H.R. 3817: Toxic Health Threat Warning Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Toxic Health Threat Warning Act of 2025, aims to regulate the release of water that may be contaminated with cyanotoxins from flood risk management structures, such as reservoirs and levees. The main components of the bill are outlined as follows:

Determination of Contamination

Before any planned release of water from a flood risk management structure, the Secretary of the Army is required to assess whether the water contains cyanotoxins. This determination is based on testing that may be conducted either by the Secretary, another federal agency, or the state in which the flood risk management structure is located.

Notification Requirements

If it is determined that the water to be released contains cyanotoxins at levels greater than 8 parts per billion, the Secretary must inform the public and any affected governments. This notification must include:

• The results of the contamination determination.
• Details about the planned release of water.
• Any potential effects on human health resulting from the release.

Definitions

The bill includes specific definitions to clarify terminology used within the document:

• Affected government: This refers to any State, local, or Tribal government that has jurisdiction over an area that could be impacted by the release of contaminated water.
• Secretary: The term "Secretary" in this context refers to the Secretary of the Army, specifically acting through the Chief of Engineers.

Purpose of the Bill

The overall goal of the Toxic Health Threat Warning Act of 2025 is to enhance public health safety by ensuring communities are informed prior to the release of water that poses a potential health risk due to the presence of cyanotoxins. This aims to mitigate possible adverse health impacts on affected populations.

Relevant Companies

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