View all text of Subchapter II [§ 1281 - § 1302f]
§ 1302f. Stormwater infrastructure technology
(a) DefinitionsIn this section:
(1) Center
(2) Eligible entityThe term “eligible entity” means—
(A) a State, Tribal, or local government; or
(B) a local, regional, or other public entity that manages stormwater or wastewater resources or other related water infrastructure.
(3) Eligible institutionThe term “eligible institution” means an institution of higher education, a research institution, or a nonprofit organization—
(A) that has demonstrated excellence in researching and developing new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies; and
(B) with respect to a nonprofit organization, the core mission of which includes water management, as determined by the Administrator.
(b) Centers of excellence for stormwater control infrastructure technologies
(1) Establishment of centers
(A) In general
(B) General operationEach center shall—
(i) conduct research on new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies that are relevant to the geographical region in which the center is located, including stormwater and sewer overflow reduction, other approaches to water resource enhancement, alternative funding approaches, and other environmental, economic, and social benefits, with the goal of improving the effectiveness, cost efficiency, and protection of public safety and water quality;
(ii) maintain a listing of—(I) stormwater control infrastructure needs; and(II) an analysis of new and emerging stormwater control infrastructure technologies that are available;
(iii) analyze whether additional financial programs for the implementation of new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies would be useful;
(iv) provide information regarding research conducted under clause (i) to the national electronic clearinghouse center for publication on the Internet website established under paragraph (3)(B)(i) to provide to the Federal Government and State, Tribal, and local governments and the private sector information regarding new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies;
(v) provide technical assistance to State, Tribal, and local governments to assist with the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of stormwater control infrastructure projects that use innovative technologies;
(vi) collaborate with institutions of higher education and private and public organizations, including community-based public-private partnerships and other stakeholders, in the geographical region in which the center is located; and
(vii) coordinate with the other centers to avoid duplication of efforts.
(2) Application
(3) National electronic clearinghouse centerOf the centers established under paragraph (1)(A), 1 shall—
(A) be designated as the “national electronic clearinghouse center”; and
(B) in addition to the other functions of that center—
(i) develop, operate, and maintain an Internet website and a public database that contains information relating to new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies; and
(ii) post to the website information from all centers.
(4) Authorization of appropriations
(A) In general
(B) Limitation on use of funds
(c) Stormwater control infrastructure project grants
(1) Grant authority
(2) Stormwater control infrastructure projects
(A) Planning and development grantsThe Administrator may make planning and development grants under this subsection for the following projects:
(i) Planning and designing stormwater control infrastructure projects that incorporate new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control technologies, including engineering surveys, landscape plans, maps, long-term operations and maintenance plans, and implementation plans.
(ii) Identifying and developing standards necessary to accommodate stormwater control infrastructure projects, including those projects that incorporate new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control technologies.
(iii) Identifying and developing fee structures to provide financial support for design, installation, and operations and maintenance of stormwater control infrastructure, including new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies.
(iv) Developing approaches for community-based public-private partnerships for the financing and construction of stormwater control infrastructure technologies, including feasibility studies, stakeholder outreach, and needs assessments.
(v) Developing and delivering training and educational materials regarding new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies for distribution to—(I) individuals and entities with applicable technical knowledge; and(II) the public.
(B) Implementation grantsThe Administrator may make implementation grants under this subsection for the following projects:
(i) Installing new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure technologies.
(ii) Protecting or restoring interconnected networks of natural areas that protect water quality.
(iii) Monitoring and evaluating the environmental, economic, or social benefits of stormwater control infrastructure technologies that incorporate new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control technology.
(iv) Implementing a best practices standard for stormwater control infrastructure programs.
(3) ApplicationExcept as otherwise provided in this section, to be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, an eligible entity shall prepare and submit to the Administrator an application at such time, in such form, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including, as applicable—
(A) a description of the stormwater control infrastructure project that incorporates new and emerging, but proven, technologies;
(B) a plan for monitoring the impacts and pollutant load reductions associated with the stormwater control infrastructure project on the water quality and quantity;
(C) an evaluation of other environmental, economic, and social benefits of the stormwater control infrastructure project; and
(D) a plan for the long-term operation and maintenance of the stormwater control infrastructure project and a tracking system, such as asset management practices.
(4) PriorityIn making grants under this subsection, the Administrator shall give priority to applications submitted on behalf of—
(A) a community that—
(i) has municipal combined storm and sanitary sewers in the collection system of the community; or
(ii) is a small, rural, or disadvantaged community, as determined by the Administrator; or
(B) an eligible entity that will use not less than 15 percent of the grant to provide service to a small, rural, or disadvantaged community, as determined by the Administrator.
(5) Maximum amounts
(A) Planning and development grants
(i) Single grant
(ii) Aggregate amount
(B) Implementation grants
(i) Single grant
(ii) Aggregate amount
(6) Federal share
(A) In general
(B) Credit for implementation grants
(C) Exception
(d) Report to CongressNot later than 2 years after the date on which the Administrator first awards a grant under this section, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report that includes, with respect to the period covered by the report—
(1) a description of all grants provided under this section;
(2) a detailed description of—
(A) the projects supported by those grants; and
(B) the outcomes of those projects;
(3) a description of the improvements in technology, environmental benefits, resources conserved, efficiencies, and other benefits of the projects funded under this section;
(4) recommendations for improvements to promote and support new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure, including research into new and emerging technologies, for the centers, grants, and activities under this section; and
(5) a description of existing challenges concerning the use of new and emerging, but proven, stormwater control infrastructure.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
(2) Limitation on use of funds
(Pub. L. 117–58, div. E, title II, § 50217, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1175.)