MRRRI Act

Bill Summary: Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act

Bill Number: HR 2977 | Session: 119 | Jurisdiction: United States

Overview

The Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) Act is a legislative proposal designed to protect and restore the ecological health and resilience of the Mississippi River and its floodplain. The Act establishes a non-regulatory framework to coordinate large-scale restoration efforts across federal, state, tribal, and local levels to benefit both the environment and the communities that rely on the river system.

Main Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of the MRRRI Act is to address systemic ecological degradation within the Mississippi River Corridor. It aims to improve water quality, enhance community resilience against floods and storms, protect wildlife habitats, and combat the spread of invasive species.

Key Provisions

1. Governance and Administration

• National Program Office: The bill mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Mississippi River National Program Office, which must be located within a "Mississippi River State."
• MRRRI Director: An appointed Director will oversee the initiative, coordinate federal agency actions, and manage the development of actionable goals and a formal action plan.
• Tribal Coordination: The Act requires the appointment of a Tribal Liaison to ensure that Tribal governments and organizations are integrated into the planning and implementation process.

2. Focus Areas for Restoration

Projects funded under the MRRRI must address at least one of the following:
* Water Quality: Reducing polluted runoff, agricultural nutrients, and sediment.
* Community Resilience: Restoring wetlands and floodplains to mitigate flood and storm risks.
* Habitat Protection: Restoring fish and wildlife habitats.
* Invasive Species: Preventing and managing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
* Research & Data: Monitoring and evaluating scientific data related to the above areas.

3. Eligible Activities and Grants

The bill authorizes funding for a wide range of activities, including:
* Restoring hydrologic functions (e.g., reconnecting side channels).
* Removing or modifying dams, levees, and culverts.
* Acquiring conservation easements on private lands.
* Relocating or demolishing flood-prone structures.
* Implementing voluntary agricultural initiatives to increase soil cover and reduce pollution.
* Grant Authority: Funds can be awarded to states, local governments, tribal entities, nonprofits, and universities.

4. Scientific Research and Planning

• Research Centers: The Secretary of the Interior will establish three Mississippi River Corridor Research Centers via the USGS: one national center and two regional centers (Upper and Lower Mississippi).
• Science Plan: The USGS will host a science forum to identify data gaps and develop a comprehensive science plan to guide restoration efforts.

Impact and Affected Parties

Who is affected?

• Mississippi River States: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
• Tribal Nations: Direct engagement via a Tribal Liaison and a mandatory 5% minimum funding set-aside for projects managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Environmental Agencies: The EPA, USGS, USDA (Forest Service/NRCS), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will see increased coordination and reporting requirements.
• Local Communities: Residents in flood-prone areas may benefit from enhanced resilience projects and job training in restoration.

Funding Mechanics

• Cost Sharing: Generally, the federal government will cover up to 80% of project costs, with non-federal entities providing the remainder (including in-kind contributions).
• Tribal Exception: Projects carried out by Tribal governments or those focused on community capacity building are eligible for 100% federal funding.
• Budgeting: The MRRRI will be listed as a separate line item in the EPA's annual budget submission to Congress.

Timeline and Procedural Aspects

• Goal Setting: Actionable goals must be developed within 1 year of enactment.
• Action Plan: A comprehensive action plan must be developed within 2 years of enactment.
• Science Forum: The USGS must host a science forum within 1 year, with a science plan following within 2 years.
• Reviews: Both the action plan and the science plan must be reviewed and updated at least every 5 years.