Community Water Project Acceleration Act | ChamberLight
Bills · S 4120
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 4120Environmental Protection
Community Water Project Acceleration Act
INTRO MAR 17· LAST ACTION MAR 17
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
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Voters should care about this bill because it directly impacts how quickly and efficiently communities can improve their water infrastructure, address flooding, or restore local ecosystems. If this bill becomes law, qualifying water projects could start sooner, potentially saving money by reducing administrative overhead and allowing communities to benefit from improved water systems more rapidly. This could mean faster responses to infrastructure needs, such as updating aging water pipes, protecting against erosion, or enhancing local waterways.
However, if the bill does not pass, these projects would continue to undergo the current, often lengthy, environmental review processes. This might mean longer waiting times for project approval and construction, potentially delaying critical infrastructure improvements. The core debate revolves around balancing the speed of development with the thoroughness of environmental protection. Supporters believe the current process is too slow for smaller projects, while opponents might argue that even small projects can have significant cumulative environmental impacts that warrant full review.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of the Army to designate certain water resources development projects as "categorically excluded" from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This provision is significant because it would reduce the time and resources required for environmental assessments for specific projects, aiming to accelerate their implementation.
PROVISION 02
Establishes specific criteria for projects to qualify for categorical exclusion, including being carried out under certain federal programs, having construction performed by a non-Federal sponsor, and meeting specific federal cost thresholds.
These criteria define the scope of projects that can bypass full environmental review, focusing on smaller projects with local involvement.
PROVISION 03
Sets a deadline of 180 days after enactment for the Secretary of the Army to designate these categorical exclusions and 150 days to issue implementing regulations.
This ensures a relatively swift implementation of the new environmental review policy if the bill becomes law.
Voters should care about this bill because it directly impacts how quickly and efficiently communities can improve their water infrastructure, address flooding, or restore local ecosystems. If this bill becomes law, qualifying water projects could start sooner, potentially saving money by reducing administrative overhead and allowing communities to benefit from improved water systems more rapidly. This could mean faster responses to infrastructure needs, such as updating aging water pipes, protecting against erosion, or enhancing local waterways.
However, if the bill does not pass, these projects would continue to undergo the current, often lengthy, environmental review processes. This might mean longer waiting times for project approval and construction, potentially delaying critical infrastructure improvements. The core debate revolves around balancing the speed of development with the thoroughness of environmental protection. Supporters believe the current process is too slow for smaller projects, while opponents might argue that even small projects can have significant cumulative environmental impacts that warrant full review.
KEY PROVISIONS
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high
Requires the Secretary of the Army to designate certain water resources development projects as "categorically excluded" from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
This provision is significant because it would reduce the time and resources required for environmental assessments for specific projects, aiming to accelerate their implementation.
high
Establishes specific criteria for projects to qualify for categorical exclusion, including being carried out under certain federal programs, having construction performed by a non-Federal sponsor, and meeting specific federal cost thresholds.
These criteria define the scope of projects that can bypass full environmental review, focusing on smaller projects with local involvement.
med
Sets a deadline of 180 days after enactment for the Secretary of the Army to designate these categorical exclusions and 150 days to issue implementing regulations.
This ensures a relatively swift implementation of the new environmental review policy if the bill becomes law.
Secretary of the Army must designate categorical exclusions.
150 days after the date of enactment
Secretary of the Army must promulgate regulations to carry out the designations.
GLOSSARY
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Categorical Exclusion (CE)
A category of actions that a federal agency has determined, based on its experience, does not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and for which, therefore, neither an Environmental Assessment (EA) nor an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required.
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
A foundational U.S. environmental law that requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions before making decisions. This often involves preparing Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements.
Environmental Assessment (EA)
A concise public document that a federal agency prepares under NEPA to determine whether a proposed action has significant environmental impacts and thus requires a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
A detailed written statement required by NEPA for major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, providing a full disclosure of environmental impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures.
Water Resources Development Project
Projects related to the management and development of water resources, often involving flood control, navigation, environmental restoration, water supply, and recreation facilities, typically carried out by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
MAR 17
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
MAR 17
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
A state, local, or tribal government, or other non-federal entity that partners with a federal agency (like the Army Corps of Engineers) to plan, design, fund, and construct a project.
Continuing Authority Program
Specific programs under which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can plan, design, and construct certain types of smaller water resources projects without specific Congressional authorization for each individual project.
