Back to Bill Details

HR 5770 IH

To provide for a study by the National Academy of Sciences of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality.

April 10, 2008

Mr. HALL of New York (for himself, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, and Ms. LEE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure, 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

To provide for a study by the National Academy of Sciences of potential impacts of climate change on water resources and water quality.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STUDY OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WATER RESOURCES AND WATER QUALITY.

(a) National Academy Study- Not later than 60 days after funds are appropriated to carry out this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Sciences under which the Academy shall prepare a 2-part study that includes the following:

(1) HYDROLOGY AND WATER QUALITY- One part of the study shall consist of--

(A) an identification of the potential impacts of climate change on--

(i) the Nation's watersheds and water resources, including the potential for impacts to wetlands, shoreline erosion, and saltwater intrusion as a result of sea level rise, and other hydrological and ecological impacts;

(ii) significant regional variation in precipitation events from historic patterns, and the resulting impacts on watersheds, water resources, and water quality; and

(iii) water quality, including the extent to which Federal and State efforts under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and other ocean and coastal protection laws may be affected by climate change; and

(B) information, analyses, and data that identify, to the maximum extent practicable, hydrological and temperature changes by watershed in the United States and that support the findings made under subparagraph (A).

(2) POLICY CONSIDERATIONS- Another part of the study shall consist of--

(A) an identification of the scientific consensus, assumptions, and uncertainties related to predictions of climate change in the United States;

(B) an assessment of the extent to which Federal and State efforts under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and other ocean and coastal laws may be affected by climate change;

(C) an identification of steps to assess emerging information and identifying the appropriate response actions to meet the requirements of such Act, including provisions to attain or maintain water quality standards and for adequate stream flows for wetlands and aquatic resources; and

(D) recommendations, if necessary, of potential legislative or regulatory changes to address impacts of global climate change on efforts to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters.

(b) Report- Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit a report of the results of the study in subsection (a), together with any additional comments of the Administrator, to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated $1,500,000 to carry out this Act.