Sec. 5073. KASKASKIA RIVER BASIN, ILLINOIS, RESTORATION

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## SEC. 5073 KASKASKIA RIVER BASIN, ILLINOIS, RESTORATION ###

(a)Kaskaskia River Basin Defined In this section, the term “**Kaskaskia River Basin**” means the Kaskaskia River, Illinois, its backwaters, its side channels, and all tributaries, including their watersheds, draining into the Kaskaskia River. ###

(b)Comprehensive Plan ####

(1)Development The Secretary shall develop, as expeditiously as practicable, a comprehensive plan for the purpose of restoring, preserving, and protecting the Kaskaskia River Basin. ####

(2)Technologies and innovative approaches The comprehensive plan shall provide for the development of new technologies and innovative approaches— #####

(A)to enhance the Kaskaskia River as a transportation corridor; #####

(B)to improve water quality within the entire Kaskaskia River Basin; #####

(C)to restore, enhance, and preserve habitat for plants and wildlife; #####

(D)to ensure aquatic integrity of side channels and backwaters and their connectivity with the mainstem river; #####

(E)to increase economic opportunity for agriculture and business communities; and #####

(F)to reduce the impacts of flooding to communities and landowners. ####

(3)Specific components The comprehensive plan shall include such features as are necessary to provide for— #####

(A)the development and implementation of a program for sediment removal technology, sediment characterization, sediment transport, and beneficial uses of sediment; #####

(B)the development and implementation of a program for the planning, conservation, evaluation, and construction of measures for fish and wildlife habitat conservation and rehabilitation, and stabilization and enhancement of land and water resources in the Kaskaskia River Basin; #####

(C)the development and implementation of a long-term resource monitoring program for the Basin; #####

(D)a conveyance study of the Kaskaskia River floodplain from Vandalia, Illinois, to Carlyle Lake to determine the impacts of existing and future waterfowl improvements on flood stages, including detailed surveys and mapping information to ensure proper hydraulic and hydrological analysis; #####

(E)the development and implementation of a computerized inventory and analysis system for the Basin; #####

(F)the development and implementation of a systemic plan for the Basin to reduce flood impacts by means of ecosystem restoration projects; and #####

(G)the study and design of necessary measures to reduce ongoing headcutting and restore the aquatic environment of the Basin that has been degraded by the headcutting that has occurred above the existing grade control structure. ####

(4)Consultation The comprehensive plan shall be developed by the Secretary in consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, the State of Illinois, and the Kaskaskia River Watershed Association. ####

(5)Report to congress Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report containing the comprehensive plan. ####

(6)Additional studies and analyses After submission of a report under paragraph (5), the Secretary shall conduct studies and analyses of projects related to the comprehensive plan that are appropriate and consistent with this subsection. ###

(c)General Provisions ####

(1)Water quality In carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary's recommendations shall be consistent with applicable State water quality standards. ####

(2)Public participation In developing the comprehensive plan under subsection (b), the Secretary shall implement procedures to facilitate public participation, including providing advance notice of meetings, providing adequate opportunity for public input and comment, maintaining appropriate records, and making a record of the proceedings of meetings available for public inspection. ###

(d)Critical Projects and Initiatives If the Secretary, in cooperation with appropriate Federal agencies and the State of Illinois, determines that a project or initiative for the Kaskaskia River Basin will produce independent, immediate, and substantial benefits, the Secretary may proceed with the implementation of the project. ###

(e)Coordination The Secretary shall integrate activities carried out under this section with ongoing Federal and State programs, projects, and activities, including the following: ####

(1)Farm programs of the Department of Agriculture. ####

(2)Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (State of Illinois) and Conservation 2000 Ecosystem Program of the Illinois department of natural resources. ####

(3)Conservation 2000 Conservation Practices Program and the Livestock Management Facilities Act administered by the Illinois department of agriculture. ####

(4)National Buffer Initiative of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. ####

(5)Nonpoint source grant program administered by the Illinois environmental protection agency. ####

(6)Other programs that may be developed by the State of Illinois or the Federal Government, or that are carried out by nonprofit organizations, to carry out the objectives of the Kaskaskia River Basin Comprehensive Plan. ###

(f)In-Kind Services The Secretary may credit the cost of in-kind services provided by the non-Federal interest for an activity carried out under this section toward not more than 80 percent of the non-Federal share of the cost of the activity. In-kind services shall include all State funds expended on programs that accomplish the goals of this section, as determined by the Secretary. The programs may include the Kaskaskia River Conservation Reserve Program, the Illinois Conservation 2000 Program, the Open Lands Trust Fund, and other appropriate programs carried out in the Kaskaskia River Basin. ###

(g)Authorization of Appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 to carry out this section.