Water Resources Development Act of 1983

(Reported to Senate from the Committee on Finance with amendment, S. Rept. 98-509)

Water Resources Development Act of 1983 - Title I - Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to obligate no sums in excess of those specified in this title for the combined purpose of the "Construction General" account and the "Flood Control, Mississippi River and Tributaries" account. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Title II: General Provisions - Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with landowners who are benefitted by local flood control projects to assure that such owners will contribute 50 percent of that project's cost. Limits the commencement period for any such flood control project to ten years from the date of authorization of such project unless the Secretary shows that such project remains needed and justified.

Allows for the submission of Federal projects with a cost of up to $10,000,000 provided, however, that any project with a cost exceeding $10,000,000 must be authorized by Act of Congress. Provides further that each such project must contain benefits directly related to agriculture that account for at least 20 percent of the total benefits of the project.

Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on the feasibility of requiring full public access to all water impoundment facilities that have recreation-related potential.

Amends Federal law to provide for the compatability of Federal flood control projects with any existing or planned local flood control improvement programs. Directs the Secretary of the Army to undertake a program for the control of river ice, to assist communities in the breakup of such ice, and to provide technical assistance to local units of government to control or break up such ice. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Army to undertake a demonstration program for the control of river ice at Hardwick, Vermont. Authorizes appropriations for such program. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress by March 1, 1988, on activities under this section.

Directs the Secretary, upon request, to survey the potential of rehabilitating former industrial sites, millraces, etc. already constructed for use as hydroelectric facilities. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 concerning agreements made between Federal and State governments for cooperation in payment of mutually-beneficial flood control projects. Requires a favorable report from the Chief of Engineers before any flood control facility construction may begin.

Provides that the Secretary shall not require non-Federal interests to assume operation of any Federally-run facility as a condition to the construction of new recreational facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts with area Federal Project Repayment Districts for the recovery of appropriate shares of project costs. Requires the Secretary to determine that revenues derived from such contracts will be sufficient to meet cost recovery requirements under Federal law.

Expresses the sense of Congress that all parties to various lawsuits concerning the issuance of Federal permits necessary for the construction of a coal slurry pipeline development which would use Missouri River River water should work to resolve such issues in an expeditious and reasonable manner.

Prohibits the Secretary from initiating construction of any water resources project if such project has been modified to increase any of the following project parameters by more than 25 percent: (1) acreage of land acquisition; (2) linear miles of stream channel innundated; (3) width or depth of any navigation channel; (4) displacement of dwelling units; (5) hydroelectric generating capacity; or (6) linear miles of stream channelization. Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress, within 180 days of proposal, a report on any such project modification together with his recommendations thereon.

Amends the Water Research and Development Act of 1978 to add the following new title: Title V - Ogallala Aquifer Research and Development. Establishes the High Plains Study Council to: (1) review research work conducted by State advisory committees; and (2) coordinate such research to avoid duplication of efforts by States of the High Plains. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish within each State of the High Plains Region an Ogallala Aquifer technical advisory committee (the State Committee). Directs such State Committee to: (1) review existing State laws concerning water management and recommend appropriate changes; (2) establish State priorities for water resources research and demonstration projects; and (3) provide information and technical assistance concerning the need for water conservation and management.

Directs the Secretary to allocate annually funds to States of the High Plains Region for research in water-use efficiency, cultural methods, irrigation technologies, water-efficient crops, and water and soil conservation. Directs that such funds shall be distributed to State institutions of higher learning on the basis of merit.

Directs the Secretary to divide funds among the States of the High Plains Region for research into: (1) precipitation management; (2) weather modification; (3) aquifer recharge opportunities; (4) saline water uses; (5) desalinization technologies; (6) salt-tolerant crops; and (7) local water-transfer opportunities.

Directs the Secretary to allocate annually funds to High Plains Region States for grants to farmers for demonstration projects in: (1) water-efficient irrigation technologies and practices; (2) soil and water conservation management systems; and (3) the growth and marketing of more water-efficient crops. Provides that such grants to farmers shall be made on the basis of merit.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to study the feasibility of water transfers into the High Plains Region, and report annually to Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary to monitor the levels of the Ogallala Aquifer, and to report annually to Congress.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to make grants to States for programs in water conservation and nonstructural flood control alternatives. Outlines the qualifications for States receiving such grants. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on this program by October 1, 1987.

Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a study of shoreline protection and beach erosion control policy in view of the prospect for long-term increases in the level of the ocean. Requires the Secretary, within three years of the date of enactment of this Act, to transmit the study together with recommendations to the appropriate Congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations.

Directs the Secretary to require a review of the cost effectiveness of design of each water resources project which has a cost in excess of $10,000,000. Requires the Secretary to prepare a feasibility report for each such project being reviewed, after conducting a reconnaissance of the water resources problems, in order to identify potential solutions. Requires such reconnaissance to be limited to 18 months. Requires non-Federal interests to contribute 50 percent of the cost of any such study.

Requires the mitigation of fish and wildlife losses to be undertaken before construction on the project involved begins. Authorizes the Secretary to mitigate damages to fish and wildlife to the extent that such mitigation costs do not exceed $7,500,000 per project. Requires a report to Congress when mitigation costs are expected to exceed $7,500,000 per project. Requires the Secretary to submit with each proposal for the authorization of a water resources project, either: (1) a recommendation with a specific plan to mitigate fish and wildlife losses; or (2) a determination that such project will have negligible adverse impact on fish and wildlife. Directs that when the Secretary recommends activities to enhance fish and wildlife resources, the cost of such enhancement shall be a Federal cost when its benefits are determined to be national in character.

Authorizes the Secretary to plan, design, and construct streambank erosion control projects not specifically authorized by Congress when such work is economically feasible and environmentally acceptable. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years beginning with FY 1985. Prohibits the cost of any single project in this section from exceeding $2,000,000.

Title III: Project Provisions - Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake the following flood control improvement projects: (1) Warrior River, Mound State Park, Moundville, Alabama; (2) Fort Toulouse National Historic Landmark and Taskigi Indian Mound, Alabama; and (3) Tangier Island, Virginia.

Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake the following navigation and channel improvement projects: (1) Christiana River, Wilmington, Delaware; (2) Abiquiu Dam, New Mexico; (3) Richard B. Russell Dam and Lake, Abbeville, South Carolina; (4) Winooski River Basin, Waterbury, Vermont; (5) Tacoma Harbor, Washington; (6) Northern Mariana Islands; and (7) Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin. Provides that the operation and maintenance of Jackson Hole Snake River project, Wyoming, shall be the responsibility of the Secretary, provided that non-Federal interests contribute the initial $35,000 in construction costs. Modifies the Rio Grande Floodway project, Truth or Consequences Unit, New Mexico, to authorize the Secretary to construct a flood control dam on the Cuchillo Negro Creek. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake restoration measures for the Acequia Systems in New Mexico, provided that the State contribute 20 percent of any project costs. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to consider the Acequia Systems as public entities for purposes of contractual agreements. Authorizes the Secretary to institute cropland irrigation research for the St. John River Basin, Maine. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes bank protection activities in Starr County, Texas, in accordance with certain specifications.

Authorizes the Secretary, upon completion of recording of plats for townsites, to: (1) sell lands in accordance with a certain preference scheme; (2) transfer municipal facilities to the appropriate local government entity; and (3) transfer all facilities used for educational purposes to the appropriate school district. Outlines the preference scheme for land sales. Authorizes the Secretary to accept notes secured by mortgages and to provide temporary financial assistance to local government entities in order to facilitate such land sales. Defines "townsite" as including the areas of Fort Peck, Montana, Riverdale, North Dakota, and Pickstown, South Dakota.

Authorizes the Secretary to begin a program for the removal of silt from Lake Herman, South Dakota. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Secretary to begin a program of silt traps and silt removal in Lake Worth, Texas. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to conduct mitigation activities in Warwick, Rhode Island. Authorizes appropriations.

Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake studies of the impact on the United States of Canadian tidal power development in the Bay of Fundy, and to submit such studies to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations.

Declares downstream recreation on the Gauley River to be an additional project purpose of the Summerville Lake project, West Virginia.

Authorizes the construction of three flood control structures on the Johns Creek tributary in the Nonconnah Creek Basin, Tennessee. Authorizes the Secretary to participate in a project to demonstrate the feasibility of non-Federal cost sharing for rural flood protection on the James River in South Dakota. Requires a report to be submitted to the Congress concerning such project by September 30, 1985.

Modifies the project for local flood protection on the Milk River at Havre, Montana. Authorizes the Secretary to modify the schedule for delivery of water from central and southern Florida to the Everglades National Park. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake road improvement measures at Pearson-Skubitz Big Hill Lake, Kansas. Declares a described portion of the Hudson River in New York Bay to be nonnavigable. Deauthorizes the William L. Springer Lake project on the Sangamon River, Illinois.

Designates the former Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area as the John Sherman Cooper National Recreation Area. Declares the Port of Houston Authority bridge over Greens Bayou, Texas, to be a lawful bridge.

Authorizes the Secretary to undertake the following reconnaissance studies in the State of Utah: (1) the Provo River; (2) existing levees along Utah Lake; (3) Interstate Highway 15, adjacent to Utah Lake; (4) Rock, Little Rock, and Slate Canyons in Provo; (5) the Bear River; (6) the Weber River; and (7) the Sevier River.

Directs the Secretary to make certain amendments to the contract between the State of Illinois and the United States for water supply storage at Rend Lake on the Big Muddy River, Illinois. Authorizes increased appropriations for the repair and modification of the Illinois and Mississippi Canal.

Designates the Lowndesville Recreation Area in the Richard B. Russel Dam and Lake project, South Carolina and Georgia, as the Jim Rampey Recreation Area.

Title IV: Dam Safety - Dam Safety Act of 1983 - Amends public law concerning the definition of "dam". Authorizes appropriations for FY 1984 through 1987. Provides for the distribution of such funds among the States.

Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to any State that establishes and maintains a dam safety program which includes the following: (1) a procedure for the review of dam plans to determine its safety; (2) a procedure to determine that such dam will be operated in a safe manner; (3) a procedure for inspection at least once every three years, or more if warranted; (4) the State has the power to modify the dam to assure its safety; (5) the State develops a system of emergency procedures to be followed in the event of dam failure; and (6) the State has the necessary emergency funds to make immediate repairs in order to protect human life and property. Provides for the approval of submitted programs within 120 days unless notified prior to that by the Secretary. Provides for periodic review of dam safety programs by the Secretary. Requires the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to report to Congress on the need for Federally-sponsored programs of guarantees of insurance for owners of dams. Authorizes to be established a Federal Dam Safety Review Board responsible for reviewing the design and safety of dams constructed in the United States, and to monitor State implementation of this Act. Requires the Board to file an advisory report on proposed dams prior to their construction. Directs the Board also to study the need for a Federal loan program to assist owners of non-Federal dams in rehabilitating such structures to assure their safety. Provides for the composition of Board members. Directs the Secretary to provide training for dam safety inspectors. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Directs the Secretary to begin research to develop techniques and equipment for more efficient dam inspection. Provides for State participation in such research. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Authorizes the Secretary to maintain and publish information on the inventory of dams authorized under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

Title V: Inland Navigation - Directs the Secretary to obligate no more than $646,000,000 for construction, renovation, and maintenance of the inland waterways of the United States from FY 1986 through 1999. Prohibits any toll or fee from being collected from any vessel passing through any lock, canal, canalized river, or other work for the use and benefit of navigation that belongs to the United States. Requires any proposal relating to the imposition of any fee for the use of harbors, waterways, etc. to be submitted by the Secretary of the Army to specified congressional committees. States that such no-toll provisions do not apply with respect to the Panama Canal.

Establishes an Inland Waterways Users Board (the Users Board) to represent the shippers and users of such waterways. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Secretary shall not obligate funds in excess of levels recommended by the Users Board. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on the implementation of this title.

Authorizes the Secretary to operate and maintain any navigational project, provided that when replacement of such project is deemed essential and the cost is less than $25,000,000, the Secretary may proceed with such work.

Authorizes the following works of improvement to the inland waterways by the Secretary: (1) Helena Harbor, Arkansas; (2) White River Navigation to Batesville, Arkansas; (3) Lake Pontchartrain, North Shore, Louisiana; (4) Greenville Harbor, Mississippi; (5) Vicksburg Harbor, Mississippi; (6) Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Bridges, North Carolina; (7) Olcott Harbor, New York; (8) Bonneville Lock and Dam, Oregon and Washington; (9) Memphis Harbor, Memphis, Tennessee; (10) Gallipolis Locks and Dam Replacement, Ohio and West Virginia; (11) Lock and Dam 7 and 8 Replacement, Monongahela River, Pennsylvania; and (12) the New York State Barge Canal, provided that control and operation of the Canal continues to reside with the State of New York and that such State provides one half of all operational costs.

Upper Mississippi River System Management Act of 1983 - Provides that Congress recognizes the Upper Mississippi River System as a nationally significant ecosystem and commercial navigation system, and provides for the administration and regulation of such system. Provides that Congress approves of a "Master Plan" as a guide for future water policy on the Upper Mississippi River System. Provides for cooperation of several States in the System among one another toward the growth and development of the System. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the construction of a second lock at locks and dam 26, Mississippi River, Alton, Illinois and Missouri. Authorizes such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. Directs the Secretary to monitor traffic movements on the System in order to determine any future capacity expansion. Authorizes appropriations for such monitoring. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake various programs for the enhancement of the Upper Mississippi River System. Authorizes appropriations for this purpose. Authorizes such Secretary to implement a program of Recreational Projects for the System. Authorizes appropriations for this purpose.

Title VI: Cost Sharing - Directs that the construction of any water resource project authorized to be constructed by the Secretary either in this Act or after the enactment of this Act can only be initiated after the Federal agency and the non-Federal sponsor have contractually agreed to share the project's costs in accordance with certain guidelines (share of cost depends upon type of project provided). Enumerates the non-Federal share for each type of water resource project. Provides for the repayment period of the non-Federal share, with appropriate interest. Provides that any cost-sharing agreement with a non-Federal private or public sponsor shall be subject to the ability of such sponsor to pay. Provides for the sharing of costs up to the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary, after the date of enactment of this Act, from submitting any proposal for the authorization of any water resource project to Congress which has a hydroelectric power component unless such proposal contains comments on the ability of the appropriate Power Marketing Administration to market such power so as to recover 100 percent of all operation, maintenance, replacement, and capital investment costs associated with such component.

Title VII: Adopts and authorizes the following works of improvement to rivers, harbors, and other waterways for flood control and other purposes to be undertaken by the Secretary in accordance with specified plans and provisions: (a) Flood Control: (1) Village Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama; (2) Eight Mile Creek, Paragould, Arkansas; (3) Fourche Bayou Basin, Little Rock, Arkansas; (4) Helena and vicinity, Arkansas; (5) Little Colorado River at Holbrook, Arizona; (6) Cache Creek Basin, California; (7) Redbank and Fancher Creeks, California; (8) Santa Ana River Mainstem, including Santiago Creek, California; (9) Fountain Creek, Pueblo, Colorado; (10) Metropolitan Denver and South Platte River and Tributaries, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska; (11) Oates Creek, Georgia; (12) Agana River, Guam; (13) Alenaio Stream, Hawaii; (14) Big Wood River and Tributaries, Idaho; (15) North Branch of Chicago River, Illinois; (16) Rock River at Rockford and vicinity, Illinois; (17) Little Calumet River, Indiana; (18) Des Moines River Basin, Iowa and Minnesota; (19) Mississippi River, Iowa; (20) Perry Creek, Iowa; (21) Halstead, Kansas; (22) Atchafalaya Basin Floodway system, Louisiana; (23) Bushley Bayou, Louisiana; (24) Louisiana State Penitentiary Levee, Mississippi River; (25) Quincy Coastal Streams, Massachusetts; (26) Mississippi River at St. Paul, Minnesota; (27) Redwood River at Marshall, Minnesota; (28) Root River Basin, Minnesota; (29) South Fork Zumbro River Watershed at Rochester, Minnesota; (30) Horn Lake Creek and Tributaries, Tennessee and Mississippi; (31) Sowashee Creek, Mississippi; (32) Brush Creek and Tributaries, Missouri and Kansas; (33) Maline Creek, Missouri; (34) St. Johns Bayou and New Madrid Floodway, Missouri; (35) Robinson's Branch of the Rahway River at Clark, Scotch Plains, and Rahway, New Jersey; (36) Rahway River and Van Winkles Brook at Springfield, New Jersey; (37) Green Brook Subbasin, Raritan River Basin, New Jersey; (38) Middle Rio Grande Flood Protection, Bernalillo to Belen, New Mexico; (39) Puerco River and Tributaries, Gallup, New Mexico; (40) Cazenovia Creek Watershed, New York; (41) Mamaroneck and Sheldrake Rivers Basin and Byram River Basin, New York and Connecticut; (42) Hocking River at Logan and Nelsonville, Ohio; (43) Miami River, Fairfield, Ohio; (44) Miami River, Little Miami River, Ohio; (45) Muskingum River Basin, Ohio; (46) Scioto River at North Chillicothe, Ohio; (47) Fry Creeks, Oklahoma; (48) Mingo Creek, Tulsa, Oklahoma; (49) Parker Lake, Muddy Boggy Creek, Oklahoma; (50) Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; (51) Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; (52) Saw Mill Run, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; (53) Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania; (54) Big River Reservoir, Rhode Island; (55) Nonconnak Creek, Tennessee and Mississippi; (56) Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries, Texas; (57) Boggy Creek, Austin, Texas; (58) Lake Wichita, Holliday Creek, Texas; (59) Lower Rio Grande, Texas; (60) James River Basin, Richmond, Virginia; (61) Sims Bayou, Texas; (62) Chehalis River at South Aberdeen and Cosmopolis, Washington; and (63) Yakima Union Gap, Washington; (b) Hydropower Development: (1) Scammon Bay, Alaska; (2) South Central Railbelt Area, Alaska, Hydroelectric Power, Valdez and Copper River Basin; (3) Murray Lock and Dam, Hydropower, Arkansas; (4) Arkansas River and Tributaries, Hydropower, Arkansas and Oklahoma; (5) Metropolitan Atlanta Area, Water Resources Management Study, Georgia; (6) Lucky Peak Dam and Lake, Idaho; (7) W.D. Mayo Lock and Dam 14, Hydropower, Oklahoma; (8) Blue River Lake, Hydroelectric Power, Willamette River Basin, Oregon; (9) McNary Lock and Dam Second Powerhouse, Columbia River, Oregon and Washington; and (10) Gregory County Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Facility, South Dakota; (c) Shoreline Protection: (1) Charlotte County, Florida; (2) Indian River County, Florida; (3) Panama City Beaches, Florida; (4) Saint Johns County, Florida; (5) Jekyll Island, Georgia; (6) Casino Beach, Illinois Shoreline, Illinois; (7) Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Assateaque Island, Virginia; (8) Atlantic Coast of New York City from Rockaway Inlet to Norton Point, New York; (9) Maumee Bay, Lake Erie, Ohio; (10) Presque Isle Peninsula, Erie, Pennsylvania; and (11) Folly Beach, South Carolina; (d) Mitigation: (1) Fish and Wildlife Program for the Sacramento River Bank Protection Project, California; (2) Richard B. Russel Dam and Lake, Savannah River, Georgia and South Carolina; (3) Davenport, Iowa Local Protection Project-Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan; (4) West Kentucky Tributaries Projects, Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan, Obion Creek, Kentucky; (5) Downstream Measures at Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir, Missouri; (6) Smithville Lake, Little Platte River, Missouri-Plan for Replacement of the Trimble Wildlife Area; (7) Cape May Inlet to Lower Township, New Jersey; and (8) Cooper Lake and Channels Project, Texas, Report on Fish and Wildlife Mitigation; (e) Bank Stabilization: (1) Bethel, Alaska; (f) Demonstration: (1) Cabin Creek, West Virginia; and (2) Lava Flow Control, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to undertake a feasibility study of the water supply and irrigation features of the Gregory Facility and prohibits construction of such facility until such study, together with a favorable certification by the Secretary of the Interior, is submitted to Congress, and Congress has authorized appropriations for construction of such facility.

Title VIII: Water Supply Loans - Water Supply Rehabilitation and Conservation Act of 1983 - Authorizes the Secretary to make loans to departments, agencies, units of State or local government, or any person operating a water supply system for the purpose of improving such system. Directs the Secretary to allocate one-half of the funds in proportion to each State's population, the other half to be allocated at the Secretary's discretion. Prohibits loans for purposes other than water supply or water conservation.

Requires operators of water supply systems to submit loan applications to the Secretary. Lists requirements for loan applications, including: (1) a detailed plan and estimated cost of the project; (2) a showing that the applicant holds all necessary rights to land and water use; and (3) an assessment of the improvements the proposed project will make. Permits the Secretary to make only such loans which the Secretary determines to be technically feasible and which constitute a reasonable financial risk.

Directs the Secretary, in making loans, to give priority to: (1) water supply systems unable to obtain financial assistance; and (2) water supply systems using such loans to pay for the cost of installing a new system or improving an existing system in order to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974.

Authorizes the Governor of each State to submit by April 1, 1984, and annually thereafter, a priority list of water supply projects in such State to be financed by loans under this title. Allows the granting of loans only if the operator of a water supply system to whom the loan is granted implements a model water conservation program. Defines a "model water conservation program." Requires the agreement reached between the Secretary and any loan grantee to include: (1) the amount of the loan and its interest rate; (2) a repayment period; and (3) such provisions as are deemed necessary to assure prompt repayment. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 through 1989.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress by September 30, 1988, a report concerning loans granted and water supply improvements made under this title. Enumerates specific information and recommendations to be included in such report. Authorizes appropriations. Declares the improvement of water supply and distribution systems to be a legitimate Federal purpose.

Title IX: Water Resource Planning - Establishes a National Board of Water Policy (the "Board"). Directs the Board to meet at least six times annually to: (1) advise the President and Congress on matters relating to water resources policy; (2) identify inconsistencies in such policy and programs; (3) establish and issue rules and procedures designed to assure the implementation of a national water resources policy and program; (4) recommend to appropriate Federal agencies goals and priorities for programs within their jurisdiction; and (5) prepare periodic assessments of national water needs.

Directs the Board to establish principles, standards, and procedures for Federal participation in the preparation of comprehensive regional or river basin plans and for the formulation and evaluation of Federal water and related land resources management and development plans. Requires that every report relating to any such water or related land resources project include specific information on the benefits and costs attributable to each of such objectives. Authorizes appropriations to the Board for FY 1985 through 1989.

Establishes a State advisory committee to review actions and proposals made by the Board. Requires such committee to meet at least six times annually. Authorizes appropriations for administrative expenses of the committee for FY 1985 through 1989.

Prohibits provisions of this title from being applicable to any water resource policy, program, law, or project administered by or under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior.

Title X: Harbors - National Harbors Improvement Act of 1983 - Establishes a National Commission on Harbor Maintenance (the Commission) to report to appropriate Congressional committees on the annual and long-term costs of maintaining the Nation's harbors and make recommendations for the sharing of such costs by non-Federal interests. Authorizes the establishment of a Shipping Advisory Board to aid the Commission in its work. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985. Prohibits the Secretary from obligating more than $350,000,000 in any single fiscal year for maintaining harbors until such time as the report of the Commission is submitted to Congress (i.e., within two years of the date of enactment of this Act).

Directs that non-Federal interests shall pay 50 percent of surveying, planning, designing, and engineering costs prior to the construction of a general cargo harbor. Allows non-Federal interests to undertake feasibility studies for improvements to a general cargo harbor, and submit such study to the Secretary. Provides for the review of such studies by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary, within 180 days after receiving any such study, to transmit to Congress the results of such study together with any recommendations the Secretary may have.

Directs that the non-Federal share of the cost of construction of general cargo harbors on which construction has not commenced shall be 30 percent. Directs the Secretary and the non-Federal interest to enter into a cooperative agreement prior to Federal initiation of construction. Sets forth conditions which any non-Federal interest must assume in such agreement.

Authorizes any non-Federal interest to undertake navigational improvements in deep-draft harbors of the United States upon obtaining the proper permits. Authorizes the Secretary to complete and transmit to the appropriate non-Federal interest any study for improvements to deep-draft harbors of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to complete deep-draft harbor construction projects for which construction was initiated prior to the enactment of this Act, upon certain conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to guarantee the payment of the principal amount and interest on loans made or bonds sold to finance projects for the deepening of a draft harbor of the United States. Prohibits the obligation of the United States under such a guarantee from exceeding 70 percent of the principal and interest of such loan, including reasonable administrative costs. Prohibits the total outstanding amount of such loans guaranteed in any fiscal year from exceeding $1,500,000,000. Authorizes necessary appropriations to make payments under such loan guarantee program.

Provides that whenever a non-Federal interest constructs improvements to any harbors, the Secretary shall be responsible for maintenance to forty-five feet below mean low water, and for 50 percent of maintenance costs beyond forty-five feet below mean low water, provided that the Secretary certifies proper construction. Directs that non-Federal interests shall provide 50 percent of the costs of any necessary relocation and alteration of existing pipelines, cables, and related facilities.

Allows any authorized project to include additional improvements requested by non-Federal interests, provided that such non-Federal interest contracts with the Secretary to pay that portion of the project's costs deemed to be non-defense-related. Authorizes the Secretary to contract to pay to non-Federal interests that part of a projects's cost which provide direct national defense benefits and which were originally borne by the non- Federal interests.

Allows any non-Federal interest which has constructed, maintained,or funded a project to submit to specified congressional committees proposals for legislation which would authorize the collection of fees for the use of such project.

Requires the Secretary, upon receipt from a non-Federal interest of a notice of intent to construct improvements, to establish procedures for the joint processing of all required Federal permits for such construction. Requires the Secretary to publish in the Federal Register such intent to construct within 15 days of receipt of such intent. Requires the Secretary to enter into agreement with the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and any other appropriate local authority to establish expedient processing of all required construction permits. Sets forth provisions to be included in such agreements. Requires, within six months of the final date of a project's compliance determination schedule, a report by the Secretary to the appropriate Congressional committees. Requires notification of non-Federal interests as to whether permits will be issued.

Requires the Secretary, on or before March 1, 1985, to prepare and transmit to Congress a report, together with recommendations, on the amount of time required to issue Federal environmental permits related to construction of harbor improvements.

Adopts and authorizes the following works of improvement to general cargo harbors: (1) Kodiak Harbor, Alaska; (2) Oakland Outer Harbor, California; (3) Richmond Harbor, California; (4) Sacramento River, Deepwater Ship Channel, California; (5) New Haven Harbor, Connecticut; (6) Jacksonville Harbor, Mill Cove, Florida; (7) Manatee Harbor, Florida; (8) Tampa Harbor, East Bay Channel, Florida; (9) Savannah Harbor, Widening, Georgia; (10) Grand Haven Harbor, Michigan; (11) Monroe Harbor, Michigan; (12) Gulfport Harbor, Mississippi; (13) Wilmington Harbor, Northeast Cape Fear River, North Carolina; (14) Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River Basin, Maine and New Hampshire; (15) Gowanus Creek, Channel, New York; (16) Kill Van Kull and Newark Bay Channels, New York and New Jersey; (17) San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico; (18) Charleston Harbor, South Carolina; (19) Brazos Island Harbor, Texas, Brownsville Channel; (20) Crown Bay Channel-Saint Thomas Harbor, Virgin Islands; (21) Blair and Sitcum Waterways, Tacoma Harbor, Washington, and (22) Grays Harbor, Washington.

Expresses the sense of the Congress that the following navigational improvements for deep-draft harbors should be constructed by non-Federal interest in an expeditious manner: (1) Norfolk Harbor and Channels, Virginia; (2) Mobile Harbor, Alabama; and (3) Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.