§ 1268.
(c)
Great Lakes management
(1)
Functions
The Program Office shall—
(A)
in cooperation with appropriate Federal, State, tribal, and international agencies, and in accordance with
section 1251(e) of this title, develop and implement specific action plans to carry out the responsibilities of the United States under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, as amended by the Water Quality Agreement of 1987 and any other agreements and amendments,;
(B)
establish a Great Lakes system-wide surveillance network to monitor the water quality of the Great Lakes, with specific emphasis on the monitoring of toxic pollutants;
(C)
serve as the liaison with, and provide information to, the Canadian members of the International Joint Commission and the Canadian counterpart to the Agency;
(D)
coordinate actions of the Agency (including actions by headquarters and regional offices thereof) aimed at improving Great Lakes water quality; and
(E)
coordinate actions of the Agency with the actions of other Federal agencies and State and local authorities, so as to ensure the input of those agencies and authorities in developing water quality strategies and obtain the support of those agencies and authorities in achieving the objectives of such agreement.
(2)
Great Lakes water quality guidance
(A)
By June 30, 1991, the Administrator, after consultation with the Program Office, shall publish in the Federal Register for public notice and comment proposed water quality guidance for the Great Lakes System. Such guidance shall conform with the objectives and provisions of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, shall be no less restrictive than the provisions of this chapter and national water quality criteria and guidance, shall specify numerical limits on pollutants in ambient Great Lakes waters to protect human health, aquatic life, and wildlife, and shall provide guidance to the Great Lakes States on minimum water quality standards, antidegradation policies, and implementation procedures for the Great Lakes System.
(B)
By June 30, 1992, the Administrator, in consultation with the Program Office, shall publish in the Federal Register, pursuant to this section and the Administrator’s authority under this chapter, final water quality guidance for the Great Lakes System.
(C)
Within two years after such Great Lakes guidance is published, the Great Lakes States shall adopt water quality standards, antidegradation policies, and implementation procedures for waters within the Great Lakes System which are consistent with such guidance. If a Great Lakes State fails to adopt such standards, policies, and procedures, the Administrator shall promulgate them not later than the end of such two-year period. When reviewing any Great Lakes State’s water quality plan, the agency shall consider the extent to which the State has complied with the Great Lakes guidance issued pursuant to this section.
(3)
Remedial Action Plans
(A)
For each area of concern for which the United States has agreed to draft a Remedial Action Plan, the Program Office shall ensure that the Great Lakes State in which such area of concern is located—
(i)
submits a Remedial Action Plan to the Program Office by June 30, 1991;
(ii)
submits such Remedial Action Plan to the International Joint Commission by January 1, 1992; and
(iii)
includes such Remedial Action Plans within the State’s water quality plan by January 1, 1993.
(B)
For each area of concern for which Canada has agreed to draft a Remedial Action Plan, the Program Office shall, pursuant to subparagraph (c)(1)(C) of this section, work with Canada to assure the submission of such Remedial Action Plans to the International Joint Commission by June 30, 1991, and to finalize such Remedial Action Plans by January 1, 1993.
(C)
For any area of concern designated as such subsequent to November 16, 1990, the Program Office shall (i) if the United States has agreed to draft the Remedial Action Plan, ensure that the Great Lakes State in which such area of concern is located submits such Plan to the Program Office within two years of the area’s designation, submits it to the International Joint Commission no later than six months after submitting it to the Program Office, and includes such Plan in the State’s water quality plan no later than one year after submitting it to the Commission; and (ii) if Canada has agreed to draft the Remedial Action Plan, work with Canada, pursuant to subparagraph (c)(1)(C) of this section, to ensure the submission of such Plan to the International Joint Commission within two years of the area’s designation and the finalization of such Plan no later than eighteen months after submitting it to such Commission.
(D)
The Program Office shall compile formal comments on individual Remedial Action Plans made by the International Joint Commission pursuant to section 4(d) of Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and, upon request by a member of the public, shall make such comments available for inspection and copying. The Program Office shall also make available, upon request, formal comments made by the Environmental Protection Agency on individual Remedial Action Plans.
(E)
Report.—
Not later than 1 year after November 27, 2002, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on such actions, time periods, and resources as are necessary to fulfill the duties of the Agency relating to oversight of Remedial Action Plans under—
(ii)
the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
(4)
Lakewide Management Plans
The Administrator, in consultation with the Program Office shall—
(A)
by January 1, 1992, publish in the Federal Register a proposed Lakewide Management Plan for Lake Michigan and solicit public comments;
(B)
by January 1, 1993, submit a proposed Lakewide Management Plan for Lake Michigan to the International Joint Commission for review; and
(C)
by January 1, 1994, publish in the Federal Register a final Lakewide Management Plan for Lake Michigan and begin implementation.
Nothing in this subparagraph
2
So in original. Probably should be “paragraph”.
shall preclude the simultaneous development of Lakewide Management Plans for the other Great Lakes.
(5)
Spills of oil and hazardous materials
The Program Office, in consultation with the Coast Guard, shall identify areas within the Great Lakes which are likely to experience numerous or voluminous spills of oil or other hazardous materials from land based facilities, vessels, or other sources and, in consultation with the Great Lakes States, shall identify weaknesses in Federal and State programs and systems to prevent and respond to such spills. This information shall be included on at least a biennial basis in the report required by this section.
(6)
5-year plan and program
The Program Office shall develop, in consultation with the States, a five-year plan and program for reducing the amount of nutrients introduced into the Great Lakes. Such program shall incorporate any management program for reducing nutrient runoff from nonpoint sources established under section 1329 of this title and shall include a program for monitoring nutrient runoff into, and ambient levels in, the Great Lakes.
(7)
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
(A)
Establishment
There is established in the Agency a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (referred to in this paragraph as the “Initiative”) to carry out programs and projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration.
(B)
Focus areas
In carrying out the Initiative, the Administrator shall prioritize programs and projects, to be carried out in coordination with non-Federal partners, that address the priority areas described in the Initiative Action Plan, including—
(i)
the remediation of toxic substances and areas of concern;
(ii)
the prevention and control of invasive species and the impacts of invasive species;
(iii)
the protection and restoration of nearshore health and the prevention and mitigation of nonpoint source pollution;
(iv)
habitat and wildlife protection and restoration, including wetlands restoration and preservation; and
(v)
accountability, monitoring, evaluation, communication, and partnership activities.
(C)
Projects
(i)
In general
In carrying out the Initiative, the Administrator shall collaborate with other Federal partners, including the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force established by Executive Order No. 13340 (69 Fed. Reg. 29043), to select the best combination of programs and projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration using appropriate principles and criteria, including whether a program or project provides—
(I)
the ability to achieve strategic and measurable environmental outcomes that implement the Initiative Action Plan and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement;
(II)
the feasibility of—
(aa)
prompt implementation;
(bb)
timely achievement of results; and
(cc)
resource leveraging; and
(III)
the opportunity to improve interagency, intergovernmental, and interorganizational coordination and collaboration to reduce duplication and streamline efforts.
(ii)
Outreach
In selecting the best combination of programs and projects for Great Lakes protection and restoration under clause (i), the Administrator shall consult with the Great Lakes States and Indian tribes and solicit input from other non-Federal stakeholders.
(iii)
Harmful algal bloom coordinator
The Administrator shall designate a point person from an appropriate Federal partner to coordinate, with Federal partners and Great Lakes States, Indian tribes, and other non-Federal stakeholders, projects and activities under the Initiative involving harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes.
(D)
Implementation of projects
(i)
In general
Subject to subparagraph (J)(ii), funds made available to carry out the Initiative shall be used to strategically implement—
(I)
Federal projects;
(II)
projects carried out in coordination with States, Indian tribes, municipalities, institutions of higher education, and other organizations; and
(III)
operations and activities of the Program Office, including remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern.
(ii)
Transfer of funds
With amounts made available for the Initiative each fiscal year, the Administrator may—
(I)
transfer not more than the total amount appropriated under subparagraph (J)(i) for the fiscal year to the head of any Federal department or agency, with the concurrence of the department or agency head, to carry out activities to support the Initiative and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement; and
(II)
enter into an interagency agreement with the head of any Federal department or agency to carry out activities described in subclause (I).
(iii)
Agreements with non-Federal entities
(I)
In general
The Administrator, or the head of any other Federal department or agency receiving funds under clause (ii)(I), may make a grant to, or otherwise enter into an agreement with, a qualified non-Federal entity, as determined by the Administrator or the applicable head of the other Federal department or agency receiving funds, for planning, research, monitoring, outreach, or implementation of a project selected under subparagraph (C), to support the Initiative Action Plan or the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
(II)
Qualified non-Federal entity
For purposes of this clause, a qualified non-Federal entity may include a governmental entity, nonprofit organization, institution, or individual.
(E)
Scope
(i)
In general
Projects may be carried out under the Initiative on multiple levels, including—
(I)
locally;
(II)
Great Lakes-wide; or
(III)
Great Lakes basin-wide.
(ii)
Limitation
No funds made available to carry out the Initiative may be used for any water infrastructure activity (other than a green infrastructure project that improves habitat and other ecosystem functions in the Great Lakes) for which financial assistance is received—
(I)
from a State water pollution control revolving fund established under subchapter VI;
(II)
from a State drinking water revolving loan fund established under
section 300j–12 of title 42; or
(III)
pursuant to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 (
33 U.S.C. 3901 et seq.).
(F)
Activities by other Federal agencies
Each relevant Federal department or agency shall, to the maximum extent practicable—
(i)
maintain the base level of funding for the Great Lakes activities of that department or agency without regard to funding under the Initiative; and
(ii)
identify new activities and projects to support the environmental goals of the Initiative.
(G)
Revision of Initiative Action Plan
(i)
In general
Not less often than once every 5 years, the Administrator, in conjunction with the Great Lakes Interagency Task Force, shall review, and revise as appropriate, the Initiative Action Plan to guide the activities of the Initiative in addressing the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes system.
(ii)
Outreach
In reviewing and revising the Initiative Action Plan under clause (i), the Administrator shall consult with the Great Lakes States and Indian tribes and solicit input from other non-Federal stakeholders.
(H)
Monitoring and reporting
The Administrator shall—
(i)
establish and maintain a process for monitoring and periodically reporting to the public on the progress made in implementing the Initiative Action Plan;
(ii)
make information about each project carried out under the Initiative Action Plan available on a public website; and
(iii)
provide to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a yearly detailed description of the progress of the Initiative and amounts transferred to participating Federal departments and agencies under subparagraph (D)(ii).
(I)
Initiative Action Plan defined
In this paragraph, the term “Initiative Action Plan” means the comprehensive, multiyear action plan for the restoration of the Great Lakes, first developed pursuant to the Joint Explanatory Statement of the Conference Report accompanying the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 ([Public Law 111–88]).
(J)
Funding
(i)
In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph—
(I)
$300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021;
(II)
$375,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
(III)
$400,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(IV)
$425,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
(V)
$450,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
(VI)
$475,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
(ii)
Limitation
Nothing in this paragraph creates, expands, or amends the authority of the Administrator to implement programs or projects under—
(I)
this section;
(II)
the Initiative Action Plan; or
(III)
the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
(8)
Administrator’s responsibility
The Administrator shall ensure that the Program Office enters into agreements with the various organizational elements of the Agency involved in Great Lakes activities and the appropriate State agencies specifically delineating—
(A)
the duties and responsibilities of each such element in the Agency with respect to the Great Lakes;
(B)
the time periods for carrying out such duties and responsibilities; and
(C)
the resources to be committed to such duties and responsibilities.
(9)
Budget item
The Administrator shall, in the Agency’s annual budget submission to Congress, include a funding request for the Program Office as a separate budget line item.
(10)
Confined disposal facilities
(A)
The Administrator, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, shall develop and implement, within one year of November 16, 1990, management plans for every Great Lakes confined disposal facility.
(B)
The plan shall provide for monitoring of such facilities, including—
(i)
water quality at the site and in the area of the site;
(ii)
sediment quality at the site and in the area of the site;
(iii)
the diversity, productivity, and stability of aquatic organisms at the site and in the area of the site; and
(iv)
such other conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.
(C)
The plan shall identify the anticipated use and management of the site over the following twenty-year period including the expected termination of dumping at the site, the anticipated need for site management, including pollution control, following the termination of the use of the site.
(D)
The plan shall identify a schedule for review and revision of the plan which shall not be less frequent than five years after adoption of the plan and every five years thereafter.
(11)
Remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern
(A)
In general
In accordance with this paragraph, the Administrator, acting through the Program Office, may carry out projects that meet the requirements of subparagraph (B).
(B)
Eligible projects
A project meets the requirements of this subparagraph if the project is to be carried out in an area of concern located wholly or partially in the United States and the project—
(i)
monitors or evaluates contaminated sediment;
(ii)
subject to subparagraph (D), implements a plan to remediate contaminated sediment, including activities to restore aquatic habitat that are carried out in conjunction with a project for the remediation of contaminated sediment; or
(iii)
prevents further or renewed contamination of sediment.
(C)
Priority
In selecting projects to carry out under this paragraph, the Administrator shall give priority to a project that—
(i)
constitutes remedial action for contaminated sediment;
(ii)
(I)
has been identified in a Remedial Action Plan submitted under paragraph (3); and
(II)
is ready to be implemented;
(iii)
will use an innovative approach, technology, or technique that may provide greater environmental benefits, or equivalent environmental benefits at a reduced cost; or
(iv)
includes remediation to be commenced not later than 1 year after the date of receipt of funds for the project.
(D)
Limitations
The Administrator may not carry out a project under this paragraph for remediation of contaminated sediments located in an area of concern—
(i)
if an evaluation of remedial alternatives for the area of concern has not been conducted, including a review of the short-term and long-term effects of the alternatives on human health and the environment;
(ii)
if the Administrator determines that the area of concern is likely to suffer significant further or renewed contamination from existing sources of pollutants causing sediment contamination following completion of the project;
(iii)
unless each non-Federal sponsor for the project has entered into a written project agreement with the Administrator under which the party agrees to carry out its responsibilities and requirements for the project; or
(iv)
unless the Administrator provides assurance that the Agency has conducted a reasonable inquiry to identify potentially responsible parties connected with the site.
(E)
Non-Federal share
(i)
In general
The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this paragraph shall be at least 35 percent.
(ii)
In-kind contributions
(I)
In general
The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this paragraph may include the value of an in-kind contribution provided by a non-Federal sponsor.
(II)
Credit
A project agreement described in subparagraph (D)(iii) may provide, with respect to a project, that the Administrator shall credit toward the non-Federal share of the cost of the project the value of an in-kind contribution made by the non-Federal sponsor, if the Administrator determines that the material or service provided as the in-kind contribution is integral to the project.
(III)
Work performed before project agreement
In any case in which a non-Federal sponsor is to receive credit under subclause (II) for the cost of work carried out by the non-Federal sponsor and such work has not been carried out by the non-Federal sponsor as of October 8, 2008, the Administrator and the non-Federal sponsor shall enter into an agreement under which the non-Federal sponsor shall carry out such work, and only work carried out following the execution of the agreement shall be eligible for credit.
(IV)
Limitation
Credit authorized under this clause for a project carried out under this paragraph—
(aa)
shall not exceed the non-Federal share of the cost of the project; and
(bb)
shall not exceed the actual and reasonable costs of the materials and services provided by the non-Federal sponsor, as determined by the Administrator.
(V)
Inclusion of certain contributions
In this subparagraph, the term “in-kind contribution” may include the costs of planning (including data collection), design, construction, and materials that are provided by the non-Federal sponsor for implementation of a project under this paragraph.
(iii)
Treatment of credit between projects
Any credit provided under this subparagraph towards the non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this paragraph may be applied towards the non-Federal share of the cost of any other project carried out under this paragraph by the same non-Federal sponsor for a site within the same area of concern.
(iv)
Non-Federal share
The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried out under this paragraph—
(I)
may include monies paid pursuant to, or the value of any in-kind contribution performed under, an administrative order on consent or judicial consent decree; but
(II)
may not include any funds paid pursuant to, or the value of any in-kind contribution performed under, a unilateral administrative order or court order.
(v)
Operation and maintenance
The non-Federal share of the cost of the operation and maintenance of a project carried out under this paragraph shall be 100 percent.
(F)
Site characterization
(i)
In general
The Administrator, in consultation with any affected State or unit of local government, shall carry out at Federal expense the site characterization of a project under this paragraph for the remediation of contaminated sediment.
(ii)
Limitation
For purposes of clause (i), the Administrator may carry out one site assessment per discrete site within a project at Federal expense.
(G)
Coordination
In carrying out projects under this paragraph, the Administrator shall coordinate with the Secretary of the Army, and with the Governors of States in which the projects are located, to ensure that Federal and State assistance for remediation in areas of concern is used as efficiently as practicable.
(H)
Authorization of appropriations
(i)
In general
In addition to other amounts authorized under this section, there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2010.
(ii)
Availability
Funds made available under clause (i) shall remain available until expended.
(iii)
Allocation of funds
Not more than 20 percent of the funds appropriated pursuant to clause (i) for a fiscal year may be used to carry out subparagraph (F).
(12)
Public information program
(A)
In general
The Administrator, acting through the Program Office and in coordination with States, Indian tribes, local governments, and other entities, may carry out a public information program to provide information relating to the remediation of contaminated sediment to the public in areas of concern that are located wholly or partially in the United States.
(B)
Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2010.
(f)
Interagency cooperation
The head of each department, agency, or other instrumentality of the Federal Government which is engaged in, is concerned with, or has authority over programs relating to research, monitoring, and planning to maintain, enhance, preserve, or rehabilitate the environmental quality and natural resources of the Great Lakes, including the Chief of Engineers of the Army, the Chief of the Soil Conservation Service, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, shall submit an annual report to the Administrator with respect to the activities of that agency or office affecting compliance with the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1978, as amended by the Water Quality Agreement of 1987 and any other agreements and amendments,.1
(g)
Relationship to existing Federal and State laws and international treaties
Nothing in this section shall be construed—
(1)
to affect the jurisdiction, powers, or prerogatives of any department, agency, or officer of the Federal Government or of any State government, or of any tribe, nor any powers, jurisdiction, or prerogatives of any international body created by treaty with authority relating to the Great Lakes; or
(2)
to affect any other Federal or State authority that is being used or may be used to facilitate the cleanup and protection of the Great Lakes.
(h)
Authorizations of Great Lakes appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section not to exceed—
(1)
$11,000,000 per fiscal year for the fiscal years 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1990, and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1991;
(2)
such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 1992 through 2003; and
(3)
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
([June 30, 1948, ch. 758], title I, § 118, as added [Pub. L. 100–4, title I, § 104], Feb. 4, 1987, [101 Stat. 11]; amended [Pub. L. 100–688, title I, § 1008], Nov. 18, 1988, [102 Stat. 4151]; [Pub. L. 101–596, title I], §§ 101–106, Nov. 16, 1990, [104 Stat. 3000–3004]; [Pub. L. 107–303, title I], §§ 102–105, Nov. 27, 2002, [116 Stat. 2355–2358]; [Pub. L. 110–365], §§ 2, 3, Oct. 8, 2008, [122 Stat. 4021]; [Pub. L. 113–188, title VII, § 701], Nov. 26, 2014, [128 Stat. 2019]; [Pub. L. 114–113, div. G, title IV, § 426], Dec. 18, 2015, [129 Stat. 2581]; [Pub. L. 114–322, title IV, § 5005], Dec. 16, 2016, [130 Stat. 1889]; [Pub. L. 116–294, § 2], Jan. 5, 2021, [134 Stat. 4899].)