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Bill115th CongressFiled Mar 21, 2017Water Resources Development
H.R. 1654

Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act

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Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Jun 22, 2017)

Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act

(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all reviews, permits, licenses, or other approvals or decisions (reviews) required under federal law to construct new surface water storage projects in the states covered under the Reclamation Act on lands administered by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture, including state-led projects, exclusive of any easement, right-of-way, lease, or any private holding, unless the project applicant elects not to participate in the process authorized by this bill (qualifying projects).

The Bureau: (1) upon receipt of an application for a qualifying project, shall identify any federal agency that may have jurisdiction over a required review; and (2) shall notify such agency that it has been designated as a cooperating agency unless specified conditions apply.

A state in which a qualifying project is being considered may choose to: (1) participate as a cooperating agency; and (2) make subject to the processes of this bill all state agencies that have jurisdiction over the project, are required to conduct or issue a review, or are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the qualifying project.

(Sec. 4) The principal responsibilities of the Bureau are to: (1) serve as the point of contact for applicants, state agencies, Indian tribes, and others regarding qualifying projects; (2) coordinate preparation of unified environmental documentation that will serve as the basis for all federal decisions necessary to authorize the use of federal lands for qualifying projects; and (3) coordinate all federal agency reviews necessary for the development and construction of qualifying projects.

The Bureau shall notify cooperating agencies of proposed qualifying projects by 30 days after receipt of a proposal and facilitate a pre-application meeting for prospective applicants, relevant federal and state agencies, and Indian tribes to: (1) explain applicable processes, data requirements, and applicant submissions necessary to complete the required federal agency reviews within the time frame established; and (2) establish the schedule for the qualifying project.

The Bureau shall work with the qualifying project applicant and cooperating agencies to establish a project schedule. In establishing the schedule, it shall consider:

  • the responsibilities of cooperating agencies under applicable laws and regulations;
  • the resources available to such agencies and the non-federal qualifying project sponsor;
  • the overall size, complexity, schedule for, and cost of the qualifying project; and
  • the sensitivity of the natural and historic resources that may be affected.

The Bureau must:

  • prepare a unified environmental review document on which all cooperating agencies shall base project approval decisions;
  • help ensure that cooperating agencies make necessary decisions regarding environmental compliance in accordance with specified time lines;
  • maintain a consolidated administrative record of the information assembled and used by the cooperating agencies as the basis for agency decisions;
  • ensure that all project data is submitted and maintained in generally accessible electronic format and make such project data available to cooperating agencies, the qualifying project applicant, and the public; and
  • appoint a project manager for each qualifying project.

(Sec. 5) Each cooperating agency must submit to the Bureau: (1) a time frame for completing the agency's authorizing responsibilities, (2) all environmental review material produced in the course of carrying out activities required under federal law, consistent with the project schedule, and (3) all relevant project data in a generally accessible electronic format.

(Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by a non-federal public entity to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a qualifying project. Interior must ensure that all final permit decisions are made available to the public, including on the Internet.

What just happenedJun 26, 2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Who’s behind it

Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4](R-CA)Sponsor
8 cosponsors8 R
Read on Congress.gov
8cosponsors2committees26actions2amendments4related bills10subjects
  1. Jun 26, 2017IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  2. Jun 22, 2017FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. Jun 22, 2017FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 233 - 180 (Roll no. 319).

  4. Jun 22, 2017Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 233 - 180 (Roll no. 319).

  5. Jun 22, 2017FloorH34400

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5087-5088)

  6. Jun 22, 2017FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  7. Jun 22, 2017FloorH32600

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1654.

  8. Jun 22, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 392, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lowenthal amendment No. 2.

  9. Jun 22, 2017FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 392, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the LaMalfa amendment No. 1.

  10. Jun 22, 2017FloorH8D000

    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 1654.

  11. Jun 22, 2017FloorH32020

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 392 and Rule XVIII.

  12. Jun 22, 2017FloorH32400

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Ted Poe to act as Chairman of the Committee.

  13. Jun 22, 2017FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1873 and 1654, with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except a motion to recommit with or without instructions on each bill. Both measures will be considered read and have specified amendments.

  14. Jun 22, 2017FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 392. (consideration: CR H5082-5095)

  15. Jun 21, 2017FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 392 passed House.

  16. Jun 20, 2017FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 392 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1873 and 1654, with 1 hour of general debate for each bill. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except a motion to recommit with or without instructions on each bill. Both measures will be considered read and have specified amendments.

  17. Jun 12, 2017CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 111.

  18. Jun 12, 2017CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-166.

    Natural Resources Committee
  19. Jun 12, 2017Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 115-166.

    Natural Resources Committee
  20. Apr 27, 2017Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 16.

    Natural Resources Committee
  21. Apr 27, 2017Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Natural Resources Committee
  22. Apr 27, 2017Committee

    Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans Discharged.

    Natural Resources Committee
  23. Mar 27, 2017Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.

    Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee
  24. Mar 21, 2017IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

    Natural Resources Committee
  25. Mar 21, 2017IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  26. Mar 21, 2017IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedJun 22, 201736

Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act

(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all reviews, permits, licenses, or other approvals or decisions (reviews) required under federal law to construct new surface water storage projects in the states covered under the Reclamation Act on lands administered by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture, including state-led projects, exclusive of any easement, right-of-way, lease, or any private holding, unless the project applicant elects not to participate in the process authorized by this bill (qualifying projects).

The Bureau: (1) upon receipt of an application for a qualifying project, shall identify any federal agency that may have jurisdiction over a required review; and (2) shall notify such agency that it has been designated as a cooperating agency unless specified conditions apply.

A state in which a qualifying project is being considered may choose to: (1) participate as a cooperating agency; and (2) make subject to the processes of this bill all state agencies that have jurisdiction over the project, are required to conduct or issue a review, or are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the qualifying project.

(Sec. 4) The principal responsibilities of the Bureau are to: (1) serve as the point of contact for applicants, state agencies, Indian tribes, and others regarding qualifying projects; (2) coordinate preparation of unified environmental documentation that will serve as the basis for all federal decisions necessary to authorize the use of federal lands for qualifying projects; and (3) coordinate all federal agency reviews necessary for the development and construction of qualifying projects.

The Bureau shall notify cooperating agencies of proposed qualifying projects by 30 days after receipt of a proposal and facilitate a pre-application meeting for prospective applicants, relevant federal and state agencies, and Indian tribes to: (1) explain applicable processes, data requirements, and applicant submissions necessary to complete the required federal agency reviews within the time frame established; and (2) establish the schedule for the qualifying project.

The Bureau shall work with the qualifying project applicant and cooperating agencies to establish a project schedule. In establishing the schedule, it shall consider:

  • the responsibilities of cooperating agencies under applicable laws and regulations;
  • the resources available to such agencies and the non-federal qualifying project sponsor;
  • the overall size, complexity, schedule for, and cost of the qualifying project; and
  • the sensitivity of the natural and historic resources that may be affected.

The Bureau must:

  • prepare a unified environmental review document on which all cooperating agencies shall base project approval decisions;
  • help ensure that cooperating agencies make necessary decisions regarding environmental compliance in accordance with specified time lines;
  • maintain a consolidated administrative record of the information assembled and used by the cooperating agencies as the basis for agency decisions;
  • ensure that all project data is submitted and maintained in generally accessible electronic format and make such project data available to cooperating agencies, the qualifying project applicant, and the public; and
  • appoint a project manager for each qualifying project.

(Sec. 5) Each cooperating agency must submit to the Bureau: (1) a time frame for completing the agency's authorizing responsibilities, (2) all environmental review material produced in the course of carrying out activities required under federal law, consistent with the project schedule, and (3) all relevant project data in a generally accessible electronic format.

(Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by a non-federal public entity to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a qualifying project. Interior must ensure that all final permit decisions are made available to the public, including on the Internet.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Jun 12, 201717

Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act

(Sec. 3) This bill establishes the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all reviews, permits, licenses, or other approvals or decisions (reviews) required under federal law to construct new surface water storage projects in the states covered under the Reclamation Act on lands administered by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (qualifying projects), exclusive of any easement, right-of-way, lease, or any private holding, unless the project applicant elects not to participate in the process authorized by this bill).

The Bureau: (1) upon receipt of an application for a qualifying project, shall identify any federal agency that may have jurisdiction over a required review; and (2) shall notify such agency that it has been designated as a cooperating agency unless specified conditions apply.

A state in which a qualifying project is being considered may choose to: (1) participate as a cooperating agency; and (2) make subject to the processes of this bill all state agencies that have jurisdiction over the project, are required to conduct or issue a review, or are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the qualifying project.

(Sec. 4) The principal responsibilities of the Bureau are to: (1) serve as the point of contact for applicants, state agencies, Indian tribes, and others regarding qualifying projects; (2) coordinate preparation of unified environmental documentation that will serve as the basis for all federal decisions necessary to authorize the use of federal lands for qualifying projects; and (3) coordinate all federal agency reviews necessary for the development and construction of qualifying projects.

The Bureau shall notify cooperating agencies of proposed qualifying projects by 30 days after receipt of a proposal and facilitate a pre-application meeting for prospective applicants, relevant federal and state agencies, and Indian tribes to: (1) explain applicable processes, data requirements, and applicant submissions necessary to complete the required federal agency reviews within the time frame established; and (2) establish the schedule for the qualifying project.

The Bureau shall work with the qualifying project applicant and cooperating agencies to establish a project schedule. In establishing the schedule, it shall consider:

  • the responsibilities of cooperating agencies under applicable laws and regulations;
  • the resources available to such agencies and the non-federal qualifying project sponsor;
  • the overall size, complexity, schedule for, and cost of the qualifying project; and
  • the sensitivity of the natural and historic resources that may be affected.

The Bureau must:

  • prepare a unified environmental review document on which all cooperating agencies shall base project approval decisions;
  • help ensure that cooperating agencies make necessary decisions regarding environmental compliance in accordance with specified time lines;
  • maintain a consolidated administrative record of the information assembled and used by the cooperating agencies as the basis for agency decisions;
  • ensure that all project data is submitted and maintained in generally accessible electronic format and make such project data available to cooperating agencies, the qualifying project applicant, and the public; and
  • appoint a project manager for each qualifying project.

(Sec. 5) Each cooperating agency must submit to the Bureau: (1) a time frame for completing the agency's authorizing responsibilities, (2) all environmental review material produced in the course of carrying out activities required under federal law, consistent with the project schedule, and (3) all relevant project data in a generally accessible electronic format.

(Sec. 6) The Department of the Interior, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by a non-federal public entity to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a qualifying project. Interior must ensure that all final permit decisions are made available to the public, including on the Internet.

Introduced in HouseMar 21, 2017

Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act

This bill establishes the Bureau of Reclamation as the lead agency for purposes of coordinating all reviews, permits, licenses, or other approvals or decisions (reviews) required under federal law to construct new surface water storage projects in the states covered under the Reclamation Act on lands administered by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture, exclusive of any easement, right-of-way, lease, or any private holding (qualifying projects).

The Bureau: (1) upon receipt of an application for a qualifying project, shall identify any federal agency that may have jurisdiction over a required review; and (2) shall notify such agency that it has been designated as a cooperating agency unless specified conditions apply. Each cooperating agency must submit to the Bureau: (1) a timeframe for completing the agency's authorizing responsibilities, (2) all environmental review material produced in the course of carrying out activities required under federal law consistent with the project schedule, and (3) all relevant project data.

A state in which a qualifying project is being considered may choose to: (1) participate as a cooperating agency; and (2) make subject to the processes of this bill all state agencies that have jurisdiction over the project, are required to conduct or issue a review, or are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the qualifying project.

The principal responsibilities of the Bureau are to: (1) serve as the point of contact for applicants, state agencies, Indian tribes, and others regarding qualifying projects; (2) coordinate preparation of unified environmental documentation that will serve as the basis for all federal decisions necessary to authorize the use of federal lands for qualifying projects; and (3) coordinate all federal agency reviews necessary for the development and construction of qualifying projects.

The Department of the Interior, after public notice, may accept and expend funds contributed by a non-federal public entity to expedite the evaluation of a permit of that entity related to a qualifying project. Interior must ensure that all final permit decisions are made available to the public, including on the Internet.

Water Supply Permitting Coordination Act — Informed