NORTHERN ROCKIES HEADWATERS.

SEC. 4007. NORTHERN ROCKIES HEADWATERS. (a) In General.—The Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility of carrying out projects for aquatic ecosystem restoration and flood risk reduction that will mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, on communities, water users, and fish and wildlife located in and along the headwaters of the Columbia, Missouri, and Yellowstone Rivers (including the tributaries of those rivers) in the States of Idaho and Montana. (b) Inclusions.—The study under subsection (a) shall, to the maximum extent practicable— (1) emphasize the protection and enhancement of natural riverine processes; and (2) assess the individual and cumulative needs associated with— (A) floodplain restoration and reconnection; (B) floodplain and riparian area protection through the use of conservation easements; (C) instream flow restoration projects; (D) fish passage improvements; (E) channel migration zone mapping; and (F) invasive weed management. (c) Disposition.— (1) In general.—The Secretary may carry out any project identified in the study pursuant to subsection (a) in accordance with the criteria for projects carried out under one of the following authorities: (A) Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330). (B) Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a). (C) Section 104(a) of the River and Harbor Act of 1958 (33 U.S.C. 610(a)). (D) Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 701s). (2) Report.—For each project that does not meet the criteria under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall include a recommendation relating to the project in the annual report submitted to Congress by the Secretary in accordance with section 7001. (d) Coordination.—In carrying out this section, the Secretary— (1) shall consult and coordinate with the appropriate agency for each State and Indian tribe; and (2) may enter into cooperative agreements with those State or tribal agencies described in paragraph (1). (e) Limitations.—Nothing in this section invalidates, preempts, or creates any exception to State water law, State water rights, or Federal or State permitted activities or agreements in the States of Idaho and Montana or any State containing tributaries to rivers in those States.