Congressional Record, Senate, August 4, 2021, Page S5861
Summary
A page of the Congressional Record, Senate, dated August 4, 2021, at page S5861, carrying amendment text. Title V, the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for HBCU Excellence Act or the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, would have the Secretary award competitive grants for long-term improvements to the facilities of eligible entities, with application, geographic distribution and technical assistance provisions. Another text changes a proviso on State and Tribal assistance grants so that funds are not subject to the matching or cost share requirements of section 1452(e) of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
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“Congressional Record, Senate, August 4, 2021, Page S5861.”
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August 4, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5861
of assistance agreements with 100 percent TITLE V—IGNITE HBCU EXCELLENCE ACT improve access to high-speed broadband suf-
forgiveness of principal or grants, or any SEC. 15001. SHORT TITLE. ficient to support digital learning in accord-
combination of these:’’. This title may be cited as the ‘‘Institu- ance with section 15003(a)(6); or
In paragraph (2) of the matter under the tional Grants for New Infrastructure, Tech- (B) at which the highest degree that is pre-
heading ‘‘STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE nology, and Education for HBCU Excellence dominantly awarded to students is an associ-
GRANTS’’ under the heading ‘‘ENVIRON- Act’’ or the ‘‘IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act’’. ate’s degree.
MENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’’ in title SEC. 15002. GRANTS FOR THE LONG-TERM IM- (d) GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION.—The Sec-
VI of division J, strike the second and third PROVEMENT OF HBCUS. retary shall ensure that grants under this
provisos and insert ‘‘Provided further, That (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall section are awarded to eligible entities in a
funds provided under this paragraph in this award grants to eligible entities, on a com- manner that reflects the geographic distribu-
Act shall not be subject to the matching or petitive basis, to support long-term improve- tion of such entities in the United States.
ments to the facilities of such entities in ac- (e) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary,
cost share requirements of section 1452(e) of
cordance with this title. directly or by grant or contract, may provide
the Safe Drinking Water Act: Provided fur-
(b) APPLICATION.—To be considered for a technical assistance to eligible entities to
ther, That, notwithstanding the require-
grant under this section, an eligible entity prepare the entities to qualify, apply for, and
ments of section 1452(f) of the Safe Drinking
shall submit an application to the Secretary maintain a grant, under this title.
Water Act, for the funds provided under this (f) RELATIONSHIP TO HBCU CAPITAL FINANC-
paragraph in this Act, each State shall use at such time, in such manner, and con-
taining such information as the Secretary ING PROGRAM.—
not less than 50 percent of the amount of its (1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may take
capitalization grants to provide additional may require, including—
(1) to the extent possible, the information into consideration whether an eligible entity
subsidization to eligible recipients in the has received a loan under a loan agreement
form of assistance agreements with 100 per- necessary for the Secretary to make the de-
terminations under subsection (c); made under part D of title III of the Higher
cent forgiveness of principal or grants, or Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1066 et seq.)
(2) a description of the projects that such
any combination of these:’’. when—
eligible entity plans to carry out with the
In paragraph (3) of the matter under the grant, and how such projects will advance (A) reviewing grant applications under this
heading ‘‘STATE AND TRIBAL ASSISTANCE the long-term goals of the entity; and section;
GRANTS’’ under the heading ‘‘ENVIRON- (3) an explanation of how such projects will (B) determining priority under subsection
MENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY’’ in title reduce risks to the health, welfare, and safe- (c); and
VI of division J, strike the third proviso and ty of students, staff, administrators, faculty, (C) determining the amount awarded for a
insert ‘‘Provided further, That funds provided researchers, and guests at such eligible enti- grant under this title.
under this paragraph in this Act deposited ty. (2) PRIORITY.—With respect to paragraph
into Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (c) PRIORITY.—In awarding grants under (1)(B), the Secretary may—
shall be provided to eligible recipients as as- this section, the Secretary— (A) determine that an eligible entity
sistance agreements with 100 percent prin- (1) shall give priority to eligible entities should not receive priority under subsection
cipal forgiveness or as grants (or a combina- that— (c) if such entity has received a loan under a
tion of these):’’. (A) demonstrate the greatest need to im- loan agreement made under part D of title
prove campus facilities, as determined by a III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
SA 2515. Mr. MERKLEY (for himself comparison of factors identified by the Sec- U.S.C. 1066 et seq.); and
and Ms. MURKOWSKI) submitted an retary, which may include— (B) determine that an eligible entity
amendment intended to be proposed to (i) consideration of threats posed by the should receive higher priority under sub-
proximity of such facilities to toxic sites; section (c) if such entity has not received a
amendment SA 2137 proposed by Mr.
(ii) the vulnerability of such facilities to loan under a loan agreement made under
SCHUMER (for Ms. SINEMA (for herself, natural disasters and environmental risks; part D of title III of the Higher Education
Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. CAS- (iii) the median age of such facilities, in- Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1066 et seq.).
SIDY, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. cluding the facilities that such eligible enti- SEC. 15003. GRANT USES.
TESTER, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. WARNER, ties will use grant funds to improve; (a) PERMITTED USES.—Except as provided
and Mr. ROMNEY)) to the bill H.R. 3684, (iv) the extent to which student enroll- in subsection (b), an eligible entity that re-
to authorize funds for Federal-aid high- ment exceeds physical and instructional ca- ceives a grant under this title shall use such
ways, highway safety programs, and pacity; grant funds to carry out at least one of the
(v) the condition of major systems in such following activities:
transit programs, and for other pur- facilities such as heating, ventilation, air (1) Construct, modernize, renovate, or ret-
poses; which was ordered to lie on the conditioning, electrical, water, and sewer rofit the campus facilities of such entity,
table; as follows: systems; which may include—
On page 2585, line 6, strike ‘‘three’’ and in- (vi) the condition of roofs, windows, and (A) providing for the improvement of exist-
sert ‘‘four’’. doors of such facilities; ing, or the establishment of new, instruc-
On page 2587, line 3, strike ‘‘three’’ and in- (vii) other critical health and safety condi- tional program spaces, laboratories, or re-
sert ‘‘four’’. tions; search facilities relating to fields of science,
On page 2589, line 2, strike ‘‘three’’ and in- (viii) the number and condition of facilities technology, engineering, the arts, mathe-
sert ‘‘four’’. in significant disrepair; and matics, health, agriculture, education, medi-
On page 2590, line 15, strike ‘‘three’’ and in- (ix) the total amount of deferred mainte- cine, law, and other disciplines;
sert ‘‘four’’. nance of such facilities; (B) constructing or improving roads or
(B) demonstrate the most limited capacity other transportation infrastructure on cam-
On page 2592, line 6, strike ‘‘three’’ and in-
to raise funds for the long-term improve- pus, for which the eligible entity is respon-
sert ‘‘four’’.
ment of campus facilities, as determined by sible;
On page 2597, line 4, strike ‘‘three’’ and in-
an assessment of— (C) establishing or improving the use of
sert ‘‘five’’.
(i) the current and historic ability of the campus facilities for the purpose of commu-
On page 2616, line 24, insert ‘‘Federal’’ be- eligible entity to raise funds for construc- nity-based partnerships that provide stu-
fore ‘‘salaries,’’. tion, renovation, modernization, and major dents and community members with aca-
repair projects for campus; demic, health, career, and social services;
SA 2516. Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. (ii) whether the eligible entity has been and
SCOTT of South Carolina, Mr. WARNOCK, able to issue bonds or receive other funds to (D) preserving facilities with historic sig-
Mr. TILLIS, Mr. BOOKER, and Mrs. support school construction projects; and nificance, and facilities that house historic
HYDE-SMITH) submitted an amendment (iii) the bond rating of the eligible entity; or cultural artifacts.
intended to be proposed to amendment (C) enroll the highest percentages of stu- (2) Purchase or modernize vehicle fleets
SA 2137 proposed by Mr. SCHUMER (for dents who are eligible to receive a Federal owned and operated by such entity that are
Pell Grant under subpart 1 of part A of title used primarily for the purpose of facilitating
Ms. SINEMA (for herself, Mr. PORTMAN, IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 campus accessibility and student academic
Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. CASSIDY, Mrs. SHA- U.S.C. 1070a et seq.), and whose families activities.
HEEN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. TESTER, Ms. qualify for other Federal need-based aid; (3) Carry out major repairs to the facilities
MURKOWSKI, Mr. WARNER, and Mr. ROM- (D) are public institutions facing declining or other physical plants of such entity, in-
NEY)) to the bill H.R. 3684, to authorize State support or investment; or cluding deferred maintenance projects.
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funds for Federal-aid highways, high- (E) demonstrate an effort to seek support (4) Acquire and install academic and resi-
way safety programs, and transit pro- from public and private entities for projects dential furniture, fixtures, and instructional
grams, and for other purposes; which carried out with a grant awarded under this research-related equipment and technology
title; and in the campus facilities of such entity.
was ordered to lie on the table; as fol- (2) may give priority to eligible entities— (5) For the purpose of facilitating the con-
lows: (A) that lack access to high-speed struction of new campus facilities funded
At the end of division A, add the following: broadband and will use the grant funds to with a grant under this title—
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S5862 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE August 4, 2021
(A) purchase or otherwise acquire title to works Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1608)) that poses (i) indoor air quality;
land to serve as a permanent site for such fa- a risk to national security. (ii) the presence of hazardous and toxic
cilities; and (c) SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.—An eligi- substances and chemicals on or near such fa-
(B) to the extent that other public or pri- ble entity shall use a grant received under cilities;
vate funds are insufficient— this title only to supplement the level of (iii) the safety of drinking water at the tap
(i) prepare land for the construction of Federal, State, and local public funds that and water used for meal preparation, includ-
such facilities; and would, in the absence of such grant, be made ing the level of lead and other contaminants
(ii) pay other preconstruction costs relat- available for the activities supported by the in such water;
ing to the development of such facilities. grant, and not to supplant such funds. (iv) energy and water efficiency;
(6) Install or extend the life and usability (d) ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIPS.—The Sec- (v) excessive noise in academic spaces; and
of basic systems and components of campus retary shall encourage partnerships between (vi) other health, safety, and environ-
facilities, which may include— eligible entities and public and private enti- mental conditions that would impact the
ties to—
(A) high-speed broadband internet infra- health, safety, and learning ability of stu-
(1) provide additional funding; and
structure sufficient to support digital and dents;
(2) assist in carrying out the activities
technology-based learning; (D) the actual and anticipated impact of
under this title.
(B) high-capacity, middle-mile broadband current and future student enrollment levels
SEC. 15004. REQUIREMENTS FOR HAZARD-RESIST-
networks, and campus-wide broadband net- ANCE AND ENERGY AND WATER
(as of the date of application) on the design
works, including 5G and future network gen- CONSERVATION. of current and future campus facilities, as
erations; An eligible entity that receives a grant well as the financial implications of such en-
(C) fiber, cyber, and telecommunications under this title shall ensure that any new rollment levels;
infrastructure, including small cells; construction, modernization, or renovation (E) the dollar amount and percentage of
(D) heating, ventilation, and air condi- project carried out with such grant funds funds such entity will dedicate to capital
tioning (HVAC) or other indoor air quality meets or exceeds the following requirements: construction projects, including—
systems; (1) Requirements for such projects set (i) any funds in the budget of such entity
(E) support for last-mile service for rural forth in the most recent published edition of that will be dedicated to such projects; and
campuses when other means of providing a nationally recognized, consensus-based (ii) any funds not in such budget that will
this support is unavailable; and model building code. be dedicated to such projects, including any
(F) other infrastructure to support the suc- (2) Requirements for such projects set funds available to the eligibility entity as
cess of operations and other digital and tech- forth in the most recent published edition of the result of a bond issue or the Historically
nology needs. a nationally recognized, consensus-based Black College and University Capital Fi-
(7) Strengthen the safety and security of model energy conservation code. nancing Program under part D of title III of
the campus of such entity by improving or (3) Performance criteria under the the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
utilizing design elements, principles, and WaterSense program, established under sec- 1066 et seq.); and
technology that— tion 324B of the of the Energy Policy and (F) the dollar amount and percentage of
(A) guarantee layers of security through- Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6294b), applicable funds such entity will dedicate to the main-
out the such campus; and to such projects within a nationally recog- tenance and operation of campus facilities,
(B) uphold the function of such campus as nized, consensus-based model code. including—
a learning and teaching environment. SEC. 15005. USE OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS. (i) any funds in the budget of such entity
(8) Reduce current or anticipated over- In carrying out projects funded with a that will be dedicated to the maintenance
crowding in the campus facilities. grant under this title, an eligible entity and operation of such facilities; and
(9) Ensure that the building envelopes of shall seek to procure contracts from small (ii) any funds not in the budget of such en-
the campus facilities— business concerns owned and controlled by tity that will be dedicated to the mainte-
(A) protect occupants and interiors of such veterans (including service-disabled vet- nance and operation of such facilities.
facilities from natural elements; and erans), qualified HUBZone small business (3) CONSULTATION.—In developing the fa-
(B) are structurally sound and secure. concerns, small business concerns owned and cilities master plan, the eligible entity dem-
(10) Improve energy and water efficiency to controlled by socially and economically dis- onstrate that it conducted meaningful con-
lower the costs of energy and water con- advantaged individuals, and small business sultation with diverse stakeholders, which
sumption in campus facilities. concerns owned and controlled by women. may include—
(11) With respect to campus facilities, re- SEC. 15006. RESERVATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE (A) staff and other institutional leaders;
duce or eliminate the presence of— AND OTHER ACTIVITIES. (B) custodial and maintenance staff;
(A) toxins and chemicals, including mer- (a) RESERVATION.—An eligible entity that (C) emergency first responders;
cury, radon, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, receives a grant under this title may reserve (D) campus facilities directors;
and asbestos; a total of not more than five percent of the (E) students and families;
(B) mold and mildew; amount of such grant to— (F) community residents, including those
(C) rodents and pests; or (1) develop the facilities master plan re- directly affected by actions undertaken as a
(D) biological, radiological, and other quired under subsection (b); result of utilizing grant funds;
waste related to research. (2) carry out activities to— (G) government entities;
(12) Ensure the safety of drinking water at (A) protect the health of students, staff, (H) local charitable foundations;
the tap and water used for meal preparation administrators, faculty, researchers, and (I) local employers;
in campus facilities, which may include test- guests during the construction or moderniza- (J) Indian Tribes, as applicable; and
ing of the potability of water at the tap for tion of the campus facilities of such entity; (K) other such individuals and entities.
the presence of lead and other contaminants. and
(B) mitigate excessive noise caused by ac- SEC. 15007. HBCU CAPITAL FINANCING LOAN DIS-
(13) Bring campus facilities into compli- BURSEMENT AND FORGIVENESS.
tivities carried out under this title;
ance with applicable fire, health, and safety
(3) pay personnel to carry out administra- (a) IN GENERAL.—Each time an institution
codes and regulations.
tive work relating to the grant program; and of higher education receives a disbursement
(14) Make existing campus facilities acces-
(4) pay other reasonable administrative of a loan amount under a covered closed loan
sible to individuals with disabilities through
costs associated with the grant program. agreement, the Secretary shall repay—
compliance with— (b) FACILITIES MASTER PLAN.—
(A) the Americans with Disabilities Act of (1) the outstanding balance of principal, in-
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days
1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.); and terest, fees, and costs on such loan amount
after receiving a grant under this title, an el-
(B) section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of (as of the date of such disbursement) under
igible entity shall submit to the Secretary a
1973 (29 U.S.C. 794). the covered closed loan agreement; and
comprehensive 10-year facilities master plan.
(b) PROHIBITED USES.—An eligible entity (2) any reimbursement (including reim-
(2) ELEMENTS.—The facilities master plan
that receives a grant under this title may bursements of escrow and return of fees and
required under paragraph (1) shall include,
not use such grant funds for— deposits) relating to the covered closed loan
with respect to the eligible entity submit-
(1) payment of routine and predictable ting such plan, a description of— agreement that are usual and customary
maintenance costs, minor repairs, and util- (A) the extent to which the campus facili- when the loan is paid off by the institution.
ity bills; ties— (b) COVERED CLOSED LOAN AGREEMENT.—In
(2) any facility that is— (i) meet the educational needs of students; this section, the term ‘‘covered closed loan
(A) primarily used for athletic contests or and agreement’’ means each of the following:
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exhibitions or other events for which admis- (ii) support the educational mission and vi- (1) A closed loan agreement—
sion is charged to the general public; sion of such entity; (A) executed before the date of enactment
(B) primarily used for or associated with (B) the physical condition of the campus of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
sectarian instruction or religious worship; or facilities; (Public Law 116–260);
(3) the purchase or support of any commu- (C) the current health, safety, and environ- (B) made under part D of title III of the
nications equipment or service (as defined in mental conditions of the campus facilities, Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1066
section 9 of the Secure and Trusted Net- including— et seq.); and
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August 4, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S5863
(C) that provides for loan amounts that (A) a part B institution, as such term is de- use is compatible with the management sta-
have not been disbursed as of the date of en- fined in section 322(2) of the Higher Edu- tus of the road or trail;
actment of the Consolidated Appropriations cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)); or ‘‘(6) decommission temporary roads—
Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260). (B) a Historically Black Graduate Profes- ‘‘(A) that were constructed before the date
(2) A closed loan agreement— sional School identified in section 326(e) of of enactment of this section—
(A) authorized under section 3512 of the such Act (20 U.S.C. 1063b(e)). ‘‘(i) for emergency operations; or
CARES Act (20 U.S.C. 1001 note); and (2) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ ‘‘(ii) to facilitate a resource extraction
(B) made for the deferment of balances means the Secretary of Education. project;
that have not been disbursed as of the date (3) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ has the ‘‘(B) that were designated as a temporary
of enactment of the Consolidated Appropria- meaning given such term in section 103 of road by the Secretary; and
tions Act, 2021 (Public Law 116–260). the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. ‘‘(C)(i) in violation of section 10(b) of the
SEC. 15008. REPORTS. 1003). Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources
(a) DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION REPORT.— SEC. 15010. EFFECTIVE DATE. Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1608(b)), on
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 2 years This title shall take effect on the date of which vegetation cover has not been reestab-
after the date of the enactment of this title, enactment of this Act. lished; or
and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall SEC. 15011. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA- ‘‘(ii) that have not been fully decommis-
submit to the appropriate congressional TIONS. sioned; and
committees a report on the projects carried There are authorized to be appropriated ‘‘(7) carry out projects on National Forest
out with grant funds awarded under this such sums as may be necessary to carry out System roads, trails, and bridges to improve
title. this title for each of fiscal years 2022 through resilience to extreme weather events, flood-
(2) ELEMENTS.—The report required under 2027. ing, or other natural disasters.
paragraph (1) shall include— --- ‘‘(c) PROJECT SELECTION.—
(A) with respect to projects carried out by SA 2517. Mr. LEE submitted an ‘‘(1) PROJECT ELIGIBILITY.—
eligible entities with grant funds awarded amendment intended to be proposed to ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may only
under this title, an assessment of— fund under the Program a project described
amendment SA 2137 proposed by Mr.
(i) the types of such projects; in paragraph (2) or (3) of subsection (b) if the
(ii) the square footage of the improvements
SCHUMER (for Ms. SINEMA (for herself, Secretary previously and separately—
made by such projects, disaggregated by— Mr. PORTMAN, Mr. MANCHIN, Mr. CAS- ‘‘(i) solicited public comment for changing
(I) total square footage; and SIDY, Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. the management status of the applicable Na-
(II) square footage per each eligible entity; TESTER, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. WARNER, tional Forest System road or trail—
(iii) the total cost of each such project; and Mr. ROMNEY)) to the bill H.R. 3684, ‘‘(I) to close the road or trail to access; and
(iv) the cost described in clause (iii), to authorize funds for Federal-aid high- ‘‘(II) to minimize impacts to natural re-
disaggregated by the cost of— ways, highway safety programs, and sources; and
(I) planning; ‘‘(ii) has closed the road or trail to access
transit programs, and for other pur-
(II) design; as described in clause (i)(I).
(III) construction;
poses; which was ordered to lie on the ‘‘(B) REQUIREMENT.—Each project carried
(IV) site purchase; and table; as follows: out under the Program shall be on a Na-
(V) improvements; Strike section 40801 of division D and in- tional Forest System road or trail, except
(v) the geographic distribution of such sert the following: with respect to a project carried out on a wa-
projects; and SEC. 40801. FOREST SERVICE LEGACY ROAD AND tershed for which the Secretary has entered
(vi) the demographic composition of the TRAIL REMEDIATION PROGRAM. into a cooperative agreement under section
student population served by such projects, (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Public Law 88–657 (16 323 of the Department of the Interior and Re-
disaggregated by— U.S.C. 532 et seq.) (commonly known as the lated Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (16
(I) race and ethnicity; and ‘‘Forest Roads and Trails Act’’) is amended U.S.C. 1011a).
(II) the number and percentage of students by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(2) ANNUAL SELECTION OF PROJECTS FOR
enrolled at such entities who are eligible to ‘‘SEC. 8. FOREST SERVICE LEGACY ROAD AND FUNDING.—The Secretary shall—
receive a Federal Pell Grant under subpart 1 TRAIL REMEDIATION PROGRAM. ‘‘(A) establish a process for annually se-
of part A of title IV of the Higher Education ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall lecting projects for funding under the Pro-
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.); establish the Forest Service Legacy Road gram, consistent with the requirements of
(B) an evaluation of a sample of grant re- and Trail Remediation Program (referred to this section;
cipients, selected by the Secretary taking in this section as the ‘Program’). ‘‘(B) solicit and consider public input re-
into account size and geographic location of ‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—In carrying out the Pro- gionally in the ranking of projects for fund-
each grantee, to determine how such recipi- gram, the Secretary shall, taking into ac- ing under the Program;
ents are using the grant and the effective- count foreseeable changes in weather and hy- ‘‘(C) give priority for funding under the
ness of the activities carried out with the drology— Program to projects that would—
grant; and ‘‘(1) restore passages for fish and other ‘‘(i) protect or improve water quality in
(C) an analysis of compliance with the re- aquatic species by— public drinking water source areas;
quirement in section 15003(c). ‘‘(A) improving, repairing, or replacing cul- ‘‘(ii) restore the habitat of a threatened,
(b) COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY RE- verts and other infrastructure; and endangered, or sensitive fish or wildlife spe-
PORT.— ‘‘(B) removing barriers, as the Secretary cies; or
(1) STUDY REQUIRED.—Not later than 4 determines appropriate, from the passages; ‘‘(iii) maintain future access to the adja-
years after the date of enactment of this ‘‘(2) prepare previously closed National cent area for the public, contractors, permit-
Act, the Comptroller General of the United Forest System roads for long-term storage, tees, or firefighters; and
States shall conduct a study on the imple- in accordance with subsections (c)(1) and (d), ‘‘(D) publish on the website of the Forest
mentation of the grant program under this in a manner that— Service—
title. ‘‘(A) prevents motor vehicle use, as appro- ‘‘(i) the selection process established under
(2) ELEMENTS.—The study conducted under priate to conform to route designations; subparagraph (A); and
paragraph (1) shall include— ‘‘(B) prevents the roads from damaging ad- ‘‘(ii) a list that includes a description and
(A) an examination of program implemen- jacent resources, including aquatic and wild- the proposed outcome of each project funded
tation challenges; and life resources; under the Program in each fiscal year.
(B) an assessment of whether any changes ‘‘(C) reduces or eliminates the need for ‘‘(d) IMPLEMENTATION.—In implementing
are needed to make grants under this title road maintenance; and the Program, the Secretary shall ensure
more accessible to eligible entities with fis- ‘‘(D) preserves the roads for future use; that—
cal challenges to help them raise capital for ‘‘(3) decommission previously closed Na- ‘‘(1) the system of roads and trails on the
infrastructure projects. tional Forest System roads and trails in ac- applicable unit of the National Forest Sys-
(3) REPORT.—After the completion of the cordance with subsections (c)(1) and (d); tem—
study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller ‘‘(4) relocate National Forest System roads ‘‘(A) is adequate to meet any increasing de-
General shall submit to the appropriate con- and trails— mands for timber, recreation, and other uses;
gressional committees a report on the re- ‘‘(A) to increase resilience to extreme ‘‘(B) provides for intensive use, protection,
sults of the study, including any rec- weather events, flooding, and other natural development, and management of the land
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ommendations to the Secretary for improve- disasters; and under principles of multiple use and sus-
ments to the implementation of the grant ‘‘(B) to respond to changing resource con- tained yield of products and services;
program under this title. ditions and public input; ‘‘(C) does not damage, degrade, or impair
SEC. 15009. DEFINITIONS. ‘‘(5) convert National Forest System roads adjacent resources, including aquatic and
In this title: to National Forest System trails, while al- wildlife resources, to the extent practicable;
(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘‘eligible lowing for continued use for motorized and ‘‘(D) reflects long-term funding expecta-
entity’’ means— nonmotorized recreation, to the extent the tions; and
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