SA 3626. Mrs. HUTCHISON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3500 proposed by Mr. Harkin (for himself, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. Grassley) to the bill H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes, which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

On page 1362, between lines 19 and 20, insert the following:
SEC. 11072. SOUTHWEST REGIONAL DAIRY, ENVIRONMENT, AND PRIVATE LAND PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.--The term ``eligible institution of higher education'' means an institution of higher education that--
(A) is located in--
(i) the State of Arizona;
(ii) the State of Colorado;
(iii) the State of New Mexico;
(iv) the State of Oklahoma; and
(v) the State of Texas;
(B) has facilities that are necessary for the facilitation of research on issues relating to the dairy industry in a practical setting;
(C) has a dairy research program and an institution for applied environmental research;
(D) has a university laboratory that is--
(i) located on the campus of the institution of higher education; and
(ii) accredited by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Council to ensure the quality of any proposed research activities;
(E) has the capability to enter into a partnership with representatives of the dairy industry and other public and private entities and institutions of higher education;
(F) has experience in conducting watershed modeling (including the conduct of cost-benefit analyses, policy applications, and long-term watershed monitoring); and
(G) works with--
(i) producer-run advocacy groups (including Industry-Led Solutions); and
(ii) private land coalitions.
(2) PROGRAM.--The term ``program'' means the Southwest regional dairy, environment, and private land program established under subsection (b).
(b) Establishment.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Southwest regional dairy, environment, and private land program.
(2) REQUIRED ACTIVITIES.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall--
(A) identify challenges and develop solutions to enhance the economic and environmental sustainability, growth, and expansion of the dairy industry in the Southwest region of the United States;
(B) research, develop, and implement programs--
(i) to recover energy and other useful products from dairy waste;
(ii) to identify best management practices; and
(iii) to assist the dairy industry in ensuring that animal waste emissions and discharges of the dairy industry are maintained at levels below applicable regulatory standards;
(C) offer technical assistance (including research activities conducted by a university laboratory that is accredited by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Council), training, applied research, and watershed water quality programs monitoring to applicable entities;
(D) develop--
(i) watershed modeling through the development of innovative modeling tools and data mining to develop cost-efficient and environmentally effective programs in the dairy industry; and
(ii) an international modeling application clearinghouse to coordinate watershed modeling tools in the United States and in other countries, to be carried out by the Secretary; and
(E) collaborate with a private land coalition to use input gathered from landowners in the United States through a program of industry led solutions to work with the Federal Government (including Federal agencies) in the development of conservation, environmental credit trading, and watershed programs to help private landowners and agricultural producers meet applicable water quality standards.
(c) Contracts.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall offer to enter into contracts with eligible institutions of higher education.
(2) APPLICATION.--
(A) SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION.--To enter into a contract with the Secretary under paragraph (1), an eligible institution of higher education shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(B) GUIDELINES.--As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate guidelines describing each requirement of the Secretary with respect to the application requirements described in subparagraph (A).
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012, to remain available until expended.


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Nov 13, 2007.)