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House Continues to Move Appropriations Bills Forward
The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on a second "minibus" of FY 2021 appropriations bills this week. Among the bills that are included in this wave of appropriations bills are the FY 2021 Energy & Water; Transportation & HUD; Commerce, Justice & Science; Defense; Labor, Health, Human Services & Education; Homeland Security; and Financial Services & General Government appropriations bills. Key highlights impacting the Great Lakes region include, but are not limited to:
FY 2021 Energy & Water Development
- $1.68 billion for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) activities;
- $50 million for the Great Lakes-Mississippi Interbasin Study (GLMRIS);
- $123.22 million for the construction of a new Soo Lock;
- $14.3 million for the operation and maintenance of the electric fish barrier in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS);
- Language stating that the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project is critical to keeping Asian carp out of the Great Lakes and that the Army Corps is reminded that the project is eligible to compete for additional funding within the bill's Investigations account;
- Language reminding the Army Corps that the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study is eligible for funding as a new start;
- Language reminding the Army Corps that funding for the final phase of electric fish barrier project in the CAWS is eligible for funding under the Operations and Maintenance account, which would allow it to complete the remaining testing required to bring the barrier online;
- Language stating that HMTF funding for individual projects within the Great Lakes Navigation System should exceed original levels outlined in WRDA 1986;
- $2.85 billion for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; and
- $10 million for the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
FY 2021 Transportation & HUD
- $40 million for the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC):
- Not less than $15.8 million is for the seaway infrastructure program;
- $4 million is for market development and promotion of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway navigation system; and
- $300 million for the MARAD Port Infrastructure Development Program.
Additionally, the House passed their first "minibus" bill last week by a vote of 224-189 that included the FY 2021 State & Foreign Operations; Agricultural & Rural Development; Interior & Environment; and the Military & Veterans Affairs appropriations bills. Key highlights of those bills include:
FY 2021 Interior-Environment
- $335 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI);
- $6.36 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund;
- $3.86 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund;
- $248 million for EPA's Sec. 106 Clean Water State Grants;
- $56.7 million for EPA's Sec. 221 Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Grants;
- $188 million for EPA's Sec. 319 Non-Point Pollution;
- $25 million for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Asian carp activities;
- $10.62 million for USGS Asian carp activities; and
- $13 million for the USGS Great Lakes Science Center.
FY 2021 State & Foreign Operations
- $10.8 million for the International Joint Commission (IJC):
- FY 2021 funding remains consistent with the prior year level for the IJC's Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Adaptive Management Committee for Phase II of their expedited review of IJC's Plan 2014; and
- $36.99 million for the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), of which no less than $1 million be used to address grass carp in the Great Lakes.
The Senate Appropriations Committee has yet to formally announce when it might start moving bills forward.
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