Federal contribution to operation and maintenance for public benefits of state-led storage projects

(a) Authorization The Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, is authorized to contribute to the operations, maintenance, and replacement costs associated with public benefits provided by State-led water storage projects that receive financial assistance under section 4007 of the WIIN Act (130 Stat. 1872). (b) Eligible costs Federal funds provided under this section may be used only to cover operations, maintenance, and replacement costs directly associated with the public benefits of eligible State-led storage projects. (c) Cost-Share limitation The Federal contribution toward operations, maintenance, and replacement costs under this section shall not exceed 50 percent of the total annual costs associated with the public benefits of each eligible project. (d) Definition of public benefits In this section, the term public benefits means benefits that are in excess of express mitigation and environmental compliance obligations under applicable Federal and State law (including regulations, permits, contracts, licenses, grants, or orders or decisions from Federal and State courts), and that include ecosystem improvements, fish and wildlife enhancements, water quality improvements, recreation, flood control, and other similar benefits as determined by the Secretary. (e) Nonreimbursable Any Federal funds provided under this section shall be nonreimbursable to the United States. (f) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.