H.R. 3722 (101^st): Long Island Sound Conservancy Act of 1989

11/17/1989--Introduced.

Long Island Sound Conservancy Act of 1989 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to extend a certain management conference for Long Island Sound until September 30, 1998. Establishes a policy committee within such conference. Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish within EPA a Long Island Sound Office. Establishes within the Office a Long Island Sound Office Advisory Committee. Requires the Director of the Office, through the Committee, to convene conferences for legislators from State governments and political subdivisions to coordinate legislative efforts to facilitate the environmental restoration of the Sound and the implementation of the conservation and management plan. Directs the Director to collect and make available to the public information relating to the environmental quality of the Sound. Authorizes the Director to provide technical assistance and the use of EPA facilities to the Citizens Advisory Committee on the Long Island Sound Study. Provides for the coordination of Federal programs with respect to the Sound. Requires the Director, acting through the Committee, to study and report to the appropriate congressional committees on oil spill preparedness and Federal oil spill contingency plans for oil spills in the Sound. Directs the Director to solicit quarterly reports from regional EPA offices with jurisdiction in the Sound on environmental enforcement issues with respect to the Sound. Requires the Director to designate an Office staff member as Office Director for Enforcement Evaluation. Authorizes the Administrator, acting through the Director, to make grants from the Long Island Sound Fund for: (1) environmental monitoring and cleanup of the Sound and educational programs to encourage the restoration of the Sound; (2) supplemental environmental enforcement personnel and special enforcement needs in the Sound; (3) research and planning; and (4) implementation of management mechanisms, at the requests of States affected by the Sound conservation and management plan. Requires grant recipients to report biennially to the Administrator, the Director, and the Committee on progress in meeting grant objectives. Sets forth the application process for implementation grants. Limits Fund monies available for implementation grants and the administrative costs of such grants. Permits the Administrator to prescribe grant eligibility requirements. Directs the Administrator to consult with the Director and the Committee in making grants through the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention for onsite reduction of pollution sources. Requires the Director, acting through the Committee, to establish a schedule for the initiation of research and planning studies under this Act. Directs the Director to conduct the following studies: (1) an examination of the unfinished agenda described in the final report of the Management Committee of Long Island Sound; (2) a 20-year growth assessment of the adequacy of wastewater treatment facilities serving the Sound with respect to estimated increases in population and usage of such facilities; (3) a survey of public access issues relating to the Sound and the development of a map describing such access; (4) an examination of contaminated sediments and of dredging activities in the Sound; (5) an examination of nonpoint source pollution in the Sound; (6) an examination of wetlands protection issues; (7) an assessment of effective methods of nitrogen removal to abate pollution in the Sound; (8) an examination of atmospheric acid precipitation and deposition into Sound waters; (9) an assessment of water quality issues; and (10) an assessment of recreational uses and demands in the Sound. Prohibits the Director from duplicating any study for which a comparable study exists. Requires the Director, acting through the Committee, to conduct a demonstration project for the removal of: (1) toxic materials from contaminated sediments in the Sound; and (2) nitrogen from pollutants in Norwalk Harbour in the Sound. Directs the Director, acting through the Committee, to report annually to the Congress on: (1) modifications to the conservation and management plan; and (2) studies and demonstration projects and schedules for meeting study and project proposals. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Director, acting through the Committee, to review and report to the appropriate congressional committees on: (1) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act with respect to the Sound; and (2) the need for a regional authority to effectuate and fund nitrogen removal treatment at sewage treatment plants and watersheds in the Sound and the potential methods of financing such authority. Establishes a Long Island Sound Fund. Makes appropriations to the Fund and makes Fund monies available to carry out this Act.