H.R. 6422: American Water Stewardship Act

This bill, titled the American Water Stewardship Act, aims to amend existing laws concerning water pollution control. It focuses on enhancing various geographical programs overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to strengthen water stewardship. Below are the key provisions outlined in the bill:

1. Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The bill extends the funding availability for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative from 2026 to 2031, ensuring ongoing efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem.

2. Long Island Sound

It also revises the timelines for funding related to the Long Island Sound program by extending it from 2023 to 2031, supporting restoration and protection efforts in that area.

3. Columbia River Basin Restoration

For the Columbia River Basin, funding timelines are similarly extended to 2031, reaffirming commitment to improvements in water quality and ecosystem health in the region.

4. San Francisco Bay Restoration Program

The bill redefines the San Francisco Bay program with an emphasis on program implementation rather than just granting funds. It allows for more flexible funding mechanisms and sets a maximum grant amount that can cover 75% of a project’s total cost, requiring at least 25% from non-federal sources.

5. National Estuary Program

This section modifies the national estuary program to include Mississippi Sound in the areas of focus and extends the program's funding timeline to 2031. Notably, it imposes restrictions on the funds' use for implementation if certain fiscal conditions are not met.

6. Coastal Recreation Water Quality Monitoring

The bill aims to enhance coastal water quality through monitoring and notification programs by amending the relevant section of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It provides for grants specifically to identify sources of contamination in coastal waters and extends the authorization of appropriations for such efforts to 2031.

7. Limitation on Use of Funds

It prohibits using any federal funds for specified programs if they are associated with non-federal entities that have ties to foreign countries deemed as concerns.

8. Geographic Program Report

The bill mandates a report from the Comptroller General of the United States within two years after enactment, assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of EPA geographic programs. The report should evaluate funding management, progress toward goals, coordination with other programs, and ethics practices within the EPA.

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