fisheries, including through 
        tribal salmon hatchery programs.
  (b) Consistency.--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--
          (1) 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;
          (2) interpreting and enforcing regulations that 
        impact the restoration and protection of Puget Sound;
          (3) issuing Federal licenses or permits that impact 
        the restoration and protection of Puget Sound; and
          (4) granting Federal assistance to State, local, and 
        Tribal governments for activities related to the 
        restoration and protection of Puget Sound.
  (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.--Using amounts 
        made available pursuant to subsection (i), 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 towards meeting the Agency's 
                specified objectives and priorities within the 
                Action Agenda and the Federal Action Plan;
                  (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 
                        with Indian tribes when requested by 
                        such tribes;
                          (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 Action 
                                Agenda;
                                  (IV) facilitating the 
                                resolution of 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 are 
                                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 
                        toward 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, 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 Federal 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) 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.
          (5) 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.
          (6) 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.
          (7) 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.
          (8) 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.
          (9) Puget sound federal task force.--
                  (A) In general.--On the date of enactment of 
                this section, the 2016 memorandum of 
                understanding establishing the Puget Sound 
                Federal Task Force shall cease to be effective.
                  (B) 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.
  (e) State Advisory Committee.--
          (1) Establishment.--There is established a State 
        Advisory Committee.
          (2) Membership.--The committee shall consist of up to 
        seven 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, the Governor 
        of Washington, and the governing body of the Puget 
        Sound Partnership 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 and progress of each State, 
                local government entity, and Federal agency 
                that has 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.
                  (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 specific recommendations 
                concerning implementation of the Action Agenda 
                and Federal Action Plan, including challenges, 
                barriers, and anticipated milestones, targets, 
                and timelines.
                  (D) 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, in 
        conjunction with the annual budget submission of the 
        President to Congress for the year under section 
        1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, 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 more 
        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 
2022 through 2026.
  (j) Preservation of Treaty Obligations and Existing Federal 
Status.--
          (1) Tribal treaty rights.--Nothing in this section 
        affects, or is intended to affect, any right reserved 
        by treaty between the United States and one 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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