Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act

Summary · Congressional Research Service (nonpartisan)

This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the technical assistance authority, initiatives, and programs of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that are related to clean water infrastructure. Among other things, the review must include a description of the covered technical assistance available to states, tribes, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations, including activities and actions carried out during the previous five years; a comprehensive review of how the EPA Water Technical Assistance (WaterTA) initiative identifies, selects, and partners with technical assistance providers to support communities; and an assessment of the needs of economically distressed communities eligible to receive assistance under an EPA clean water infrastructure program that are not addressed through covered technical assistance. GAO must submit a report to Congress on the review, which must include any recommendations to improve covered technical assistance. Further, the EPA must submit a compliance plan to Congress annually for five years on any actions taken by the EPA to comply with GAO's recommendations.