Bill Summary
This bill, if passed, would amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to include measures for the restoration of aquatic ecosystems for anadromous fish. This includes installing fish bypass structures, modifying tide gates, and restoring or reconnecting floodplains and wetlands that are important for anadromous fish habitat and passage. The bill also prioritizes projects that include these measures to ensure equal implementation with other projects.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation may affect people who rely on fishing for their livelihood, as it could potentially improve habitat and passage for anadromous fish, leading to a healthier fish population and more sustainable fishing practices.
2. This legislation may also affect people who live in areas where anadromous fish are present, as the restoration or reconnection of floodplains and wetlands could impact their property or daily lives.
3. This legislation may also impact stakeholders in the water resources development industry, as it requires equal priority for projects that include measures to improve habitat and passage for anadromous fish. This could potentially lead to changes in project plans and budgets.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7657 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7657
To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 with respect to
anadromous fish habitat and passage, and for other purposes.
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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 16, 2020
Ms. Schrier introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the
Committee on Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
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A BILL
To amend the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 with respect to
anadromous fish habitat and passage, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION FOR ANADROMOUS FISH.
(a) Anadromous Fish Habitat and Passage.--Section 206 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Anadromous fish habitat and passage.--
``(A) Measures.--A project under this section may
include measures to improve habitat or passage for
anadromous fish, including--
``(i) installing fish bypass structures on
small water diversions;
``(ii) modifying tide gates; and
``(iii) restoring or reconnecting
floodplains and wetlands that are important for
anadromous fish habitat or passage.
``(B) Benefits.--A project that includes measures
under this paragraph shall be formulated to maximize
benefits for the anadromous fish species benefitted by
the project.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Prioritization.--The Secretary shall give projects that
include measures described in subsection (a)(3) equal priority for
implementation as other projects under this section.''.
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