114 STAT. 2634 PUBLIC LAW 106-541—DEC. 11, 2000 (2) the planning, construction, and evaluation of potential restoration, protection, and enhancement measures to meet identified habitat needs; and (3) potential projects to meet identified river access and recreation needs. (d) LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER SYSTEM DEFINED.— In this section, the term "Lower Mississippi River system" means those river reaches and adjacent floodplains within the Lower Mississippi River alluvial valley having commercial navigation channels on the Mississippi mainstem and tributaries south of Cairo, Illinois, and the Atchafalaya basin floodway system. (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. — There is authorized to be appropriated $1,750,000 to carry out this section. 33 USC 652 note. SEC. 403. UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENT STUDY. (a) IN GENERAL.— In conjunction with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary shall conduct a study to— (1) identify and evaluate significant sources of sediment and nutrients in the upper Mississippi River basin; (2) quantify the processes affecting mobilization, transport, and fate of those sediments and nutrients on land and in water; and (3) quantify the transport of those sediments and nutrients to the upper Mississippi River and the tributaries of the upper Mississippi River. (b) STUDY COMPONENTS. — (1) COMPUTER MODELING.—In carrying out the study under this section, the Secretary shall develop computer models of the upper Mississippi River basin, at the subwatershed and basin scales, to— (A) identify and quantify sources of sediment and nutrients; and (B) examine the effectiveness of alternative management measures. (2) RESEARCH. —In carrying out the study under this section, the Secretary shall conduct research to improve the understanding of— (A) fate processes and processes affecting sediment and nutrient transport, with emphasis on nitrogen and phosphorus cycling and djoiamics; (B) the influences on sediment and nutrient losses of soil t3^e, slope, climate, vegetation cover, and modifications to the stream drainage network; and (C) river hydrodynamics, in relation to sediment and nutrient transformations, retention, and transport. (c) USE OF INFORMATION.— On request of a Federal agency, the Secretary may provide information for use in applying sediment and nutrient reduction programs associated with land-use improvements and land management practices. Deadlines. (d) REPORTS. — (1) PRELIMINARY REPORT.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a preliminary report that outlines work being conducted on the study components described in subsection (b).
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