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119-hr-2977119th Congress

MRRRI Act

Sponsored By: Representative McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]

In Committee

Summary

The Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI) would create a national, nonregulatory EPA program to coordinate funding, science, and projects that protect and restore the Mississippi River Corridor for people and wildlife.

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  • River communities and households: Would fund projects to reduce polluted runoff and excess nutrients, improve drinking water source protections, and restore floodplains and wetlands to lower flood and storm risk.
  • Tribal governments: Would require a Tribal Liaison, allow Tribal-led projects to receive a 100 percent federal share, and mandate a minimum 5 percent annual transfer of MRRRI funds to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Tribal grants.
  • Scientists, agencies, and states: Would create three USGS Mississippi River research centers and require measurable goals plus an action plan within 2 years, with monitoring, public reporting, and interagency coordination to guide investments and measure success.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Grants and cost-share for river projects

This bill would let the Director award grants and transfer funds each year for Mississippi River projects. At least 5% of yearly MRRRI funds would go to the Bureau of Indian Affairs for Tribal grants. The federal share would usually cover up to 80% of a project’s cost. Tribal governments and certain community capacity projects could get 100% federal support. Non-federal matches could include in-kind help. Before the first action plan is done, the Director could still fund eligible projects and set up the research centers.

New EPA office for Mississippi River

This bill would create an EPA Program Office based in a Mississippi River state to lead work on the river. The Director would set measurable goals within 1 year and finish an action plan within 2 years, with updates at least every 5 years. The office would post updates online and send Congress an annual report. EPA would include a separate MRRRI budget line each year. Federal agencies would report yearly on related work and avoid replacing their own funds with MRRRI money. The bill would also define which states, Tribes, and federal agencies are covered.

New Mississippi River research centers

This bill would create three USGS research centers: one national center at a USGS office and two university‑based regional centers. USGS would host a science forum within 1 year and share findings within 270 days. Within 2 years after the forum, USGS would publish a science plan and update it at least every 5 years, with public comment. The centers would study key issues and advise agencies and partners.

What projects could get river funding

This bill would fund many project types, like soil health, cover crops, habitat work with clean dredged sediment, invasive species control, floodplain and stormwater fixes, land conservation, and community capacity building. The Director would pick projects that spread benefits along the river and deliver measurable results without harming navigation or disaster defenses. Funds could not be used for plants with high invasive risk. Any funded project would need a monitoring plan and must track results until success is proven. After the action plan is done, no more than 5% of yearly funds could go to projects outside that plan, and those must favor disaster‑risk reduction.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]

MN • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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