To promote recreation on Federal lakes, to require Federal agencies responsible for managing Federal lakes to pursue strategies for enhancing recreational experiences of the public, and for other purposes.

To promote recreation on Federal lakes, to require Federal agencies responsible for managing Federal lakes to pursue strategies for enhancing recreational experiences of the public, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001'.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.

(a) FINDINGS- Congress finds that--

(1) recreation is an authorized purpose at almost all Federal lakes;

(2) lakes created by Federal dam projects have become powerful magnets for diverse recreation activities, drawing hundreds of millions of visits annually and generating tens of billions of dollars in economic benefits;

(3) recreational opportunities are provided at such lakes, on surrounding land, and on downstream tailwaters by Federal agencies and through partnerships among Federal, State, and local government agencies and private persons; and

(4) the quality of recreational opportunities at and around Federal lakes depends on clean air and water and attractive viewsheds.

(b) PURPOSES- The purposes of this Act are--

(1) to require Federal agencies responsible for management of lakes created by Federal dam projects to pursue strategies for enhancing recreational experiences at the lakes; and

(2) to direct Federal agencies to investigate the possibilities for the use of, and to use, creative management of the project lakes that optimizes both recreational opportunities and other purposes of the project lakes, including--

(A) provision of agricultural and municipal water supplies;

(B) provision of flood control and navigation benefits;

(C) production of hydroelectric power; and

(D) protection of water quality.

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) COUNCIL- The term `Council' means the Federal Lakes Recreation Leadership Council established by section 5.

(2) NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKE- The term `national recreation demonstration lake' means a project lake that is designated as a national recreation demonstration lake under section 4.

(3) PARTICIPATING AGENCY- The term `participating agency' means--

(A) the Bureau of Indian Affairs;

(B) the Bureau of Land Management;

(C) the Bureau of Reclamation;

(D) the National Park Service;

(E) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

(F) the Forest Service;

(G) the Army Corps of Engineers;

(H) the Tennessee Valley Authority; and

(I) any other project lake management agency that participates in the Program at the request of the Council.

(4) PROGRAM- The term `Program' means the national recreation lakes demonstration program established by section 4.

(5) PROJECT LAKE- The term `project lake' means an impoundment of water that--

(A) is part of a water resources project operated, maintained, or constructed by or with the participation of any Federal agency;

(B) has a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre feet or more; and

(C) includes recreation as an authorized purpose.

(6) PROJECT LAKE MANAGEMENT AGENCY- The term `project lake management agency' means a Federal agency that manages a project lake.

(7) RECREATION-

(A) IN GENERAL- The term `recreation' means--

(i) a water-related recreational activity that takes place on, adjacent to, or in a project lake or tailwater; and

(ii) a recreational activity or wildlife-related activity that takes place on federally managed land in the vicinity of a project lake that is permitted under a land management plan in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.

(B) INCLUSIONS- The term `recreation' includes--

(i) boating (including power boating, sailing, rafting, kayaking, and canoeing), diving, swimming, camping, trail-based activities, and picnicking; and

(ii) fishing and other wildlife-related activities.

SEC. 4. NATIONAL RECREATION LAKES DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established the National Recreation Lakes Demonstration Program consisting of the 25 national recreation demonstration lakes to be established under this Act.

(b) CRITERIA-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Council shall develop and establish criteria for use in selecting project lakes managed by participating agencies for designation as national recreation demonstration lakes.

(2) REQUIREMENTS- The criteria shall--

(A) include lake size, diversity of current and potential recreational uses, opportunities for partnerships with private and public entities, and present and projected regional recreation demand; and

(B) require a strong showing of local support from the area of the lake, including support from State and local governments, private citizens, and businesses.

(3) CONSULTATION- In developing the criteria, the Council shall consult with participating agencies to encourage the nomination of project lakes for the Program so as to include project lakes in all regions of the country and project lakes that will provide a variety of recreational experiences.

(c) NOMINATION OF NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKES- A participating agency or an interest group located in the immediate vicinity of a project lake may nominate the project lake to become a national recreation demonstration lake by submitting to the Council a nomination in accordance with such procedures as the Council may establish.

(d) DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKES-

(1) IN GENERAL- On receiving the nominations from participating agencies and local interest groups, the Council shall designate 25 project lakes to be national recreation demonstration lakes.

(2) SELECTION CRITERIA- In selecting project lakes for designation as national recreation demonstration lakes, the Council shall endeavor to include project lakes in all regions of the country and project lakes that will provide a variety of recreational experiences.

(3) EFFECTIVE PERIOD- A designation of a project lake as a national recreation demonstration lake shall be effective for a period not to exceed 10 years.

(e) AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES AT NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKES-

(1) ENHANCEMENT OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES- Each participating agency shall use authorities under this Act to enhance opportunities for recreation activities on, in, and in the vicinity of national recreation demonstration lakes.

(2) NEW AUTHORITIES- In accordance with the Act of October 22, 1986 (16 U.S.C. 497b) and the Act of November 13, 1998 (16 U.S.C. 5951 et seq.), the head of any participating agency except the National Park Service may conduct any activity to experiment with permits, fees, concession agreements, and innovative management structures at a national recreation demonstration lake under the jurisdiction of the participating agency.

(3) ASSISTANCE TO UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE VICINITY OF A NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKE- The head of any participating agency that manages a national recreation demonstration lake may carry out activities (including planning and marketing activities, the establishment of advisory boards, and other activities) to improve communications and cooperation between the agency and local community interests in the vicinity of the lake with respect to management of the national recreation demonstration lake.

(f) LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES-

(1) ESTABLISHMENT- Under guidelines developed by the Council, the head of a participating agency shall establish, for each national recreation demonstration lake managed by the agency, a local advisory committee comprised of State and local government and private sector representatives.

(2) DUTIES- The duties of a local advisory committee shall be to recommend and coordinate with project lake managers on projects proposed to be completed by the participating agency under the Program.

(3) OTHER AUTHORITIES AND REQUIREMENTS-

(A) MEETINGS- All meetings of a local advisory committee shall be announced at least 1 week in advance in a local newspaper of record and shall be open to the public.

(B) RECORDS- A local advisory committee shall maintain records of the meetings of the committee and make the records available for public inspection.

(C) COMPENSATION- Members of a local advisory committee shall not receive any compensation.

(D) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT- The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to a local advisory committee established under paragraph (1).

SEC. 5. FEDERAL LAKES RECREATION LEADERSHIP COUNCIL.

(a) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established a council to be known as the `Federal Lakes Recreation Leadership Council' as contemplated by the memorandum of agreement among the Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of the Army, and Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority dated October 27, 1999.

(b) MEMBERSHIP- The Council shall be composed of--

(1) the Secretary of the Interior (or designee), who shall serve as the Chairperson of the Council;

(2) the Secretary of the Army (or designee);

(3) the Secretary of Agriculture (or designee);

(4) the Director of the Tennessee Valley Authority (or designee);

(5) a representative of the recreation industry, appointed by the President;

(6) a representative of the National Association of State Park Directors, appointed by the President; and

(7) a director of a State Fish and Wildlife Agency, appointed by the President.

(c) TERMS; VACANCIES-

(1) TERMS-

(A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided under subparagraph (B), a member shall be appointed for the life of the Council.

(B) PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEE- A member of the Council appointed under paragraph (5), (6), or (7) of subsection (b) shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.

(2) VACANCIES- A vacancy on the Council--

(A) shall not affect the powers of the Council; and

(B) shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.

(d) PURPOSE- The purpose of the Council shall be to--

(1) increase the awareness of the social and economic values associated with project lake recreation among project lake management agencies and other stakeholders with an interest in recreation at project lakes;

(2) develop policies that provide an environment for success that emphasizes the role of recreation at project lakes;

(3) protect and manage recreation and other resources to optimize all resource benefits; and

(4) promote a process that will involve Federal, State, tribal, and local units of government and field managers in the planning, development, and management of recreation uses at project lakes.

(e) DUTIES- The Council shall--

(1)(A) work to implement the goals and recommendations of the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission as detailed in the Commission's 1999 report entitled `Reservoirs of Opportunity'; and

(B) use the report as a guide for all Council actions;

(2) solicit each project lake management agency to become a participating agency;

(3) respond to requests for assistance from Members of Congress in drafting legislation, including new authorization and funding requirements, to best achieve the purposes of this Act;

(4) promote collaboration among agencies to provide training opportunities, interagency development assignments, and regular lake manager meetings;

(5) promote the development and consistency of--

(A) data collection at project lakes, including--

(i) making scientific assessments of watershed and natural resource conditions; and

(ii) making assessments of customer facility and infrastructure needs; and

(B) required maintenance schedules;

(6) promote agency policies that encourage construction, operation, and maintenance of high quality visitor and recreational services and facilities by concessioners and permittees at project lakes, including adequate opportunities for profitability and recovery of capital investments;

(7) develop consistent guidance to encourage construction, operation, and maintenance of commercial recreation facilities and other visitor amenities at project lakes;

(8) recognize and reward innovation and collaboration at project lakes;

(9) develop public information materials to identify the type and location of recreation facilities and programs at project lakes;

(10) promote cooperation and share new approaches from Federal and State managing agencies, Indian tribes, and the private sector to embrace a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship;

(11) develop training courses on business skills to close the recreation needs gap;

(12) support annual regional workshops with State, tribal, local, and private sector participants to seek feedback and assistance in achieving the goals of the Program;

(13) develop and establish an application and selection process to implement the Program;

(14) develop guidelines for the formation of local advisory committees to be established by project lake management agencies managing national recreation demonstration lakes; and

(15) develop and administer a competitive grant program for distributing available funds among national recreation demonstration lakes for purposes described in this Act under which--

(A) the total number of lakes improved under the program shall not exceed 25 lakes; and

(B) grants are provided in a manner that, to the maximum extent practicable, reflects the geographical diversity of the United States.

(f) PRINCIPLES- In all its actions and recommendations, the Council shall consider the following principles:

(1) WATERSHED HEALTH- The health of the watersheds associated with project lakes must be protected.

(2) NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES- Neighboring communities should be encouraged to participate in planning the recreation needs and other uses of project lakes to help to diversify the economic base of the community and promote sustainable practices to protect resources.

(3) FEDERAL RESPONSIBILITIES- Federal responsibilities to enhance recreation at project lakes while operating projects to optimize water use for all beneficial purposes should be reaffirmed.

(4) MANAGEMENT FLEXIBILITY- Management flexibility should be increased and support for management innovation should be demonstrated.

(5) SUPPORT- Public and private support should be attracted to provide public outdoor recreation activities at project lakes.

(g) TERMINATION- The Council shall terminate 15 years after the date that funds are first made available for this section.

(h) FACA- The Council shall be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).

SEC. 6. PERIODIC REVIEW AND REVISION OF OPERATING POLICIES FOR PROJECT LAKES.

(a) REPORTS-

(1) PROJECT LAKE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES- Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the head of each project lake management agency shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Council a report that describes--

(A) actions taken by the agency to communicate to personnel of the agency the requirements of this Act and other laws relating to recreation use of project lakes; and

(B) actions to be taken by the agency to expand recreation opportunities at project lakes, including a schedule for taking the actions.

(2) COUNCIL- Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives a report describing actions taken by participating agencies to expand recreation opportunities at project lakes.

(3) PARTICIPATING AGENCIES-

(A) PERIODIC REPORTS- The head of each participating agency shall periodically report to the Council regarding activities of the participating agency under this section.

(B) COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW- Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act and at least once every 15 years thereafter, the head of each participating agency shall conduct a comprehensive review of operating policies for project lakes managed by the agency that describes--

(i) the actions taken by the agency to communicate to personnel of the agency the requirements of this Act and other laws relating to recreation use of project lakes; and

(ii) the actions to be taken by the agency to expand recreation opportunities at project lakes, including a schedule for taking the actions.

(b) POLICIES-

(1) IN GENERAL- The head of each project lake management agency shall--

(A) revise the policies of the agency as necessary to incorporate new information and ensure coordinated management of project lakes to produce high levels of benefits for recreation and all authorized purposes and designated uses of project lakes; and

(B) where recreation is consistent with the project lake purposes and designated uses of project lands and waters, give recreation appropriate attention in all agency decisions and policies relating to the project lake.

(2) TAILWATERS- In conducting any activity relating to the tailwater of a project lake, the head of a project lake management agency shall--

(A) investigate ways to consider recreational uses dependent on water release schedules and release volumes;

(B) consider release schedules to enhance such opportunities and uses of the tailwater; and

(C) appropriately balance all of the purposes of the project.

SEC. 7. RECREATION FEE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

Section 315 of the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (16 U.S.C. 460l-6a note; Public Law 104-134), is amended--

(1) in subsection (a)--

(A) by inserting `, the Bureau of Reclamation,' after `the National Park Service';

(B) by striking `Service) and' and inserting `Service),'; and

(C) by inserting before `shall each' the following: `, and the Secretary of the Army (acting through the Corps of Engineers)';

(2) in subsection (b), by striking `four agencies' and inserting `6 agencies'; and

(3) in subsection (e)--

(A) by striking `and' and inserting a comma; and

(B) by inserting `, and the Secretary of the Army' before `shall carry out'.

SEC. 8. USE OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT FUNDING FOR MATCHING REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATION PROJECTS AT NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKES.

(a) FEDERAL WATER PROJECT RECREATION ACT- The Federal Water Project Recreation Act is amended--

(1) in section 2 (16 U.S.C. 460l-13)--

(A) in subsection (a), by striking `it and to bear' and all that follows through `recreation,' and inserting `the project,'; and

(B) in subsection (b)--

(i) by striking `recreation and'; and

(ii) by striking `recreation or';

(2) in section 3 (16 U.S.C. 460l-14)--

(A) in subsection (b)(1), by striking `it and will bear' the first place it appears and all that follows through `recreation,' and inserting `the project,'; and

(B) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2); and

(3) in section 4 (16 U.S.C. 460l-15), by striking `recreation and' and all that follows through `those purposes' and inserting `fish and wildlife purposes'.

(b) FEDERAL AID IN FISH RESTORATION ACT- The Act of August 9, 1950 (16 U.S.C. 777 et seq.) is amended

`SEC. 13. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT SPENDING TO NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF COVERED RECREATION PROJECTS.

`(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section:

`(1) COVERED RECREATION PROJECT- The term `covered recreation project' means construction or reconstruction of a facility for recreation at a national recreation demonstration lake that is carried out with assistance under this Act.

`(2) NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKE- The term `national recreation demonstration lake' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.

`(3) RECREATION- The term `recreation' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.

`(b) TREATMENT OF USE OF AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR A FEDERAL WATER PROJECT- The use for any covered recreation project of amounts appropriated for a Federal water project shall be treated as payment of the non-Federal share of costs required under this Act.'.

(c) FEDERAL AID IN WILDLIFE RESTORATION ACT- The Act of September 2, 1937 (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.) is amended--

(1) by redesignating section 10 as section 11; and

(2) by inserting after section 9 the following:

`SEC. 10. APPLICATION OF FEDERAL WATER PROJECT SPENDING TO NON-FEDERAL SHARE OF RECREATION PROJECTS.

`(a) DEFINITIONS- In this section:

`(1) COVERED RECREATION PROJECT- The term `covered recreation project' means construction or reconstruction of a facility for recreation at a national recreation demonstration lake that is carried out with assistance under this Act.

`(2) NATIONAL RECREATION DEMONSTRATION LAKE- The term `national recreation demonstration lake' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.

`(3) RECREATION- The term `recreation' has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the National Recreation Lakes Act of 2001.

`(b) TREATMENT OF USE OF AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR A FEDERAL WATER PROJECT- The use for any covered recreation project of amounts appropriated for a Federal water project shall be treated as payment of the non-Federal share of costs required under this Act.'.

SEC. 9. COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF RECREATION FACILITY.

(a) ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED- The head of each project lake management agency may provide financial assistance to a State or local agency to cover a portion of the total costs incurred for the reconstruction of a recreation facility operated under an agreement with the State or local agency at a project lake.

(b) COSTS INCLUDED- The total costs of reconstruction of a recreation facility at a national demonstration lake include the costs associated with all components of the reconstruction project, including--

(1) project administration;

(2) the provision of technical assistance; and

(3) contracting and construction costs.

(c) LIMITATION- Assistance provided under subsection (a) shall not be used for costs incurred in maintaining or operating the recreation facility.

SEC. 10. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.

This Act does not affect--

(1) the purposes of any project lake authorized before the date of enactment of this Act;

(2) the authority of any State to manage fish and wildlife; or

(3) the authority of any State or the Federal Government to enter into any agreement relating to a project lake.

SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) IN GENERAL- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006, to remain available until expended.

(b) ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS- Not more than 5 percent of the funds made available under subsection (a) may be used to pay administrative costs incurred by the Secretary of the Interior in coordinating the activities of the Council and participating agencies under this Act.