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LAKES Act
3/7/2024, 5:29 PM
Summary of Bill S 1358
The LAKES Act aims to provide funding and resources to support research, monitoring, and mitigation efforts related to harmful algal blooms. It also seeks to improve coordination between federal, state, and local agencies in addressing this environmental issue.
Specifically, the bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a grant program to assist states in developing and implementing plans to prevent and control harmful algal blooms. It also directs the EPA to conduct research on the causes and impacts of these blooms, as well as develop strategies for their prevention and management. Additionally, the LAKES Act requires the EPA to establish a task force to coordinate federal efforts to address harmful algal blooms. This task force will be responsible for developing a national strategy for addressing this issue, as well as providing technical assistance to states and local communities. Overall, the LAKES Act is aimed at addressing the growing problem of harmful algal blooms in lakes across the country by providing funding, resources, and coordination to support research, monitoring, and mitigation efforts.
Congressional Summary of S 1358
Lake Access Keeping Economies Strong Act or the LAKES Act
This bill modifies requirements relating to the collection and retention of user fees at certain recreation facilities.
Specifically, the bill modifies requirements for a cost-sharing program for the management of recreation facilities established by the Water Resources Development Act of 1992. Currently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may enter into cooperative agreements with nonfederal public and private entities to provide for operation and management of recreation facilities and natural resources at civil works projects. The bill requires private entities entering such agreements to be nonprofit.
The bill requires the Corps, before entering into a cooperative agreement, to ensure that such entities have the authority and capability to (1) carry out the terms of the agreement, and (2) pay any damages in the event of a failure to perform.
It also authorizes the Corps to allow private nonprofit entities to collect user fees. Currently, only nonfederal public entities may collect such fees.
The bill also authorizes the Corps and other federal agencies to transfer to nonfederal public entities or private nonprofit entities user fees received by the Corps or another federal agency under a visitor reservation service for recreation facilities and natural resources managed by the nonfederal public entities or private nonprofit entities.
In addition, the bill modifies requirements under the Flood Control Act of 1968 to direct the Corps to spend at least 80% of the fees collected at a recreational site for the operation and maintenance of that site.
