; and (E) provide technical assistance to States seeking to establish State-level environmental justice advisory councils or implement other environmental justice policies or programs. (f) Responses from Administrator (1) Public comment inquiries The Administrator shall provide a written response to each inquiry submitted to the Administrator by a member of the public before or after each meeting of the Advisory Council by not later than 120 days after the date of submission. (2) Recommendations from Advisory Council The Administrator shall provide a written response to each recommendation submitted to the Administrator by the Advisory Council by not later than 120 days after the date of submission. (g) Travel expenses A member of the Advisory Council may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at such rate as the Administrator determines to be appropriate while away from the home or regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the Advisory Council. (h) Duration The Advisory Council shall remain in existence unless otherwise provided by law. 7. Environmental justice grant programs (a) In general The Administrator shall continue to carry out the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program and the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program, as those programs are in existence on the date of enactment of this Act. (b) CARE grants The Administrator shall continue to carry out the Community Action for a Renewed Environment grant programs I and II, as in existence on January 1, 2012. (c) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the programs described in subsections (a) and (b) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2027. 8. Consideration of cumulative impacts and persistent violations in certain permitting decisions (a) Federal Water Pollution Control Act Section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1342 ) is amended— (1) by striking the section