HR7560-119

What This Bill Does

This bill updates the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The Steering Committee and EPA Administrator must jointly select a qualified fiscal agent, assess effectiveness as soon as practicable and at least every five years, incorporate stakeholder feedback, and report to Senate and House committees within 90 days after assessments. Once selected, the fiscal agent receives noncompetitive funding until a new fiscal agent is chosen; if a new one is selected, EPA may de-obligate and re-obligate unobligated or unexpended funds while trying to preserve program staff, programming, awards, and administrative functions. A new fiscal agent should be headquartered in the Lake Champlain drainage basin, or failing that in New York or Vermont, or failing that maintain significant decisionmaking staff in the basin. Fiscal-agent duties may include payroll, bill payment, funding agreements, and fiduciary support. The United States Section of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission may undertake, fund, and support Lake Champlain and Saint Lawrence River basin work in Vermont and New York for fisheries research, monitoring, restoration, sea lamprey control, aquatic invasive species, public engagement, education, and implementation of the Plan. The bill defines fiscal agent and Steering Committee and extends authorization from 2027 to 2032.

Who Benefits and How

The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program, Lake Champlain communities, fiscal-agent candidates in the basin, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Vermont agencies, New York agencies, and aquatic ecosystem managers benefit from clearer fiscal administration, continuity protections, and expanded fishery commission authority.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The EPA Administrator, Lake Champlain Steering Committee, fiscal agent, program staff, congressional environment committees, and stakeholder organizations must handle assessments, reports, competitive replacement processes, fund transfers, fiduciary duties, and coordination with fishery and invasive-species work.

Key Provisions

• Requires the Lake Champlain Steering Committee and EPA Administrator to jointly select and periodically assess the program fiscal agent.
• Requires stakeholder consultation and congressional reports within 90 days after fiscal-agent assessments.
• Authorizes EPA to de-obligate and re-obligate funds when a new fiscal agent is selected while preserving program continuity.
• Authorizes Great Lakes Fishery Commission work on Lake Champlain fisheries, sea lamprey control, invasive species, public engagement, and education.
• Extends Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program authorization from 2027 to 2032.