Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Drought Relief through Innovative Projects Act” or the “DRIP Act”.
Drought Relief through Innovative Projects Act
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a grant program to award grants to qualified partnerships to remove non-native plant species that contribute to drought conditions, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Non-native plant species removal grant program authorized
In general— The Secretary shall establish a grant program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to qualified partnerships to—
remove non-native plant species that contribute to drought conditions; and
replace such non-native plant species with native plant species.
Application— To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a qualified partnership shall submit an application to the Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including—
a plan for how the qualified partnership will use the grant funds to carry out the activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a);
how the qualified partnership consulted with local stakeholders, including conservation groups, to establish the plan described under paragraph (1); and
information demonstrating that the native plant species replaced pursuant to such grant will—
reduce flood risk, improve hydrology and water storage capacities, or reduce fire hazard; and
protect and restore rivers and streams and associated riparian habitats, including fish and wildlife resources that are dependent on such habitats.
Definitions— In this section:
Non-native plant species— The term “non-native plant species” means a plant species that—
is non-native (or alien) to an ecosystem; and
when introduced to such ecosystem causes, or is likely to cause, economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health.
Qualified partnership— The term “qualified partnership” means a partnership between the following:
At least 1 flood control district.
At least 1 city, county, township, town, borough, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State.
Secretary— The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Authorization of appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2019 and each fiscal year thereafter.