Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Water and Targeted Environmental Research Act of 2018” or the “WATER Act”.
Water and Targeted Environmental Research Act of 2018
A BILL
To amend the Food Security Act of 1985 with respect to conservation innovation grants and payments, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Conservation innovation grants and payments
Competitive grants for innovative conservation approaches— Section 1240H(a)(2)(B) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8(a)(2)(B)) is amended by inserting “(which may include in-kind contributions provided by a cooperative extension service or a State agricultural experiment station, as defined in the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977)” before “to promote environmental enhancement”.
Air quality concerns from agricultural operations— Section 1240H(b)(2) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8(b)(2)) is amended by striking “2018” and inserting “2023”.
Reporting and database— Section 1240H(c) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3839aa–8(c)) is amended to read as follows:
“(c) Reporting and database
“(1) Reporting—Not later than December 31, 2014, and every two years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate and the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives a report on the status of projects funded under this section, including—
“(A) funding awarded;
“(B) project results; and
“(C) incorporation of project findings, such as new technology and innovative approaches, into the conservation efforts implemented by the Secretary.
“(2) Database—The Secretary shall use the data reported under paragraph (1) to establish and maintain a publically available database that provides—
“(A) a compilation and analysis (including economic analysis) of effective conservation practices for soil health, nutrient management, and source water protection in varying soil compositions, cropping systems, slopes, and landscapes, including the sources of the project data; and
“(B) a list of recommended new and effective conservation practices, based on the analysis under subparagraph (A).”