SA 3757. Mr. INHOFE 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. POULTRY SUSTAINABILITY RESEARCH PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) ELIGIBLE APPLICANT.--The term ``eligible applicant'' includes any institution of higher education, farmer or other agricultural producer, municipality, and private nonprofit organization that--
(A) expresses to the Secretary an interest in the long-term environmental and economic sustainability of the agricultural industry; and
(B) is located in--
(i) the State of Arkansas;
(ii) the State of Oklahoma; and
(iii) the State of Texas.
(2) PROGRAM.--The term ``program'' means the poultry sustainability research 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 poultry sustainability research 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 of the poultry industry in the Southwest region of the United States;
(B) research, develop, and implement programs--
(i) to recover energy and other useful products from poultry waste;
(ii) to identify new technologies for the storage, treatment, use, and disposal of animal waste; and
(iii) to assist the poultry industry in ensuring that emissions of animal waste (within the meaning of section 211(o) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7545(o))) and discharges (as defined in section 502 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1362)) of the industry are maintained at levels at or below applicable regulatory standards;
(C) provide technical assistance, training, applied research, and monitoring to eligible applicants;
(D) develop environmentally effective programs in the poultry industry; and
(E) collaborate with eligible applicants 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 applicants.
(2) APPLICATION.--
(A) SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION.--To enter into a contract with the Secretary under paragraph (1), an eligible applicant 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 a regulation describing the application requirements, including milestones and goals to be achieved by each eligible applicant.
(d) Reports.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and for each fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing--
(1) each project for which funds are provided under this section; and
(2) any advance in technology resulting from the implementation of this section.
(e) 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 15, 2007.)