Library / Laws / 113th / s / S. 601 / Reported in Senate
II
Calendar No. 44
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 601
[Report No. 113–13]
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 18, 2013
Mrs. Boxer (for herself
and Mr. Vitter) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Environment and Public
Works
April 22, 2013
Reported by Mrs. Boxer,
with an amendment
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert
the part printed in italic
A BILL
To provide for the conservation and development of water
and related resources, to authorize the Secretary of the Army to construct
various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States,
and for other purposes.
1.
Short title; table of
contents
(a)
Short
title
This Act may be cited as the Water Resources Development Act of
2013.
(b)
Table of
contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of
Secretary.
TITLE I—Water resource
projects
Sec. 1001. Purposes.
Sec. 1002. Project
authorizations.
Sec. 1003. Project review.
TITLE II—Water resources
policy reforms
Sec. 2001. Purposes.
Sec. 2002. Safety assurance
review.
Sec. 2003. Continuing authority
programs.
Sec. 2004. Continuing authority program
prioritization.
Sec. 2005. Fish and wildlife
mitigation.
Sec. 2006. Mitigation status
report.
Sec. 2007. Independent peer
review.
Sec. 2008. Operation and maintenance of
navigation and hydroelectric facilities.
Sec. 2009. Hydropower at Corps of
Engineers facilities.
Sec. 2010. Clarification of work-in-kind
credit authority.
Sec. 2011. Transfer of excess
work-in-kind credit.
Sec. 2012. Credit for in-kind
contributions.
Sec. 2013. Credit in lieu of
reimbursement.
Sec. 2014. Dam optimization.
Sec. 2015. Water supply.
Sec. 2016. Report on water storage
pricing formulas.
Sec. 2017. Clarification of previously
authorized work.
Sec. 2018. Consideration of Federal land
in feasibility studies.
Sec. 2019. Planning assistance to
States.
Sec. 2020. Vegetation management
policy.
Sec. 2021. Levee
certifications.
Sec. 2022. Restoration of flood and
hurricane storm damage reduction projects.
Sec. 2023. Operation and maintenance of
certain projects.
Sec. 2024. Dredging study.
Sec. 2025. Non-Federal project
implementation pilot program.
Sec. 2026. Non-Federal implementation of
feasibility studies.
Sec. 2027. Tribal partnership
program.
Sec. 2028. Cooperative agreements with
Columbia River Basin Indian tribes.
Sec. 2029. Military munitions response
actions at civil works shoreline protection projects.
Sec. 2030. Beach
nourishment.
Sec. 2031. Regional sediment
management.
Sec. 2032. Study
acceleration.
Sec. 2033. Project
acceleration.
Sec. 2034. Feasibility
studies.
Sec. 2035. Accounting and administrative
expenses.
Sec. 2036. Determination of project
completion.
Sec. 2037. Project partnership
agreements.
Sec. 2038. Interagency and international
support authority.
Sec. 2039. Acceptance of contributed
funds to increase lock operations.
Sec. 2040. Emergency response to natural
disasters.
Sec. 2041. Systemwide improvement
frameworks.
Sec. 2042. Funding to process
permits.
Sec. 2043. National riverbank
stabilization and erosion prevention study and pilot program.
Sec. 2044. Hurricane and storm damage
risk reduction prioritization.
Sec. 2045. Prioritization of ecosystem
restoration efforts.
Sec. 2046. Special use
permits.
Sec. 2047. Operations and maintenance on
fuel taxed inland waterways.
Sec. 2048. Corrosion
prevention.
Sec. 2049. Project
deauthorizations.
Sec. 2050. Reports to
Congress.
TITLE III—Project
modifications
Sec. 3001. Purpose.
Sec. 3002. Chatfield Reservoir,
Colorado.
Sec. 3003. Missouri River Recovery
Implementation Committee expenses reimbursement.
Sec. 3004. Hurricane and storm damage
reduction study.
Sec. 3005. Lower Yellowstone Project,
Montana.
Sec. 3006. Project
deauthorizations.
Sec. 3007. Raritan River Basin, Green
Brook Sub-basin, New Jersey.
Sec. 3008. Red River Basin, Oklahoma,
Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana.
TITLE IV—Water resource
studies
Sec. 4001. Purpose.
Sec. 4002. Initiation of new water
resources studies.
Sec. 4003. Applicability.
TITLE V—Regional and
nonproject provisions
Sec. 5001. Purpose.
Sec. 5002. Northeast Coastal Region
ecosystem restoration.
Sec. 5003. Chesapeake Bay Environmental
Restoration and Protection Program.
Sec. 5004. Rio Grande environmental
management program, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas.
Sec. 5005. Lower Columbia River and
Tillamook Bay ecosystem restoration, Oregon and Washington.
Sec. 5006. Arkansas River, Arkansas and
Oklahoma.
Sec. 5007. Aquatic invasive species
prevention and management; Columbia River Basin.
Sec. 5008. Upper Missouri Basin flood
and drought monitoring.
Sec. 5009. Northern Rockies headwaters
extreme weather mitigation.
TITLE VI—Levee
safety
Sec. 6001. Short title.
Sec. 6002. Findings;
purposes.
Sec. 6003. Definitions.
Sec. 6004. National levee safety
program.
Sec. 6005. National levee safety
advisory board.
Sec. 6006. Inventory and inspection of
levees.
Sec. 6007. Reports.
Sec. 6008. Effect of title.
Sec. 6009. Authorization of
appropriations.
TITLE VII—Inland
waterways
Sec. 7001. Purposes.
Sec. 7002. Definitions.
Sec. 7003. Project delivery process
reforms.
Sec. 7004. Major rehabilitation
standards.
Sec. 7005. Inland waterways system
revenues.
Sec. 7006. Efficiency of revenue
collection.
TITLE VIII—Harbor
maintenance
Sec. 8001. Short title.
Sec. 8002. Purposes.
Sec. 8003. Funding for harbor
maintenance programs.
Sec. 8004. Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
prioritization.
Sec. 8005. Civil works program of the
Corps of Engineers.
TITLE IX—Dam
safety
Sec. 9001. Short title.
Sec. 9002. Purpose.
Sec. 9003. Administrator.
Sec. 9004. Inspection of
dams.
Sec. 9005. National Dam Safety
Program.
Sec. 9006. Public awareness and outreach
for dam safety.
Sec. 9007. Authorization of
appropriations.
TITLE X—Innovative
financing pilot projects
Sec. 10001. Short title.
Sec. 10002. Purposes.
Sec. 10003. Definitions.
Sec. 10004. Authority to provide
assistance.
Sec. 10005. Applications.
Sec. 10006. Eligible
entities.
Sec. 10007. Projects eligible for
assistance.
Sec. 10008. Activities eligible for
assistance.
Sec. 10009. Determination of eligibility
and project selection.
Sec. 10010. Secured loans.
Sec. 10011. Program
administration.
Sec. 10012. State and local
permits.
Sec. 10013. Regulations.
Sec. 10014. Funding.
Sec. 10015. Report to
Congress.
TITLE XI—Extreme
weather
Sec. 11001. Improving management of
flood and drought.
Sec. 11002. GAO study on management of
flood and drought.
Sec. 11003. Post-disaster watershed
assessments.
2.
Definition of
Secretary
In this Act, the
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army.
I
Water resource
projects
1001.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to authorize
projects that—
(A) are the subject of
a completed report of the Chief of Engineers containing a determination that
the relevant project—
(i) is in the Federal
interest;
(ii) results in
benefits that exceed the costs of the project;
(iii) is
environmentally acceptable; and
(iv) is technically
feasible; and
(B) have been
recommended to Congress for authorization by the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Civil Works; and
(2) to authorize the
Secretary—
(A) to review projects
that require increased authorization; and
(B) to request an
increase of those authorizations after—
(i) certifying that
the increases are necessary; and
(ii) submitting to
Congress reports on the proposed increases.
1002.
Project
authorizations
The Secretary
is authorized to carry out projects for water resources development,
conservation, and other purposes, subject to the conditions that—
(1) each project is
carried out—
(A) substantially in
accordance with the plan for the project; and
(B) subject to any
conditions described in the report for the project; and
(2) a Report of the
Chief of Engineers has been completed and a referral by the Assistant Secretary
of the Army for Civil Works has been made to Congress as of the date of
enactment of this Act for the project.
1003.
Project
review
(a)
In
general
For a project that is authorized by Federal law as of the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may modify the authorized project
cost set under section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33
U.S.C. 2280)—
(1) by submitting the
required certification and additional information to Congress in accordance
with subsection (b); and
(2) after receiving an
appropriation of funds in accordance with subsection (c).
(b)
Requirements for
submission
(1)
Certification
The
certification to Congress under subsection (a) shall include a certification by
the Secretary that—
(A) expenditures above
the authorized cost of the project are necessary to protect life and safety,
maintain critical navigation routes, or restore ecosystems;
(B) the project
continues to provide benefits identified in the report of the Chief of
Engineers for the project; and
(C) for projects under
construction—
(i) a temporary stop
or delay resulting from a failure to increase the authorized cost of the
project will increase costs to the Federal Government; and
(ii) the amount
requested for the project in the budget of the President or included in a work
plan for the expenditure of funds for the fiscal year during which the
certification is submitted will exceed the authorized cost of the
project.
(2)
Additional
information
The information provided to Congress about the
project under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum—
(A) a comprehensive
review of the project costs and reasons for exceeding the authorized limits set
under section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C.
2280);
(B) an expedited
analysis of the updated benefits and costs of the project; and
(C) the new funding
level needed to complete the project.
(3)
Approval of
Congress
The Secretary may not change the authorized project
costs under subsection (a) unless—
(A) a certification
and required information is submitted to Congress under subsection (b);
and
(B) after such
submission, amounts are appropriated to initiate or continue construction of
the project in an appropriations or other Act.
(c)
Termination of
effectiveness
The authority of the Secretary under this section
terminates on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.
II
Water resources
policy reforms
2001.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to reform the implementation of water
resources projects by the Corps of Engineers;
(2) to make other technical changes to the
water resources policy of the Corps of Engineers; and
(3) to implement
reforms, including—
(A) enhancing the
ability of local sponsors to partner with the Corps of Engineers by ensuring
the eligibility of the local sponsors to receive and apply credit for work
carried out by the sponsors and increasing the role of sponsors in carrying out
Corps of Engineers projects;
(B) ensuring
continuing authority programs can continue to meet important needs;
(C) encouraging the
continuation of efforts to modernize feasibility studies and establish targets
for expedited completion of feasibility studies;
(D) seeking
efficiencies in the management of dams and related infrastructure to reduce
environmental impacts while maximizing other benefits and project purposes,
such as flood control, navigation, water supply, and hydropower;
(E) clarifying
mitigation requirements for Corps of Engineers projects and ensuring
transparency in the independent external review of those projects; and
(F) establishing an
efficient and transparent process for deauthorizing projects that have failed
to receive a minimum level of investment to ensure active projects can move
forward while reducing the backlog of authorized projects.
2002.
Safety
assurance review
Section 2035
of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2344) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
(g)
Nonapplicability
of FACA
The Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to a safety assurance review
conducted under this
section.
.
2003.
Continuing
authority programs
(a)
Small river and
harbor improvement projects
Section 107 of the River and Harbor
Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a),
by striking $35,000,000 and inserting
$50,000,000; and
(2) in subsection (b),
by striking $7,000,000 and inserting
$10,000,000.
(b)
Shore damage
prevention or mitigation
Section 111(c) of the River and Harbor
Act of 1968 (33 U.S.C. 426i(c)) is amended by striking
$5,000,000 and inserting $10,000,000.
(c)
Regional
sediment management
(1)
In
general
Section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326) is amended—
(A) in subsection
(c)(1)(C), by striking $5,000,000 and inserting
$10,000,000; and
(B) in subsection (g),
by striking $30,000,000 and inserting
$50,000,000.
(2)
Applicability
Section
2037 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1094) is amended
by added at the end the following:
(c)
Applicability
The
amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to any project authorized
under this Act if a report of the Chief of Engineers for the project was
completed prior to the date of enactment of this
Act.
.
(d)
Small flood
control projects
Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 (33
U.S.C. 701s) is amended in the third sentence by striking
$7,000,000 and inserting $10,000,000.
(e)
Project
modifications for improvement of environment
Section 1135(d) of
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a(d)) is
amended—
(1) in the second
sentence, by striking Not more than 80 percent of the non-Federal may
be and inserting The non-Federal share may be provided;
and
(2) in the third
sentence, by striking $5,000,000 and inserting
$10,000,000.
(f)
Aquatic
ecosystem restoration
Section 206(d) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330(d)) is amended by striking
$5,000,000 and inserting $10,000,000.
(g)
Floodplain
management services
Section 206(d) of the Flood Control Act of
1960 (33 U.S.C. 709a) is amended by striking $15,000,000 and
inserting $50,000,000.
2004.
Continuing
authority program prioritization
(a)
Definition of
continuing authority program project
In this section, the term
continuing authority program means 1 of the following
authorities:
(1) Section 205 of the
Flood Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 701s).
(2) Section 111 of the
River and Harbor Act of 1968 (33 U.S.C. 426i).
(3) Section 206 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330).
(4) Section 1135 of
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a).
(5) Section 107 of the
River and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577).
(6) Section 3 of the
Act of August 13, 1946 (33 U.S.C. 426g).
(b)
Prioritization
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
publish in the Federal Register and on a publicly available website, the
criteria the Secretary uses for prioritizing annual funding for continuing
authority program projects.
(c)
Annual
report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal
Register and on a publicly available website, a report on the status of each
continuing authority program, which, at a minimum, shall include—
(1) the name and a
short description of each active continuing authority program project;
(2) the cost estimate
to complete each active project; and
(3) the funding
available in that fiscal year for each continuing authority program.
(d)
Congressional
notification
On publication in the Federal Register under
subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a copy of all information
published under those subsections.
2005.
Fish and
wildlife mitigation
(a)
In
general
Section 906 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1986 (33 U.S.C. 2283) is amended—
(1) in subsection
(d)—
(A) in paragraph
(1)—
(i) in the first
sentence—
(I) by inserting
for damages to ecological resources, including terrestrial and aquatic
resources, and after mitigate;
(II) by inserting ecological resources
and after impact on; and
(III) by inserting
without the implementation of mitigation measures before the
period; and
(ii) by inserting
before the last sentence the following: If the Secretary determines that
mitigation to in-kind conditions is not possible, the Secretary shall identify
in the report the basis for that determination.; and
(B) in paragraph
(3)—
(i) in subparagraph
(A), by inserting , at a minimum, after complies
with; and
(ii) in subparagraph
(B)—
(I) by striking clause
(iii);
(II) by redesginating
clauses (iv) and (v) as clauses (v) and (vi), respectively; and
(III) by inserting
after clause (ii) the following:
(iii) for projects
where mitigation will be carried out by the Secretary—
(I) a description of
the land and interest in land to be acquired for the mitigation plan;
(II) the basis for a
determination that the land and interests are available for acquisition;
and
(III) a determination
that the proposed interest sought does not exceed the minimum interest in land
necessary to meet the mitigation requirements for the project;
(iv) for projects
where mitigation will be carried out through a third party mitigation
arrangement in accordance with subsection (i)—
(I) a description of
the third party mitigation instrument to be used; and
(II) the basis for a
determination that the mitigation instrument can meet the mitigation
requirements for the project;
; and
(2) by adding at the
end the following:
(h)
Programmatic
mitigation plans
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may develop 1 or more programmatic
mitigation plans to address the potential impacts to ecological resources,
fish, and wildlife associated with existing or future water resources
development projects.
(2)
Use of
mitigation plans
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, use programmatic mitigation plans developed in accordance with
this subsection to guide the development of a mitigation plan under subsection
(d).
(3)
Non-Federal
plans
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and
subject to all conditions of this subsection, use programmatic environmental
plans developed by a State, a body politic of the State, which derives its
powers from a State constitution, a government entity created by State
legislation, or a local government, that meet the requirements of this
subsection to address the potential environmental impacts of existing or future
water resources development projects.
(4)
Scope
A
programmatic mitigation plan developed by the Secretary or an entity described
in paragraph (3) to address potential impacts of existing or future water
resources development projects may—
(A) be developed on a
regional, ecosystem, watershed, or statewide scale;
(B) encompass multiple
environmental resources within a defined geographical area or focus on a
specific resource, such as aquatic resources or wildlife habitat; and
(C) address impacts
from all projects in a defined geographical area or focus on a specific type of
project.
(5)
Consultation
The
scope of the plan shall be determined by the Secretary or an entity described
in paragraph (3), as appropriate, in consultation with the agency with
jurisdiction over the resources being addressed in the environmental mitigation
plan.
(6)
Contents
A
programmatic environmental mitigation plan may include—
(A) an assessment of
the condition of environmental resources in the geographical area covered by
the plan, including an assessment of recent trends and any potential threats to
those resources;
(B) an assessment of
potential opportunities to improve the overall quality of environmental
resources in the geographical area covered by the plan through strategic
mitigation for impacts of water resources development projects;
(C) standard measures
for mitigating certain types of impacts;
(D) parameters for
determining appropriate mitigation for certain types of impacts, such as
mitigation ratios or criteria for determining appropriate mitigation
sites;
(E) adaptive
management procedures, such as protocols that involve monitoring predicted
impacts over time and adjusting mitigation measures in response to information
gathered through the monitoring;
(F) acknowledgment of
specific statutory or regulatory requirements that must be satisfied when
determining appropriate mitigation for certain types of resources; and
(G) any offsetting
benefits of self-mitigating projects, such as ecosystem or resource restoration
and protection.
(7)
Process
Before
adopting a programmatic environmental mitigation plan for use under this
subsection, the Secretary shall—
(A) for a plan
developed by the Secretary—
(i) make a draft of
the plan available for review and comment by applicable environmental resource
agencies and the public; and
(ii) consider any
comments received from those agencies and the public on the draft plan;
and
(B) for a plan
developed under paragraph (3), determine, not later than 180 days after
receiving the plan, whether the plan meets the requirements of paragraphs (4)
through (6) and was made available for public comment.
(8)
Integration with
other plans
A programmatic environmental mitigation plan may be
integrated with other plans, including watershed plans, ecosystem plans,
species recovery plans, growth management plans, and land use plans.
(9)
Consideration in
project development and permitting
If a programmatic
environmental mitigation plan has been developed under this subsection, any
Federal agency responsible for environmental reviews, permits, or approvals for
a water resources development project may use the recommendations in that
programmatic environmental mitigation plan when carrying out the
responsibilities of the agency under the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(10)
Preservation of
existing authorities
Nothing in this subsection limits the use of
programmatic approaches to reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(i)
Third-party
mitigation arrangements
(1)
Eligible
activities
In accordance with all applicable Federal laws
(including regulations), mitigation efforts carried out under this section may
include—
(A) participation in
mitigation banking or other third-party mitigation arrangements, such
as—
(i) the purchase of
credits from commercial or State, regional, or local agency-sponsored
mitigation banks; and
(ii) the purchase of
credits from in-lieu fee mitigation programs; and
(B) contributions to
statewide and regional efforts to conserve, restore, enhance, and create
natural habitats and wetlands.
(2)
Inclusion of
other activities
The banks, programs, and efforts described in
paragraph (1) include any banks, programs, and efforts developed in accordance
with applicable law (including regulations).
(3)
Terms and
conditions
In carrying out natural habitat and wetlands
mitigation efforts under this section, contributions to the mitigation effort
may—
(A) take place
concurrent with, or in advance of, the commitment of funding to a project;
and
(B) occur in advance
of project construction only if the efforts are consistent with all applicable
requirements of Federal law (including regulations) and water resources
development planning processes.
(4)
Preference
At
the request of the non-Federal project sponsor, preference may be given, to the
maximum extent practicable, to mitigating an environmental impact through the
use of a mitigation bank, in-lieu fee, or other third-party mitigation
arrangement, if the use of credits from the mitigation bank or in-lieu fee, or
the other third-party mitigation arrangement for the project has been approved
by the applicable Federal agency.
(j)
Use of
Funds
The Secretary may use
funds made available for preconstruction engineering and design prior to
authorization of project construction to acquire interests in land necessary
for meeting the mitigation requirements of this
section.
.
(b)
Application
The
amendments made by subsection (a) shall not apply to a project for which a
mitigation plan has been completed as of the date of enactment of this
Act.
(c)
Technical
assistance
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to States
and local governments to establish third-party mitigation instruments,
including mitigation banks and in-lieu fee programs, that will help to target
mitigation payments to high-priority ecosystem restoration actions.
(2)
Requirements
In
providing technical assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall give
priority to States and local governments that have developed State, regional,
or watershed-based plans identifying priority restoration actions.
(3)
Mitigation
instruments
The Secretary shall seek to ensure any technical
assistance provided under this subsection will support the establishment of
mitigation instruments that will result in restoration of high-priority areas
identified in the plans under paragraph (2).
2006.
Mitigation
status report
Section 2036(b)
of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2283a) is
amended—
(1) by redesignating
paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after
paragraph (2) the following:
(3)
Information
included
In reporting the status of all projects included in the
report, the Secretary shall—
(A) use a uniform
methodology for determining the status of all projects included in the
report;
(B) use a methodology
that describes both a qualitative and quantitative status for all projects in
the report; and
(C) provide specific
dates for and participants in the consultations required under section
906(d)(4)(B) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C.
2283(d)(4)(B)).
.
2007.
Independent
peer review
(a)
Timing of peer
review
Section 2034(b) of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2343(b)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating
paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after
paragraph (2) the following:
(3)
Reasons for
timing
If the Chief of
Engineers does not initiate a peer review for a project study at a time
described in paragraph (2), the Chief shall—
(A) not later than 7 days after the date on
which the Chief of Engineers determines not to initiate a peer review—
(i) notify the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of that decision; and
(ii) make publicly available, including on the
Internet the reasons for not conducting the review; and
(B) include the reasons for not conducting the
review in the decision document for the project
study.
.
(b)
Establishment of
panels
Section 2034(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of
2007 (33 U.S.C. 2343(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the
following:
(4)
Congressional
and public notification
Following the identification of a project
study for peer review under this section, but prior to initiation of the review
by the panel of experts, the Chief of Engineers shall, not later than 7 days
after the date on which the Chief of Engineers determines to conduct a
review—
(A) notify the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of the
review; and
(B) make publicly
available, including on the Internet, information on—
(i) the dates
scheduled for beginning and ending the review;
(ii) the entity that
has the contract for the review; and
(iii) the names and
qualifications of the panel of
experts.
.
(c)
Recommendations
of panel
Section 2034(f) of the Water Resources Development Act
of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2343(f)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting
the following:
(2)
Public
availability and submission to Congress
After receiving a report on a project study
from a panel of experts under this section, the Chief of Engineers shall make
available to the public, including on the Internet, and submit to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives—
(A) a copy of the
report not later than 7 days after the date on which the report is delivered to
the Chief of Engineers; and
(B) a copy of any
written response of the Chief of Engineers on recommendations contained in the
report not later than 3 days after the date on which the response is delivered
to the Chief of Engineers.
(3)
Inclusion in
project study
A report on a project study from a panel of experts
under this section and the written response of the Chief of Engineers shall be
included in the final decision document for the project
study.
.
(d)
Applicability
Section
2034(h)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C.
2343(h)(2)) is amended by striking 7 years and inserting
12 years.
2008.
Operation and
maintenance of navigation and hydroelectric
facilities
(a)
In
general
Section 314 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2321) is amended—
(1) by striking the heading and inserting the
following:
314.
Operation and
maintenance of navigation and hydroelectric
facilities
;
(2) in the first
sentence, by striking Activities currently performed and
inserting the following:
(a)
In
general
Activities currently
performed
;
(3) in the second
sentence, by striking This section and inserting the
following:
(b)
Major
maintenance contracts allowed
This
section
;
(4) in subsection (a)
(as designated by paragraph (2)), by inserting navigation or
before hydroelectric; and
(5) by adding at the
end the following:
(c)
Exclusion
This
section shall not—
(1) apply to those
navigation facilities that have been or are currently under contract with a
non-Federal interest to perform operations and maintenance as of the date of
enactment of the Water Resources Development
Act of 2013; and
(2) prohibit the
Secretary from contracting out future commercial activities at those navigation
facilities.
.
(b)
Clerical
amendment
The table of contents contained in section 1(b) of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4604) is amended by striking
the item relating to section 314 and inserting the following:
Sec. 314. Operation and maintenance of
navigation and hydroelectric
facilities.
.
2009.
Hydropower at
Corps of Engineers facilities
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) in April 2012, the
Oak Ridge National Laboratory of the Department of Energy (referred to in this
section as the Oak Ridge Lab) released a report finding that
adding hydroelectric power to the non-powered dams of the United States has the
potential to add more than 12 gigawatts of new generating capacity;
(2) the top 10
non-powered dams identified by the Oak Ridge Lab as having the highest
hydroelectric power potential could alone supply 3 gigawatts of generating
capacity;
(3) of the 50
non-powered dams identified by the Oak Ridge Lab as having the highest
hydroelectric power potential, 48 are Corps of Engineers civil works
projects;
(4) promoting
non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects
increases the taxpayer benefit of those projects;
(5) the development of
non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works
projects—
(A) can be
accomplished in a manner that is consistent with authorized project purposes
and the responsibilities of the Corps of Engineers to protect the environment;
and
(B) in many instances,
may have additional environmental benefits; and
(6) the development of
non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects
could be promoted through—
(A) clear and
consistent lines of responsibility and authority within and across Corps of
Engineers districts and divisions on hydroelectric power development
activities;
(B) consistent and
corresponding processes for reviewing and approving hydroelectric power
development; and
(C) developing a means
by which non-Federal hydroelectric power developers and stakeholders can
resolve disputes with the Corps of Engineers concerning hydroelectric power
development activities at Corps of Engineers civil works projects.
(b)
Policy
Congress
declares that it is the policy of the United States that—
(1) the development of
non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects,
including locks and dams, shall be given priority;
(2) Corps of Engineers
approval of non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works
projects, including permitting required under section 14 of the Act of March 3,
1899 (33 U.S.C. 408), shall be completed by the Corps of Engineers in a timely
and consistent manner; and
(3) approval of
hydropower at Corps of Engineers civil works projects shall in no way diminish
the other priorities and missions of the Corps of Engineers, including
authorized project purposes and habitat and environmental protection.
(c)
Report
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and each year
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that, at a minimum,
shall include—
(1) a description of
initiatives carried out by the Secretary to encourage the development of
hydroelectric power by non-Federal entities at Corps of Engineers civil works
projects;
(2) a list of all new
hydroelectric power activities by non-Federal entities approved at Corps of
Engineers civil works projects in that fiscal year, including the length of
time the Secretary needed to approve those activities;
(3) a description of
the status of each pending application from non-Federal entities for approval
to develop hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works
projects;
(4) a description of
any benefits or impacts to the environment, recreation, or other uses
associated with Corps of Engineers civil works projects at which non-Federal
entities have developed hydroelectric power in the previous fiscal year;
and
(5) the total annual
amount of payments or other services provided to the Corps of Engineers, the
Treasury, and any other Federal agency as a result of approved non-Federal
hydropower projects at Corps of Engineers civil works projects.
2010.
Clarification
of work-in-kind credit authority
(a)
Non-Federal cost
share
Section 7007 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007
(121 Stat. 1277) is amended—
(1) in subsection
(a)—
(A) by inserting
, on, or after after before; and
(B) by inserting
, program, after study each place it
appears;
(2) in subsections (b)
and (e), by inserting , program, after study each
place it appears; and
(3) by striking
subsection (d) and inserting the following:
(d)
Treatment of
credit between projects
The value of any land, easements,
rights-of-way, relocations, and dredged material disposal areas and the costs
of planning, design, and construction work provided by the non-Federal interest
that exceed the non-Federal cost share for a study, program, or project under
this title may be applied toward the non-Federal cost share for any other
study, program, or project carried out under this
title.
.
(b)
Implementation
Not
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
coordination with any relevant agencies of the State of Louisiana, shall
establish a process by which to carry out the amendments made by subsection
(a)(3).
(c)
Effective
date
The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on
November 8, 2007.
2011.
Transfer of
excess work-in-kind credit
(a)
In
general
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may apply credit
for in-kind contributions provided by a non-Federal interest that is in excess
of the required non-Federal cost-share for a water resources study or project
toward the required non-Federal cost-share for a different water resources
study or project.
(b)
Restrictions
(1)
In
general
Except for subsection (a)(4)(D)(i) of that section, the
requirements of section 221 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C.
1962d–5b) (as amended by section 2012 of this Act) shall not apply to any
credit under this section.
(2)
Conditions
Credit
in excess of the non-Federal cost-share for a study or project may be approved
under this section only if—
(A) the non-Federal
interest submits a comprehensive plan to the Secretary that identifies—
(i) the studies and
projects for which the non-Federal interest intends to provide in-kind
contributions for credit that is in excess of the non-Federal cost share for
the study or project; and
(ii) the studies and
projects to which that excess credit would be applied;
(B) the Secretary
approves the comprehensive plan; and
(C) the total amount
of credit does not exceed the total non-Federal cost-share for the studies and
projects in the approved comprehensive plan.
(c)
Additional
criteria
In evaluating a request to apply credit in excess of the
non-Federal cost-share for a study or project toward a different study or
project, the Secretary shall consider whether applying that credit will—
(1) help to expedite
the completion of a project or group of projects;
(2) reduce costs to
the Federal Government; and
(3) aid the completion
of a project that provides significant flood risk reduction or environmental
benefits.
(d)
Termination of
authority
The authority provided in this section shall terminate
10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e)
Report
(1)
Deadlines
(A)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives an interim report on the use of the authority
under this section.
(B)
Final
report
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a final report on the use of the authority under
this section.
(2)
Inclusions
The
reports described in paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a description of
the use of the authority under this section during the reporting period;
(B) an assessment of
the impact of the authority under this section on the time required to complete
projects; and
(C) an assessment of
the impact of the authority under this section on other water resources
projects.
2012.
Credit for
in-kind contributions
(a)
In
general
Section 221(a)(4) of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42
U.S.C. 1962d–5b(a)(4)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph
(A), in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting or a project under
an environmental infrastructure assistance program after
law;
(2) in subparagraph
(C), by striking In any case and all that follows through the
period at the end and inserting the following:
(i)
Construction
(I)
In
general
In any case in which the non-Federal interest is to
receive credit under subparagraph (A) for the cost of construction carried out
by the non-Federal interest before execution of a partnership agreement and
that construction has not been carried out as of the date of enactment of this
subparagraph, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest shall enter into an
agreement under which the non-Federal interest shall carry out such work prior
to the non-Federal interest initiating construction or issuing a written notice
to proceed for the construction.
(II)
Eligibility
Construction
that is carried out after the execution of an agreement to carry out work
described in subclause (I) and any design activities that are required for that
construction, even if the design activity is carried out prior to the execution
of the agreement to carry out work, shall be eligible for credit.
(ii)
Planning
(I)
In
general
In any case in which the non-Federal interest is to
receive credit under subparagraph (A) for the cost of planning carried out by
the non-Federal interest before execution of a feasibility cost sharing
agreement, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest shall enter into an
agreement under which the non-Federal interest shall carry out such work prior
to the non-Federal interest initiating that planning.
(II)
Eligibility
Planning
that is carried out by the non-Federal interest after the execution of an
agreement to carry out work described in subclause (I) shall be eligible for
credit.
;
(3) in subparagraph
(D)(iii), by striking sections 101 and 103 and inserting
sections 101(a)(2) and 103(a)(1)(A) of the Water Resources Development
Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211(a)(2); 33 U.S.C. 2213(a)(1)(A));
(4) by redesignating
subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (H);
(5) by inserting after
subparagraph (D) the following:
(E)
Analysis of
costs and benefits
In the evaluation of the costs and benefits of
a project, the Secretary shall not consider construction carried out by a
non-Federal interest under this subsection as part of the future without
project condition.
(F)
Transfer of
Credit between Separable Elements of a Project
Credit for in-kind
contributions provided by a non-Federal interest that are in excess of the
non-Federal cost share for an authorized separable element of a project may be
applied toward the non-Federal cost share for a different authorized separable
element of the same project.
(G)
Application of
Credit
To the extent that credit for in-kind contributions, as
limited by subparagraph (D), and credit for required land, easements,
rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and relocations provided by the
non-Federal interest exceed the non-Federal share of the cost of construction
of a project other than a navigation project, the Secretary shall reimburse the
difference to the non-Federal interest, subject to the availability of
funds.
;
and
(6) in subparagraph
(H) (as redesignated by paragraph (4))—
(A) in clause (i), by
inserting , and to water resources projects authorized prior to the date
of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law
99–662), if correction of design deficiencies is necessary before the
period at the end; and
(B) by striking clause
(ii) and inserting the following:
(ii)
Authorization
in addition to specific credit provision
In any case in which a
specific provision of law authorizes credit for in-kind contributions provided
by a non-Federal interest before the date of execution of a partnership
agreement, the Secretary may apply the authority provided in this paragraph to
allow credit for in-kind contributions provided by the non-Federal interest on
or after the date of execution of the partnership
agreement.
.
(b)
Applicability
Section
2003(e) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 1962d-5b
note) is amended by inserting , or construction of design deficiency
corrections on the project, after construction on the
project.
(c)
Effective
date
The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) take effect
on November 8, 2007.
(d)
Guidelines
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall update any guidance or regulations for carrying out
section 221(a)(4) of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d-5b(a)(4))
(as amended by subsection (a)) that are in existence on the date of enactment
of this Act or issue new guidelines, as determined to be appropriate by the
Secretary.
(2)
Inclusions
Any
guidance, regulations, or guidelines updated or issued under paragraph (1)
shall include, at a minimum—
(A) the milestone for
executing an in-kind memorandum of understanding for construction by a
non-Federal interest;
(B) criteria and
procedures for evaluating a request to execute an in-kind memorandum of
understanding for construction by a non-Federal interest that is earlier than
the milestone under subparagraph (A) for that execution; and
(C) criteria and
procedures for determining whether work carried out by a non-Federal interest
is integral to a project.
(3)
Public and
stakeholder participation
Before issuing any new or revised
guidance, regulations, or guidelines or any subsequent updates to those
documents, the Secretary shall—
(A) consult with
affected non-Federal interests;
(B) publish the
proposed guidelines developed under this subsection in the Federal Register;
and
(C) provide the public
with an opportunity to comment on the proposed guidelines.
(e)
Other
credit
Nothing in section 221(a)(4) of the Flood Control Act of
1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b(a)(4)) (as amended by subsection (a)) affects any
eligibility for credit under section 104 of the Water Resources Development of
1986 (33 U.S.C. 2214) that was approved by the Secretary prior to the date of
enactment of this Act.
2013.
Credit in lieu
of reimbursement
Section
211(e)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C.
701b–13(e)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(C)
Studies or other
projects
On the request of a non-Federal interest, in lieu of
reimbursing a non-Federal interest the amount equal to the estimated Federal
share of the cost of an authorized flood damage reduction project or a
separable element of an authorized flood damage reduction project under this
subsection that has been constructed by the non-Federal interest under this
section as of the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may provide the
non-Federal interest with a credit in that amount, which the non-Federal
interest may apply to the share of the cost of the non-Federal interest of
carrying out other flood damage reduction projects or
studies.
.
2014.
Dam
optimization
(a)
Definitions
In
this section:
(1)
Other related
project benefits
The term other related project
benefits includes—
(A) environmental
protection and restoration, including restoration of water quality and water
flows, improving movement of fish and other aquatic species, and restoration of
floodplains, wetlands, and estuaries;
(B) increased water
supply storage;
(C) increased
hydropower generation;
(D) reduced flood
risk;
(E) additional
navigation; and
(F) improved
recreation.
(2)
Water control
plan
The term water control plan means—
(A) a plan for
coordinated regulation schedules for project or system regulation; and
(B) such additional
provisions as may be required to collect, analyze, and disseminate basic data,
prepare detailed operating instructions, ensure project safety, and carry out
regulation of projects in an appropriate manner.
(b)
Program
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may
carry out activities—
(A) to improve the
efficiency of the operations and maintenance of dams and related infrastructure
operated by the Corps of Engineers; and
(B) to maximize, to
the extent practicable—
(i) authorized project
purposes; and
(ii) other related
project benefits.
(2)
Eligible
activities
An eligible activity under this section is any
activity that the Secretary would otherwise be authorized to carry out that is
designed to provide other related project benefits in a manner that does not
adversely impact the authorized purposes of the project, including—
(A) the review of
project operations on a regular and timely basis to determine the potential for
operational changes;
(B) carrying out any
investigation or study the Secretary determines to be necessary; and
(C) the revision or
updating of a water control plan or other modification of the operation of a
water resource project.
(3)
Impact on
authorized purposes
An activity carried out under this section
shall not adversely impact any of the authorized purposes of the
project.
(4)
Effect on
existing agreements
Nothing in this section supersedes or
modifies any written agreement between the Federal Government and a non-Federal
interest that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(5)
Other
laws
(A)
In
general
An activity carried out under this section shall comply
with all other applicable laws (including regulations).
(B)
Water
supply
Any activity carried out under this section that results
in any modification to water supply storage allocations at a reservoir operated
by the Secretary shall comply with section 301 of the Water Supply Act of 1958
(43 U.S.C. 390b).
(c)
Policies,
regulations, and guidance
The Secretary shall carry out a review
of, and as necessary modify, the policies, regulations, and guidance of the
Secretary to carry out the activities described in subsection (b).
(d)
Coordination
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall coordinate all planning and
activities carried out under this section with appropriate Federal, State, and
local agencies and those public and private entities that the Secretary
determines may be affected by those plans or activities.
(2)
Non-Federal
interests
Prior to carrying out an activity under this section,
the Secretary shall consult with any applicable non-Federal interest of the
affected dam or related infrastructure.
(e)
Reports
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report describing the actions carried out under this section.
(2)
Inclusions
Each
report under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a schedule for
reviewing the operations of individual projects; and
(B) any
recommendations of the Secretary on changes that the Secretary determines to be
necessary—
(i) to carry out
existing projection authorizations, including the deauthorization of any water
resource project that the Secretary determines could more effectively be
achieved through other means;
(ii) to improve the
efficiency of water resource project operations; and
(iii) to maximize
authorized project purposes and other related project benefits.
(3)
Updated
report
(A)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall update the report entitled Authorized and
Operating Purposes of Corps of Engineers Reservoirs and dated July
1992, which was produced pursuant to section 311 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4639).
(B)
Inclusions
The
updated report described in subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) the date on which
the most recent review of project operations was conducted and any
recommendations of the Secretary relating to that review the Secretary
determines to be significant; and
(ii) the dates on
which the recommendations described in clause (i) were carried out.
(f)
Funding
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may use to carry out this section amounts
made available to the Secretary from—
(A) the general
purposes and expenses account;
(B) the operations and
maintenance account; and
(C) any other amounts
that are appropriated to carry out this section.
(2)
Funding from
other sources
The Secretary may accept and expend amounts from
non-Federal entities and other Federal agencies to carry out this
section.
(g)
Cooperative
agreements
The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements
with other Federal agencies and non-Federal entities to carry out this
section.
2015.
Water
supply
Section 301 of the
Water Supply Act of 1958 (43 U.S.C. 390b) is amended by striking subsection (d)
and inserting the following:
(d)
Congressional
approval of modifications of reservoir projects
Congressional
approval shall be required for any modification of a reservoir project that has
been authorized, surveyed, planned, or constructed to include storage for
municipal or industrial water supply if, when considered cumulatively with all
previous modifications of the project, the modification would—
(1) seriously affect
the purposes for which the project was authorized, surveyed, planned, or
constructed;
(2) involve major
structural or operational changes; or
(3) involve an
allocation or reallocation of storage that is equal to or exceeds 5 percent of
the conservation storage pool of the
project.
.
2016.
Report on
water storage pricing formulas
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) due to the ongoing
drought in many parts of the United States, communities are looking for ways to
enhance their water storage on Corps of Engineer reservoirs so as to maintain a
reliable supply of water into the foreseeable future;
(2) water storage
pricing formulas should be equitable and not create disparities between users;
and
(3) water pricing
formulas should not be cost-prohibitive for communities.
(b)
Assessment
(1)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate an
assessment of the water storage pricing formulas of the Corps of Engineers,
which shall include an assessment of—
(A) existing water
storage pricing formulas of the Corps of Engineers, in particular whether those
formulas produce water storage costs for some beneficiaries that are greatly
disparate from the costs of other beneficiaries; and
(B) whether equitable
water storage pricing formulas could lessen the disparate impact and produce
more affordable water storage for potential beneficiaries.
(2)
Report
The
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on
the assessment carried out under paragraph (1).
2017.
Clarification
of previously authorized work
(a)
In
General
The Secretary may carry out measures to improve fish
species habitat within the footprint and downstream of a water resources
project constructed by the Secretary that includes a fish hatchery if the
Secretary—
(1) has been
explicitly authorized to compensate for fish losses associated with the
project; and
(2) determines that
the measures are—
(A) feasible;
(B) consistent with
authorized project purposes and the fish hatchery; and
(C) in the public
interest.
(b)
Cost
Sharing
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraph (2), the non-Federal interest shall
contribute 35 percent of the total cost of carrying out activities under this
section, including the costs relating to the provision or acquisition of
required land, easements, rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and
relocations.
(2)
Operation and
maintenance
The non-Federal interest shall contribute 100 percent
of the costs of operation, maintenance, replacement, repair, and rehabilitation
of a project constructed under this section.
(c)
Authorization of
appropriations
For each fiscal year, there is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000.
2018.
Consideration
of Federal land in feasibility studies
At the request of the non-Federal interest,
the Secretary shall include as part of a regional or watershed study any
Federal land that is located within the geographic scope of that study.
2019.
Planning
assistance to States
Section
22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–16) is
amended—
(1) in subsection
(a)—
(A) in paragraph
(1)—
(i) by inserting
or other stakeholder working with a State after cooperate
with any State; and
(ii) by inserting
, including plans to comprehensively address water resources
challenges, after of such State; and
(B) in paragraph
(2)(A), by striking , at Federal expense,;
(2) in subsection
(b)—
(A) in paragraph (1),
by striking subsection (a)(1) each place it appears and
inserting subsection (a);
(B) by redesignating
paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after
paragraph (1) the following:
(2)
Contributed
funds
The Secretary may accept and expend funds in excess of the
fees established under paragraph (1) that are provided by a State or other
non-Federal public body for assistance under this
section.
; and
(3) in subsection
(c)—
(A) in paragraph
(1)—
(i) by striking
$10,000,000 and inserting $30,000,000; and
(ii) by striking
$2,000,000 and inserting $5,000,000 in Federal
funds; and
(B) in paragraph (2),
by striking $5,000,000 and inserting
$15,000,000.
2020.
Vegetation
management policy
(a)
Definition of
national guidelines
In this section, the term national
guidelines means the Corps of Engineers policy guidelines for management
of vegetation on levees, including—
(1) Engineering
Technical Letter 1110-2-571 entitled Guidelines for Landscape Planting
and Vegetation Management at Levees, Floodwalls, Embankment Dams, and
Appurtenant Structures and adopted April 10, 2009; and
(2) the draft policy
guidance letter entitled Process for Requesting a Variance from
Vegetation Standards for Levees and Floodwalls (77 Fed. Reg. 9637 (Feb.
17, 2012)).
(b)
Review
Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall carry out a comprehensive review of the national guidelines in order to
determine whether current Federal policy relating to levee vegetation is
appropriate for all regions of the United States.
(c)
Factors
(1)
In
general
In carrying out the review, the Secretary shall
consider—
(A) the varied
interests and responsibilities in managing flood risks, including the
need—
(i) to provide for
levee safety with limited resources; and
(ii) to ensure that
levee safety investments minimize environmental impacts and provide
corresponding public safety benefits;
(B) the levee safety
benefits that can be provided by woody vegetation;
(C) the preservation,
protection, and enhancement of natural resources, including—
(i) the benefit of
vegetation on levees in providing habitat for endangered, threatened, and
candidate species; and
(ii) the impact of
removing levee vegetation on compliance with other regulatory
requirements;
(D) protecting the
rights of Indian tribes pursuant to treaties and statutes;
(E) the available
science and the historical record regarding the link between vegetation on
levees and flood risk;
(F) the avoidance of
actions requiring significant economic costs and environmental impacts;
and
(G) other factors
relating to the factors described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) identified
in public comments that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(2)
Variance
considerations
(A)
In
general
In carrying out the review, the Secretary shall
specifically consider whether the national guidelines can be amended to promote
and allow for consideration of variances from national guidelines on a
Statewide, tribal, regional, or watershed basis, including variances based
on—
(i) soil
conditions;
(ii) hydrologic
factors;
(iii) vegetation
patterns and characteristics;
(iv) environmental
resources, including endangered, threatened, or candidate species and related
regulatory requirements;
(v) levee performance
history, including historical information on original construction and
subsequent operation and maintenance activities;
(vi) any effects on
water supply;
(vii) any scientific
evidence on the link between levee vegetation and levee safety;
(viii) institutional
considerations, including implementation challenges;
(ix) the availability
of limited funds for levee construction and rehabilitation;
(x) the economic and
environmental costs of removing woody vegetation on levees; and
(xi) other relevant
factors identified in public comments that the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
(B)
Scope
The
scope of a variance approved by the Secretary may include a complete exemption
to national guidelines, as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(d)
Cooperation and
consultation; recommendations
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall carry out the review under this
section in consultation with other applicable Federal agencies, representatives
of State, regional, local, and tribal governments, appropriate nongovernmental
organizations, and the public.
(2)
Recommendations
The Chief of Engineers and any State,
tribal, regional, or local entity may submit to the Secretary any
recommendations for vegetation management policies for levees that conform with
Federal and State laws, including recommendations relating to the review of
national guidelines under subsection (b) and the consideration of variances
under subsection (c)(2).
(e)
Peer
review
(1)
In
general
As part of the review, the Secretary shall solicit and
consider the views of the National Academy of Engineering and the National
Academy of Sciences on the engineering, environmental, and institutional
considerations underlying the national guidelines, including the factors
described in subsection (c) and any information obtained by the Secretary under
subsection (d).
(2)
Availability of
views
The views of the National Academy of Engineering and the
National Academy of Sciences obtained under paragraph (1) shall be—
(A) made available to
the public; and
(B) included in
supporting materials issued in connection with the revised national guidelines
required under subsection (f).
(f)
Revision of
national guidelines
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall—
(A) revise the
national guidelines based on the results of the review, including—
(i) recommendations
received as part of the consultation described in subsection (d)(1); and
(ii) the results of
the peer review conducted under subsection (e); and
(B) submit to Congress
a report that contains a summary of the activities of the Secretary and a
description of the findings of the Secretary under this section.
(2)
Content;
incorporation into manual
The revised national guidelines
shall—
(A) provide a
practical, flexible process for approving Statewide, tribal, regional, or
watershed variances from the national guidelines that—
(i) reflect due
consideration of the factors described in subsection (c); and
(ii) incorporate
State, tribal, and regional vegetation management guidelines for specific areas
that have been adopted through a formal public process; and
(B) be incorporated
into the manual proposed under section 5(c) of the Act entitled An Act
authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for
flood control, and for other purposes, approved August 18, 1941 (33
U.S.C. 701n(c)).
(3)
Failure to meet
deadlines
If the Secretary fails to submit a report by the
required deadline under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed
explanation of—
(A) why the deadline
was missed;
(B) solutions needed
to meet the deadline; and
(C) a projected date
for submission of the report.
(g)
Continuation of
work
Concurrent with the completion of the requirements of this
section, the Secretary shall proceed without interruption or delay with those
ongoing or programmed projects and studies, or elements of projects or studies,
that are not directly related to vegetation variance policy.
(h)
Interim
actions
(1)
In
general
Until the date on which revisions to the national
guidelines are adopted in accordance with subsection (f), the Secretary shall
not require the removal of existing vegetation as a condition or requirement
for any approval or funding of a project, or any other action, unless the
specific vegetation has been demonstrated to present an unacceptable safety
risk.
(2)
Revisions
Beginning
on the date on which the revisions to the national guidelines are adopted in
accordance with subsection (f), the Secretary shall consider, on request of an
affected entity, any previous action of the Corps of Engineers in which the
outcome was affected by the former national guidelines.
2021.
Levee
certifications
(a)
Implementation
of flood protection structure accreditation task force
In
carrying out section 100226 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of
2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101 note; 126 Stat. 942), the Secretary shall—
(1) ensure that at
least 1 program activity carried out under the inspection of completed works
program of the Corps of Engineers provides adequate information to the
Secretary to reach a levee accreditation decision for each requirement under
section 65.10 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulation); and
(2) to the maximum
extent practicable, carry out activities under the inspection of completed
works program of the Corps of Engineers in alignment with the schedule
established for the national flood insurance program established under chapter
1 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.).
(b)
Accelerated
levee system evaluations and certifications
(1)
In
general
On receipt of a request from a non-Federal interest, the
Secretary may carry out a levee system evaluation and certification of a
federally authorized levee for purposes of the national flood insurance program
established under chapter 1 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C. 4011 et seq.) if the evaluation and certification will be carried out
earlier than such an evaluation and certification would be carried out under
subsection (a).
(2)
Requirements
A
levee system evaluation and certification under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) at a minimum,
comply with section 65.10 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (as in
effect on the date of enactment of this Act); and
(B) be carried out in
accordance with such procedures as the Secretary, in consultation with the
Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, may establish.
(3)
Cost
Sharing
(A)
Non-Federal
share
Subject to subparagraph (B), the non-Federal share of the
cost of carrying out a levee system evaluation and certification under this
subsection shall be 35 percent.
(B)
Adjustment
The
Secretary shall adjust the non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out a
levee system evaluation and certification under this subsection in accordance
with section 103(m) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C.
2213(m)).
(4)
Application
Nothing
in this subsection affects the requirement under section 100226(b)(2) of the
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101 note; 126
Stat. 942).
2022.
Restoration of
flood and hurricane storm damage reduction projects
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall carry out any measures necessary to
restore components of federally authorized and federally constructed flood and
hurricane storm damage reduction projects to authorized levels of protection
for reasons including settlement, subsidence, sea level rise, and new datum, if
the Secretary determines the necessary work is feasible.
(b)
Cost
share
The non-Federal share of the cost of construction of a
project carried out under this section shall be determined as provided in
subsections (a) through (d) of section 103 of the Water Resources Development
Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2213).
(c)
Operations and
maintenance
The non-Federal share of the cost of operations,
maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation for a project carried out
under this section shall be 100 percent.
(d)
Eligibility of
projects transferred to non-Federal interest
The Secretary may
carry out measures described in subsection (a) on a water resources project,
separable element of a project, or functional component of a project that has
been transferred to the non-Federal interest.
(e)
Report to
Congress
Not later than 8 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of this section,
including—
(1) any
recommendations relating to the continued need for the authority provided in
this section;
(2) a description of
the measures carried out under this section;
(3) any lessons
learned relating to the measures implemented under this section; and
(4) best practices for
carrying out measures to restore flood damage reduction projects.
(f)
Termination of
authority
The authority to carry out a measure under this section
terminates on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(g)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000.
2023.
Operation and
maintenance of certain projects
The Secretary may assume operation and
maintenance activities for a navigation channel that is deepened by a
non-Federal interest prior to December 31, 2012, if—
(1) the Secretary determines that the
requirements under paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 204(f) of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2232(f)) are met;
(2) the Secretary determines that the
activities carried out by the non-Federal interest in deepening the navigation
channel are economically justified and environmentally acceptable; and
(3) the deepening activities have been carried
out on a Federal navigation channel that—
(A) exists as of the date of enactment of this
Act; and
(B) has been authorized by Congress.
2024.
Dredging
study
(a)
In
general
The Secretary, in conjunction with other relevant Federal
agencies and applicable non-Federal interests, shall carry out a study—
(1) to compare
domestic and international dredging markets, including costs, technologies, and
management approaches used in each respective market, and determine the impacts
of those markets on dredging needs and practices in the United States;
(2) to analyze past
and existing practices, technologies, and management approaches used in
dredging in the United States; and
(3) to develop
recommendations relating to the best techniques, practices, and management
approaches for dredging in the United States.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of the study under this section are—
(1) the identification
of the best techniques, methods, and technologies for dredging, including the
evaluation of the feasibility, cost, and benefits of—
(A) new dredging
technologies; and
(B) improved dredging
practices and techniques;
(2) the appraisal of
the needs of the United States for dredging, including the need to increase the
size of private and Corps of Engineers dredging fleets to meet demands for
additional construction or maintenance dredging needed as of the date of
enactment of this Act and in the subsequent 20 years;
(3) the identification
of any impediments to dredging, including any recommendations of appropriate
alternatives for responding to those impediments;
(4) the assessment,
including any recommendations of appropriate alternatives, of the adequacy and
effectiveness of—
(A) the economic,
engineering, and environmental methods, models, and analyses used by the Chief
of Engineers and private dredging operations for dredging; and
(B) the current cost
structure of construction contracts entered into by the Chief of
Engineers;
(5) the evaluation of
the efficiency and effectiveness of past, current, and alternative dredging
practices and alternatives to dredging, including agitation dredging;
and
(6) the identification
of innovative techniques and cost-effective methods to expand regional sediment
management efforts, including the placement of dredged sediment within river
diversions to accelerate the creation of wetlands.
(c)
Study
team
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall establish a study team to assist the
Secretary in planning, carrying out, and reporting on the results of the study
under this section.
(2)
Study
team
The study team established pursuant to paragraph (1)
shall—
(A) be appointed by
the Secretary; and
(B) represent a broad
spectrum of experts in the field of dredging and representatives of relevant
State agencies and relevant non-Federal interests.
(d)
Public comment
period
The Secretary shall—
(1) make available to
the public, including on the Internet, all draft and final study findings under
this section; and
(2) allow for a public
comment period of not less than 30 days on any draft study findings prior to
issuing final study findings.
(e)
Report to
congress
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, and subject to available appropriations, the Secretary, in
consultation with the study team established under subsection (c), shall submit
a detailed report on the results of the study to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(f)
Failure to meet
deadlines
If the Secretary does not complete the study under this
section and submit a report to Congress under subsection (e) on or before the
deadline described in that subsection, the Secretary shall notify Congress and
describe why the study was not completed.
2025.
Non-Federal
project implementation pilot program
(a)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish and implement a pilot program to
evaluate the cost-effectiveness and project delivery efficiency of allowing
non-Federal interests to carry out flood risk management, hurricane and storm
damage reduction, and coastal harbor and channel and inland harbor navigation
projects.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of the pilot program are—
(1) to identify
project delivery and cost-saving alternatives that reduce the backlog of
authorized Corps of Engineers projects;
(2) to evaluate the
technical, financial, and organizational efficiencies of a non-Federal interest
carrying out the design, execution, management, and construction of 1 or more
projects; and
(3) to evaluate
alternatives for the decentralization of the project planning, management, and
operational decisionmaking process of the Corps of Engineers.
(c)
Administration
(1)
In
general
In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary
shall—
(A) identify a total
of not more than 12 projects for flood risk management, hurricane and storm
damage reduction, including levees, floodwalls, flood control channels, water
control structures, and coastal harbor and channel and inland harbor
navigation, that have been authorized for construction prior to the date of
enactment of this Act that—
(i)
(I) have received Federal
funds prior to the date of enactment of this Act; or
(II) for more than 2
consecutive fiscal years, have an unobligated funding balance for that project
in the Corps of Engineers construction account; and
(ii) to the maximum
extent practicable, are located in each of the divisions of the Corps of
Engineers;
(B) notify the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the
identification of each project under the pilot program;
(C) in collaboration
with the non-Federal interest, develop a detailed project management plan for
each identified project that outlines the scope, budget, design, and
construction resource requirements necessary for the non-Federal interest to
execute the project, or a separable element of the project;
(D) on the request of
the non-Federal interest, enter into a project partnership agreement with the
non-Federal interest for the non-Federal interest to provide full project
management control for construction of the project, or a separable element of
the project, in accordance with plans approved by the Secretary;
(E) following
execution of the project partnership agreement, transfer to the non-Federal
interest to carry out construction of the project, or a separable element of
the project—
(i) if applicable, the
balance of the unobligated amounts appropriated for the project, except that
the Secretary shall retain sufficient amounts for the Corps of Engineers to
carry out any responsibilities of the Corps of Engineers relating to the
project and pilot program; and
(ii) additional
amounts, as determined by the Secretary, from amounts made available under
subsection (h), except that the total amount transferred to the non-Federal
interest shall not exceed the updated estimate of the Federal share of the cost
of construction, including any required design; and
(F) regularly monitor
and audit each project being constructed by a non-Federal interest under this
section to ensure that the construction activities are carried out in
compliance with the plans approved by the Secretary and that the construction
costs are reasonable.
(2)
Detailed project
schedule
Not later than 180 days after entering into an agreement
under paragraph (1)(D), each non-Federal interest, to the maximum extent
practicable, shall submit to the Secretary a detailed project schedule, based
on full funding capability, that lists all deadlines for each milestone in the
construction of the project.
(3)
Technical
assistance
On the request of
a non-Federal interest, the Secretary may provide technical assistance to the
non-Federal interest, if the non-Federal interest contracts with the Secretary
for the technical assistance and compensates the Secretary for the technical
assistance, relating to—
(A) any study, engineering activity, and design
activity for construction carried out by the non-Federal interest under this
section; and
(B) expeditiously obtaining any permits
necessary for the project.
(d)
Cost-share
Nothing in this section affects the
cost-sharing requirement applicable on the day before the date of enactment of
this Act to a project carried out under this section.
(e)
Report
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
detailing the results of the pilot program carried out under this section,
including—
(A) a description of the progress of
non-Federal interests in meeting milestones in detailed project schedules
developed pursuant to subsection (c)(2); and
(B) any recommendations of the Secretary
concerning whether the program or any component of the program should be
implemented on a national basis.
(2)
Update
Not
later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
an update of the report described in paragraph (1).
(3)
Failure to meet
deadline
If the Secretary fails to submit a report by the
required deadline under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed
explanation of why the deadline was missed and a projected date for submission
of the report.
(f)
Administration
All
laws and regulations that would apply to the Secretary if the Secretary were
carrying out the project shall apply to a non-Federal interest carrying out a
project under this section.
(g)
Termination of
Authority
The authority to commence a project under this section
terminates on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(h)
Authorization of
appropriations
In addition to
any amounts appropriated for a specific project, there is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the pilot program under this
section, including the costs of administration of the Secretary, $25,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
2026.
Non-Federal
implementation of feasibility studies
(a)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish and implement a pilot program to
evaluate the cost-effectiveness and project delivery efficiency of allowing
non-Federal interests to carry out feasibility studies for flood risk
management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, and
coastal harbor and channel and inland harbor navigation.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of the pilot program are—
(1) to identify
project delivery and cost-saving alternatives to the existing feasibility study
process;
(2) to evaluate the
technical, financial, and organizational efficiencies of a non-Federal interest
carrying out a feasibility study of 1 or more projects; and
(3) to evaluate
alternatives for the decentralization of the project planning, management, and
operational decisionmaking process of the Corps of Engineers.
(c)
Administration
(1)
In
general
On the request of a non-Federal interest, the Secretary
may enter into an agreement with the non-Federal interest for the non-Federal
interest to provide full project management control of a feasibility study for
a project for—
(A) flood risk
management;
(B) hurricane and
storm damage reduction, including levees, floodwalls, flood control channels,
and water control structures;
(C) coastal harbor and
channel and inland harbor navigation; and
(D) ecosystem
restoration.
(2)
Use of
non-Federal-funds
(A)
In
general
A non-Federal interest that has entered into an agreement
with the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) may use non-Federal funds to carry
out the feasibility study.
(B)
Credit
The
Secretary shall credit towards the non-Federal share of the cost of
construction of a project for which a feasibility study is carried out under
this section an amount equal to the portion of the cost of developing the study
that would have been the responsibility of the Secretary, if the study were
carried out by the Secretary, subject to the conditions that—
(i) non-Federal funds
were used to carry out the activities that would have been the responsibility
of the Secretary;
(ii) the Secretary
determines that the feasibility study complies with all applicable Federal laws
and regulations; and
(iii) the project is
authorized by any provision of Federal law enacted after the date on which an
agreement is entered into under paragraph (1).
(3)
Transfer of
funds
(A)
In
general
After the date on which an agreement is executed pursuant
to paragraph (1), the Secretary may transfer to the non-Federal interest to
carry out the feasibility study—
(i) if applicable, the
balance of any unobligated amounts appropriated for the study, except that the
Secretary shall retain sufficient amounts for the Corps of Engineers to carry
out any responsibilities of the Corps of Engineers relating to the project and
pilot program; and
(ii) additional
amounts, as determined by the Secretary, from amounts made available under
subsection (h), except that the total amount transferred to the non-Federal
interest shall not exceed the updated estimate of the Federal share of the cost
of the feasibility study.
(B)
Administration
The
Secretary shall include such provisions as the Secretary determines to be
necessary in an agreement under paragraph (1) to ensure that a non-Federal
interest receiving Federal funds under this paragraph—
(i) has the necessary
qualifications to administer those funds; and
(ii) will comply with
all applicable Federal laws (including regulations) relating to the use of
those funds.
(4)
Notification
The
Secretary shall notify the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on the initiation of each feasibility study under the pilot
program.
(5)
Auditing
The
Secretary shall regularly monitor and audit each feasibility study carried out
by a non-Federal interest under this section to ensure that the use of any
funds transferred under paragraph (3) are used in compliance with the agreement
signed under paragraph (1).
(6)
Technical
assistance
On the request of a non-Federal interest, the
Secretary may provide technical assistance to the non-Federal interest relating
to any aspect of the feasibility study, if the non-Federal interest contracts
with the Secretary for the technical assistance and compensates the Secretary
for the technical assistance.
(7)
Detailed project
schedule
Not later than 180 days after entering into an agreement
under paragraph (1), each non-Federal interest, to the maximum extent
practicable, shall submit to the Secretary a detailed project schedule, based
on full funding capability, that lists all deadlines for milestones relating to
the feasibility study.
(d)
Cost-share
Nothing
in this section affects the cost-sharing requirement applicable on the day
before the date of enactment of this Act to a feasibility study carried out
under this section.
(e)
Report
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a report detailing the results of the pilot
program carried out under this section, including—
(A) a description of
the progress of the non-Federal interests in meeting milestones in detailed
project schedules developed pursuant to subsection (c)(7); and
(B) any
recommendations of the Secretary concerning whether the program or any
component of the program should be implemented on a national basis.
(2)
Update
Not
later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
an update of the report described in paragraph (1).
(3)
Failure to meet
deadline
If the Secretary fails to submit a report by the
required deadline under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed
explanation of why the deadline was missed and a projected date for submission
of the report.
(f)
Administration
All
laws and regulations that would apply to the Secretary if the Secretary were
carrying out the feasibility study shall apply to a non-Federal interest
carrying out a feasibility study under this section.
(g)
Termination of
authority
The authority to commence a feasibility study under
this section terminates on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment
of this Act.
(h)
Authorization of
appropriations
In addition to any amounts appropriated for a
specific project, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to
carry out the pilot program under this section, including the costs of
administration of the Secretary, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.
2027.
Tribal
partnership program
Section
203 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (33 U.S.C. 2269) is
amended—
(1) in subsection (d)(1)(B)—
(A) by striking The ability and
inserting the following:
(i)
In
general
The ability
;
and
(B) by adding at the
end the following:
(ii)
Determination
Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of
2013, the Secretary shall issue guidance on the procedures
described in clause (i).
;
and
(2) in subsection (e),
by striking 2012 and inserting 2023.
2028.
Cooperative
agreements with Columbia River Basin Indian tribes
The
Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with 1 or more federally
recognized Indian tribes (or a designated representative of the Indian tribes)
that are located, in whole or in part, within the boundaries of the Columbia
River Basin to carry out authorized activities within the Columbia River Basin
to protect fish, wildlife, water quality, and cultural resources.
2029.
Military
munitions response actions at civil works shoreline protection
projects
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may implement any response action the
Secretary determines to be necessary at a site where—
(1) the Secretary has
carried out a project under civil works authority of the Secretary that
includes placing sand on a beach;
(2) as a result of the
project described in paragraph (1), military munitions that were originally
released as a result of Department of Defense activities are deposited on the
beach, posing a threat to human health or the environment.
(b)
Response action
funding
A response action described in subsection (a) shall be
funded from amounts made available to the agency within the Department of
Defense responsible for the original release of the munitions.
2030.
Beach
nourishment
Section 156 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5f) is amended to read
as follows:
156.
Beach
nourishment
(a)
In
general
The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of
Engineers, may provide periodic beach nourishment for each water resources
development project for which that nourishment has been authorized for an
additional period of time, as determined by the Secretary, subject to the
condition that the additional period shall not exceed the later of—
(1) 50 years after the
date on which the construction of the project is initiated; or
(2) the date on which
the last estimated periodic nourishment for the project is to be carried out,
as recommended in the applicable report of the Chief of Engineers.
(b)
Extension
Before
the end of the 50-year period referred to in subsection (a)(1), the Secretary
of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers—
(1) may, at the
request of the non-Federal interest and subject to the availability of
appropriations, carry out a review of a nourishment project carried out under
subsection (a) to evaluate the feasibility of continuing Federal participation
in the project for a period not to exceed 15 years; and
(2) shall submit to
Congress any recommendations of the Secretary relating to the
review.
.
2031.
Regional
sediment management
Section
204 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326) (as amended
by section 2003(c)) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting or
used in after obtained through; and
(B) in paragraph
(3)(C), by inserting for the purposes of improving environmental
conditions in marsh and littoral systems, stabilizing stream channels,
enhancing shorelines, and supporting State and local risk management adaptation
strategies before the period at the end;
(2) in subsection
(c)(1)(B)—
(A) in clause (i), by
striking clause (ii) and inserting clauses (ii) and
(iii);
(B) by redesignating
clause (ii) as clause (iii); and
(C) by inserting after
clause (i) the following:
(ii)
Reduction in
non-Federal share
The Secretary may reduce the non-Federal share
of the costs of construction of a project if the Secretary determines that,
through the beneficial use of sediment at another Federal project, there will
be an associated reduction or avoidance of Federal
costs.
;
(3) in subsection
(d)—
(A) by striking the
subsection designation and heading and inserting the following:
(d)
Selection of
Dredged Material Disposal Method for Purposes Related to Environmental
Restoration or Storm Damage and Flood
Reduction
;
and
(B) in paragraph (1),
by striking in relation to and all that follows through the
period at the end and inserting “in relation to—
(A) the environmental
benefits, including the benefits to the aquatic environment to be derived from
the creation of wetlands and control of shoreline erosion; or
(B) the flood and
storm damage and flood reduction benefits, including shoreline protection,
protection against loss of life, and damage to improved
property.
;
and
(4) in subsection (e),
by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(1) cooperate with any
State or group of States in the preparation of a comprehensive State or
regional sediment management plan within the boundaries of the State or among
States;
.
2032.
Study
acceleration
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) delays in the
completion of feasibility studies—
(A) increase costs for
the Federal Government as well as State and local governments; and
(B) delay the
implementation of water resources projects that provide critical benefits,
including reducing flood risk, maintaining commercially important flood risk,
and restoring vital ecosystems; and
(2) the efforts
undertaken by the Corps of Engineers through the establishment of the
3-3-3 planning process should be continued.
(b)
Acceleration of
Studies
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a feasibility study
initiated after the date of enactment of this Act shall—
(A) be completed not
later than 3 years after the date of initiation of the study; and
(B) have a maximum
Federal cost share of $3,000,000.
(2)
Ability to
comply
On initiating a feasibility study under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall—
(A) certify that the
study will comply with the requirements of paragraph (1);
(B) for projects the
Secretary determines to be too complex to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (1)—
(i) not less than 30
days after making a determination, notify the non-Federal interest regarding
the inability to comply; and
(ii) provide a new
projected timeline and cost; and
(C) if the study
conditions have changed such that scheduled timelines or study costs will not
be met—
(i) not later than 30
days after the study conditions change, notify the non-Federal interest of
those changed conditions; and
(ii) present the
non-Federal interest with a new timeline for completion and new projected study
costs.
(3)
Appropriations
(A)
In
general
All timeline and cost conditions under this section shall
be subject to the Secretary receiving adequate appropriations for meeting study
timeline and cost requirements.
(B)
Notification
Not
later than 60 days after receiving appropriations, the Secretary shall notify
the non-Federal interest of any changes to timelines or costs due to inadequate
appropriations.
(c)
Report
Not
later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act and each year
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that describes—
(1) the status of the
implementation of the 3-3-3 planning process, including the
number of participating projects;
(2) the amount of time
taken to complete all studies participating in the 3-3-3
planning process; and
(3) any
recommendations for additional authority necessary to support efforts to
expedite the feasibility study process for water resource projects.
2033.
Project
acceleration
Section 2045 of
the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2348) is amended to read
as follows:
2045.
Project
acceleration
(a)
Definitions
In
this section:
(1)
Environmental
impact statement
The term environmental impact
statement means the detailed statement of environmental impacts of water
resources projects required to be prepared pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(2)
Environmental
review process
(A)
In
general
The term environmental review process means
the process of preparing an environmental impact statement, environmental
assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for a water resources
project.
(B)
Inclusions
The
term environmental review process includes the process for and
completion of any environmental permit, approval, review, or study required for
a water resources project under any Federal law other than the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(3)
Lead
agency
The term lead agency means the Corps of
Engineers and, if applicable, any State, local, or tribal governmental entity
serving as a joint lead agency pursuant to this section.
(b)
Policy
The
benefits of water resources projects are important to the economy and
environment of the United States, and recommendations to Congress regarding
those projects should be accelerated by coordinated and efficient review and
cooperative efforts to prevent or quickly resolve disputes during the
development and implementation of those water resources projects.
(c)
Applicability
(1)
In
general
The project development procedures under this section
apply to the development of projects initiated after the date of enactment of
the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 and for which the Secretary
determines that—
(A) an environmental
impact statement is required; or
(B) at the discretion
of the Secretary, other water resources projects for which an environmental
review process document is required to be prepared.
(2)
Flexibility
Any
authorities granted in this section may be exercised, and any requirements
established under this section may be satisfied, for the development of a water
resources project, a class of those projects, or a program of those
projects.
(3)
List of water
resources development projects
(A)
In
general
The Secretary shall annually prepare, and make publicly
available, a separate list of each study that the Secretary has
determined—
(i) meets the
standards described in paragraph (1); and
(ii) does not have
adequate funding to make substantial progress toward the completion of the
planning activities for the water resources project.
(B)
Inclusions
The
Secretary shall include for each study on the list under subparagraph (A) a
description of the estimated amounts necessary to make substantial progress on
the study.
(4)
Implementation
guidance
The Secretary shall prepare, in consultation with the
Council on Environmental Quality and other Federal agencies with jurisdiction
over actions or resources that may be impacted by a water resources project,
guidance documents that describe the processes that the Secretary will use to
implement this section, in accordance with the civil works program of the Corps
of Engineers and all applicable law.
(d)
Water resources
project review process
The Secretary shall develop and implement
a coordinated review process for the development of water resources
projects.
(e)
Identification
of jurisdictional agencies
With respect to the development of
each water resources project, the Secretary shall identify, as soon as
practicable, all Federal, State, and local government agencies and Indian
tribes that may—
(1) have jurisdiction
over the project;
(2) be required by law
to conduct or issue a review, analysis, or opinion for the project; or
(3) be required to
make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the
project.
(f)
State
authority
If the coordinated review process is being implemented
under this section by the Secretary with respect to the development of a water
resources project described in subsection (c) within the boundaries of a State,
the State, consistent with State law, may choose to participate in the process
and to make subject to the process all State agencies that—
(1) have jurisdiction
over the project;
(2) are required to
conduct or issue a review, analysis, or opinion for the project; or
(3) are required to
make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the
project.
(g)
Lead
agencies
(1)
Federal lead
agency
Subject to paragraph (2), the Corps of Engineers shall be
the lead Federal agency in the environmental review process for a water
resources project.
(2)
Joint lead
agencies
(A)
In
general
At the discretion of the Secretary and subject to any
applicable regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an agency other than the Corps of Engineers may serve as
the joint lead agency.
(B)
Non-Federal
interest as joint lead agency
A non-Federal interest that is a
State or local governmental entity—
(i) may serve as a
joint lead agency with the Corps of Engineers for purposes of preparing any
environmental document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
(ii) may prepare any
environmental review process document required in support of any action or
approval by the Secretary if—
(I) the Corps of
Engineers provides guidance in the preparation process and independently
evaluates that document; and
(II) the Secretary
approves and adopts the document before the Secretary takes any subsequent
action or makes any approval based on that document, regardless of whether the
action or approval of the Secretary results in Federal funding.
(3)
Duties
The
Secretary shall ensure that—
(A) the non-Federal
interest complies with all design and mitigation commitments made jointly by
the Secretary and the non-Federal interest in any environmental document
prepared by the non-Federal interest in accordance with this subsection;
and
(B) any environmental
document prepared by the non-Federal interest is appropriately supplemented if
changes to the water resources project become necessary.
(4)
Adoption and use
of documents
Any environmental document prepared in accordance
with this subsection may be adopted or used by any Federal agency making any
approval to the same extent that the Federal agency could adopt or use a
document prepared by another Federal agency.
(5)
Roles and
responsibility of lead agency
With respect to the environmental
review process for any water resources project, the lead agency shall have
authority and responsibility—
(A) to take such
actions as are necessary and proper and within the authority and responsibility
of the lead agency to facilitate the expeditious resolution of the
environmental review process for the water resources project; and
(B) to prepare or
ensure that any required environmental impact statement or other environmental
review document for a water resources project required to be completed under
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) is
completed in accordance with this section and applicable Federal law.
(h)
Participating
agencies
(1)
Invitation
(A)
In
general
The lead agency shall identify, as early as practicable
in the environmental review process for a water resources project, any other
Federal or non-Federal agencies that may have an interest in that project and
invite those agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental
review process for the water resources project.
(B)
Deadline
An
invitation to participate issued under subparagraph (A) shall set a deadline by
which a response to the invitation shall be submitted, which may be extended by
the lead agency for good cause.
(2)
Federal
participating agencies
Any Federal agency that is invited by the
lead agency to participate in the environmental review process for a water
resources project shall be designated as a participating agency by the lead
agency unless the invited agency informs the lead agency, in writing, by the
deadline specified in the invitation that the invited agency—
(A) has no
jurisdiction or authority with respect to the water resources project;
(B) has no expertise
or information relevant to the water resources project;
(C) does not intend to
submit comments on the water resources project; and
(D) does not have
adequate funds to participate in the water resources project.
(3)
Effect of
designation
Designation as a participating agency under this
subsection shall not imply that the participating agency—
(A) supports a
proposed water resources project; or
(B) has any
jurisdiction over, or special expertise with respect to evaluation of, the
water resources project.
(4)
Concurrent
reviews
Each participating agency shall—
(A) carry out the
obligations of that agency under other applicable law concurrently and in
conjunction with the required environmental review process, unless doing so
would impair the ability of the Federal agency to conduct needed analysis or
otherwise carry out those obligations; and
(B) formulate and
implement administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the
agency to ensure completion of the environmental review process in a timely,
coordinated, and environmentally responsible manner.
(i)
Programmatic
compliance
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall issue guidance to allow for the use
of programmatic approaches to carry out the environmental review process
that—
(A) eliminates
repetitive discussions of the same issues;
(B) focuses on the
actual issues ripe for analyses at each level of review;
(C) establishes a
formal process for coordinating with participating agencies, including the
creation of a list of all data that is needed to carry out an environmental
review process; and
(D) is consistent
with—
(i) the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
(ii) other applicable
laws.
(2)
Requirements
In
carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
(A) as the first step
in drafting guidance under that paragraph, consult with relevant Federal and
State agencies, Indian tribes, and the public on the appropriate use and scope
of the programmatic approaches;
(B) emphasize the
importance of collaboration among relevant Federal agencies, State agencies,
and Indian tribes in undertaking programmatic reviews, especially with respect
to including reviews with a broad geographical scope;
(C) ensure that the
programmatic reviews—
(i) promote
transparency, including of the analyses and data used in the environmental
review process, the treatment of any deferred issues raised by Federal, State,
or tribal agencies, or the public, and the temporal and special scales to be
used to analyze those issues;
(ii) use accurate and
timely information in the environmental review process, including—
(I) criteria for
determining the general duration of the usefulness of the review; and
(II) the timeline for
updating any out-of-date review;
(iii) describe—
(I) the relationship
between programmatic analysis and future tiered analysis; and
(II) the role of the
public in the creation of future tiered analysis; and
(iv) are available to
other relevant Federal and State agencies, Indian tribes, and the
public;
(D) allow not fewer
than 60 days of public notice and comment on any proposed guidance; and
(E) address any
comments received under subparagraph (D).
(j)
Coordinated
reviews
(1)
Coordination
plan
(A)
Establishment
(i)
In
general
The lead agency shall establish a plan for coordinating
public and agency participation in, and comment on, the environmental review
process for a water resources project or a category of water resources
projects.
(ii)
Incorporation
The
plan established under clause (i) shall be incorporated into the project
schedule milestones set under section 905(g)(2) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2282(g)(2)).
(2)
Comment
deadlines
The lead agency shall establish the following deadlines
for comment during the environmental review process for a project:
(A)
Draft
environmental impact statements
For comments by Federal and
States agencies and the public on a draft environmental impact statement, a
period of not more than 60 days after publication in the Federal Register of
notice of the date of public availability of the draft environmental impact
statement, unless—
(i) a different
deadline is established by agreement of the lead agency, the non-Federal
interest, as applicable, and all participating agencies; or
(ii) the deadline is
extended by the lead agency for good cause.
(B)
Other
environmental review processes
For all comment periods
established by the lead agency for agency or public comments in the
environmental review process other than for a draft environmental impact
statement, a period of not more than 30 days after the date on which the
materials on which comment is requested are made available, unless—
(i) a different
deadline is established by agreement of the lead agency, the non-Federal
interest, and all participating agencies; or
(ii) the deadline is
extended by the lead agency for good cause.
(3)
Deadlines for
decisions under other laws
In any case in which a decision under
any Federal law relating to a project, including the issuance or denial of a
permit or license, is required to be made by the date described in subsection
(k)(6)(B)(ii), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives—
(A) as soon as
practicable after the 180-day period, an initial notice of the failure of the
Federal agency to make the decision; and
(B) every 60 days
thereafter until such date as all decisions of the Federal agency relating to
the project have been made by the Federal agency, an additional notice that
describes the number of decisions of the Federal agency that remain outstanding
as of the date of the additional notice.
(4)
Involvement of
the public
Nothing in this subsection shall reduce any time
period provided for public comment in the environmental review process under
existing Federal law (including regulations).
(k)
Issue
identification and resolution
(1)
Cooperation
The
lead agency and the participating agencies shall work cooperatively in
accordance with this section to identify and resolve issues that could delay
completion of the environmental review process or result in the denial of any
approval required for the project under applicable laws.
(2)
Lead agency
responsibilities
(A)
In
general
The lead agency shall make information available to the
participating agencies as early as practicable in the environmental review
process regarding the environmental and socioeconomic resources located within
the project area and the general locations of the alternatives under
consideration.
(B)
Data
sources
The information under subparagraph (A) may be based on
existing data sources, including geographic information systems mapping.
(3)
Participating
agency responsibilities
Based on information received from the
lead agency, participating agencies shall identify, as early as practicable,
any issues of concern regarding the potential environmental or socioeconomic
impacts of the project, including any issues that could substantially delay or
prevent an agency from granting a permit or other approval that is needed for
the project.
(4)
Interim decision
on achieving accelerated decisionmaking
(A)
In
general
Not later than 30 days after the close of the public
comment period on a draft environmental impact statement, the Secretary may
convene a meeting with the non-Federal interest or joint lead agency, as
applicable, relevant resource agencies, and relevant Federal and State agencies
to establish a schedule of deadlines to complete decisions regarding the
project.
(B)
Deadlines
(i)
In
general
The deadlines referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be
those established by the Secretary, in consultation with the non-Federal
interest or joint lead agency, as applicable, and other relevant Federal and
State agencies.
(ii)
Factors for
consideration
In establishing a schedule, the Secretary shall
consider factors such as—
(I) the
responsibilities of participating agencies under applicable laws;
(II) the resources
available to the non-Federal interest, joint lead agency, and other relevant
Federal and State agencies, as applicable;
(III) the overall size
and complexity of the project;
(IV) the overall
schedule for and cost of the project; and
(V) the sensitivity of
the natural and historical resources that could be affected by the
project.
(iii)
Modifications
The
Secretary may—
(I) lengthen a
schedule under clause (i) for good cause; and
(II) shorten a
schedule only with concurrence of the affected non-Federal interest, joint
agency, or relevant Federal and State agencies, as applicable.
(C)
Failure to meet
deadline
If the agencies described in subparagraph (A) cannot
provide reasonable assurances that the deadlines described in subparagraph (B)
will be met, the Secretary may initiate the issue resolution and referral
process described under paragraph (5) before the completion of the record of
decision.
(5)
Accelerated
issue resolution and referral
(A)
Agency issue
resolution meeting
(i)
In
general
A participating agency or non-Federal interest may
request an issue resolution meeting to be conducted by the Secretary.
(ii)
Action by
Secretary
The Secretary shall convene an issue resolution meeting
under clause (i) with the relevant participating agencies and the non-Federal
interest, as applicable, to resolve issues that could—
(I) delay completion
of the environmental review process; or
(II) result in denial
of any approvals required for the project under applicable laws.
(iii)
Date
A
meeting requested under this subparagraph shall be held not later than 21 days
after the date on which the Secretary receives the request for the meeting,
unless the Secretary determines that there is good cause to extend that
deadline.
(iv)
Notification
On
receipt of a request for a meeting under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall
notify all relevant participating agencies of the request, including the issue
to be resolved and the date for the meeting.
(v)
Disputes
If
a relevant participating agency with jurisdiction over an approval required for
a project under applicable law determines that the relevant information
necessary to resolve the issue has not been obtained and could not have been
obtained within a reasonable time, but the Secretary disagrees, the resolution
of the dispute shall be forwarded to the heads of the relevant agencies for
resolution.
(vi)
Convention by
lead agency
The Secretary may convene an issue resolution meeting
under this subsection at any time, at the discretion of the Secretary,
regardless of whether a meeting is requested under clause (i).
(vii)
Exception
(I)
In
general
The issue resolution and referral process under this
subparagraph shall not be initiated if the applicable agency—
(aa) certifies
that—
(AA) the agency has
not received necessary information or approvals from another entity in a manner
that affects the ability of the agency to meet any requirements under Federal,
State, or local law;
(BB) significant new
information or circumstances, including a major modification to an aspect of
the project, requires additional analysis for the agency to make a decision on
the project application; or
(CC) the agency lacks
the financial resources to complete the review under the scheduled timeframe,
including a description of the number of full-time employees required to
complete the review, the amount of funding required to complete the review, and
a justification as to why there is not enough funding available to complete the
review by the deadline; and
(bb) establishes a new
deadline for completion of the review.
(II)
Inspector
General
If the applicable agency makes a certification under
subclause (I)(aa)(CC), the Inspector General of the applicable agency shall
conduct a financial audit to review that certification and submit a report on
that certification within 90 days to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives.
(B)
Elevation of
issue resolution
(i)
In
general
If issue resolution is not achieved by not later than 30
days after the date on which a relevant meeting is held under subparagraph (A),
the Secretary shall notify the heads of the relevant participating agencies and
the non-Federal interest that an issue resolution meeting will be
convened.
(ii)
Requirements
The
Secretary shall identify the issues to be addressed at the meeting and convene
the meeting not later than 30 days after the date on which the notice is
issued.
(C)
Referral of
issue resolution
(i)
Referral to
council on environmental quality
(I)
In
general
If a resolution is not achieved by not later than 30 days
after the date on which an issue resolution meeting is held under subparagraph
(B), the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Council on Environmental
Quality.
(II)
Meeting
Not
later than 30 days after the date on which the Council on Environmental Quality
receives a referral from the Secretary under subclause (I), the Council on
Environmental Quality shall hold an issue resolution meeting with the lead
agency, the heads of relevant participating agencies and the non-Federal
interest.
(ii)
Referral to the
president
If a resolution of the issue is not achieved by not
later than 30 days after the date on which an issue resolution meeting is
convened by the Council on Environmental Quality under clause (i)(II), the
Secretary shall refer the matter directly to the President.
(6)
Financial
penalty provisions
(A)
In
general
A Federal agency with jurisdiction over an approval
required for a project under applicable Federal laws (including regulations)
shall complete any required approval on an expeditious basis using the shortest
existing applicable process.
(B)
Failure to
decide
(i)
In
general
If an agency described in subparagraph (A) fails to
render a decision under any Federal law relating to a project that requires the
preparation of an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment,
including the issuance or denial of a permit, license, or other approval by the
date described in clause (ii), an amount of funding equal to the amounts
specified in subclause (I) or (II) shall be transferred from the applicable
office of the head of the agency, or equivalent office to which the authority
for rendering the decision has been delegated by law to the agency or division
charged with rendering a decision regarding the application by not later than 1
day after the applicable date under clause (ii), and once each week thereafter
until a final decision is rendered, subject to subparagraph (C)—
(I) $20,000 for any
project requiring the preparation of an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement; or
(II) $10,000 for any
project requiring any type of review under the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) other than an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
(ii)
Description of
date
The date referred to in clause (i) is the later of—
(I) the date that is
180 days after the date on which an application for the permit, license, or
approval is complete; and
(II) the date that is
180 days after the date on which the Federal lead agency issues a decision on
the project under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
et seq.).
(C)
Limitations
(i)
In
general
No transfer of funds under subparagraph (B) relating to
an individual project shall exceed, in any fiscal year, an amount equal to 1
percent of the funds made available for the applicable agency office.
(ii)
Failure to
decide
The total amount transferred in a fiscal year as a result
of a failure by an agency to make a decision by an applicable deadline shall
not exceed an amount equal to 5 percent of the funds made available for the
applicable agency office for that fiscal year.
(D)
No fault of
agency
A transfer of funds under this paragraph shall not be made
if—
(i) the applicable
agency described in subparagraph (A) certifies that—
(I) the agency has not
received necessary information or approvals from another entity in a manner
that affects the ability of the agency to meet any requirements under Federal,
State, or local law; or
(II) significant new
information or circumstances, including a major modification to an aspect of
the project, requires additional analysis for the agency to make a decision on
the project application; or
(III) the agency lacks
the financial resources to complete the review under the scheduled timeframe,
including a description of the number of full-time employees required to
complete the review, the amount of funding required to complete the review, and
a justification as to why there is not enough funding available to complete the
review by the deadline; and
(ii) if the applicable
agency makes a certification under clause (i)(III), the Inspector General of
the applicable agency shall conduct a financial audit to review that
certification and submit a report on that certification within 90 days to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(E)
Limitation
The
Federal agency from which funds are transferred pursuant to this paragraph
shall not reprogram funds to the office of the head of the agency, or
equivalent office, to reimburse that office for the loss of the funds.
(F)
Audits
In
any fiscal year in which any funds are transferred from a Federal agency
pursuant to this paragraph, the Inspector General of that agency shall—
(i) conduct an audit
to assess compliance with the requirements of this paragraph; and
(ii) not later than
120 days after the end of the fiscal year in which the transfer occurred,
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
a report describing the reasons why the transfers were levied, including
allocations of resources.
(G)
Effect of
paragraph
Nothing in this paragraph affects or limits the
application of, or obligation to comply with, any Federal, State, local, or
tribal law.
(l)
Performance
measurement
The Secretary shall establish a program to measure
and report on progress made toward improving and expediting the planning and
environmental review process.
(m)
Memorandum of
Agreements for Early Coordination
(1)
Sense of
Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(A) the Secretary and
other Federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review
process should cooperate with each other, State agencies, and Indian tribes on
environmental review and water resources project delivery activities at the
earliest practicable time to avoid delays and duplication of effort later in
the process, prevent potential conflicts, and ensure that planning and water
resources project development decisions reflect environmental values;
and
(B) the cooperation
referred to in subparagraph (A) should include the development of policies and
the designation of staff that advise planning agencies and non-Federal
interests of studies or other information foreseeably required for later
Federal action and early consultation with appropriate State and local agencies
and Indian tribes.
(2)
Technical
assistance
If requested at any time by a State or non-Federal
interest, the Secretary and other Federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction
in the environmental review process, shall, to the maximum extent practicable
and appropriate, as determined by the agencies, provide technical assistance to
the State or non-Federal interest in carrying out early coordination
activities.
(3)
Memorandum of
agency agreement
If requested at any time by a State or
non-Federal interest, the lead agency, in consultation with other Federal
agencies with relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review process, may
establish memoranda of agreement with the non-Federal interest, State and local
governments, and other appropriate entities to carry out the early coordination
activities, including providing technical assistance in identifying potential
impacts and mitigation issues in an integrated fashion.
(n)
Limitations
Nothing
in this section preempts, supersedes, amends, modifies, or interferes
with—
(1) any statutory
requirement for seeking public comment;
(2) any power,
jurisdiction, or authority that a Federal, State, or local government agency,
Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest has with respect to carrying out a water
resources project;
(3) any obligation to
comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the regulations issued by the Council on Environmental
Quality to carry out that Act or any other Federal environmental law;
(4) the reviewability
of any final Federal agency action in a court of the United States or in the
court of any State;
(5) any practice of
seeking, considering, or responding to public comment; or
(6) any power,
jurisdiction, responsibility, or authority that a Federal, State, or local
governmental agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest has with respect to
carrying out a water resources project or any other provision of law applicable
to water resources development projects.
(o)
Categorical
exclusions
(1)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary shall—
(A) survey the use by
the Corps of Engineers of categorical exclusions in water resources projects
since 2005;
(B) publish a review
of the survey that includes a description of—
(i) the types of
actions categorically excluded; and
(ii) any requests
previously received by the Secretary for new categorical exclusions; and
(C) solicit requests
from other Federal agencies and non-Federal interests for new categorical
exclusions.
(2)
New categorical
exclusions
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this subsection, if the Secretary has identified a categorical exclusion that
did not exist on the day before the date of enactment of this subsection based
on the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish a notice of
proposed rulemaking to propose that new categorical exclusion, to the extent
that the categorical exclusion meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion
under section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulation).
(p)
Review of water
resources project acceleration reforms
(1)
In
general
The Comptroller General of the United States
shall—
(A) assess the reforms
carried out under this section; and
(B) not later than 5
years after the date of enactment of this subsection, submit to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes
the results of the assessment.
(2)
Inspector
General report
The Inspector General of the Corps of Engineers
shall—
(A) assess the reforms
carried out under this section; and
(B) submit to the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate—
(i) not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this subsection, an initial report of the
findings of the Inspector General; and
(ii) not later than 4
years after the date of enactment of this subsection, a final report of the
findings.
.
2034.
Feasibility
studies
Section 905 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2282) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
(g)
Detailed project
schedule
(1)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary shall determine a set of milestones needed for
the completion of a feasibility study under this subsection, including all
major actions, report submissions and responses, reviews, and comment
periods.
(2)
Detailed project
schedule milestones
Each District Engineer shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, establish a detailed project schedule, based on full
funding capability, that lists all deadlines for milestones relating to
feasibility studies in the District developed by the Secretary under paragraph
(1).
(3)
Non-Federal
interest notification
Each District Engineer shall submit by
certified mail the detailed project schedule under paragraph (2) to each
relevant non-Federal interest—
(A) for projects that
have received funding from the General Investigations Account of the Corps of
Engineers in the period beginning on October 1, 2009, and ending on the date of
enactment of this section, not later than 180 days after the establishment of
milestones under paragraph (1); and
(B) for projects for
which a feasibility cost-sharing agreement is executed after the establishment
of milestones under paragraph (1), not later than 90 days after the date on
which the agreement is executed.
(4)
Congressional
and public notification
Beginning in the first full fiscal year
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(A) submit an annual
report that lists all detailed project schedules under paragraph (2) and an
explanation of any missed deadlines to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives; and
(B) make publicly
available, including on the Internet, a copy of the annual report described in
subparagraph (A) not later than 14 days after date on which a report is
submitted to Congress.
(5)
Failure to
Act
If a District Engineer fails to meet any of the deadlines in
the project schedule under paragraph (2), the District Engineer shall—
(A) not later than 30
days after each missed deadline, submit to the non-Federal interest a report
detailing—
(i) why the District
Engineer failed to meet the deadline; and
(ii) a revised project
schedule reflecting amended deadlines for the feasibility study; and
(B) not later than 30
days after each missed deadline, make publicly available, including on the
Internet, a copy of the amended project schedule described in subparagraph
(A)(ii).
.
2035.
Accounting and
administrative expenses
(a)
In
general
On the request of a non-Federal interest, the Secretary
shall provide to the non-Federal interest a detailed accounting of the Federal
expenses associated with a water resources project.
(b)
Study
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of
Public Administration to carry out a study on the efficiency of the Corps
Engineers current staff salaries and administrative expense procedures as
compared to using a separate administrative expense account.
(2)
Contents
The
study under paragraph (1) shall include any recommendations of the National
Academy of Public Administration for improvements to the budgeting and
administrative processes that will increase the efficiency of the Corps of
Engineers project delivery.
2036.
Determination
of project completion
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall transfer to the non-Federal interest
the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of any water resources
project for which operation and maintenance is required of the non-Federal
interest or separable element or functional portion of that water resources
project on such date that the Secretary determines that the project is
complete.
(b)
Non-Federal
interest appeal of determination
(1)
In
general
Not later than 7 days after receiving a notification
under subparagraph (a), the non-Federal interest may appeal the completion
determination of the Secretary in writing.
(2)
Independent
review
(A)
In
general
On notification that a non-Federal interest has submitted
an appeal under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall contract with 1 or more
independent, non-Federal experts to determine whether the applicable water
resources project or separable element or functional portion of the water
resources project is complete.
(B)
Timeline
An
independent review carried out under subparagraph (A) shall be completed not
later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives an appeal
from a non-Federal interest under paragraph (1).
2037.
Project
partnership agreements
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of
Public Administration to carry out a comprehensive review of the process for
preparing, negotiating, and approving Project Partnership Agreements and the
Project Partnership Agreement template, which shall include—
(1) a review of the
process for preparing, negotiating, and approving Project Partnership
Agreements, as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this
Act;
(2) an evaluation of
how the concerns of a non-Federal interest relating to the Project Partnership
Agreement and suggestions for modifications to the Project Partnership
Agreement made by a non-Federal interest are accommodated;
(3) recommendations
for how the concerns and modifications described in paragraph (2) can be better
accommodated;
(4) recommendations
for how the Project Partnership Agreement template can be made more efficient;
and
(5) recommendations
for how to make the process for preparing, negotiating, and approving Project
Partnership Agreements more efficient.
(b)
Report
The
Secretary shall submit a report describing the findings of the National Academy
of Public Administration to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives.
2038.
Interagency
and international support authority
Section 234 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2323a) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking other
Federal agencies, and inserting Federal departments or agencies,
nongovernmental organizations,;
(2) in subsection (b),
by inserting or foreign governments after
organizations;
(3) in subsection (c),
by inserting and restoration after protection;
and
(4) in subsection
(d)—
(A) in the first
sentence—
(i) by striking
There is and inserting (1)
In
general.—There is; and
(ii) by striking
2008 and inserting 2014; and
(B) in the second
sentence—
(i) by striking
The Secretary and inserting (2)
Acceptance of
funds.—The Secretary; and
(ii) by striking
other Federal agencies and inserting Federal departments
or agencies, nongovernmental organizations.
2039.
Acceptance of
contributed funds to increase lock operations
(a)
In
general
The Secretary, after providing public notice, shall
establish a pilot program for the acceptance and expenditure of funds
contributed by non-Federal interests to increase the hours of operation of
locks at water resources development projects.
(b)
Applicability
The
establishment of the pilot program under this section shall not affect the
periodic review and adjustment of hours of operation of locks based on
increases in commercial traffic carried out by the Secretary.
(c)
Public
comment
Not later than 180 days before a proposed modification to
the operation of a lock at a water resources development project will be
carried out, the Secretary shall—
(1) publish the
proposed modification in the Federal Register; and
(2) accept public
comment on the proposed modification.
(d)
Reports
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate a report that evaluates the cost-savings
resulting from reduced lock hours and any economic impacts of modifying lock
operations.
(2)
Review of pilot
program
Not later than September 30, 2017 and each year
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes the effectiveness of the
pilot program under this section.
(e)
Annual
review
The Secretary shall carry out an annual review of the
commercial use of locks and make any necessary adjustments to lock operations
based on that review.
(f)
Termination
The
authority to accept funds under this section shall terminate 5 years after the
date of enactment of this Act.
2040.
Emergency
response to natural disasters
(a)
In
general
Section 5(a)(1) of the Act entitled An Act
authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for
flood control, and for other purposes, approved August 18, 1941 (33
U.S.C. 701n(a)(1)), is amended in the first sentence by striking
structure damaged or destroyed by wind, wave, or water action of other
than an ordinary nature when in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers such
repair and restoration is warranted for the adequate functioning of the
structure for hurricane or shore protection and inserting
structure or project damaged or destroyed by wind, wave, or water action
of other than an ordinary nature to the design level of protection when, in the
discretion of the Chief of Engineers, such repair and restoration is warranted
for the adequate functioning of the structure or project for hurricane or shore
protection, subject to the condition that the Chief of Engineers may include
modifications to the structure or project to address major
deficiencies.
(b)
Report
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
detailing the amounts expended in the previous 5 fiscal years to carry out
Corps of Engineers projects under section 5 of the Act entitled An Act
authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for
flood control, and for other purposes, approved August 18, 1941 (33
U.S.C. 701n).
(2)
Inclusions
A
report under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, include a description
of—
(A) each project for
which amounts are expended, including the type of project and cost of the
project; and
(B) how the Secretary
has restored or intends to restore the project to the design level of
protection for the project.
2041.
Systemwide
improvement frameworks
A levee
system shall remain eligible for rehabilitation assistance under the authority
provided by section 5 of the Act entitled An Act authorizing the
construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control,
and for other purposes (33 U.S.C. 701n) as long as the levee system
sponsor continues to make satisfactory progress, as determined by the
Secretary, on an approved systemwide improvement framework or letter of
intent.
2042.
Funding to
process permits
Section 214 of
the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–541; 33 U.S.C. 2201
note) is amended by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the
following:
(d)
Public
availability
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall ensure that all final permit
decisions carried out using funds authorized under this section are made
available to the public in a common format, including on the Internet, and in a
manner that distinguishes final permit decisions under this section from other
final actions of the Secretary.
(2)
Decision
document
The Secretary shall—
(A) use a standard
decision document for evaluating all permits using funds accepted under this
section; and
(B) make the standard
decision document, along with all final permit decisions, available to the
public, including on the Internet.
(3)
Agreements
The
Secretary shall make all active agreements to accept funds under this section
available on a single public Internet site.
(e)
Reporting
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall prepare an annual report on the
implementation of this section, which, at a minimum, shall include for each
district of the Corps of Engineers that accepts funds under this
section—
(A) a comprehensive
list of any funds accepted under this section during the previous fiscal
year;
(B) a comprehensive
list of the permits reviewed and approved using funds accepted under this
section during the previous fiscal year, including a description of the size
and type of resources impacted and the mitigation required for each permit;
and
(C) a description of
the training offered in the previous fiscal year for employees that is funded
in whole or in part with funds accepted under this section.
(2)
Submission
Not
later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary
shall—
(A) submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives the annual
report described in paragraph (1); and
(B) make each report
received under subparagraph (A) available on a single publicly accessible
Internet
site.
.
2043.
National
riverbank stabilization and erosion prevention study and pilot program
(a)
Definition of
inland and intracoastal waterway
In this section, the term
inland and intracoastal waterway means the inland and intracoastal
waterways of the United States described in section 206 of the Inland Waterways
Revenue Act of 1978 (33 U.S.C. 1804).
(b)
Pilot
program
The Secretary—
(1) is authorized to
study issues relating to riverbank stabilization and erosion prevention along
inland and intracoastal waterways; and
(2) shall establish
and carry out for a period of 5 fiscal years a national riverbank stabilization
and erosion prevention pilot program to address riverbank erosion along inland
and intracoastal waterways.
(c)
Study
(1)
In
general
The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate Federal,
State, local, and nongovernmental entities, shall carry out a study of the
options and technologies available to prevent the erosion and degradation of
riverbanks along inland and intracoastal waterways.
(2)
Contents
The
study shall—
(A) evaluate the
nature and extent of the damages resulting from riverbank erosion along inland
and intracoastal waterways throughout the United States;
(B) identify specific
inland and intracoastal waterways and affected wetland areas with the most
urgent need for restoration;
(C) analyze any legal
requirements with regard to maintenance of bank lines of inland and
intracoastal waterways, including a comparison of Federal, State, and private
obligations and practices;
(D) assess and compare
policies and management practices to protect surface areas adjacent to inland
and intracoastal waterways applied by various Districts of the Corps of
Engineers; and
(E) make any
recommendations the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(d)
Riverbank
stabilization and erosion prevention pilot program
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall develop a pilot program for the
construction of riverbank stabilization and erosion prevention projects on
public land along inland and intracoastal waterways if the Secretary determines
that the projects are feasible and lower maintenance costs of those inland and
intracoastal waterways.
(2)
Pilot program
goals
A project under the pilot program shall, to the maximum
extent practicable—
(A) develop or
demonstrate innovative technologies;
(B) implement
efficient designs to prevent erosion at a riverbank site, taking into account
the lifecycle cost of the design, including cleanup, maintenance, and
amortization;
(C) prioritize natural
designs, including the use of native and naturalized vegetation or temporary
structures that minimize permanent structural alterations to the
riverbank;
(D) avoid negative
impacts to adjacent communities;
(E) identify the
potential for long-term protection afforded by the innovative technology;
and
(F) provide additional
benefits, including reduction of flood risk.
(3)
Project
Selections
The Secretary shall develop criteria for the selection
of projects under the pilot program, including criteria based on—
(A) the extent of
damage and land loss resulting from riverbank erosion;
(B) the rate of
erosion;
(C) the significant
threat of future flood risk to public or private property, public
infrastructure, or public safety;
(D) the destruction of
natural resources or habitats; and
(E) the potential
cost-savings for maintenance of the channel.
(4)
Consultation
The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in consultation with—
(A) Federal, State,
and local governments;
(B) nongovernmental
organizations; and
(C) applicable
university research facilities.
(5)
Report
Not
later than 1 year after the first fiscal year for which amounts to carry out
this section are appropriated, and every year thereafter, the Secretary shall
prepare and submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report describing—
(A) the activities
carried out and accomplishments made under the pilot program since the previous
report under this paragraph; and
(B) any
recommendations of the Secretary relating to the program.
(e)
Authorization of
Appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2019.
2044.
Hurricane and
storm damage risk reduction prioritization
(a)
Purposes
The
purposes of this section are—
(1) to provide
adequate levels of protection to communities impacted by natural disasters,
including hurricanes, tropical storms, and other related extreme weather
events; and
(2) to expedite
critical water resources projects in communities that have historically been
and continue to remain susceptible to extreme weather events.
(b)
Priority
For
authorized projects and ongoing feasibility studies with a primary purpose of
hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, the Secretary shall give funding
priority to projects and ongoing studies that—
(1) address an
imminent threat to life and property;
(2) prevent storm
surge from inundating populated areas;
(3) prevent the loss
of coastal wetlands that help reduce the impact of storm surge;
(4) protect emergency
hurricane evacuation routes or shelters;
(5) prevent adverse
impacts to publicly owned or funded infrastructure and assets;
(6) minimize disaster
relief costs to the Federal Government; and
(7) address hurricane
and storm damage risk reduction in an area for which the President declared a
major disaster in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).
(c)
Expedited
consideration of currently authorized projects
Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(1) submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a list of
all—
(A) ongoing hurricane
and storm damage reduction feasibility studies that have signed feasibility
cost share agreements and have received Federal funds since 2009; and
(B) authorized
hurricane and storm damage reduction projects that—
(i) have been
authorized for more than 20 years but are less than 75 percent complete;
or
(ii) are undergoing a
post-authorization change report, general reevaluation report, or limited
reevaluation report;
(2) identify those
projects on the list required under paragraph (1) that meet the criteria
described in subsection (b); and
(3) provide a plan for
expeditiously completing the projects identified under paragraph (2), subject
to available funding.
(d)
Prioritization
of new studies for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction
In
selecting new studies for hurricane and storm damage reduction to propose to
Congress under section 4002, the Secretary shall give priority to
studies—
(1) that—
(A) have been
recommended in a comprehensive hurricane protection study carried out by the
Corps of Engineers; or
(B) are included in a
State plan or program for hurricane, storm damage reduction, flood control,
coastal protection, conservation, or restoration, that is created in
consultation with the Corps of Engineers or other relevant Federal agencies;
and
(2) for areas for
which the President declared a major disaster in accordance with section 401 of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5170).
2045.
Prioritization
of ecosystem restoration efforts
For authorized projects with a primary
purpose of ecosystem restoration, the Secretary shall give funding priority to
projects—
(1) that—
(A) address an
identified threat to public health, safety, or welfare;
(B) preserve,
establish, or restore habitats of national significance; and
(C) preserve habitats
of importance for federally protected species, including migratory birds;
and
(2) for which the
restoration activities will contribute to other ongoing or planned Federal,
State, or local restoration initiatives.
2046.
Special use
permits
(a)
Special use
permits
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may issue special permits for uses such as
group activities, recreation events, motorized recreation vehicles, and such
other specialized recreation uses as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines
to be in the best interest of the Federal Government.
(2)
Fees
(A)
In
general
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary
may—
(i) establish and
collect fees associated with the issuance of the permits described in paragraph
(1); or
(ii) accept in-kind
services in lieu of those fees.
(B)
Outdoor
recreation equipment
The Secretary may establish and collect fees
for the provision of outdoor recreation equipment and services at public
recreation areas located at lakes and reservoirs operated by the Corps of
Engineers.
(C)
Use of
fees
Any fees generated pursuant to this subsection shall
be—
(i) retained at the
site collected; and
(ii) available for
use, without further appropriation, solely for administering the special
permits under this subsection and carrying out related operation and
maintenance activities at the site at which the fees are collected.
(b)
Cooperative
management
(1)
Program
(A)
In
general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may enter into
an agreement with a State or local government to provide for the cooperative
management of a public recreation area if—
(i) the public
recreation area is located—
(I) at a lake or
reservoir operated by the Corps of Engineers; and
(II) adjacent to or
near a State or local park or recreation area; and
(ii) the Secretary
determines that cooperative management between the Corps of Engineers and a
State or local government agency of a portion of the Corps of Engineers
recreation area or State or local park or recreation area will allow for more
effective and efficient management of those areas.
(B)
Restriction
The
Secretary may not transfer administration responsibilities for any public
recreation area operated by the Corps of Engineers.
(2)
Acquisition of
goods and services
The Secretary may acquire from or provide to a
State or local government with which the Secretary has entered into a
cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) goods and services to be used by the
Secretary and the State or local government in the cooperative management of
the areas covered by the agreement.
(3)
Administration
The
Secretary may enter into 1 or more cooperative management agreements or such
other arrangements as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including
leases or licenses, with non-Federal interests to share the costs of operation,
maintenance, and management of recreation facilities and natural resources at
recreation areas that are jointly managed and funded under this
subsection.
(c)
Funding transfer
authority
(1)
In
general
If the Secretary determines that it is in the public
interest for purposes of enhancing recreation opportunities at Corps of
Engineers water resources development projects, the Secretary may transfer
funds appropriated for resource protection, research, interpretation, and
maintenance activities related to resource protection in the areas at which
outdoor recreation is available at those Corps of Engineers water resource
development projects to State, local, and tribal governments and such other
public or private nonprofit entities as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
(2)
Cooperative
agreements
Any transfer of funds pursuant to this subsection
shall be carried out through the execution of a cooperative agreement, which
shall contain such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be
necessary in the public interest.
(d)
Services of
volunteers
Chapter IV of title I of Public Law 98–63 (33 U.S.C.
569c) is amended—
(1) in the first
sentence, by inserting , including expenses relating to uniforms,
transportation, lodging, and the subsistence of those volunteers, without
regard to the place of residence of the volunteers, after
incidental expenses; and
(2) by inserting after
the first sentence the following: The Chief of Engineers may also
provide awards of up to $100 in value to volunteers in recognition of the
services of the volunteers.
(e)
Training and
educational activities
Section 213(a) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 (33 U.S.C. 2339) is amended by striking
at and inserting about.
2047.
Operations
and maintenance on fuel taxed inland waterways
(a)
In
general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
shall have responsibility for 65 percent of the costs of the operation,
maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of any flood gate, as well
as any pumping station constructed within the channel as a single unit with
that flood gate, that—
(1) was constructed as
of the date of enactment of this Act as a feature of an authorized hurricane
and storm damage reduction project; and
(2) crosses an inland
or intracoastal waterway described in section 206 of the Inland Waterways
Revenue Act of 1978 (33 U.S.C. 1804).
(b)
Payment
options
For rehabilitation or replacement of any structure under
this section, the Secretary may apply to the full non-Federal contribution the
payment option provisions under section 103(k) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2213(k)).
2048.
Corrosion
prevention
(a)
Guidance and
procedures
The Secretary shall develop guidance and procedures
for the certification of qualified contractors for—
(1) the application of
protective coatings; and
(2) the removal of
hazardous protective coatings.
(b)
Requirements
Except
as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall use certified contractors
for—
(1) the application of
protective coatings for complex work involving steel and cementitious
structures, including structures that will be exposed in immersion;
(2) the removal of
hazardous coatings or other hazardous materials that are present in sufficient
concentrations to create an occupational or environmental hazard; and
(3) any other
activities the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(c)
Exception
The
Secretary may approve exceptions to the use of certified contractors under
subsection (b) only after public notice, with the opportunity for comment, of
any such proposal.
2049.
Project
deauthorizations
Section
1001(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 579a(b)) is
amended—
(1) by striking
paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2)
List of
projects
(A)
In
general
Notwithstanding section 3003 of Public Law 104–66 (31
U.S.C. 1113 note; 109 Stat. 734), each year, after the submission of the list
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a list of projects
or separable elements of projects that have been authorized but that have
received no obligations during the 5 full fiscal years preceding the submission
of that list.
(B)
Additional
notification
On submission of the list under subparagraph (A) to
Congress, the Secretary shall notify—
(i) each Senator in
whose State and each Member of the House of Representatives in whose district a
project (including any part of a project) on that list would be located;
and
(ii) each applicable
non-Federal interest associated with a project (including any part of a
project) on that list.
(C)
Deauthorization
A
project or separable element included in the list under subparagraph (A) is not
authorized after the last date of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in
which the list is submitted to Congress, if funding has not been obligated for
the planning, design, or construction of the project or element of the project
during that period.
;
and
(2) by adding at the
end the following:
(3)
Minimum funding
list
At the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit
to Congress a list of—
(A) projects or
separable elements of projects authorized for construction for which funding
has been obligated in the 5 previous fiscal years;
(B) the amount of
funding obligated per fiscal year;
(C) the current phase
of each project or separable element of a project; and
(D) the amount
required to complete those phases.
(4)
Report
(A)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
the Water Resources Development Act of
2013, the Secretary shall compile and publish a complete list of
all uncompleted, authorized projects of the Corps of Engineers, including for
each project on that list—
(i) the original
budget authority for the project;
(ii) the status of the
project;
(iii) the estimated
date of completion of the project;
(iv) the estimated
cost of completion of the project; and
(v) any amounts for
the project that remain unobligated.
(B)
Publication
(i)
In
general
The Secretary shall submit a copy of the list under
subparagraph (A) to—
(I) the appropriate
committees of Congress; and
(II) the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget.
(ii)
Public
availability
Not later than 30 days after providing the report to
Congress under clause (i), the Secretary shall make a copy of the list
available on a publicly accessible Internet site, in a manner that is
downloadable, searchable, and
sortable.
.
2050.
Reports to
Congress
(a)
In
general
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Secretary shall complete and submit to Congress by the applicable date required
the reports that address public safety and enhanced local participation in
project delivery described in subsection (b).
(b)
Reports
The
reports referred to in subsection (a) are the reports required under—
(1) section
2020;
(2) section
2022;
(3) section
2025;
(4) section
2026;
(5) section
2039;
(6) section
2040;
(7) section 6007;
and
(8) section
10015.
(c)
Failure to
provide a completed report
(1)
In
general
Subject to subsection (d), if the Secretary fails to
provide a report listed under subsection (b) by the date that is 180 days after
the applicable date required for that report, $5,000 shall be reprogrammed from
the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works into the
account of the division of the Secretary of the Army with responsibility for
completing that report.
(2)
Subsequent
reprogramming
Subject to subsection (d), for each additional week
after the date described in paragraph (1) in which a report described in that
paragraph remains uncompleted and unsubmitted to Congress, $5,000 shall be
reprogrammed from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil
Works into the account of the division of the Secretary of the Army with
responsibility for completing that report.
(d)
Limitations
(1)
In
general
For each report, the total amounts reprogrammed under
subsection (c) shall not exceed, in any fiscal year, $50,000.
(2)
Aggregate
limitation
The total amount reprogrammed under subsection (c) in
a fiscal year shall not exceed $200,000.
(e)
No fault of the
secretary
Amounts shall not be reprogrammed under subsection (c)
if the Secretary certifies in a letter to the applicable committees of Congress
that—
(1) a major
modification has been made to the content of the report that requires
additional analysis for the Secretary to make a final decision on the
report;
(2) amounts have not
been appropriated to the agency under this Act or any other Act to carry out
the report; or
(3) additional
information is required from an entity other than the Corps of Engineers and is
not available in a timely manner to complete the report by the deadline.
(f)
Limitation
The
Secretary shall not reprogram funds to reimburse the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Civil Works for the loss of the funds.
(g)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $10,000,000.
III
Project
modifications
3001.
Purpose
The purpose of this title is to modify
existing water resource project authorizations, subject to the condition that
the modifications do not affect authorized costs.
3002.
Chatfield
Reservoir, Colorado
Section
116 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act, 2009 (123 Stat. 608), is amended in the matter preceding the proviso by
inserting (or a designee of the Department) after
Colorado Department of Natural Resources.
3003.
Missouri River
Recovery Implementation Committee expenses reimbursement
Section 5018(b)(5) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1200) is amended by striking subparagraph
(B) and inserting the following:
(B)
Travel
expenses
Subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary may
reimburse a member of the Committee for travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of a Federal agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away
from the home or regular place of business of the member in performance of
services for the
Committee.
.
3004.
Hurricane and
storm damage reduction study
With respect to the study for flood and
storm damage reduction related to natural disasters to by carried out by the
Secretary and authorized under the heading Investigations under title II
of division A of Public Law 113–2, the Secretary shall include, to the maximum
extent practicable, specific project recommendations in the report developed
for that study.
3005.
Lower
Yellowstone Project, Montana
Section 3109 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1135) is amended—
(1) by striking
The Secretary may and inserting the following:
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may
;
and
(2) by adding at the
end the following:
(b)
Local
participation
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall
consult with, and consider the activities being carried out by—
(1) other Federal
agencies;
(2) conservation
districts;
(3) the Yellowstone
River Conservation District Council; and
(4) the State of
Montana.
.
3006.
Project
deauthorizations
(a)
Goose Creek,
Somerset County, Maryland
The project for navigation, Goose
Creek, Somerset County, Maryland, carried out pursuant to section 107 of the
Rivers and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577), is realigned as follows:
Beginning at Goose Creek Channel Geometry Centerline of the 60-foot-wide main
navigational ship channel, Centerline Station No. 0+00, coordinates North
157851.80, East 1636954.70, as stated and depicted on the Condition Survey
Goose Creek, Sheet 1 of 1, prepared by the United States Army Corps of
Engineers, Baltimore District, July 2003; thence departing the aforementioned
centerline traveling the following courses and distances: S. 64 degrees 49
minutes 06 seconds E., 1583.82 feet to a point, on the outline of said
60-foot-wide channel thence binding on said out-line the following four courses
and distances: S. 63 degrees 26 minutes 06 seconds E., 1460.05 feet to a point,
thence; N. 50 degrees 38 minutes 26 seconds E., 973.28 feet to a point, thence;
N. 26 degrees 13 minutes 09 seconds W., 240.39 feet to a point on the Left Toe
of the 60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline Station
No. 42+57.54, coordinates North 157357.84, East 1640340.23. Geometry Left Toe
of the 60-foot-wide main navigational ship channel, Left Toe Station No. 0+00,
coordinates North 157879.00, East 1636967.40, as stated and depicted on the
Condition Survey Goose Creek, Sheet 1 of 1, prepared by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, August 2010; thence departing the
aforementioned centerline traveling the following courses and distances: S. 64
degrees 49 minutes 12 seconds E., 1583.91 feet to a point, on the outline of
said 60-foot-wide channel thence binding on said out-line the following eight
courses and distances: S. 63 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds E., 1366.25 feet to
a point, thence; N. 83 degrees 36 minutes 24 seconds E., 125.85 feet to a
point, thence; N. 50 degrees 38 minutes 26 seconds E., 805.19 feet to a point,
thence; N. 12 degrees 12 minutes 29 seconds E., 78.33 feet to a point thence;
N. 26 degrees 13 minutes 28 seconds W., 46.66 feet to a point thence; S. 63
degrees 45 minutes 41 seconds W., 54.96 feet to a point thence; N. 26 degrees
13 minutes 24 seconds W., 119.94 feet to a point on the Left Toe of the
60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline Station No.
41+81.10, coordinates North 157320.30, East 1640264.00. Geometry Right Toe of
the 60-foot-wide main navigational ship channel, Right Toe Station No. 0+00,
coordinates North 157824.70, East 1636941.90, as stated and depicted on the
Condition Survey Goose Creek, Sheet 1 of 1, prepared by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, August 2010; thence departing the
aforementioned centerline traveling the following courses and distances: S. 64
degrees 49 minutes 06 seconds E., 1583.82 feet to a point, on the outline of
said 60-foot-wide channel thence binding on said out-line the following six
courses and distances: S. 63 degrees 25 minutes 47 seconds E., 1478.79 feet to
a point, thence; N. 50 degrees 38 minutes 26 seconds E., 1016.69 feet to a
point, thence; N. 26 degrees 14 minutes 49 seconds W., 144.26 feet to a point,
thence; N. 63 degrees 54 minutes 03 seconds E., 55.01 feet to a point thence;
N. 26 degrees 12 minutes 08 seconds W., 120.03 feet to a point a point on the
Right Toe of the 60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline
Station No. 43+98.61, coordinates North 157395.40, East 1640416.50.
(b)
Lower
Thoroughfare, Deal Island, Maryland
Beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary is no longer authorized to carry out the
portion of the project for navigation, Lower Thoroughfare, Maryland, authorized
by the Act of June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. 630, chapter 382) (commonly known as the
River and Harbor Act of 1910), that begins at Lower Thoroughfare
Channel Geometry Centerline of the 60-foot-wide main navigational ship channel,
Centerline Station No. 44+88, coordinates North 170435.62, East 1614588.93, as
stated and depicted on the Condition Survey Lower Thoroughfare, Deal Island,
Sheet 1 of 3, prepared by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore
District, August 2010; thence departing the aforementioned centerline traveling
the following courses and distances: S. 42 degrees 20 minutes 44 seconds W.,
30.00 feet to a point, on the outline of said 60-foot-wide channel thence
binding on said out-line the following four courses and distances: N. 64
degrees 08 minutes 55 seconds W., 53.85 feet to a point, thence; N. 42 degrees
20 minutes 43 seconds W., 250.08 feet to a point, thence; N. 47 degrees 39
minutes 03 seconds E., 20.00 feet to a point, thence; S. 42 degrees 20 minutes
44 seconds E., 300.07 feet to a point binding on the Left Toe of the
60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline Station No.
43+92.67, coordinates North 170415.41, 1614566.76; thence; continuing with the
aforementioned centerline the following courses and distances: S. 42 degrees 20
minutes 42 seconds W., 30.00 feet to a point, on the outline of said
60-foot-wide channel thence binding on said out-line the following four courses
and distances: N. 20 degrees 32 minutes 06 seconds W., 53.85 feet to a point,
thence; N. 42 degrees 20 minutes 49 seconds W., 250.08 feet to a point, thence;
S. 47 degrees 39 minutes 03 seconds W., 20.00 feet to a point, thence; S. 42
degrees 20 minutes 46 seconds E., 300.08 feet to a point binding on the Left
Toe of the 60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline
Station No. 43+92.67, coordinates North 170415.41, 1614566.76.
(c)
Thomaston
Harbor, Georges River, Maine
Beginning on the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary is no longer authorized to carry out the portion of
the project for navigation, Georges River, Maine (Thomaston Harbor), authorized
by the first section of the Act of June 3, 1896 (29 Stat. 215, chapter 314),
and modified by section 317 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000
(Public Law 106–541; 114 Stat. 2604), that lies northwesterly of a line
commencing at point N87,220.51, E321,065.80 thence running northeasterly about
125 feet to a point N87,338.71, E321,106.46.
(d)
Warwick Cove,
Rhode Island
Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary is no longer authorized to carry out the portion of the project for
navigation, Warwick Cove, Rhode Island, authorized by section 107 of the River
and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577) that is located within the 5 acre
anchorage area east of the channel and lying east of the line beginning at a
point with coordinates N220,349.79, E357,664.90 thence running north 9 degrees
10 minutes 21.5 seconds west 170.38 feet to a point N220,517.99, E357,637.74
thence running north 17 degrees 44 minutes 30.4 seconds west 165.98 feet to a
point N220,676.08, E357,587.16 thence running north 0 degrees 46 minutes 0.9
seconds east 138.96 feet to a point N220,815.03, E357,589.02 thence running
north 8 degrees 36 minutes 22.9 seconds east 101.57 feet to a point
N220,915.46, E357,604.22 thence running north 18 degrees 18 minutes 27.3
seconds east 168.20 feet to a point N221,075.14, E357,657.05 thence running
north 34 degrees 42 minutes 7.2 seconds east 106.4 feet to a point N221,162.62,
E357,717.63 thence running south 29 degrees 14 minutes 17.4 seconds east 26.79
feet to a point N221,139.24, E357,730.71 thence running south 30 degrees 45
minutes 30.5 seconds west 230.46 feet to a point N220,941.20, E357,612.85
thence running south 10 degrees 49 minutes 12.0 seconds west 95.46 feet to a
point N220,847.44, E357,594.93 thence running south 9 degrees 13 minutes 44.5
seconds east 491.68 feet to a point N220,362.12, E357,673.79 thence running
south 35 degrees 47 minutes 19.4 seconds west 15.20 feet to the point of
origin.
3007.
Raritan River
Basin, Green Brook Sub-basin, New Jersey
Title I of the Energy and Water Development
Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105–62; 111 Stat. 1327) is amended by
striking section 102.
3008.
Red River
Basin, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana
(a)
In
general
The Secretary is authorized to reassign unused irrigation
storage within a reservoir on the Red River Basin to municipal and industrial
water supply for use by a non-Federal interest if that non-Federal interest has
already contracted for a share of municipal and industrial water supply on the
same reservoir.
(b)
Non-Federal
interest
A reassignment of storage under subsection (a) shall be
contingent upon the execution of an agreement between the Secretary and the
applicable non-Federal interest.
IV
Water resource
studies
4001.
Purpose
The purpose of this title is to direct the
Corps of Engineers to study and recommend solutions for water resource issues
relating to flood risk and storm damage reduction, navigation, and ecosystem
restoration.
4002.
Initiation of
new water resources studies
(a)
In
general
Subject to subsections (b), (c), and (d), the Secretary
may initiate a study—
(1) to determine the
feasibility of carrying out 1 or more projects for flood risk management, storm
damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, navigation, hydropower, or related
purposes; or
(2) to carry out
watershed and river basin assessments in accordance with section 729 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2267a).
(b)
Criteria
The
Secretary may only initiate a study under subsection (a) if—
(1) the study—
(A) has been requested
by an eligible non-Federal interest;
(B) is for an area
that is likely to include a project with a Federal interest; and
(C) addresses a
high-priority water resource issue necessary for the protection of human life
and property, the environment, or the national security interests of the United
States; and
(2) the non-Federal
interest has demonstrated—
(A) that local support
exists for addressing the water resource issue; and
(B) the financial
ability to provide the required non-Federal cost-share.
(c)
Congressional
approval
(1)
Submission to
congress
Prior to initiating a study under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House—
(A) a description of
the study, including the geographical area addressed by the study;
(B) a description of
how the study meets each of the requirements of subsection (b); and
(C) a certification
that the proposed study can be completed within 3 years and for a Federal cost
of not more than $3,000,000.
(2)
Expenditure of
funds
No funds may be spent on a study initiated under subsection
(a) unless—
(A) the required
information is submitted to Congress under paragraph (1); and
(B) after such
submission, amounts are appropriated to continue construction of the project in
an appropriations or other Act to initiate the study.
(3)
Additional
notification
The Secretary shall notify each Senator or Member of
Congress with a State or congressional district in the study area described in
paragraph (1)(A).
(d)
Limitations
(1)
In
general
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a project for which a
study has been authorized prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
(2)
New studies and
projects
In each fiscal year, the Secretary may initiate not more
than—
(A) 3 new studies in
each of the primary areas of responsibility of the Corps of Engineers;
and
(B) 3 projects from
any 1 division of the Corps of Engineers.
(e)
Termination
The
authority under subsection (a) expires on the date that is 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(f)
Authorization of
Appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2017.
4003.
Applicability
(a)
In
general
Nothing in this title authorizes the construction of a
water resources project.
(b)
New
authorization required
New authorization from Congress is
required before any project evaluated in a study under this title is
constructed.
V
Regional and
nonproject provisions
5001.
Purpose
The purpose of this title is to authorize
regional, multistate authorities to address water resource needs and other
non-project provisions.
5002.
Northeast Coastal
Region ecosystem restoration
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall plan, design, and construct projects
for aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters of the Northeastern
United States from the State of Virginia to the State of Maine, including
associated bays, estuaries, and critical riverine areas.
(b)
General coastal
management plan
(1)
Assessment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, the
Governors of the coastal States from Virginia to Maine, nonprofit
organizations, and other interested parties, shall assess the needs regarding,
and opportunities for, aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters
of the Northeastern United States.
(2)
Plan
The
Secretary shall develop a general coastal management plan based on the
assessment carried out under paragraph (1), maximizing the use of existing
plans and investigation, which plan shall include—
(A) an inventory and evaluation of coastal
habitats;
(B) identification of
aquatic resources in need of improvement;
(C) identification and
prioritization of potential aquatic habitat restoration projects; and
(D) identification of
geographical and ecological areas of concern, including—
(i) finfish
habitats;
(ii) diadromous
fisheries migratory corridors;
(iii) shellfish
habitats;
(iv) submerged aquatic
vegetation;
(v) wetland;
and
(vi) beach dune
complexes and other similar habitats.
(c)
Eligible
projects
The Secretary may
carry out an aquatic ecosystem restoration project under this section if the
project—
(1) is consistent with
the management plan developed under subsection (b); and
(2) provides
for—
(A) the restoration of degraded aquatic habitat
(including coastal, saltmarsh, benthic, and riverine habitat);
(B) the restoration of
geographical or ecological areas of concern, including the restoration of
natural river and stream characteristics;
(C) the improvement of
water quality; or
(D) other projects or
activities determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(d)
Cost
sharing
(1)
Management
plan
The management plan developed under subsection (b) shall be
completed at Federal expense.
(2)
Restoration
projects
The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried
out under this section shall be 35 percent.
(e)
Cost
limitation
Not more than $10,000,000 in Federal funds may be
allocated under this section for an eligible project.
(f)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section (including funds for the completion of the management plan)
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
5003.
Chesapeake Bay
Environmental Restoration and Protection Program
Section 510 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–303; 110 Stat. 3759; 121 Stat. 1202) is
amended—
(1) in subsection
(a)—
(A) in paragraph
(1)—
(i) by striking
pilot program and inserting program; and
(ii) by inserting
in the basin States described in subsection (f) and the District of
Columbia after interests; and
(B) by striking
paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2)
Form
The
assistance under paragraph (1) shall be in the form of design and construction
assistance for water-related resource protection and restoration projects
affecting the Chesapeake Bay estuary, based on the comprehensive plan under
subsection (b), including projects for—
(A) sediment and
erosion control;
(B) protection of
eroding shorelines;
(C) ecosystem
restoration, including restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation;
(D) protection of
essential public works;
(E) beneficial uses of
dredged material; and
(F) other related
projects that may enhance the living resources of the
estuary.
;
(2) by striking
subsection (b) and inserting the following:
(b)
Comprehensive
plan
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of
2013, the Secretary, in cooperation with State and local
governmental officials and affected stakeholders, shall develop a comprehensive
Chesapeake Bay restoration plan to guide the implementation of projects under
subsection (a)(2).
(2)
Coordination
The
restoration plan described in paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, consider and avoid duplication of any ongoing or planned actions
of other Federal, State, and local agencies and nongovernmental
organizations.
(3)
Prioritization
The
restoration plan described in paragraph (1) shall give priority to projects
eligible under subsection (a)(2) that will also improve water quality or
quantity or use natural hydrological features and systems.
(4)
Administration
The
Federal share of the costs of carrying out paragraph (1) shall be 75
percent.
;
(3) in subsection
(c)—
(A) in paragraph (1),
by striking to provide and all that follows through the period
at the end and inserting for the design and construction of a project
carried out pursuant to the comprehensive Chesapeake Bay restoration plan
described in subsection (b).;
(B) in paragraph
(2)(A), by striking facilities or resource protection and development
plan and inserting resource protection and restoration
plan; and
(C) by adding at the
end the following:
(3)
Projects on
Federal land
A project carried out pursuant to the comprehensive
Chesapeake Bay restoration plan described in subsection (b) that is located on
Federal land shall be carried out at the expense of the Federal agency that
owns the land on which the project will be a carried out.
(4)
Non-Federal
contributions
A Federal agency carrying out a project described
in paragraph (3) may accept contributions of funds from non-Federal entities to
carry out that
project.
;
(4) by striking
subsection (e) and inserting the following:
(e)
Cooperation
In
carrying out this section, the Secretary shall cooperate with—
(1) the heads of
appropriate Federal agencies, including—
(A) the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency;
(B) the Secretary of
Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration;
(C) the Secretary of
the Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and
Wildlife Service; and
(D) the heads of such
other Federal agencies as the Secretary determines to be appropriate;
and
(2) agencies of a
State or political subdivision of a State, including the Chesapeake Bay
Commission.
;
(5) by striking
subsection (f) and inserting the following:
(f)
Projects
The
Secretary shall establish, to the maximum extent practicable, at least 1
project under this section in—
(1) regions within the
Chesapeake Bay watershed of each of the basin States of Delaware, Maryland, New
York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; and
(2) the District of
Columbia.
;
(6) by striking
subsection (h); and
(7) by redesignating
subsection (i) as subsection (h).
5004.
Rio Grande
environmental management program, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas
Section 5056 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1213) is amended—
(1) in subsection
(b)(2)—
(A) in the matter
preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 2008 and inserting
2014; and
(B) in subparagraph
(C), by inserting and an assessment of needs for other related purposes
in the Rio Grande Basin, including flood damage reduction after
assessment;
(2) in subsection
(c)(2)—
(A) by striking
an interagency agreement with and inserting 1 or more
interagency agreements with the Secretary of State and; and
(B) by inserting
or the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water
Commission after the Department of the Interior;
and
(3) in subsection (f),
by striking 2011 and inserting 2024.
5005.
Lower Columbia
River and Tillamook Bay ecosystem restoration, Oregon and
Washington
Section 536(g) of
the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2661) is amended by
striking $30,000,000 and inserting
$75,000,000.
5006.
Arkansas
River, Arkansas and Oklahoma
(a)
Project
Goal
The goal for operation of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
navigation system, Arkansas and Oklahoma, shall be to maximize the use of the
system in a balanced approach that incorporates advice from representatives
from all project purposes to ensure that the full value of the system is
realized by the United States.
(b)
McClellan-Kerr
Arkansas River navigation system advisory committee
(1)
In
general
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.), the Secretary shall establish an advisory committee for the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation system, Arkansas and Oklahoma, project
authorized by the Act of July 24, 1946 (60 Stat. 635, chapter 595).
(2)
Duties
The
advisory committee shall—
(A) serve in an
advisory capacity only; and
(B) provide
information and recommendations to the Corps of Engineers relating to the
efficiency, reliability, and availability of the operations of the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation system.
(3)
Selection and
composition
The advisory committee shall be—
(A) selected jointly
by the Little Rock district engineer and the Tulsa district engineer;
and
(B) composed of
members that equally represent the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation
system project purposes.
(4)
Agency
resources
The Little Rock district and the Tulsa district of the
Corps of Engineers, under the supervision of the southwestern division, shall
jointly provide the advisory committee with adequate staff assistance,
facilities, and resources.
(5)
Termination
(A)
In
general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the advisory committee shall
terminate on the date on which the Secretary submits a report to Congress
demonstrating increases in the efficiency, reliability, and availability of the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation system.
(B)
Restriction
The
advisory committee shall terminate not less than 2 calendar years after the
date on which the advisory committee is established.
5007.
Aquatic
invasive species prevention and management; Columbia River Basin
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may establish a program to prevent and
manage aquatic invasive species in the Columbia River Basin in the States of
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
(b)
Watercraft
inspection stations
(1)
In
general
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
establish watercraft inspection stations in the Columbia River Basin to be
located in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington at locations,
as determined by the Secretary, with the highest likelihood of preventing the
spread of aquatic invasive species into reservoirs operated and maintained by
the Secretary.
(2)
Inclusions
Locations
identified under paragraph (1) may include—
(A) State border
crossings;
(B) international
border crossings; and
(C) highway entry
points that are used by owners of watercraft to access boat launch facilities
owned or managed by the Secretary.
(3)
Cost-share
The
non-Federal share of the cost of operating and maintaining watercraft
inspection stations described in paragraph (1) (including personnel costs)
shall be 50 percent.
(4)
Other inspection
sites
The Secretary may establish watercraft inspection stations
using amounts made available to carry out this section in States other than
those described in paragraph (1) at or near boat launch facilities that the
Secretary determines are regularly used by watercraft to enter the States
described in paragraph (1).
(c)
Monitoring and
contingency planning
The Secretary shall—
(1) carry out risk
assessments of each major public and private water resources facility in the
Columbia River Basin;
(2) establish an
aquatic invasive species monitoring program in the Columbia River Basin;
(3) establish a
Columbia River Basin watershed-wide plan for expedited response to an
infestation of aquatic invasive species; and
(4) monitor water
quality, including sediment cores and fish tissue samples, at facilities owned
or managed by the Secretary in the Columbia River Basin.
(d)
Coordination
In
carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult and coordinate
with—
(1) the States
described in subsection (a);
(2) Indian tribes;
and
(3) other Federal
agencies, including—
(A) the Department of
Agriculture;
(B) the Department of
Energy;
(C) the Department of
Homeland Security;
(D) the Department of
Commerce; and
(E) the Department of
the Interior.
(e)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $30,000,000, of which $5,000,000 may be
used to carry out subsection (c).
5008.
Upper Missouri
Basin flood and drought monitoring
(a)
In
general
The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Chief of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, the Director of the United States Geological
Survey, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, shall establish a
program to provide for—
(1) soil moisture and
snowpack monitoring in the Upper Missouri River Basin to reduce flood risk and
improve river and water resource management in the Upper Missouri River Basin,
as outlined in the February 2013 report entitled Upper Missouri Basin
Monitoring Committee—Snow Sampling and Instrumentation
Recommendations;
(2) restoring and
maintaining existing mid- and high-elevation snowpack monitoring sites operated
under the SNOTEL program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service;
and
(3) operating
streamflow gages and related interpretive studies in the Upper Missouri River
Basin under the cooperative water program and the national streamflow
information program of the United States Geological Service.
(b)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $11,250,000.
(c)
Use of
Funds
Amounts made available to the Secretary under this section
shall be used to complement other related activities of Federal agencies that
are carried out within the Missouri River Basin.
(d)
Report
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States, in consultation with the Secretary, shall submit
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
a report that—
(1) identifies
progress made by the Secretary and other Federal agencies to implement the
recommendations contained in the report described in subsection (a)(1) with
respect to enhancing soil moisture and snowpack monitoring in the Upper
Missouri Basin; and
(2) includes
recommendations to enhance soil moisture and snowpack monitoring in the Upper
Missouri Basin.
5009.
Northern
Rockies headwaters extreme weather mitigation
(a)
In
general
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall establish
a program to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, such as 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
by carrying out river, stream, and floodplain protection and restoration
projects, including—
(1) floodplain
restoration and reconnection;
(2) floodplain and
riparian area protection through the use of conservation easements;
(3) instream flow
restoration projects;
(4) fish passage
improvements;
(5) channel migration
zone mapping; and
(6) invasive weed
management.
(b)
Restriction
All
projects carried out using amounts made available to carry out this section
shall emphasize the protection and enhancement of natural riverine
processes.
(c)
Non-federal cost
share
The non-Federal share of the costs of carrying out a
project under this section shall not exceed 35 percent of the total cost of the
project.
(d)
Coordination
In
carrying out this section, the Secretary—
(1) shall consult and
coordinate with the appropriate State natural resource agency in each State;
and
(2) may—
(A) delegate any
authority or responsibility of the Secretary under this section to those State
natural resource agencies; and
(B) provide amounts
made available to the Secretary to carry out this section to those State
natural resource agencies.
(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.
(f)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $30,000,000.
VI
Levee
safety
6001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the National Levee Safety Program Act.
6002.
Findings;
purposes
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) there is a need to
establish a national levee safety program to provide national leadership and
encourage the establishment of State and tribal levee safety programs;
(2) according to the
National Committee on Levee Safety, the level of protection and
robustness of design and construction of levees vary considerably across the
country;
(3) knowing the
location, condition, and ownership of levees, as well as understanding the
population and infrastructure at risk in leveed areas, is necessary for
identification and prioritization of activities associated with levees;
(4) levees are an
important tool for reducing flood risk and should be considered in the context
of broader flood risk management efforts;
(5) States and Indian
tribes—
(A) are uniquely
positioned to oversee, coordinate, and regulate local and regional levee
systems; and
(B) should be
encouraged to participate in a national levee safety program by establishing
individual levee safety programs; and
(6) States, Indian
tribes, and local governments that do not invest in protecting the individuals
and property located behind levees place those individuals and property at
risk.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of this title are—
(1) to promote sound
technical practices in levee design, construction, operation, inspection,
assessment, security, and maintenance;
(2) to ensure
effective public education and awareness of risks involving levees;
(3) to establish and
maintain a national levee safety program that emphasizes the protection of
human life and property; and
(4) to implement
solutions and incentives that encourage the establishment of effective State
and tribal levee safety programs.
6003.
Definitions
In this title:
(1)
Board
The
term Board means the National Levee Safety Advisory Board
established under section 6005.
(2)
Canal
structure
(A)
In
general
The term canal structure means an
embankment, wall, or structure along a canal or manmade watercourse
that—
(i) constrains water
flows;
(ii) is subject to
frequent water loading; and
(iii) is an integral
part of a flood risk reduction system that protects the leveed area from flood
waters associated with hurricanes, precipitation events, seasonal high water,
and other weather-related events.
(B)
Exclusion
The
term canal structure does not include a barrier across a
watercourse.
(3)
Federal
agency
The term Federal agency means a Federal
agency that designs, finances, constructs, owns, operates, maintains, or
regulates the construction, operation, or maintenance of a levee.
(4)
Flood damage
reduction system
The term flood damage reduction
system means a system designed and constructed to have appreciable and
dependable effects in reducing damage by floodwaters.
(5)
Flood
mitigation
The term flood mitigation means any
structural or nonstructural measure that reduces risks of flood damage by
reducing the probability of flooding, the consequences of flooding, or
both.
(6)
Floodplain
management
The term floodplain management means the
operation of a community program of corrective and preventative measures for
reducing flood damage.
(7)
Indian
tribe
The term Indian tribe has the meaning given
the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(8)
Levee
(A)
In
general
The term levee means a manmade barrier (such
as an embankment, floodwall, or other structure)—
(i) the primary
purpose of which is to provide hurricane, storm, or flood protection relating
to seasonal high water, storm surges, precipitation, or other weather events;
and
(ii) that is normally
subject to water loading for only a few days or weeks during a calendar
year.
(B)
Inclusions
The
term levee includes a levee system, including—
(i) levees and canal
structures that—
(I) constrain water
flows;
(II) are subject to
more frequent water loading; and
(III) do not
constitute a barrier across a watercourse; and
(ii) roadway and
railroad embankments, but only to the extent that the embankments are integral
to the performance of a flood damage reduction system.
(C)
Exclusions
The
term levee does not include—
(i) a roadway or
railroad embankment that is not integral to the performance of a flood damage
reduction system;
(ii) a canal
constructed completely within natural ground without any manmade structure
(such as an embankment or retaining wall to retain water or a case in which
water is retained only by natural ground);
(iii) a canal
regulated by a Federal or State agency in a manner that ensures that applicable
Federal safety criteria are met;
(iv) a levee or canal
structure—
(I) that is not a part
of a Federal flood damage reduction system;
(II) that is not
recognized under the National Flood Insurance Program as providing protection
from the 1-percent-annual-chance or greater flood;
(III) that is not
greater than 3 feet high;
(IV) the population in
the leveed area of which is less than 50 individuals; and
(V) the leveed area of
which is less than 1,000 acres; or
(v) any shoreline
protection or river bank protection system (such as revetments or barrier
islands).
(9)
Levee
feature
The term levee feature means a structure
that is critical to the functioning of a levee, including—
(A) an embankment
section;
(B) a floodwall
section;
(C) a closure
structure;
(D) a pumping
station;
(E) an interior
drainage work; and
(F) a flood damage
reduction channel.
(10)
Levee safety
guidelines
The term levee safety guidelines means
the guidelines established by the Secretary under section 6004(c)(1).
(11)
Levee
segment
The term levee segment means a discrete
portion of a levee system that is owned, operated, and maintained by a single
entity or discrete set of entities.
(12)
Levee
system
The term levee system means 1 or more levee
segments, including all levee features that are interconnected and necessary to
ensure protection of the associated leveed areas—
(A) that collectively
provide flood damage reduction to a defined area; and
(B) the failure of 1
of which may result in the failure of the entire system.
(13)
Leveed
area
The term leveed area means the land from which
flood water in the adjacent watercourse is excluded by the levee system.
(14)
National levee
database
The term national levee database means the
levee database established under section 9004 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 3303).
(15)
Participating
program
The term participating program means a levee
safety program developed by a State or Indian tribe that includes the minimum
components necessary for recognition by the Secretary.
(16)
Rehabilitation
The
term rehabilitation means the repair, replacement, reconstruction,
or removal of a levee that is carried out to meet national levee safety
guidelines.
(17)
Risk
The
term risk means a measure of the probability and severity of
undesirable consequences.
(18)
Secretary
The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the
Chief of Engineers.
(19)
State
The
term State means—
(A) each of the
several States of the United States;
(B) the District of
Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico;
(D) Guam;
(E) American
Samoa;
(F) the Commonwealth
of the Northern Mariana Islands;
(G) the Federated
States of Micronesia;
(H) the Republic of
the Marshall Islands;
(I) the Republic of
Palau; and
(J) the United States
Virgin Islands.
6004.
National levee
safety program
(a)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, shall establish a national levee safety program to provide
national leadership and consistent approaches to levee safety,
including—
(1) a national levee
database;
(2) an inventory and
inspection of Federal and non-Federal levees;
(3) national levee
safety guidelines;
(4) a hazard potential
classification system for Federal and non-Federal levees;
(5) research and
development;
(6) a national public
education and awareness program, with an emphasis on communication regarding
the residual risk to communities protected by levees and levee systems;
(7) coordination of
levee safety, floodplain management, and environmental protection
activities;
(8) development of
State and tribal levee safety programs; and
(9) the provision of
technical assistance and materials to States and Indian tribes relating
to—
(A) developing levee
safety programs;
(B) identifying and
reducing flood risks associated with residual risk to communities protected by
levees and levee systems;
(C) identifying local
actions that may be carried out to reduce flood risks in leveed areas;
and
(D) rehabilitating,
improving, replacing, reconfiguring, modifying, and removing levees and levee
systems.
(b)
Management
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall appoint—
(A) an administrator
of the national levee safety program; and
(B) such staff as is
necessary to implement the program.
(2)
Administrator
The
sole duty of the administrator appointed under paragraph (1)(A) shall be the
management of the national levee safety program.
(c)
Levee safety
guidelines
(1)
Establishment
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
coordination with State and local governments and organizations with expertise
in levee safety, shall establish a set of voluntary, comprehensive, national
levee safety guidelines that—
(A) are available for
common, uniform use by all Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies;
(B) incorporate
policies, procedures, standards, and criteria for a range of levee types, canal
structures, and related facilities and features; and
(C) provide for
adaptation to local, regional, or watershed conditions.
(2)
Requirement
The
policies, procedures, standards, and criteria under paragraph (1)(B) shall be
developed taking into consideration the levee hazard potential classification
system established under subsection (d).
(3)
Adoption by
federal agencies
All Federal agencies shall consider the levee
safety guidelines in activities relating to the management of levees.
(4)
Public
comment
Prior to finalizing the guidelines under this subsection,
the Secretary shall—
(A) issue draft
guidelines for public comment; and
(B) consider any
comments received in the development of final guidelines.
(d)
Hazard potential
classification system
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary shall establish a hazard potential classification system for use
under the national levee safety program and participating programs.
(2)
Revision
The
Secretary shall review and, as necessary, revise the hazard potential
classification system not less frequently than once every 5 years.
(3)
Consistency
The
hazard potential classification system established pursuant to this subsection
shall be consistent with and incorporated into the levee safety action
classification tool developed by the Corps of Engineers.
(e)
Technical
assistance and materials
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Board, shall establish a national levee
safety technical assistance and training program to develop and deliver
technical support and technical assistance materials, curricula, and training
in order to promote levee safety and assist States, communities, and levee
owners in—
(A) developing levee
safety programs;
(B) identifying and
reducing flood risks associated with levees;
(C) identifying local
actions that may be carried out to reduce flood risks in leveed areas;
and
(D) rehabilitating,
improving, replacing, reconfiguring, modifying, and removing levees and levee
systems.
(2)
Use of
services
In establishing the national levee safety training
program under paragraph (1), the Secretary may use the services of—
(A) the Corps of
Engineers;
(B) the Federal
Emergency Management Agency;
(C) the Bureau of
Reclamation; and
(D) other appropriate
Federal agencies, as determined by the Secretary.
(f)
Comprehensive
national public education and awareness campaign
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the Board, shall establish a national public education
and awareness campaign relating to the national levee safety program.
(2)
Purposes
The
purposes of the campaign under paragraph (1) are—
(A) to educate
individuals living in leveed areas regarding the risks of living in those
areas;
(B) to promote
consistency in the transmission of information regarding levees among
government agencies; and
(C) to provide
national leadership regarding risk communication for implementation at the
State and local levels.
(g)
Coordination of
levee safety, floodplain management, and environmental
concerns
The Secretary, in coordination with the Board, shall
evaluate opportunities to coordinate—
(1) public safety,
floodplain management, and environmental protection activities relating to
levees; and
(2) environmental
permitting processes for operation and maintenance activities at existing levee
projects in compliance with all applicable laws.
(h)
Levee
Inspection
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall carry out a one-time inventory and
inspection of all levees identified in the national levee database.
(2)
No Federal
interest
The inventory and inspection under paragraph (1) does
not create a Federal interest in the construction, operation, or maintenance
any levee that is included in the inventory or inspected under this
subsection.
(3)
Inspection
criteria
In carrying out the inventory and inspection, the
Secretary shall use the levee safety action classification criteria to
determine whether a levee should be classified in the inventory as requiring a
more comprehensive inspection.
(4)
State and tribal
participation
At the request of a State or Indian tribe with
respect to any levee subject to inspection under this subsection, the Secretary
shall—
(A) allow an official
of the State or Indian tribe to participate in the inspection of the levee;
and
(B) provide
information to the State or Indian tribe relating to the location,
construction, operation, or maintenance of the levee.
(5)
Exceptions
In
carrying out the inventory and inspection under this subsection, the Secretary
shall not be required to inspect any levee that has been inspected by a State
or Indian tribe using the same methodology described in paragraph (3) during
the 1-year period immediately preceding the date of enactment of this Act if
the Governor of the State or tribal government, as applicable, requests an
exemption from the inspection.
(i)
State and tribal
levee safety program
(1)
Guidelines
(A)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, in coordination with the Board, the Secretary shall issue guidelines that
establish the minimum components necessary for recognition of a State or tribal
levee safety program as a participating program.
(B)
Guideline
contents
The guidelines under subparagraph (A) shall include
provisions and procedures requiring each participating State and Indian tribe
to certify to the Secretary that the State or Indian tribe, as
applicable—
(i) has the authority
to participate in the national levee safety program;
(ii) can receive funds
under this title;
(iii) has adopted any
national levee safety guidelines developed under this title;
(iv) will carry out
levee inspections;
(v) will carry out,
consistent with applicable requirements, flood risk management and any
emergency action planning procedures the Secretary determines to be necessary
relating to levees;
(vi) will carry out
public education and awareness activities consistent with the national public
education and awareness campaign established under subsection (f); and
(vii) will collect and
share information regarding the location and condition of levees.
(C)
Public
comment
Prior to finalizing the guidelines under this paragraph,
the Secretary shall—
(i) issue draft
guidelines for public comment; and
(ii) consider any
comments received in the development of final guidelines.
(2)
Grant
program
(A)
Establishment
The
Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide
grants to assist States and Indian tribes in establishing participating
programs, conducting levee inventories, and carrying out this title.
(B)
Requirements
To
be eligible to receive grants under this section, a State or Indian tribe
shall—
(i) meet the
requirements of a participating program established by the guidelines issued
under paragraph (1);
(ii) use not less than
25 percent of any amounts received to identify and assess non-Federal levees
within the State or on land of the Indian tribe;
(iii) submit to the
Secretary any information collected by the State or Indian tribe in carrying
out this subsection for inclusion in the national levee safety database;
and
(iv) identify actions
to address hazard mitigation activities associated with levees and leveed areas
identified in the hazard mitigation plan of the State approved by the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et
seq.).
(j)
Levee
rehabilitation assistance program
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide
assistance to States, Indian tribes, and local governments in addressing flood
mitigation activities that result in an overall reduction in flood risk.
(2)
Requirements
To
be eligible to receive assistance under this subsection, a State, Indian tribe,
or local government shall—
(A) participate in,
and comply with, all applicable Federal floodplain management and flood
insurance programs;
(B) have in place a
hazard mitigation plan that—
(i) includes all levee
risks; and
(ii) complies with the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–390; 114 Stat. 1552);
(C) submit to the
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require; and
(D) comply with such
minimum eligibility requirements as the Secretary, in consultation with the
Board, may establish to ensure that each owner and operator of a levee under a
participating State or tribal levee safety program—
(i) acts in accordance
with the guidelines developed in subsection (c); and
(ii) carries out
activities relating to the public in the leveed area in accordance with the
hazard mitigation plan described in subparagraph (B).
(3)
Floodplain
management plans
(A)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of execution of a
project agreement for assistance under this subsection, a State, Indian tribe,
or local government shall prepare a floodplain management plan in accordance
with the guidelines under subparagraph (D) to reduce the impacts of future
flood events in each applicable leveed area.
(B)
Inclusions
A
plan under subparagraph (A) shall address potential measures, practices, and
policies to reduce loss of life, injuries, damage to property and facilities,
public expenditures, and other adverse impacts of flooding in each applicable
leveed area.
(C)
Implementation
Not
later than 1 year after the date of completion of construction of the
applicable project, a floodplain management plan prepared under subparagraph
(A) shall be implemented.
(D)
Guidelines
Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall develop such guidelines for the preparation of floodplain management
plans prepared under this paragraph as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
(E)
Technical
support
The Secretary may provide technical support for the
development and implementation of floodplain management plans prepared under
this paragraph.
(4)
Use of
funds
(A)
In
general
Assistance provided under this subsection may be
used—
(i) for any
rehabilitation activity to maximize overall risk reduction associated with a
levee under a participating State or tribal levee safety program; and
(ii) only for a levee
that is not federally operated and maintained.
(B)
Prohibition
Assistance
provided under this subsection shall not be used—
(i) to perform routine
operation or maintenance for a levee; or
(ii) to make any
modification to a levee that does not result in an improvement to public
safety.
(5)
No proprietary
interest
A contract for assistance provided under this subsection
shall not be considered to confer any proprietary interest on the United
States.
(6)
Cost-share
The
maximum Federal share of the cost of any assistance provided under this
subsection shall be 65 percent.
(7)
Project
limit
The maximum amount of Federal assistance for a project
under this subsection shall be $10,000,000.
(8)
Other
laws
Assistance provided under this subsection shall be subject
to all applicable laws (including regulations) that apply to the construction
of a civil works project of the Corps of Engineers.
(k)
Effect of
section
Nothing in this section confers any regulatory authority
on—
(1) the Secretary;
or
(2) the Director of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
6005.
National levee
safety advisory board
(a)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, shall establish a board, to be known as the National
Levee Safety Advisory Board—
(1) to advise the
Secretary and Congress regarding consistent approaches to levee safety;
(2) to monitor the
safety of levees in the United States;
(3) to assess the
effectiveness of the national levee safety program; and
(4) to ensure that the
national levee safety program is carried out in a manner that is consistent
with other Federal flood risk management efforts.
(b)
Membership
(1)
Voting
members
The Board shall be composed of the following 14 voting
members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Secretary, with priority
consideration given to representatives from those States that have the most
Corps of Engineers levees in the State, based on mileage:
(A) 8 representatives
of State levee safety programs, 1 from each of the civil works divisions of the
Corps of Engineers.
(B) 2 representatives
of the private sector who have expertise in levee safety.
(C) 2 representatives
of local and regional governmental agencies who have expertise in levee
safety.
(D) 2 representatives
of Indian tribes who have expertise in levee safety.
(2)
Nonvoting
members
The Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary), the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or a designee of the
Administrator), and the administrator of the national levee safety program
appointed under section 6004(b)(1)(A) shall serve as nonvoting members of the
Board.
(3)
Chairperson
The
voting members of the Board shall appoint a chairperson from among the voting
members of the Board, to serve a term of not more than 2 years.
(c)
Qualifications
(1)
Individuals
Each
voting member of the Board shall be knowledgeable in the field of levee safety,
including water resources and flood risk management.
(2)
As a
whole
The membership of the Board, considered as a whole, shall
represent the diversity of skills required to advise the Secretary regarding
levee issues relating to—
(A) engineering;
(B) public
communications;
(C) program
development and oversight;
(D) with respect to
levees, flood risk management and hazard mitigation; and
(E) public safety and
the environment.
(d)
Terms of
service
(1)
In
general
A voting member of the Board shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years, except that, of the members first appointed—
(A) 5 shall be
appointed for a term of 1 year;
(B) 5 shall be
appointed for a term of 2 years; and
(C) 4 shall be
appointed for a term of 3 years.
(2)
Reappointment
A
voting member of the Board may be reappointed to the Board, as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
(3)
Vacancies
A
vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made.
(e)
Standing
committees
(1)
In
general
The Board shall be supported by Standing Committees,
which shall be comprised of volunteers from all levels of government and the
private sector, to advise the Board regarding the national levee safety
program.
(2)
Establishment
The
Standing Committees of the Board shall include—
(A) the Standing
Committee on Participating Programs, which shall advise the Board
regarding—
(i) the development
and implementation of State and tribal levee safety programs; and
(ii) appropriate
incentives (including financial assistance) to be provided to States, Indian
tribes, and local and regional entities;
(B) the Standing
Committee on Technical Issues, which shall advise the Board regarding—
(i) the management of
the national levee database;
(ii) the development
and maintenance of levee safety guidelines;
(iii) processes and
materials for developing levee-related technical assistance and training;
and
(iv) research and
development activities relating to levee safety;
(C) the Standing
Committee on Public Education and Awareness, which shall advise the Board
regarding the development, implementation, and evaluation of targeted public
outreach programs—
(i) to gather public
input;
(ii) to educate and
raise awareness in leveed areas of levee risks;
(iii) to communicate
information regarding participating programs; and
(iv) to track the
effectiveness of public education efforts relating to levee risks;
(D) the Standing
Committee on Safety and Environment, which shall advise the Board
regarding—
(i) operation and
maintenance activities for existing levee projects;
(ii) opportunities to
coordinate public safety, floodplain management, and environmental protection
activities relating to levees;
(iii) opportunities to
coordinate environmental permitting processes for operation and maintenance
activities at existing levee projects in compliance with all applicable laws;
and
(iv) opportunities for
collaboration by environmental protection and public safety interests in leveed
areas and adjacent areas; and
(E) such other
standing committees as the Secretary, in consultation with the Board,
determines to be necessary.
(3)
Membership
(A)
In
general
The Board shall recommend to the Secretary for approval
individuals for membership on the Standing Committees.
(B)
Qualifications
(i)
Individuals
Each
member of a Standing Committee shall be knowledgeable in the issue areas for
which the Committee is charged with advising the Board.
(ii)
As a
whole
The membership of each Standing Committee, considered as a
whole, shall represent, to the maximum extent practicable, broad geographical
diversity.
(C)
Limitation
Each
Standing Committee shall be comprised of not more than 10 members.
(f)
Duties and
powers
The Board—
(1) shall submit to
the Secretary and Congress an annual report regarding the effectiveness of the
national levee safety program in accordance with section 6007; and
(2) may secure from
other Federal agencies such services, and enter into such contracts, as the
Board determines to be necessary to carry out this subsection.
(g)
Task force
coordination
The Board shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
coordinate the activities of the Board with the Federal Interagency Floodplain
Management Task Force.
(h)
Compensation
(1)
Federal
employees
Each member of the Board who is an officer or employee
of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to
compensation received for the services of the member as an officer or employee
of the United States, but shall be allowed a per diem allowance for travel
expenses, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I
of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or
regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the
Board.
(2)
Non-federal
employees
To the extent amounts are made available to carry out
this section in appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall provide to each member
of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the United States a stipend
and a per diem allowance for travel expenses, at rates authorized for an
employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of the
member in performance of services for the Board.
(3)
Standing
committee members
Each member of a Standing Committee
shall—
(A) serve in a
voluntary capacity; but
(B) receive a per diem
allowance for travel expenses, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away
from the home or regular place of business of the member in performance of
services for the Board.
(i)
Nonapplicability
of faca
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall
not apply to the Board or the Standing Committees.
6006.
Inventory and
inspection of levees
Section
9004(a)(2)(A) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C.
3303(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking and, for non-Federal levees, such
information on levee location as is provided to the Secretary by State and
local governmental agencies and inserting and updated levee
information provided by States, Indian tribes, Federal agencies, and other
entities.
6007.
Reports
(a)
State of
levees
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary in coordination with the Board,
shall submit to Congress a report describing the state of levees in the United
States and the effectiveness of the national levee safety program,
including—
(A) progress achieved
in implementing the national levee safety program;
(B) State and tribal
participation in the national levee safety program;
(C) recommendations to
improve coordination of levee safety, floodplain management, and environmental
protection concerns, including—
(i) identifying and
evaluating opportunities to coordinate public safety, floodplain management,
and environmental protection activities relating to levees; and
(ii) evaluating
opportunities to coordinate environmental permitting processes for operation
and maintenance activities at existing levee projects in compliance with all
applicable laws; and
(D) any
recommendations for legislation and other congressional actions necessary to
ensure national levee safety.
(2)
Inclusion
Each
report under paragraph (1) shall include a report of the Board that describes
the independent recommendations of the Board for the implementation of the
national levee safety program.
(b)
National dam and
levee safety program
Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Board, shall submit to Congress a report that includes
recommendations regarding the advisability and feasibility of, and potential
approaches for, establishing a joint national dam and levee safety
program.
(c)
Alignment of
Federal programs relating to levees
Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to
Congress a report on opportunities for alignment of Federal programs to provide
incentives to State, tribal, and local governments and individuals and
entities—
(1) to promote shared
responsibility for levee safety;
(2) to encourage the
development of strong State and tribal levee safety programs;
(3) to better align
the national levee safety program with other Federal flood risk management
programs; and
(4) to promote
increased levee safety through other Federal programs providing assistance to
State and local governments.
(d)
Liability for
certain levee engineering projects
Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report that includes recommendations that identify and address any legal
liability associated with levee engineering projects that prevent—
(1) levee owners from
obtaining needed levee engineering services; or
(2) development and
implementation of a State or tribal levee safety program.
6008.
Effect of
title
Nothing in this
title—
(1) establishes any
liability of the United States or any officer or employee of the United States
(including the Board and the Standing Committees of the Board) for any damages
caused by any action or failure to act; or
(2) relieves an owner
or operator of a levee of any legal duty, obligation, or liability incident to
the ownership or operation of the levee.
6009.
Authorization
of appropriations
There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this title—
(1) for funding the
administration and staff of the national levee safety program, the Board, the
Standing Committees of the Board, and participating programs, $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023;
(2) for technical
programs, including the development of levee safety guidelines, publications,
training, and technical assistance—
(A) $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018;
(B) $7,500,000 for
each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020; and
(C) $10,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2023;
(3) for public
involvement and education programs, $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2023;
(4) to carry out the
levee inventory and inspections under section 9004 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 3303), $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2014 through 2018;
(5) for grants to
State and tribal levee safety programs, $300,000,000 for fiscal years 2014
through 2023; and
(6) for levee
rehabilitation assistance grants, $300,000,000 for fiscal years 2014 through
2023.
VII
Inland
waterways
7001.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to improve program and project management
relating to the construction and major rehabilitation of navigation projects on
inland waterways;
(2) to optimize inland
waterways navigation system reliability;
(3) to minimize the
size and scope of inland waterways navigation project completion
schedules;
(4) to eliminate
preventable delays in inland waterways navigation project completion schedules;
and
(5) to make inland
waterways navigation capital investments through the use of prioritization
criteria that seek to maximize systemwide benefits and minimize overall system
risk.
7002.
Definitions
In this title:
(1)
Inland Waterways
Trust Fund
The term Inland Waterways Trust Fund
means the Inland Waterways Trust Fund established by section 9506(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2)
Qualifying
project
The term qualifying project means any
construction or major rehabilitation project for navigation infrastructure of
the inland and intracoastal waterways that is—
(A) authorized before,
on, or after the date of enactment of this Act;
(B) not completed on
the date of enactment of this Act; and
(C) funded at least in
part from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.
(3)
Secretary
The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the
Chief of Engineers.
7003.
Project
delivery process reforms
(a)
Requirements for
qualifying projects
With respect to each qualifying project, the
Secretary shall require—
(1) formal project
management training and certification for each project manager;
(2) assignment as
project manager only of personnel fully certified by the Chief of Engineers;
and
(3) for an applicable
cost estimation, that—
(A) the
estimation—
(i) is risk-based;
and
(ii) has a confidence
level of at least 80 percent; and
(B) a risk-based cost
estimate shall be implemented—
(i) for a qualified
project that requires an increase in the authorized amount in accordance with
section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–662;
100 Stat. 4183), during the preparation of a post-authorization change report
or other similar decision document;
(ii) for a qualified
project for which the first construction contract has not been awarded, prior
to the award of the first construction contract;
(iii) for a qualified
project without a completed Chief of Engineers report, prior to the completion
of such a report; and
(iv) for a qualified
project with a completed Chief of Engineers report that has not yet been
authorized, during design for the qualified project.
(b)
Additional
project delivery process reforms
Not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(1) establish a system
to identify and apply on a continuing basis lessons learned from prior or
ongoing qualifying projects to improve the likelihood of on-time and on-budget
completion of qualifying projects;
(2) evaluate early
contractor involvement acquisition procedures to improve on-time and on-budget
project delivery performance; and
(3) implement any
additional measures that the Secretary determines will achieve the purposes of
this title and the amendments made by this title, including, as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate—
(A) the implementation
of applicable practices and procedures developed pursuant to management by the
Secretary of an applicable military construction program;
(B) the establishment
of 1 or more centers of expertise for the design and review of qualifying
projects;
(C) the development
and use of a portfolio of standard designs for inland navigation locks;
(D) the use of
full-funding contracts or formulation of a revised continuing contracts clause;
and
(E) the establishment
of procedures for recommending new project construction starts using a capital
projects business model.
(c)
Pilot
projects
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may carry out 1
or more pilot projects to evaluate processes or procedures for the study,
design, or construction of qualifying projects.
(2)
Inclusions
At
a minimum, the Secretary shall carry out pilot projects under this subsection
to evaluate—
(A) early contractor
involvement in the development of features and components;
(B) an appropriate use
of continuing contracts for the construction of features and components;
and
(C) applicable
principles, procedures, and processes used for military construction
projects.
(d)
Inland Waterways
User Board
Section 302 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2251) is amended—
(1) by striking
subsection (b) and inserting the following:
(b)
Duties of Users
Board
(1)
In
general
The Users Board shall meet not less frequently than
semiannually to develop and make recommendations to the Secretary and Congress
regarding the inland waterways and inland harbors of the United States.
(2)
Advice and
recommendations
For commercial navigation features and components
of the inland waterways and inland harbors of the United States, the Users
Board shall provide—
(A) prior to the
development of the budget proposal of the President for a given fiscal year,
advice and recommendations to the Secretary regarding construction and
rehabilitation priorities and spending levels;
(B) advice and
recommendations to Congress regarding any report of the Chief of Engineers
relating to those features and components;
(C) advice and
recommendations to Congress regarding an increase in the authorized cost of
those features and components;
(D) not later than 60
days after the date of the submission of the budget proposal of the President
to Congress, advice and recommendations to Congress regarding construction and
rehabilitation priorities and spending levels; and
(E) a long-term
capital investment program in accordance with subsection (d).
(3)
Project
development teams
The chairperson of the Users Board shall
appoint a representative of the Users Board to serve on the project development
team for a qualifying project or the study or design of a commercial navigation
feature or component of the inland waterways and inland harbors of the United
States.
(4)
Independent
judgment
Any advice or recommendation made by the Users Board to
the Secretary shall reflect the independent judgment of the Users
Board.
;
(2) by redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (f); and
(3) by inserting after
subsection (b) the following:
(c)
Duties of
Secretary
The Secretary shall—
(1) communicate not
less than once each quarter to the Users Board the status of the study, design,
or construction of all commercial navigation features or components of the
inland waterways or inland harbors of the United States; and
(2) submit to the
Users Board a courtesy copy of all reports of the Chief of Engineers relating
to a commercial navigation feature or component of the inland waterways or
inland harbors of the United States.
(d)
Capital
investment program
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
subsection, the Secretary, in coordination with the Users Board, shall develop,
and submit to Congress a report describing, a 20-year program for making
capital investments on the inland and intracoastal waterways, based on the
application of objective, national project selection prioritization
criteria.
(2)
Consideration
In
developing the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into
consideration the 20-year capital investment strategy contained in the Inland
Marine Transportation System (IMTS) Capital Projects Business Model, Final
Report published on April 13, 2010, as approved by the Users Board.
(3)
Criteria
In
developing the plan and prioritization criteria under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that investments
made under the 20-year program described in paragraph (1)—
(A) are made in all
geographical areas of the inland waterways system; and
(B) ensure efficient
funding of inland waterways projects.
(4)
Strategic review
and update
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of
this subsection, and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter,
the Secretary, in conjunction with the Users Board, shall—
(A) submit to Congress
a strategic review of the 20-year program in effect under this subsection,
which shall identify and explain any changes to the project-specific
recommendations contained in the previous 20-year program (including any
changes to the prioritization criteria used to develop the updated
recommendations); and
(B) make such
revisions to the program as the Secretary and Users Board jointly consider to
be appropriate.
(e)
Project
management plans
The chairperson of the Users Board and the
project development team member appointed by the chairperson under subsection
(b)(3) shall sign the project management plan for the qualifying project or the
study or design of a commercial navigation feature or component of the inland
waterways and inland harbors of the United
States.
.
7004.
Major
rehabilitation standards
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall develop a methodology for applying
standard accounting principles when classifying activities as major
rehabilitation projects.
(b)
Evaluations
The
Secretary shall evaluate the effect of applying the methodology developed under
subsection (a) to not less than 3 qualifying projects.
(c)
Report
The
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the evaluation under subsection
(b).
7005.
Inland
waterways system revenues
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) there are
approximately 12,000 miles of Federal waterways, known as the inland waterways
system, that are supported by user fees and managed by the Corps of
Engineers;
(2) the inland
waterways system spans 38 States and handles approximately one-half of all
inland waterway freight;
(3) according to the
final report of the Inland Marine Transportation System Capital Projects
Business Model, freight traffic on the Federal fuel-taxed inland waterways
system accounts for 546,000,000 tons of freight each year;
(4) expenditures for
construction and major rehabilitation projects on the inland waterways system
are equally cost-shared between the Federal Government and the Inland Waterways
Trust Fund;
(5) the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund is financed through a fee of $0.20 per gallon on fuel used
by commercial barges;
(6) the balance of the
Inland Waterways Trust Fund has declined significantly in recent years;
(7) according to the
final report of the Inland Marine Transportation System Capital Projects
Business Model, the estimated financial need for construction and major
rehabilitation projects on the inland waterways system for fiscal years 2011
through 2030 is approximately $18,000,000,000; and
(8) users of the
inland waterways system are supportive of an increase in the existing revenue
sources for inland waterways system construction and major rehabilitation
activities to expedite the most critical of those construction and major
rehabilitation projects.
(b)
Sense of
Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the existing
revenue sources for inland waterways system construction and rehabilitation
activities are insufficient to cover the costs of non-Federal interests of
construction and major rehabilitation projects on the inland waterways system;
and
(2) the issue
described in paragraph (1) should be addressed.
7006.
Efficiency of
revenue collection
Not later
than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
shall prepare a report on the efficiency of collecting the fuel tax for the
Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which shall include—
(1) an evaluation of
whether current methods of collection of the fuel tax result in full compliance
with requirements of the law;
(2) whether
alternative methods of collection would result in increased revenues into the
Inland Waterways Trust Fund; and
(3) an evaluation of
alternative collection options.
VIII
Harbor
maintenance
8001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
Act of 2013.
8002.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to ensure that
revenues collected into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for the
intended purposes of those revenues;
(2) to increase
investment in the operation and maintenance of United States ports, which are
critical for the economic competitiveness of the United States;
(3) to promote equity
among ports nationwide; and
(4) to ensure United
States ports are prepared to meet modern shipping needs, including the
capability to receive large ships that require deeper drafts.
8003.
Funding for harbor
maintenance programs
(a)
Harbor
maintenance trust fund guarantee
(1)
In
general
The total budget
resources made available from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund each fiscal
year pursuant to section 9505(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating
to expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund) shall be equal to the
level of receipts plus interest credited to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
for that fiscal year. Such amounts may be used only for harbor maintenance
programs described in section 9505(c) of such Code.
(2)
Guarantee
No funds may be appropriated for harbor
maintenance programs described in such section unless the amount described in
paragraph (1) has been provided.
(b)
Definitions
In
this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)
Total budget
resources
The term total budget resources means the
total amount made available by appropriations Acts from the Harbor Maintenance
Trust Fund for a fiscal year for making expenditures under section 9505(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2)
Level of
receipts plus interest
The term level of receipts plus
interest means the level of taxes and interest credited to the Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund under section 9505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
for a fiscal year as set forth in the President’s budget baseline projection as
defined in section 257 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
of 1985 (Public Law 99–177; 99 Stat. 1092) for that fiscal year submitted
pursuant to section 1105 of title 31, United States Code.
(c)
Enforcement of
guarantees
It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution,
amendment, motion, or conference report that would cause total budget resources
in a fiscal year for harbor maintenance programs described in subsection (b)(1)
for such fiscal year to be less than the amount required by subsection (a)(1)
for such fiscal year.
8004.
Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund prioritization
(a)
In
general
Section 210 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1986 (33 U.S.C. 2238) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(c)
Prioritization
(1)
In
general
Of the amounts made available under this section to carry
out projects described in subsection (a)(2), the Secretary of the Army, acting
through the Chief of Engineers, shall give priority to those projects in the
following order:
(A) In any fiscal year
in which all projects subject to the harbor maintenance fee under section 24.24
of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation) are not
maintained to their authorized width and depth, the Secretary shall prioritize
amounts made available under this section for those projects—
(i) that are high-use
deep draft; and
(ii) for which
construction is completed.
(B) In any fiscal year
in which the projects described in subparagraph (A) are maintained to their
authorized width and depth, the Secretary shall prioritize not more than 20
percent of remaining amounts made available under this section for
projects—
(i) that have been
maintained below their authorized width and depth during the preceding 5 fiscal
years; and
(ii) for which
significant Federal, State, and local investments in infrastructure have been
made at those projects.
(2)
Administration
For
purposes of this subsection, State and local investments in infrastructure
shall include infrastructure investments made using amounts made available for
activities under section 105(a)(9) of the Housing and Community Development Act
of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
5305(a)(9)).
.
(b)
Operation and
maintenance
Section 101(b) of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1),
by striking 45 feet and inserting 50 feet;
and
(2) by adding at the
end the following:
(3)
Operation and
maintenance activities defined
(A)
Scope of
operation and maintenance activities
Notwithstanding any other
provision of law (including regulations and guidelines) and subject to
subparagraph (B), for purposes of this subsection, operation and maintenance
activities that are eligible for the Federal cost share under paragraph (1)
shall include—
(i) the dredging of
berths in a harbor that is accessible to a Federal channel, if the Federal
channel has been constructed to a depth equal to the authorized depth of the
channel; and
(ii) the dredging and
disposal of legacy-contaminated sediments and sediments unsuitable for ocean
disposal that—
(I) are located in or
affect the maintenance of Federal navigation channels; or
(II) are located in
berths that are accessible to Federal channels.
(B)
Limitations
(i)
In
general
For each fiscal year, subparagraph (A) shall only apply
if all operation and maintenance activities that are eligible for the Federal
cost share under paragraph (1) in a State described in clause (ii) have been
funded.
(ii)
State
limitation
For each fiscal year, the operation and maintenance
activities described in subparagraph (A) may only be carried out in a State
that—
(I) contributes not
less than 2.5 percent annually of the total funding of the Harbor Maintenance
Trust Fund established under section 9505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
and
(II) received less
than 50 percent of the total amounts collected in the State pursuant to section
9505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in the previous 3 fiscal
years.
(iii)
Prioritization
In
allocating amounts made available under this paragraph, the Secretary shall
give priority to projects that have received the lowest rate of funding from
the Harbor Maintenance Trust fund in previous fiscal
years.
.
(c)
Conforming
amendment
Section 9505(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by striking as in effect on the date of the enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1996 and inserting as in
effect on the date of the enactment of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act of
2013.
8005.
Civil works
program of the Corps of Engineers
(a)
Point of
order
(1)
In
general
Subject to
subsections (b) and (c), it shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution,
amendment, motion, or conference report that would result in making the amounts
made available for a given fiscal year to carry out all programs, projects, and
activities of the civil works program of the Corps of Engineers other than the
harbor maintenance programs to be less than the amounts made available for
those purposes in the previous fiscal year.
(2)
Calculation of
amounts
For each fiscal year,
the amounts made available to carry out all programs, projects, and activities
of the civil works program of the Corps of Engineers shall not include any
amounts that are designated by Congress—
(A) as being for emergency requirements
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)); or
(B) as being for
disaster relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(D)).
(b)
Exceptions
Subsection (a) shall not apply if amounts
made available for the civil works program of the Corps of Engineers for a
fiscal year is less than the amounts made available for the civil works program
in the previous fiscal year if the reduction in amounts made available—
(1) applies to all discretionary funds and
programs of the Federal Government; and
(2) is applied to the civil works program in
the same percentage and manner as other discretionary funds and
programs.
(c)
Waiver and
appeal
(1)
Senate
(A)
In
general
Subsection (a) may be
waived or suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of 3⁄5 of the
Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn.
(B)
Appeal
An affirmative vote of 3⁄5 of the Members
of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of
the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under subsection (a).
(2)
House of
representatives
The Committee on Rules of the House of
Representatives may not report a rule or order that would waive a point of
order to a bill or joint resolution from being made under subsection
(a).
IX
Dam
safety
9001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the Dam Safety Act of
2013.
9002.
Purpose
The purpose of this title and the amendments
made by this title is to reduce the risks to life and property from dam failure
in the United States through the reauthorization of an effective national dam
safety program that brings together the expertise and resources of the Federal
Government and non-Federal interests in achieving national dam safety hazard
reduction.
9003.
Administrator
(a)
In
general
The National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467 et
seq.) is amended by striking Director each place it appears and
inserting Administrator.
(b)
Conforming
amendment
Section 2 of the
National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467) is amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (3);
(2) by redesignating
paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(3) by inserting
before paragraph (2) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) the following:
(1)
Administrator
The
term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management
Agency.
.
9004.
Inspection of
dams
Section 3(b)(1) of the
National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467a(b)(1)) is amended by striking
or maintenance and inserting maintenance, condition, or
provisions for emergency operations.
9005.
National Dam
Safety Program
(1)
Objectives
Section 8(c) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467f(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and
inserting the following:
(4) develop and implement a comprehensive dam
safety hazard education and public awareness program to assist the public in
preparing for, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from dam
incidents;
.
(2)
Board
Section
8(f)(4) of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467f(f)(4)) is
amended by inserting , representatives from nongovernmental
organizations, after State agencies.
9006.
Public
awareness and outreach for dam safety
The National Dam Safety Program Act (33
U.S.C. 467 et seq.) is amended—
(1) by redesignating sections 11, 12, and 13 as
sections 12, 13, and 14, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after
section 10 (33 U.S.C. 467g–1) the following:
11.
Public awareness
and outreach for dam safety
The Administrator, in consultation with
other Federal agencies, State and local governments, dam owners, the emergency
management community, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations and
associations, institutions of higher education, and any other appropriate
entities shall carry out a nationwide public awareness and outreach program to
assist the public in preparing for, mitigating, responding to, and recovering
from dam
incidents.
.
9007.
Authorization
of appropriations
(1)
National Dam
Safety Program
(A)
Annual
amounts
Section 14(a)(1) of the National Dam Safety Program Act
(33 U.S.C. 467j(a)(1)) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking
$6,500,000 and all that follows through 2011 and
inserting $9,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
(B)
Maximum amount
of allocation
Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(a)(2)(B)) (as so redesignated) is amended—
(i) by striking
The amount and inserting the following:
(i)
In
general
The amount
;
and
(ii) by adding at the
end the following:
(ii)
Fiscal year
2014 and subsequent fiscal years
For fiscal year 2014 and each
subsequent fiscal year, the amount of funds allocated to a State under this
paragraph may not exceed the amount of funds committed by the State to
implement dam safety
activities.
.
(2)
National dam
inventory
Section 14(b) of
the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(b)) (as so redesignated) is
amended by striking $650,000 and all that follows through
2011 and inserting $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.
(3)
Public
awareness
Section 14 of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33
U.S.C. 467j) (as so redesignated) is amended—
(A) by redesignating
subsections (c) through (f) as subsections (d) through (g), respectively;
and
(B) by inserting after
subsection (b) the following:
(c)
Public
awareness
There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out section 11 $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2014 through
2018.
.
(4)
Research
Section 14(d) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (as so redesignated) is amended by striking
$1,600,000 and all that follows through 2011 and
inserting $1,450,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
(5)
Dam safety
training
Section 14(e) of the
National Dam Safety Program Act (as so redesignated) is amended by striking
$550,000 and all that follows through 2011 and
inserting $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
(6)
Staff
Section 14(f) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (as so redesignated) is amended by striking $700,000
and all that follows through 2011 and inserting
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
X
Innovative
financing pilot projects
10001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the Water Infrastructure Finance
and Innovation Act of 2013.
10002.
Purposes
The purpose of this title is to establish a
pilot program to assess the ability of innovative financing tools to—
(1) promote increased
development of critical water resources infrastructure by establishing
additional opportunities for financing water resources projects that complement
but do not replace or reduce existing Federal infrastructure financing tools
such as the State water pollution control revolving loan funds established
under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.) and the State drinking water
treatment revolving loan funds established under section 1452 of the Safe
Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12);
(2) attract new
investment capital to infrastructure projects that are capable of generating
revenue streams through user fees or other dedicated funding sources;
(3) complement
existing Federal funding sources and address budgetary constraints on the Corps
of Engineers civil works program and existing wastewater and drinking water
infrastructure financing programs;
(4) leverage private
investment in water resources infrastructure;
(5) align investments
in water resources infrastructure to achieve multiple benefits; and
(6) assist communities
facing significant water quality, drinking water, or flood risk challenges with
the development of water infrastructure projects.
10003.
Definitions
In this title:
(1)
Administrator
The
term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency.
(2)
Community water
system
The term community water system has the
meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300f).
(3)
Federal credit
instrument
The term Federal credit instrument means
a secured loan or loan guarantee authorized to be made available under this
title with respect to a project.
(4)
Investment-grade
rating
The term investment-grade rating means a
rating of BBB minus, Baa3, bbb minus, BBB (low), or higher assigned by a rating
agency to project obligations.
(5)
Lender
(A)
In
general
The term lender means any non-Federal
qualified institutional buyer (as defined in section 230.144A(a) of title 17,
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), known as Rule 144A(a)
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and issued under the Securities Act
of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.)).
(B)
Inclusions
The
term lender includes—
(i) a qualified
retirement plan (as defined in section 4974(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986) that is a qualified institutional buyer; and
(ii) a governmental
plan (as defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that
is a qualified institutional buyer.
(6)
Loan
guarantee
The term loan guarantee means any
guarantee or other pledge by the Secretary or the Administrator to pay all or
part of the principal of, and interest on, a loan or other debt obligation
issued by an obligor and funded by a lender.
(7)
Obligor
The
term obligor means an eligible entity that is primarily liable for
payment of the principal of, or interest on, a Federal credit
instrument.
(8)
Project
obligation
(A)
In
general
The term project obligation means any note,
bond, debenture, or other debt obligation issued by an obligor in connection
with the financing of a project.
(B)
Exclusion
The
term project obligation does not include a Federal credit
instrument.
(9)
Rating
agency
The term rating agency means a credit rating
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in section 3(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))).
(10)
Secured
loan
The term secured loan means a direct loan or
other debt obligation issued by an obligor and funded by the Secretary in
connection with the financing of a project under section 10010.
(11)
State
The
term State means—
(A) a State;
(B) the District of
Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico; and
(D) any other
territory or possession of the United States.
(12)
State
infrastructure financing authority
The term State
infrastructure financing authority means the State entity established or
designated by the Governor of a State to receive a capitalization grant
provided by, or otherwise carry out the requirements of, title VI of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1381 et. seq.) or section 1452
of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12).
(13)
Subsidy
amount
The term subsidy amount means the amount of
budget authority sufficient to cover the estimated long-term cost to the
Federal Government of a Federal credit instrument, as calculated on a net
present value basis, excluding administrative costs and any incidental effects
on governmental receipts or outlays in accordance with the Federal Credit
Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
(14)
Substantial
completion
The term substantial completion, with
respect to a project, means the earliest date on which a project is considered
to perform the functions for which the project is designed.
(15)
Treatment
works
The term treatment works has the meaning given
the term in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1292).
10004.
Authority to
provide assistance
(a)
In
general
The Secretary and the Administrator may provide financial
assistance under this title to carry out pilot projects, which shall be
selected to ensure a diversity of project types and geographical
locations.
(b)
Responsibility
(1)
Secretary
The
Secretary shall carry out all pilot projects under this title that are eligible
projects under section 10007(1).
(2)
Administrator
The
Administrator shall carry out all pilot projects under this title that are
eligible projects under paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (8) of section
10007.
(3)
Other
projects
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
carry out eligible projects under paragraph (7) or (9) of section 10007.
10005.
Applications
(a)
In
general
To receive assistance under this title, an eligible
entity shall submit to the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Secretary or the Administrator may require.
(b)
Combined
projects
In the case of an eligible project described in
paragraph (8) or (9) of section 10007, the Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, shall require the eligible entity to submit a single application
for the combined group of projects.
10006.
Eligible
entities
The following
entities are eligible to receive assistance under this title:
(1) A
corporation.
(2) A
partnership.
(3) A joint
venture.
(4) A trust.
(5) A Federal, State,
or local governmental entity, agency, or instrumentality.
(6) A tribal
government or consortium of tribal governments.
(7) A State
infrastructure financing authority.
10007.
Projects
eligible for assistance
The
following projects may be carried out with amounts made available under this
title:
(1) A project for
flood control or hurricane and storm damage reduction that the Secretary has
determined is technically sound, economically justified, and environmentally
acceptable, including—
(A) a structural or
nonstructural measure to reduce flood risk, enhance stream flow, or protect
natural resources; and
(B) a levee, dam,
tunnel, aqueduct, reservoir, or other related water infrastructure.
(2) 1 or more
activities that are eligible for assistance under section 603(c) of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383(c)), notwithstanding the public
ownership requirement under paragraph (1) of that subsection.
(3) 1 or more
activities described in section 1452(a)(2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300j–12(a)(2)).
(4) A project for
enhanced energy efficiency in the operation of a public water system.
(5) A project for
repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of a treatment works, community water
system, or aging water distribution facility.
(6) A brackish or sea
water desalination project, a managed aquifer recharge project, or a water
recycling project.
(7) Acquisition of
real property or an interest in real property—
(A) if the acquisition
is integral to a project described in paragraphs (1) through (6); or
(B) pursuant to an
existing plan that, in the judgment of the Administrator or the Secretary, as
applicable, would mitigate the environmental impacts of water resources
infrastructure projects otherwise eligible for assistance under this
section.
(8) A combination of
projects, each of which is eligible under paragraph (2) or (3), for which a
State infrastructure financing authority submits to the Administrator a single
application.
(9) A combination of
projects secured by a common security pledge, each of which is eligible under
paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7), for which an eligible entity,
or a combination of eligible entities, submits a single application.
10008.
Activities
eligible for assistance
For
purposes of this title, an eligible activity with respect to an eligible
project includes the cost of—
(1) development-phase
activities, including planning, feasibility analysis (including any related
analysis necessary to carry out an eligible project), revenue forecasting,
environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, and
other preconstruction activities;
(2) construction,
reconstruction, rehabilitation, and replacement activities;
(3) the acquisition of
real property or an interest in real property (including water rights, land
relating to the project, and improvements to land), environmental mitigation
(including acquisitions pursuant to section 10007(7)), construction
contingencies, and acquisition of equipment;
(4) capitalized
interest necessary to meet market requirements, reasonably required reserve
funds, capital issuance expenses, and other carrying costs during construction;
and
(5) refinancing
interim construction funding, long-term project obligations, or a secured loan
or loan guarantee made under this title.
10009.
Determination
of eligibility and project selection
(a)
Eligibility
requirements
To be eligible to receive financial assistance under
this title, a project shall meet the following criteria, as determined by the
Secretary or Administrator, as applicable:
(1)
Creditworthiness
(A)
In
general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the project shall be
creditworthy, which shall be determined by the Secretary or the Administrator,
as applicable, who shall ensure that any financing for the project has
appropriate security features, such as a rate covenant, to ensure
repayment.
(B)
Preliminary
rating opinion letter
The Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, shall require each project applicant to provide a preliminary
rating opinion letter from at least 1 rating agency indicating that the senior
obligations of the project (which may be the Federal credit instrument) have
the potential to achieve an investment-grade rating.
(C)
Special rule for
certain combined projects
The Administrator shall develop a
credit evaluation process for a Federal credit instrument provided to a State
infrastructure financing authority for a project under section 10007(8) or an
entity for a project under section 10007(9), which may include requiring the
provision of a preliminary rating opinion letter from at least 1 rating
agency.
(2)
Eligible project
costs
The eligible project costs of a project shall be reasonably
anticipated to be not less than $20,000,000.
(3)
Dedicated
revenue sources
The Federal credit instrument for the project
shall be repayable, in whole or in part, from dedicated revenue sources that
also secure the project obligations.
(4)
Public
sponsorship of private entities
In the case of a project carried
out by an entity that is not a State or local government or an agency or
instrumentality of a State or local government, the project shall be publicly
sponsored.
(b)
Selection
criteria
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall establish criteria for the
selection of projects that meet the eligibility requirements of subsection (a),
in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2)
Criteria
The
selection criteria shall include the following:
(A) The extent to
which the project is nationally or regionally significant, with respect to the
generation of economic and public benefits, such as—
(i) the reduction of
flood risk;
(ii) the improvement
of water quality;
(iii) the protection
of drinking water; and
(iv) the support of
international commerce.
(B) The extent to
which the project financing plan includes public or private financing in
addition to assistance under this title.
(C) The likelihood
that assistance under this title would enable the project to proceed at an
earlier date than the project would otherwise be able to proceed.
(D) The extent to
which the project uses new or innovative approaches.
(E) The amount of
budget authority required to fund the Federal credit instrument made available
under this title.
(F) The extent to
which the project—
(i) protects against
extreme weather events, such as floods or hurricanes; or
(ii) helps maintain or
protect the environment.
(G) The extent to
which a project serves regions with significant energy exploration,
development, or production areas.
(H) The extent to
which a project serves regions with significant water resource challenges,
including the need to address—
(i) water quality
concerns in areas of regional, national, or international significance;
(ii) water quantity
concerns related to groundwater, surface water, or other water sources;
(iii) significant
flood risk;
(iv) water resource
challenges identified in existing regional, State, or multistate agreements;
or
(v) water resources
with exceptional recreational value or ecological importance.
(I) The extent to
which assistance under this title reduces the contribution of Federal
assistance to the project.
(3)
Special rule for
certain combined projects
For a project described in section
10007(8), the Administrator shall only consider the criteria described in
subparagraphs (B) through (I) of paragraph (2).
(c)
Federal
requirements
Nothing in this section supersedes the applicability
of other requirements of Federal law (including regulations).
10010.
Secured
loans
(a)
Agreements
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), the Secretary or
the Administrator, as applicable, may enter into agreements with 1 or more
obligors to make secured loans, the proceeds of which shall be used—
(A) to finance
eligible project costs of any project selected under section 10009;
(B) to refinance
interim construction financing of eligible project costs of any project
selected under section 10009; or
(C) to refinance
long-term project obligations or Federal credit instruments, if that
refinancing provides additional funding capacity for the completion,
enhancement, or expansion of any project that—
(i) is selected under
section 10009; or
(ii) otherwise meets
the requirements of section 10009.
(2)
Limitation on
refinancing of interim construction financing
A secured loan
under paragraph (1) shall not be used to refinance interim construction
financing under paragraph (1)(B) later than 1 year after the date of
substantial completion of the applicable project.
(3)
Financial risk
assessment
Before entering into an agreement under this
subsection for a secured loan, the Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget and each rating agency providing a preliminary rating opinion letter
under section 10009(a)(1)(B), shall determine an appropriate capital reserve
subsidy amount for the secured loan, taking into account each such preliminary
rating opinion letter.
(4)
Investment-grade
rating requirement
The execution of a secured loan under this
section shall be contingent on receipt by the senior obligations of the project
of an investment-grade rating.
(b)
Terms and
limitations
(1)
In
general
A secured loan provided for a project under this section
shall be subject to such terms and conditions, and contain such covenants,
representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for
audits), as the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, determines to be
appropriate.
(2)
Maximum
amount
The amount of a secured loan under this section shall not
exceed the lesser of—
(A) an amount equal to
49 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs; and
(B) if the secured
loan does not receive an investment-grade rating, the amount of the senior
project obligations of the project.
(3)
Payment
A
secured loan under this section—
(A) shall be payable,
in whole or in part, from State or local taxes, user fees, or other dedicated
revenue sources that also secure the senior project obligations of the relevant
project;
(B) shall include a
rate covenant, coverage requirement, or similar security feature supporting the
project obligations; and
(C) may have a lien on
revenues described in subparagraph (A), subject to any lien securing project
obligations.
(4)
Interest
rate
The interest rate on a secured loan under this section shall
be not less than the yield on United States Treasury securities of a similar
maturity to the maturity of the secured loan on the date of execution of the
loan agreement.
(5)
Maturity
date
(A)
In
general
The final maturity date of a secured loan under this
section shall be not later than 35 years after the date of substantial
completion of the relevant project.
(B)
Special rule for
State infrastructure financing authorities
The final maturity
date of a secured loan to a State infrastructure financing authority under this
section shall be not later than 35 years after the date on which amounts are
first disbursed.
(6)
Nonsubordination
A
secured loan under this section shall not be subordinated to the claims of any
holder of project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or
liquidation of the obligor of the project.
(7)
Fees
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may establish fees at a level
sufficient to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of
making a secured loan under this section.
(8)
Non-Federal
share
The proceeds of a secured loan under this section may be
used to pay any non-Federal share of project costs required if the loan is
repayable from non-Federal funds.
(9)
Maximum federal
involvement
(A)
In
general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for each project
for which assistance is provided under this title, the total amount of Federal
assistance shall not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost.
(B)
Exception
Subparagraph
(A) shall not apply to any rural water project—
(i) that is authorized
to be carried out by the Secretary of the Interior;
(ii) that includes
among its beneficiaries a federally recognized Indian tribe; and
(iii) for which the
authorized Federal share of the total project costs is greater than the amount
described in subparagraph (A).
(c)
Repayment
(1)
Schedule
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall establish a repayment
schedule for each secured loan provided under this section, based on the
projected cash flow from project revenues and other repayment sources.
(2)
Commencement
(A)
In
general
Scheduled loan repayments of principal or interest on a
secured loan under this section shall commence not later than 5 years after the
date of substantial completion of the project.
(B)
Special rule for
State infrastructure financing authorities
Scheduled loan
repayments of principal or interest on a secured loan to a State infrastructure
financing authority under this title shall commence not later than 5 years
after the date on which amounts are first disbursed.
(3)
Deferred
payments
(A)
Authorization
If,
at any time after the date of substantial completion of a project for which a
secured loan is provided under this section, the project is unable to generate
sufficient revenues to pay the scheduled loan repayments of principal and
interest on the secured loan, the Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, subject to subparagraph (C), may allow the obligor to add unpaid
principal and interest to the outstanding balance of the secured loan.
(B)
Interest
Any
payment deferred under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) continue to accrue
interest in accordance with subsection (b)(4) until fully repaid; and
(ii) be scheduled to
be amortized over the remaining term of the secured loan.
(C)
Criteria
(i)
In
general
Any payment deferral under subparagraph (A) shall be
contingent on the project meeting such criteria as the Secretary or the
Administrator, as applicable, may establish.
(ii)
Repayment
standards
The criteria established under clause (i) shall include
standards for reasonable assurance of repayment.
(4)
Prepayment
(A)
Use of excess
revenues
Any excess revenues that remain after satisfying
scheduled debt service requirements on the project obligations and secured loan
and all deposit requirements under the terms of any trust agreement, bond
resolution, or similar agreement securing project obligations may be applied
annually to prepay a secured loan under this section without penalty.
(B)
Use of proceeds
of refinancing
A secured loan under this section may be prepaid
at any time without penalty from the proceeds of refinancing from non-Federal
funding sources.
(d)
Sale of secured
loans
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraph (2), as soon as practicable after
the date of substantial completion of a project and after providing a notice to
the obligor, the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may sell to
another entity or reoffer into the capital markets a secured loan for a project
under this section, if the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable,
determines that the sale or reoffering can be made on favorable terms.
(2)
Consent of
obligor
In making a sale or reoffering under paragraph (1), the
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may not change the original
terms and conditions of the secured loan without the written consent of the
obligor.
(e)
Loan
guarantees
(1)
In
general
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
provide a loan guarantee to a lender in lieu of making a secured loan under
this section, if the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, determines
that the budgetary cost of the loan guarantee is substantially the same as that
of a secured loan.
(2)
Terms
The
terms of a loan guarantee provided under this subsection shall be consistent
with the terms established in this section for a secured loan, except that the
rate on the guaranteed loan and any prepayment features shall be negotiated
between the obligor and the lender, with the consent of the Secretary or the
Administrator, as applicable.
10011.
Program
administration
(a)
Requirement
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall establish a uniform system
to service the Federal credit instruments made available under this
title.
(b)
Fees
(1)
In
general
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
collect and spend fees, contingent on authority being provided in
appropriations Acts, at a level that is sufficient to cover—
(A) the costs of
services of expert firms retained pursuant to subsection (d); and
(B) all or a portion
of the costs to the Federal Government of servicing the Federal credit
instruments provided under this title.
(c)
Servicer
(1)
In
general
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
appoint a financial entity to assist the Secretary or the Administrator in
servicing the Federal credit instruments provided under this title.
(2)
Duties
A
servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall act as the agent for the Secretary
or the Administrator, as applicable.
(3)
Fee
A
servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall receive a servicing fee, subject
to approval by the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable.
(d)
Assistance from
experts
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
retain the services, including counsel, of organizations and entities with
expertise in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in the
underwriting and servicing of Federal credit instruments provided under this
title.
(e)
Applicability of
other laws
Section 513 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1372) applies to the construction of a project carried out, in whole
or in part, with assistance made available through a Federal credit instrument
under this title in the same manner that section applies to a treatment works
for which a grant is made available under that Act.
10012.
State and
local permits
The provision of
financial assistance for project under this title shall not—
(1) relieve any
recipient of the assistance of any obligation to obtain any required State or
local permit or approval with respect to the project;
(2) limit the right of
any unit of State or local government to approve or regulate any rate of return
on private equity invested in the project; or
(3) otherwise
supersede any State or local law (including any regulation) applicable to the
construction or operation of the project.
10013.
Regulations
The Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, may promulgate such regulations as the Secretary or Administrator
determines to be appropriate to carry out this title.
10014.
Funding
(a)
In
general
There is authorized to be appropriated to each of the
Secretary and the Administrator to carry out this title $50,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018, to remain available until expended.
(b)
Administrative
costs
Of the funds made available to carry out this title, the
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may use for the administration
of this title, including for the provision of technical assistance to aid
project sponsors in obtaining the necessary approvals for the project, not more
than $2,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
10015.
Report to
Congress
Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter,
the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
summarizing for the projects that are receiving, or have received, assistance
under this title—
(1) the financial performance of those
projects, including a recommendation as to whether the objectives of this title
are being met; and
(2) the public benefit
provided by those projects, including, as applicable, water quality
improvement, the protection of drinking water, and the reduction of flood
risk.
XI
Extreme
weather
11001.
Improving
management of flood and drought
(a)
In
general
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall enter into an arrangement with the National
Academy of Sciences to carry out a study and make recommendations relating to
options for reducing risk to human life and property from extreme weather
events, such as hurricanes, coastal storms, and inland flooding.
(b)
Considerations
The
study under subsection (a) shall include—
(1) an analysis of
strategies and projects, including authorized water resources projects that
have not yet been constructed, implemented in the United States and worldwide
to respond to risk associated with extreme weather events;
(2) an analysis of
historical extreme weather events and the ability of existing infrastructure to
mitigate risks associated with those events;
(3) an estimation of
the funding necessary to improve infrastructure in the United States to reduce
risk associated with extreme weather events;
(4) an analysis of the
adequacy of current funding sources and the identification of potential new
funding sources to finance the necessary infrastructure improvements referred
to in paragraph (3); and
(5) an analysis of the
Federal, State, and local costs of natural disasters and the potential
cost-savings associated with implementing mitigation measures.
(c)
Coordination
The
National Academy of Sciences may cooperate with the National Academy of Public
Administration to carry out 1 or more aspects of the study under subsection
(a).
(d)
Publication
Not
later than 30 days after completion of the study under subsection (a), the
National Academy of Sciences shall—
(1) submit a copy of
the study to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and
the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives; and
(2) make a copy of the
study available on a publicly accessible Internet site.
11002.
GAO study on
management of flood and drought
(a)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a study of the strategies used
by the Corps of Engineers for the comprehensive management of water resources
in response to floods, storms, and droughts, including an historical review of
the ability of the Corps of Engineers to manage and respond to historical
drought, storm, and flood events.
(b)
Considerations
The
study under subsection (a) shall address—
(1) the extent to
which existing water management activities of the Corps of Engineers can better
address and mitigate flood, storm damage, and drought impacts on a national
basis;
(2) whether existing
water resources projects built or maintained by the Corps of Engineers,
including dams, levees, floodwalls, flood gates, and other appurtenant
infrastructure were designed to adequately address flood, storm, and drought
impacts and the extent to which the water resources projects have been
successful at addressing those impacts;
(3) whether a
reevaluation of existing management approaches of the Corps of Engineers could
result in greater efficiencies in water management and project delivery that
would enable the Corps of Engineers to better prepare for, contain, and respond
to flood, storm, and drought conditions;
(4) any
recommendations for improving the planning processes of the Corps of Engineers
to provide opportunities for comprehensive management of water resources that
increases efficiency and improves response to flood, storm, and drought
conditions; and
(5) any
recommendations for improving approaches to rebuilding or restoring
infrastructure and natural resources that contribute to risk reduction, such as
coastal wetlands, to prepare for flood and drought.
11003.
Post-disaster
watershed assessments
(a)
Watershed
assessments
(1)
In
general
In an area that the President has declared a major
disaster in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Secretary may carry
out a watershed assessment to identify, to the maximum extent practicable,
specific flood risk reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, or
ecosystem restoration project recommendations that will help to rehabilitate
damaged infrastructure and reduce risks to human life and property from future
natural disasters.
(2)
Existing
projects
A watershed assessment carried out paragraph (1) may
identify existing projects being carried out under 1 or more of the authorities
referred to in subsection (b) (1).
(3)
Duplicate
watershed assessments
In carrying out a watershed assessment
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use all existing watershed assessments
and related information developed by the Secretary or other Federal, State, or
local entities.
(b)
Projects
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may carry out 1 or more small projects
identified in a watershed assessment under subsection (a) that the Secretary
would otherwise be authorized to carry out under—
(A) section 205 of the
Flood Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 701s);
(B) section 111 of the
River and Harbor Act of 1968 (33 U.S.C. 426i);
(C) section 206 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330);
(D) section 1135 of
the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a);
(E) section 107 of the
River and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577); or
(F) section 3 of the
Act of August 13, 1946 (33 U.S.C. 426g).
(2)
Existing
projects
In carrying out a project under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall—
(A) to the maximum
extent practicable, use all existing information and studies available for the
project; and
(B) not require any
element of a study completed for the project prior to the disaster to be
repeated.
(c)
Requirements
All
requirements applicable to a project under the Acts described in subsection (b)
shall apply to the project.
(d)
Limitations on
assessments
(1)
In
general
A watershed assessment under subsection (a) shall be
initiated not later than 2 years after the date on which the major disaster
declaration is issued.
(2)
Federal
share
The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a watershed
assessment under subsection (a) shall not exceed $1,000,000.
(e)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
1.
Short title; table of
contents
(a)
Short
title
This Act may be cited as the Water Resources Development Act of
2013.
(b)
Table of
contents
The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of
contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of
Secretary.
TITLE I—Water resource
projects
Sec. 1001.
Purposes.
Sec. 1002. Project
authorizations.
Sec. 1003. Project
review.
TITLE II—Water resources policy
reforms
Sec. 2001.
Purposes.
Sec. 2002. Safety assurance
review.
Sec. 2003. Continuing authority
programs.
Sec. 2004. Continuing authority
program prioritization.
Sec. 2005. Fish and wildlife
mitigation.
Sec. 2006. Mitigation status
report.
Sec. 2007. Independent peer
review.
Sec. 2008. Operation and
maintenance of navigation and hydroelectric facilities.
Sec. 2009. Hydropower at Corps
of Engineers facilities.
Sec. 2010. Clarification of
work-in-kind credit authority.
Sec. 2011. Transfer of excess
work-in-kind credit.
Sec. 2012. Credit for in-kind
contributions.
Sec. 2013. Credit in lieu of
reimbursement.
Sec. 2014. Dam
optimization.
Sec. 2015. Water
supply.
Sec. 2016. Report on water
storage pricing formulas.
Sec. 2017. Clarification of
previously authorized work.
Sec. 2018. Consideration of
Federal land in feasibility studies.
Sec. 2019. Planning assistance
to States.
Sec. 2020. Vegetation
management policy.
Sec. 2021. Levee
certifications.
Sec. 2022. Restoration of flood
and hurricane storm damage reduction projects.
Sec. 2023. Operation and
maintenance of certain projects.
Sec. 2024. Dredging
study.
Sec. 2025. Non-Federal project
implementation pilot program.
Sec. 2026. Non-Federal
implementation of feasibility studies.
Sec. 2027. Tribal partnership
program.
Sec. 2028. Cooperative
agreements with Columbia River Basin Indian tribes.
Sec. 2029. Military munitions
response actions at civil works shoreline protection projects.
Sec. 2030. Beach
nourishment.
Sec. 2031. Regional sediment
management.
Sec. 2032. Study
acceleration.
Sec. 2033. Project
acceleration.
Sec. 2034. Feasibility
studies.
Sec. 2035. Accounting and
administrative expenses.
Sec. 2036. Determination of
project completion.
Sec. 2037. Project partnership
agreements.
Sec. 2038. Interagency and
international support authority.
Sec. 2039. Acceptance of
contributed funds to increase lock operations.
Sec. 2040. Emergency response
to natural disasters.
Sec. 2041. Systemwide
improvement frameworks.
Sec. 2042. Funding to process
permits.
Sec. 2043. National riverbank
stabilization and erosion prevention study and pilot program.
Sec. 2044. Hurricane and storm
damage risk reduction prioritization.
Sec. 2045. Prioritization of
ecosystem restoration efforts.
Sec. 2046. Special use
permits.
Sec. 2047. Operations and
maintenance on fuel taxed inland waterways.
Sec. 2048. Corrosion
prevention.
Sec. 2049. Project
deauthorizations.
Sec. 2050. Reports to
Congress.
Sec. 2051. Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act conforming amendment.
Sec. 2052. Invasive species review.
Sec. 2053. Wetlands conservation
study.
Sec. 2054. Dam repair study.
TITLE III—Project
modifications
Sec. 3001. Purpose.
Sec. 3002. Chatfield Reservoir,
Colorado.
Sec. 3003. Missouri River
Recovery Implementation Committee expenses reimbursement.
Sec. 3004. Hurricane and storm
damage reduction study.
Sec. 3005. Lower Yellowstone
Project, Montana.
Sec. 3006. Project
deauthorizations.
Sec. 3007. Raritan River Basin,
Green Brook Sub-basin, New Jersey.
Sec. 3008. Red River Basin,
Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana.
Sec. 3009. Point Judith Harbor
of Refuge, Rhode Island.
TITLE IV—Water resource
studies
Sec. 4001. Purpose.
Sec. 4002. Initiation of new
water resources studies.
Sec. 4003.
Applicability.
TITLE V—Regional and nonproject
provisions
Sec. 5001. Purpose.
Sec. 5002. Northeast Coastal
Region ecosystem restoration.
Sec. 5003. Chesapeake Bay
Environmental Restoration and Protection Program.
Sec. 5004. Rio Grande
environmental management program, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas.
Sec. 5005. Lower Columbia River
and Tillamook Bay ecosystem restoration, Oregon and Washington.
Sec. 5006. Arkansas River,
Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Sec. 5007. Aquatic invasive
species prevention and management; Columbia River Basin.
Sec. 5008. Upper Missouri Basin
flood and drought monitoring.
Sec. 5009. Northern Rockies
headwaters extreme weather mitigation.
Sec. 5010. Aquatic nuisance species prevention,
Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin.
TITLE VI—Levee safety
Sec. 6001. Short
title.
Sec. 6002. Findings;
purposes.
Sec. 6003.
Definitions.
Sec. 6004. National levee
safety program.
Sec. 6005. National levee
safety advisory board.
Sec. 6006. Inventory and
inspection of levees.
Sec. 6007. Reports.
Sec. 6008. Effect of
title.
Sec. 6009. Authorization of
appropriations.
TITLE VII—Inland
waterways
Sec. 7001.
Purposes.
Sec. 7002.
Definitions.
Sec. 7003. Project delivery
process reforms.
Sec. 7004. Major rehabilitation
standards.
Sec. 7005. Inland waterways
system revenues.
Sec. 7006. Efficiency of
revenue collection.
TITLE VIII—Harbor
maintenance
Sec. 8001. Short
title.
Sec. 8002.
Purposes.
Sec. 8003. Funding for harbor
maintenance programs.
Sec. 8004. Harbor Maintenance
Trust Fund prioritization.
Sec. 8005. Civil works program
of the Corps of Engineers.
TITLE IX—Dam safety
Sec. 9001. Short
title.
Sec. 9002. Purpose.
Sec. 9003.
Administrator.
Sec. 9004. Inspection of
dams.
Sec. 9005. National Dam Safety
Program.
Sec. 9006. Public awareness and
outreach for dam safety.
Sec. 9007. Authorization of
appropriations.
TITLE X—Innovative financing
pilot projects
Sec. 10001. Short
title.
Sec. 10002.
Purposes.
Sec. 10003.
Definitions.
Sec. 10004. Authority to
provide assistance.
Sec. 10005.
Applications.
Sec. 10006. Eligible
entities.
Sec. 10007. Projects eligible
for assistance.
Sec. 10008. Activities eligible
for assistance.
Sec. 10009. Determination of
eligibility and project selection.
Sec. 10010. Secured
loans.
Sec. 10011. Program
administration.
Sec. 10012. State and local
permits.
Sec. 10013.
Regulations.
Sec. 10014.
Funding.
Sec. 10015. Report to
Congress.
TITLE XI—Extreme
weather
Sec. 11001. Study on risk
reduction.
Sec. 11002. GAO study on
management of flood, drought, and storm damage.
Sec. 11003. Post-disaster
watershed assessments.
2.
Definition of
Secretary
In this Act, the
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army.
I
Water resource
projects
1001.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to authorize projects
that—
(A) are the subject of a
completed report of the Chief of Engineers containing a determination that the
relevant project—
(i) is in the Federal
interest;
(ii) results in benefits that
exceed the costs of the project;
(iii) is environmentally
acceptable; and
(iv) is technically feasible;
and
(B) have been recommended to
Congress for authorization by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil
Works; and
(2) to authorize the
Secretary—
(A) to review projects that
require increased authorization; and
(B) to request an increase of
those authorizations after—
(i) certifying that the
increases are necessary; and
(ii) submitting to Congress
reports on the proposed increases.
1002.
Project
authorizations
The Secretary
is authorized to carry out projects for water resources development,
conservation, and other purposes, subject to the conditions that—
(1) each project is carried
out—
(A) substantially in
accordance with the plan for the project; and
(B) subject to any conditions
described in the report for the project; and
(2) a Report of the Chief of
Engineers has been completed and a referral by the Assistant Secretary of the
Army for Civil Works has been made to Congress as of the date of enactment of
this Act for the project.
1003.
Project
review
(a)
In
general
For a project that is authorized by Federal law as of the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may modify the authorized project
cost set under section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33
U.S.C. 2280)—
(1) by submitting the
required certification and additional information to Congress in accordance
with subsection (b); and
(2) after receiving an
appropriation of funds in accordance with subsection (b)(3)(B).
(b)
Requirements for
submission
(1)
Certification
The
certification to Congress under subsection (a) shall include a certification by
the Secretary that—
(A) expenditures above the
authorized cost of the project are necessary to protect life and safety,
maintain critical navigation routes, or restore ecosystems;
(B) the project continues to
provide benefits identified in the report of the Chief of Engineers for the
project; and
(C) for projects under
construction—
(i) a temporary stop or delay
resulting from a failure to increase the authorized cost of the project will
increase costs to the Federal Government; and
(ii) the amount requested for
the project in the budget of the President or included in a work plan for the
expenditure of funds for the fiscal year during which the certification is
submitted will exceed the authorized cost of the project.
(2)
Additional
information
The information provided to Congress about the
project under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum—
(A) a comprehensive review of
the project costs and reasons for exceeding the authorized limits set under
section 902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C.
2280);
(B) an expedited analysis of
the updated benefits and costs of the project; and
(C) the new funding level
needed to complete the project.
(3)
Approval of
Congress
The Secretary may not change the authorized project
costs under subsection (a) unless—
(A) a certification and
required information is submitted to Congress under subsection (b); and
(B) after such submission,
amounts are appropriated to initiate or continue construction of the project in
an appropriations or other Act.
(c)
Termination of
effectiveness
The authority of the Secretary under this section
terminates on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.
II
Water resources policy
reforms
2001.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to reform the implementation of water
resources projects by the Corps of Engineers;
(2) to make other technical changes to the
water resources policy of the Corps of Engineers; and
(3) to implement reforms,
including—
(A) enhancing the ability of
local sponsors to partner with the Corps of Engineers by ensuring the
eligibility of the local sponsors to receive and apply credit for work carried
out by the sponsors and increasing the role of sponsors in carrying out Corps
of Engineers projects;
(B) ensuring continuing
authority programs can continue to meet important needs;
(C) encouraging the
continuation of efforts to modernize feasibility studies and establish targets
for expedited completion of feasibility studies;
(D) seeking efficiencies in
the management of dams and related infrastructure to reduce environmental
impacts while maximizing other benefits and project purposes, such as flood
control, navigation, water supply, and hydropower;
(E) clarifying mitigation
requirements for Corps of Engineers projects and ensuring transparency in the
independent external review of those projects; and
(F) establishing an efficient
and transparent process for deauthorizing projects that have failed to receive
a minimum level of investment to ensure active projects can move forward while
reducing the backlog of authorized projects.
2002.
Safety assurance
review
Section 2035 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2344) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
(g)
Nonapplicability of
FACA
The Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to a safety assurance review
conducted under this
section.
.
2003.
Continuing authority
programs
(a)
Small river and harbor
improvement projects
Section 107 of the River and Harbor Act of
1960 (33 U.S.C. 577) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by
striking $35,000,000 and inserting $50,000,000;
and
(2) in subsection (b), by
striking $7,000,000 and inserting
$10,000,000.
(b)
Shore damage prevention
or mitigation
Section 111(c) of the River and Harbor Act of 1968
(33 U.S.C. 426i(c)) is amended by striking $5,000,000 and
inserting $10,000,000.
(c)
Regional sediment
management
(1)
In
general
Section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326) is amended—
(A) in subsection (c)(1)(C),
by striking $5,000,000 and inserting $10,000,000;
and
(B) in subsection (g), by
striking $30,000,000 and inserting
$50,000,000.
(2)
Applicability
Section
2037 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1094) is amended
by added at the end the following:
(c)
Applicability
The
amendment made by subsection (a) shall not apply to any project authorized
under this Act if a report of the Chief of Engineers for the project was
completed prior to the date of enactment of this
Act.
.
(d)
Small flood control
projects
Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C.
701s) is amended in the third sentence by striking $7,000,000
and inserting $10,000,000.
(e)
Project modifications
for improvement of environment
Section 1135(d) of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a(d)) is amended—
(1) in the second sentence,
by striking Not more than 80 percent of the non-Federal may be
and inserting The non-Federal share may be provided; and
(2) in the third sentence, by
striking $5,000,000 and inserting
$10,000,000.
(f)
Aquatic ecosystem
restoration
Section 206(d) of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330(d)) is amended by striking $5,000,000
and inserting $10,000,000.
(g)
Floodplain management
services
Section 206(d) of the Flood Control Act of 1960 (33
U.S.C. 709a) is amended by striking $15,000,000 and inserting
$50,000,000.
2004.
Continuing authority
program prioritization
(a)
Definition of
continuing authority program project
In this section, the term
continuing authority program means 1 of the following
authorities:
(1) Section 205 of the Flood
Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 701s).
(2) Section 111 of the River
and Harbor Act of 1968 (33 U.S.C. 426i).
(3) Section 206 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330).
(4) Section 1135 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a).
(5) Section 107 of the River
and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577).
(6) Section 3 of the Act of
August 13, 1946 (33 U.S.C. 426g).
(b)
Prioritization
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
publish in the Federal Register and on a publicly available website, the
criteria the Secretary uses for prioritizing annual funding for continuing
authority program projects.
(c)
Annual
report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal
Register and on a publicly available website, a report on the status of each
continuing authority program, which, at a minimum, shall include—
(1) the name and a short
description of each active continuing authority program project;
(2) the cost estimate to
complete each active project; and
(3) the funding available in
that fiscal year for each continuing authority program.
(d)
Congressional
notification
On publication in the Federal Register under
subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a copy of all information
published under those subsections.
2005.
Fish and wildlife
mitigation
(a)
In
general
Section 906 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1986 (33 U.S.C. 2283) is amended—
(1) in subsection (d)—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) in the first
sentence—
(I) by inserting for
damages to ecological resources, including terrestrial and aquatic resources,
and after mitigate;
(II) by inserting ecological resources
and after impact on; and
(III) by inserting
without the implementation of mitigation measures before the
period; and
(ii) by inserting before the
last sentence the following: If the Secretary determines that mitigation
to in-kind conditions is not possible, the Secretary shall identify in the
report the basis for that determination.; and
(B) in paragraph (3)—
(i) in subparagraph (A), by
inserting , at a minimum, after complies with;
and
(ii) in subparagraph
(B)—
(I) by striking clause
(iii);
(II) by redesginating clauses
(iv) and (v) as clauses (v) and (vi), respectively; and
(III) by inserting after
clause (ii) the following:
(iii) for projects where
mitigation will be carried out by the Secretary—
(I) a description of the land
and interest in land to be acquired for the mitigation plan;
(II) the basis for a
determination that the land and interests are available for acquisition;
and
(III) a determination that
the proposed interest sought does not exceed the minimum interest in land
necessary to meet the mitigation requirements for the project;
(iv) for projects where
mitigation will be carried out through a third party mitigation arrangement in
accordance with subsection (i)—
(I) a description of the
third party mitigation instrument to be used; and
(II) the basis for a
determination that the mitigation instrument can meet the mitigation
requirements for the project;
; and
(2) by adding at the end the
following:
(h)
Programmatic mitigation
plans
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may develop 1 or more programmatic
mitigation plans to address the potential impacts to ecological resources,
fish, and wildlife associated with existing or future water resources
development projects.
(2)
Use of mitigation
plans
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, use
programmatic mitigation plans developed in accordance with this subsection to
guide the development of a mitigation plan under subsection (d).
(3)
Non-Federal
plans
The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable and
subject to all conditions of this subsection, use programmatic environmental
plans developed by a State, a body politic of the State, which derives its
powers from a State constitution, a government entity created by State
legislation, or a local government, that meet the requirements of this
subsection to address the potential environmental impacts of existing or future
water resources development projects.
(4)
Scope
A
programmatic mitigation plan developed by the Secretary or an entity described
in paragraph (3) to address potential impacts of existing or future water
resources development projects may—
(A) be developed on a
regional, ecosystem, watershed, or statewide scale;
(B) encompass multiple
environmental resources within a defined geographical area or focus on a
specific resource, such as aquatic resources or wildlife habitat; and
(C) address impacts from all
projects in a defined geographical area or focus on a specific type of
project.
(5)
Consultation
The
scope of the plan shall be determined by the Secretary or an entity described
in paragraph (3), as appropriate, in consultation with the agency with
jurisdiction over the resources being addressed in the environmental mitigation
plan.
(6)
Contents
A
programmatic environmental mitigation plan may include—
(A) an assessment of the
condition of environmental resources in the geographical area covered by the
plan, including an assessment of recent trends and any potential threats to
those resources;
(B) an assessment of
potential opportunities to improve the overall quality of environmental
resources in the geographical area covered by the plan through strategic
mitigation for impacts of water resources development projects;
(C) standard measures for
mitigating certain types of impacts;
(D) parameters for
determining appropriate mitigation for certain types of impacts, such as
mitigation ratios or criteria for determining appropriate mitigation
sites;
(E) adaptive management
procedures, such as protocols that involve monitoring predicted impacts over
time and adjusting mitigation measures in response to information gathered
through the monitoring;
(F) acknowledgment of
specific statutory or regulatory requirements that must be satisfied when
determining appropriate mitigation for certain types of resources; and
(G) any offsetting benefits
of self-mitigating projects, such as ecosystem or resource restoration and
protection.
(7)
Process
Before
adopting a programmatic environmental mitigation plan for use under this
subsection, the Secretary shall—
(A) for a plan developed by
the Secretary—
(i) make a draft of the plan
available for review and comment by applicable environmental resource agencies
and the public; and
(ii) consider any comments
received from those agencies and the public on the draft plan; and
(B) for a plan developed
under paragraph (3), determine, not later than 180 days after receiving the
plan, whether the plan meets the requirements of paragraphs (4) through (6) and
was made available for public comment.
(8)
Integration with other
plans
A programmatic environmental mitigation plan may be
integrated with other plans, including watershed plans, ecosystem plans,
species recovery plans, growth management plans, and land use plans.
(9)
Consideration in
project development and permitting
If a programmatic
environmental mitigation plan has been developed under this subsection, any
Federal agency responsible for environmental reviews, permits, or approvals for
a water resources development project may use the recommendations in that
programmatic environmental mitigation plan when carrying out the
responsibilities of the agency under the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(10)
Preservation of
existing authorities
Nothing in this subsection limits the use of
programmatic approaches to reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(i)
Third-party mitigation
arrangements
(1)
Eligible
activities
In accordance with all applicable Federal laws
(including regulations), mitigation efforts carried out under this section may
include—
(A) participation in
mitigation banking or other third-party mitigation arrangements, such
as—
(i) the purchase of credits
from commercial or State, regional, or local agency-sponsored mitigation banks;
and
(ii) the purchase of credits
from in-lieu fee mitigation programs; and
(B) contributions to
statewide and regional efforts to conserve, restore, enhance, and create
natural habitats and wetlands.
(2)
Inclusion of other
activities
The banks, programs, and efforts described in
paragraph (1) include any banks, programs, and efforts developed in accordance
with applicable law (including regulations).
(3)
Terms and
conditions
In carrying out natural habitat and wetlands
mitigation efforts under this section, contributions to the mitigation effort
may—
(A) take place concurrent
with, or in advance of, the commitment of funding to a project; and
(B) occur in advance of
project construction only if the efforts are consistent with all applicable
requirements of Federal law (including regulations) and water resources
development planning processes.
(4)
Preference
At
the request of the non-Federal project sponsor, preference may be given, to the
maximum extent practicable, to mitigating an environmental impact through the
use of a mitigation bank, in-lieu fee, or other third-party mitigation
arrangement, if the use of credits from the mitigation bank or in-lieu fee, or
the other third-party mitigation arrangement for the project has been approved
by the applicable Federal agency.
(j)
Use of
Funds
The Secretary may use
funds made available for preconstruction engineering and design prior to
authorization of project construction to acquire interests in land necessary
for meeting the mitigation requirements of this
section.
.
(b)
Application
The
amendments made by subsection (a) shall not apply to a project for which a
mitigation plan has been completed as of the date of enactment of this
Act.
(c)
Technical
assistance
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may provide technical assistance to States
and local governments to establish third-party mitigation instruments,
including mitigation banks and in-lieu fee programs, that will help to target
mitigation payments to high-priority ecosystem restoration actions.
(2)
Requirements
In
providing technical assistance under this subsection, the Secretary shall give
priority to States and local governments that have developed State, regional,
or watershed-based plans identifying priority restoration actions.
(3)
Mitigation
instruments
The Secretary shall seek to ensure any technical
assistance provided under this subsection will support the establishment of
mitigation instruments that will result in restoration of high-priority areas
identified in the plans under paragraph (2).
2006.
Mitigation status
report
Section 2036(b) of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2283a) is amended—
(1) by redesignating
paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after
paragraph (2) the following:
(3)
Information
included
In reporting the status of all projects included in the
report, the Secretary shall—
(A) use a uniform methodology
for determining the status of all projects included in the report;
(B) use a methodology that
describes both a qualitative and quantitative status for all projects in the
report; and
(C) provide specific dates
for and participants in the consultations required under section 906(d)(4)(B)
of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C.
2283(d)(4)(B)).
.
2007.
Independent peer
review
(a)
Timing of peer
review
Section 2034(b) of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2343(b)) is amended—
(1) by redesignating
paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(2) by inserting after
paragraph (2) the following:
(3)
Reasons for
timing
If the Chief of
Engineers does not initiate a peer review for a project study at a time
described in paragraph (2), the Chief shall—
(A) not later than 7 days after the date on
which the Chief of Engineers determines not to initiate a peer review—
(i) notify the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of that decision; and
(ii) make publicly available, including on the
Internet the reasons for not conducting the review; and
(B) include the reasons for not conducting the
review in the decision document for the project
study.
.
(b)
Establishment of
panels
Section 2034(c) of the Water Resources Development Act of
2007 (33 U.S.C. 2343(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the
following:
(4)
Congressional and
public notification
Following
the identification of a project study for peer review under this section, but
prior to initiation of the review by the panel of experts, the Chief of
Engineers shall, not later than 7 days after the date on which the Chief of
Engineers determines to conduct a review—
(A) notify the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of the review; and
(B) make publicly available,
including on the Internet, information on—
(i) the dates scheduled for
beginning and ending the review;
(ii) the entity that has the
contract for the review; and
(iii) the names and
qualifications of the panel of
experts.
.
(c)
Recommendations of
panel
Section 2034(f) of the Water Resources Development Act of
2007 (33 U.S.C. 2343(f)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
(2)
Public availability and
submission to Congress
After
receiving a report on a project study from a panel of experts under this
section, the Chief of Engineers shall make available to the public, including
on the Internet, and submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives—
(A) a copy of the report not
later than 7 days after the date on which the report is delivered to the Chief
of Engineers; and
(B) a copy of any written
response of the Chief of Engineers on recommendations contained in the report
not later than 3 days after the date on which the response is delivered to the
Chief of Engineers.
(3)
Inclusion in project
study
A report on a project study from a panel of experts under
this section and the written response of the Chief of Engineers shall be
included in the final decision document for the project
study.
.
(d)
Applicability
Section
2034(h)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C.
2343(h)(2)) is amended by striking 7 years and inserting
12 years.
2008.
Operation and
maintenance of navigation and hydroelectric
facilities
(a)
In
general
Section 314 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2321) is amended—
(1) by striking the heading and inserting the
following:
314.
Operation and
maintenance of navigation and hydroelectric
facilities
;
(2) in the first sentence, by
striking Activities currently performed and inserting the
following:
(a)
In
general
Activities currently
performed
;
(3) in the second sentence,
by striking This section and inserting the following:
(b)
Major maintenance
contracts allowed
This
section
;
(4) in subsection (a) (as
designated by paragraph (2)), by inserting navigation or before
hydroelectric; and
(5) by adding at the end the
following:
(c)
Exclusion
This
section shall not—
(1) apply to those navigation
facilities that have been or are currently under contract with a non-Federal
interest to perform operations and maintenance as of the date of enactment of
the Water Resources Development Act of
2013; and
(2) prohibit the Secretary
from contracting out future commercial activities at those navigation
facilities.
.
(b)
Clerical
amendment
The table of contents contained in section 1(b) of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4604) is amended by striking
the item relating to section 314 and inserting the following:
Sec. 314. Operation and maintenance of
navigation and hydroelectric
facilities.
.
2009.
Hydropower at Corps
of Engineers facilities
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) in April 2012, the Oak
Ridge National Laboratory of the Department of Energy (referred to in this
section as the Oak Ridge Lab) released a report finding that
adding hydroelectric power to the non-powered dams of the United States has the
potential to add more than 12 gigawatts of new generating capacity;
(2) the top 10 non-powered
dams identified by the Oak Ridge Lab as having the highest hydroelectric power
potential could alone supply 3 gigawatts of generating capacity;
(3) of the 50 non-powered
dams identified by the Oak Ridge Lab as having the highest hydroelectric power
potential, 48 are Corps of Engineers civil works projects;
(4) promoting non-Federal
hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects increases the
taxpayer benefit of those projects;
(5) the development of
non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works
projects—
(A) can be accomplished in a
manner that is consistent with authorized project purposes and the
responsibilities of the Corps of Engineers to protect the environment;
and
(B) in many instances, may
have additional environmental benefits; and
(6) the development of
non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects
could be promoted through—
(A) clear and consistent
lines of responsibility and authority within and across Corps of Engineers
districts and divisions on hydroelectric power development activities;
(B) consistent and
corresponding processes for reviewing and approving hydroelectric power
development; and
(C) developing a means by
which non-Federal hydroelectric power developers and stakeholders can resolve
disputes with the Corps of Engineers concerning hydroelectric power development
activities at Corps of Engineers civil works projects.
(b)
Policy
Congress
declares that it is the policy of the United States that—
(1) the development of
non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects,
including locks and dams, shall be given priority;
(2) Corps of Engineers
approval of non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works
projects, including permitting required under section 14 of the Act of March 3,
1899 (33 U.S.C. 408), shall be completed by the Corps of Engineers in a timely
and consistent manner; and
(3) approval of hydropower at
Corps of Engineers civil works projects shall in no way diminish the other
priorities and missions of the Corps of Engineers, including authorized project
purposes and habitat and environmental protection.
(c)
Report
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and each year
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that, at a minimum,
shall include—
(1) a description of
initiatives carried out by the Secretary to encourage the development of
hydroelectric power by non-Federal entities at Corps of Engineers civil works
projects;
(2) a list of all new
hydroelectric power activities by non-Federal entities approved at Corps of
Engineers civil works projects in that fiscal year, including the length of
time the Secretary needed to approve those activities;
(3) a description of the
status of each pending application from non-Federal entities for approval to
develop hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects;
(4) a description of any
benefits or impacts to the environment, recreation, or other uses associated
with Corps of Engineers civil works projects at which non-Federal entities have
developed hydroelectric power in the previous fiscal year; and
(5) the total annual amount
of payments or other services provided to the Corps of Engineers, the Treasury,
and any other Federal agency as a result of approved non-Federal hydropower
projects at Corps of Engineers civil works projects.
2010.
Clarification of
work-in-kind credit authority
(a)
Non-Federal cost
share
Section 7007 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007
(121 Stat. 1277) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) by inserting , on,
or after after before; and
(B) by inserting ,
program, after study each place it appears;
(2) in subsections (b) and
(e)(1), by inserting , program, after study each
place it appears; and
(3) by striking subsection
(d) and inserting the following:
(d)
Treatment of credit
between projects
The value of any land, easements, rights-of-way,
relocations, and dredged material disposal areas and the costs of planning,
design, and construction work provided by the non-Federal interest that exceed
the non-Federal cost share for a study, program, or project under this title
may be applied toward the non-Federal cost share for any other study, program,
or project carried out under this
title.
.
(b)
Implementation
Not
later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
coordination with any relevant agencies of the State of Louisiana, shall
establish a process by which to carry out the amendments made by subsection
(a)(3).
(c)
Effective
date
The amendments made by subsection (a) take effect on
November 8, 2007.
2011.
Transfer of excess
work-in-kind credit
(a)
In
general
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary may apply credit
for in-kind contributions provided by a non-Federal interest that is in excess
of the required non-Federal cost-share for a water resources study or project
toward the required non-Federal cost-share for a different water resources
study or project.
(b)
Restrictions
(1)
In
general
Except for subsection (a)(4)(D)(i) of that section, the
requirements of section 221 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C.
1962d–5b) (as amended by section 2012 of this Act) shall apply to any credit
under this section.
(2)
Conditions
Credit
in excess of the non-Federal cost-share for a study or project may be approved
under this section only if—
(A) the non-Federal interest
submits a comprehensive plan to the Secretary that identifies—
(i) the studies and projects
for which the non-Federal interest intends to provide in-kind contributions for
credit that is in excess of the non-Federal cost share for the study or
project; and
(ii) the studies and projects
to which that excess credit would be applied;
(B) the Secretary approves
the comprehensive plan; and
(C) the total amount of
credit does not exceed the total non-Federal cost-share for the studies and
projects in the approved comprehensive plan.
(c)
Additional
criteria
In evaluating a request to apply credit in excess of the
non-Federal cost-share for a study or project toward a different study or
project, the Secretary shall consider whether applying that credit will—
(1) help to expedite the
completion of a project or group of projects;
(2) reduce costs to the
Federal Government; and
(3) aid the completion of a
project that provides significant flood risk reduction or environmental
benefits.
(d)
Termination of
authority
The authority provided in this section shall terminate
10 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(e)
Report
(1)
Deadlines
(A)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives an interim report on the use of the authority
under this section.
(B)
Final
report
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a final report on the use of the authority under
this section.
(2)
Inclusions
The
reports described in paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a description of the use
of the authority under this section during the reporting period;
(B) an assessment of the
impact of the authority under this section on the time required to complete
projects; and
(C) an assessment of the
impact of the authority under this section on other water resources
projects.
2012.
Credit for in-kind
contributions
(a)
In
general
Section 221(a)(4) of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42
U.S.C. 1962d–5b(a)(4)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A), in
the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting or a project under an
environmental infrastructure assistance program after
law;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by
striking In any case and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting the following:
(i)
Construction
(I)
In
general
In any case in which the non-Federal interest is to
receive credit under subparagraph (A) for the cost of construction carried out
by the non-Federal interest before execution of a partnership agreement and
that construction has not been carried out as of the date of enactment of this
subparagraph, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest shall enter into an
agreement under which the non-Federal interest shall carry out such work prior
to the non-Federal interest initiating construction or issuing a written notice
to proceed for the construction.
(II)
Eligibility
Construction
that is carried out after the execution of an agreement to carry out work
described in subclause (I) and any design activities that are required for that
construction, even if the design activity is carried out prior to the execution
of the agreement to carry out work, shall be eligible for credit.
(ii)
Planning
(I)
In
general
In any case in which the non-Federal interest is to
receive credit under subparagraph (A) for the cost of planning carried out by
the non-Federal interest before execution of a feasibility cost sharing
agreement, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest shall enter into an
agreement under which the non-Federal interest shall carry out such work prior
to the non-Federal interest initiating that planning.
(II)
Eligibility
Planning
that is carried out by the non-Federal interest after the execution of an
agreement to carry out work described in subclause (I) shall be eligible for
credit.
;
(3) in subparagraph (D)(iii),
by striking sections 101 and 103 and inserting sections
101(a)(2) and 103(a)(1)(A) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33
U.S.C. 2211(a)(2); 33 U.S.C. 2213(a)(1)(A));
(4) by redesignating
subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (H);
(5) by inserting after
subparagraph (D) the following:
(E)
Analysis of costs and
benefits
In the evaluation of the costs and benefits of a
project, the Secretary shall not consider construction carried out by a
non-Federal interest under this subsection as part of the future without
project condition.
(F)
Transfer of Credit
between Separable Elements of a Project
Credit for in-kind
contributions provided by a non-Federal interest that are in excess of the
non-Federal cost share for an authorized separable element of a project may be
applied toward the non-Federal cost share for a different authorized separable
element of the same project.
(G)
Application of
Credit
To the extent that credit for in-kind contributions, as
limited by subparagraph (D), and credit for required land, easements,
rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and relocations provided by the
non-Federal interest exceed the non-Federal share of the cost of construction
of a project other than a navigation project, the Secretary shall reimburse the
difference to the non-Federal interest, subject to the availability of
funds.
;
and
(6) in subparagraph (H) (as
redesignated by paragraph (4))—
(A) in clause (i), by
inserting , and to water resources projects authorized prior to the date
of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law
99–662), if correction of design deficiencies is necessary before the
period at the end; and
(B) by striking clause (ii)
and inserting the following:
(ii)
Authorization in
addition to specific credit provision
In any case in which a
specific provision of law authorizes credit for in-kind contributions provided
by a non-Federal interest before the date of execution of a partnership
agreement, the Secretary may apply the authority provided in this paragraph to
allow credit for in-kind contributions provided by the non-Federal interest on
or after the date of execution of the partnership
agreement.
.
(b)
Applicability
Section
2003(e) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 1962d-5b
note) is amended by inserting , or construction of design deficiency
corrections on the project, after construction on the
project.
(c)
Effective
date
The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) take effect
on November 8, 2007.
(d)
Guidelines
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall update any guidance or regulations for carrying out
section 221(a)(4) of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d-5b(a)(4))
(as amended by subsection (a)) that are in existence on the date of enactment
of this Act or issue new guidelines, as determined to be appropriate by the
Secretary.
(2)
Inclusions
Any
guidance, regulations, or guidelines updated or issued under paragraph (1)
shall include, at a minimum—
(A) the milestone for
executing an in-kind memorandum of understanding for construction by a
non-Federal interest;
(B) criteria and procedures
for evaluating a request to execute an in-kind memorandum of understanding for
construction by a non-Federal interest that is earlier than the milestone under
subparagraph (A) for that execution; and
(C) criteria and procedures
for determining whether work carried out by a non-Federal interest is integral
to a project.
(3)
Public and stakeholder
participation
Before issuing any new or revised guidance,
regulations, or guidelines or any subsequent updates to those documents, the
Secretary shall—
(A) consult with affected
non-Federal interests;
(B) publish the proposed
guidelines developed under this subsection in the Federal Register; and
(C) provide the public with
an opportunity to comment on the proposed guidelines.
(e)
Other
credit
Nothing in section 221(a)(4) of the Flood Control Act of
1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b(a)(4)) (as amended by subsection (a)) affects any
eligibility for credit under section 104 of the Water Resources Development of
1986 (33 U.S.C. 2214) that was approved by the Secretary prior to the date of
enactment of this Act.
2013.
Credit in lieu of
reimbursement
Section
211(e)(2) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C.
701b–13(e)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(C)
Studies or other
projects
On the request of a non-Federal interest, in lieu of
reimbursing a non-Federal interest the amount equal to the estimated Federal
share of the cost of an authorized flood damage reduction project or a
separable element of an authorized flood damage reduction project under this
subsection that has been constructed by the non-Federal interest under this
section as of the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary may provide the
non-Federal interest with a credit in that amount, which the non-Federal
interest may apply to the share of the cost of the non-Federal interest of
carrying out other flood damage reduction projects or
studies.
.
2014.
Dam
optimization
(a)
Definitions
In
this section:
(1)
Other related project
benefits
The term other related project benefits
includes—
(A) environmental protection
and restoration, including restoration of water quality and water flows,
improving movement of fish and other aquatic species, and restoration of
floodplains, wetlands, and estuaries;
(B) increased water supply
storage;
(C) increased hydropower
generation;
(D) reduced flood
risk;
(E) additional navigation;
and
(F) improved
recreation.
(2)
Water control
plan
The term water control plan means—
(A) a plan for coordinated
regulation schedules for project or system regulation; and
(B) such additional
provisions as may be required to collect, analyze, and disseminate basic data,
prepare detailed operating instructions, ensure project safety, and carry out
regulation of projects in an appropriate manner.
(b)
Program
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may
carry out activities—
(A) to improve the efficiency
of the operations and maintenance of dams and related infrastructure operated
by the Corps of Engineers; and
(B) to maximize, to the
extent practicable—
(i) authorized project
purposes; and
(ii) other related project
benefits.
(2)
Eligible
activities
An eligible activity under this section is any
activity that the Secretary would otherwise be authorized to carry out that is
designed to provide other related project benefits in a manner that does not
adversely impact the authorized purposes of the project, including—
(A) the review of project
operations on a regular and timely basis to determine the potential for
operational changes;
(B) carrying out any
investigation or study the Secretary determines to be necessary; and
(C) the revision or updating
of a water control plan or other modification of the operation of a water
resource project.
(3)
Impact on authorized
purposes
An activity carried out under this section shall not
adversely impact any of the authorized purposes of the project.
(4)
Effect on existing
agreements
Nothing in this section supersedes or modifies any
written agreement between the Federal Government and a non-Federal interest
that is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act.
(5)
Other laws
(A)
In
general
An activity carried out under this section shall comply
with all other applicable laws (including regulations).
(B)
Water
supply
Any activity carried out under this section that results
in any modification to water supply storage allocations at a reservoir operated
by the Secretary shall comply with section 301 of the Water Supply Act of 1958
(43 U.S.C. 390b).
(c)
Policies, regulations,
and guidance
The Secretary shall carry out a review of, and as
necessary modify, the policies, regulations, and guidance of the Secretary to
carry out the activities described in subsection (b).
(d)
Coordination
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall coordinate all planning and
activities carried out under this section with appropriate Federal, State, and
local agencies and those public and private entities that the Secretary
determines may be affected by those plans or activities.
(2)
Non-Federal
interests
Prior to carrying out an activity under this section,
the Secretary shall consult with any applicable non-Federal interest of the
affected dam or related infrastructure.
(e)
Reports
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report describing the actions carried out under this section.
(2)
Inclusions
Each
report under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) a schedule for reviewing
the operations of individual projects; and
(B) any recommendations of
the Secretary on changes that the Secretary determines to be necessary—
(i) to carry out existing
project authorizations, including the deauthorization of any water resource
project that the Secretary determines could more effectively be achieved
through other means;
(ii) to improve the
efficiency of water resource project operations; and
(iii) to maximize authorized
project purposes and other related project benefits.
(3)
Updated report
(A)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall update the report entitled Authorized and
Operating Purposes of Corps of Engineers Reservoirs and dated July
1992, which was produced pursuant to section 311 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 4639).
(B)
Inclusions
The
updated report described in subparagraph (A) shall include—
(i) the date on which the
most recent review of project operations was conducted and any recommendations
of the Secretary relating to that review the Secretary determines to be
significant; and
(ii) the dates on which the
recommendations described in clause (i) were carried out.
(f)
Funding
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may use to carry out this section amounts
made available to the Secretary from—
(A) the general purposes and
expenses account;
(B) the operations and
maintenance account; and
(C) any other amounts that
are appropriated to carry out this section.
(2)
Funding from other
sources
The Secretary may accept and expend amounts from
non-Federal entities and other Federal agencies to carry out this
section.
(g)
Cooperative
agreements
The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements
with other Federal agencies and non-Federal entities to carry out this
section.
2015.
Water
supply
Section 301 of the
Water Supply Act of 1958 (43 U.S.C. 390b) is amended by striking subsection (d)
and inserting the following:
(d)
Congressional approval
of modifications of reservoir projects
Congressional approval
shall be required for any modification that provides storage for municipal or
industrial water supply at a reservoir project that has been authorized,
surveyed, planned, or constructed if, when considered cumulatively with all
previous modifications of the project, the modification would—
(1) seriously affect the
purposes for which the project was authorized, surveyed, planned, or
constructed;
(2) involve major structural
or operational changes; or
(3) involve an allocation or
reallocation of storage that is equal to or exceeds 5 percent of the
conservation storage pool of the
project.
.
2016.
Report on water
storage pricing formulas
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) due to the ongoing
drought in many parts of the United States, communities are looking for ways to
enhance their water storage on Corps of Engineer reservoirs so as to maintain a
reliable supply of water into the foreseeable future;
(2) water storage pricing
formulas should be equitable and not create disparities between users;
and
(3) water pricing formulas
should not be cost-prohibitive for communities.
(b)
Assessment
(1)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall initiate an
assessment of the water storage pricing formulas of the Corps of Engineers,
which shall include an assessment of—
(A) existing water storage
pricing formulas of the Corps of Engineers, in particular whether those
formulas produce water storage costs for some beneficiaries that are greatly
disparate from the costs of other beneficiaries; and
(B) whether equitable water
storage pricing formulas could lessen the disparate impact and produce more
affordable water storage for potential beneficiaries.
(2)
Report
The
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on
the assessment carried out under paragraph (1).
2017.
Clarification of
previously authorized work
(a)
In
General
The Secretary may carry out measures to improve fish
species habitat within the footprint and downstream of a water resources
project constructed by the Secretary that includes a fish hatchery if the
Secretary—
(1) has been explicitly
authorized to compensate for fish losses associated with the project;
and
(2) determines that the
measures are—
(A) feasible;
(B) consistent with
authorized project purposes and the fish hatchery; and
(C) in the public
interest.
(b)
Cost Sharing
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraph (2), the non-Federal interest shall
contribute 35 percent of the total cost of carrying out activities under this
section, including the costs relating to the provision or acquisition of
required land, easements, rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and
relocations.
(2)
Operation and
maintenance
The non-Federal interest shall contribute 100 percent
of the costs of operation, maintenance, replacement, repair, and rehabilitation
of a project constructed under this section.
(c)
Authorization of
appropriations
For each fiscal year, there is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000.
2018.
Consideration of
Federal land in feasibility studies
At the request of the non-Federal interest,
the Secretary shall include as part of a regional or watershed study any
Federal land that is located within the geographic scope of that study.
2019.
Planning assistance
to States
Section 22 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–16) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) by inserting or
other stakeholder working with a State after cooperate with any
State; and
(ii) by inserting ,
including plans to comprehensively address water resources challenges,
after of such State; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by
striking , at Federal expense,;
(2) in subsection (b)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by
striking subsection (a)(1) each place it appears and inserting
subsection (a);
(B) by redesignating
paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; and
(C) by inserting after
paragraph (1) the following:
(2)
Contributed
funds
The Secretary may accept and expend funds in excess of the
fees established under paragraph (1) that are provided by a State or other
non-Federal public body for assistance under this
section.
; and
(3) in subsection (c)—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) by striking
$10,000,000 and inserting $30,000,000; and
(ii) by striking
$2,000,000 and inserting $5,000,000 in Federal
funds; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by
striking $5,000,000 and inserting
$15,000,000.
2020.
Vegetation management
policy
(a)
Definition of national
guidelines
In this section, the term national
guidelines means the Corps of Engineers policy guidelines for management
of vegetation on levees, including—
(1) Engineering Technical
Letter 1110-2-571 entitled Guidelines for Landscape Planting and
Vegetation Management at Levees, Floodwalls, Embankment Dams, and Appurtenant
Structures and adopted April 10, 2009; and
(2) the draft policy guidance
letter entitled Process for Requesting a Variance from Vegetation
Standards for Levees and Floodwalls (77 Fed. Reg. 9637 (Feb. 17,
2012)).
(b)
Review
Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall carry out a comprehensive review of the national guidelines in order to
determine whether current Federal policy relating to levee vegetation is
appropriate for all regions of the United States.
(c)
Factors
(1)
In
general
In carrying out the review, the Secretary shall
consider—
(A) the varied interests and
responsibilities in managing flood risks, including the need—
(i) to provide for levee
safety with limited resources; and
(ii) to ensure that levee
safety investments minimize environmental impacts and provide corresponding
public safety benefits;
(B) the levee safety benefits
that can be provided by woody vegetation;
(C) the preservation,
protection, and enhancement of natural resources, including—
(i) the benefit of vegetation
on levees in providing habitat for endangered, threatened, and candidate
species; and
(ii) the impact of removing
levee vegetation on compliance with other regulatory requirements;
(D) protecting the rights of
Indian tribes pursuant to treaties and statutes;
(E) the available science and
the historical record regarding the link between vegetation on levees and flood
risk;
(F) the avoidance of actions
requiring significant economic costs and environmental impacts; and
(G) other factors relating to
the factors described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) identified in public
comments that the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(2)
Variance
considerations
(A)
In
general
In carrying out the review, the Secretary shall
specifically consider whether the national guidelines can be amended to promote
and allow for consideration of variances from national guidelines on a
Statewide, tribal, regional, or watershed basis, including variances based
on—
(i) soil conditions;
(ii) hydrologic
factors;
(iii) vegetation patterns and
characteristics;
(iv) environmental resources,
including endangered, threatened, or candidate species and related regulatory
requirements;
(v) levee performance
history, including historical information on original construction and
subsequent operation and maintenance activities;
(vi) any effects on water
supply;
(vii) any scientific evidence
on the link between levee vegetation and levee safety;
(viii) institutional
considerations, including implementation challenges;
(ix) the availability of
limited funds for levee construction and rehabilitation;
(x) the economic and
environmental costs of removing woody vegetation on levees; and
(xi) other relevant factors
identified in public comments that the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
(B)
Scope
The
scope of a variance approved by the Secretary may include a complete exemption
to national guidelines, as the Secretary determines to be necessary.
(d)
Cooperation and
consultation; recommendations
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall carry out the review under this
section in consultation with other applicable Federal agencies, representatives
of State, regional, local, and tribal governments, appropriate nongovernmental
organizations, and the public.
(2)
Recommendations
The Chief of Engineers and any State,
tribal, regional, or local entity may submit to the Secretary any
recommendations for vegetation management policies for levees that conform with
Federal and State laws, including recommendations relating to the review of
national guidelines under subsection (b) and the consideration of variances
under subsection (c)(2).
(e)
Peer review
(1)
In
general
As part of the review, the Secretary shall solicit and
consider the views of the National Academy of Engineering and the National
Academy of Sciences on the engineering, environmental, and institutional
considerations underlying the national guidelines, including the factors
described in subsection (c) and any information obtained by the Secretary under
subsection (d).
(2)
Availability of
views
The views of the National Academy of Engineering and the
National Academy of Sciences obtained under paragraph (1) shall be—
(A) made available to the
public; and
(B) included in supporting
materials issued in connection with the revised national guidelines required
under subsection (f).
(f)
Revision of national
guidelines
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall—
(A) revise the national
guidelines based on the results of the review, including—
(i) recommendations received
as part of the consultation described in subsection (d)(1); and
(ii) the results of the peer
review conducted under subsection (e); and
(B) submit to Congress a
report that contains a summary of the activities of the Secretary and a
description of the findings of the Secretary under this section.
(2)
Content; incorporation
into manual
The revised national guidelines shall—
(A) provide a practical,
flexible process for approving Statewide, tribal, regional, or watershed
variances from the national guidelines that—
(i) reflect due consideration
of the factors described in subsection (c); and
(ii) incorporate State,
tribal, and regional vegetation management guidelines for specific areas that
have been adopted through a formal public process; and
(B) be incorporated into the
manual proposed under section 5(c) of the Act entitled An Act
authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for
flood control, and for other purposes, approved August 18, 1941 (33
U.S.C. 701n(c)).
(3)
Failure to meet
deadlines
If the Secretary fails to submit a report by the
required deadline under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed
explanation of—
(A) why the deadline was
missed;
(B) solutions needed to meet
the deadline; and
(C) a projected date for
submission of the report.
(g)
Continuation of
work
Concurrent with the completion of the requirements of this
section, the Secretary shall proceed without interruption or delay with those
ongoing or programmed projects and studies, or elements of projects or studies,
that are not directly related to vegetation variance policy.
(h)
Interim
actions
(1)
In
general
Until the date on which revisions to the national
guidelines are adopted in accordance with subsection (f), the Secretary shall
not require the removal of existing vegetation as a condition or requirement
for any approval or funding of a project, or any other action, unless the
specific vegetation has been demonstrated to present an unacceptable safety
risk.
(2)
Revisions
Beginning
on the date on which the revisions to the national guidelines are adopted in
accordance with subsection (f), the Secretary shall consider, on request of an
affected entity, any previous action of the Corps of Engineers in which the
outcome was affected by the former national guidelines.
2021.
Levee
certifications
(a)
Implementation of flood
protection structure accreditation task force
In carrying out
section 100226 of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42
U.S.C. 4101 note; 126 Stat. 942), the Secretary shall—
(1) ensure that at least 1
program activity carried out under the inspection of completed works program of
the Corps of Engineers provides adequate information to the Secretary to reach
a levee accreditation decision for each requirement under section 65.10 of
title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation); and
(2) to the maximum extent
practicable, carry out activities under the inspection of completed works
program of the Corps of Engineers in alignment with the schedule established
for the national flood insurance program established under chapter 1 of the
National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et seq.).
(b)
Accelerated levee
system evaluations and certifications
(1)
In
general
On receipt of a request from a non-Federal interest, the
Secretary may carry out a levee system evaluation and certification of a
federally authorized levee for purposes of the national flood insurance program
established under chapter 1 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C. 4011 et seq.) if the evaluation and certification will be carried out
earlier than such an evaluation and certification would be carried out under
subsection (a).
(2)
Requirements
A
levee system evaluation and certification under paragraph (1) shall—
(A) at a minimum, comply with
section 65.10 of title 44, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the
date of enactment of this Act); and
(B) be carried out in
accordance with such procedures as the Secretary, in consultation with the
Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, may establish.
(3)
Cost Sharing
(A)
Non-Federal
share
Subject to subparagraph (B), the non-Federal share of the
cost of carrying out a levee system evaluation and certification under this
subsection shall be 35 percent.
(B)
Adjustment
The
Secretary shall adjust the non-Federal share of the cost of carrying out a
levee system evaluation and certification under this subsection in accordance
with section 103(m) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C.
2213(m)).
(4)
Application
Nothing
in this subsection affects the requirement under section 100226(b)(2) of the
Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101 note; 126
Stat. 942).
2022.
Restoration of flood
and hurricane storm damage reduction projects
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall carry out any measures necessary to
restore components of federally authorized and federally constructed flood and
hurricane storm damage reduction projects to authorized levels of protection
for reasons including settlement, subsidence, sea level rise, and new datum, if
the Secretary determines the necessary work is feasible.
(b)
Cost
share
The non-Federal share of the cost of construction of a
project carried out under this section shall be determined as provided in
subsections (a) through (d) of section 103 of the Water Resources Development
Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2213).
(c)
Operations and
maintenance
The non-Federal share of the cost of operations,
maintenance, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation for a project carried out
under this section shall be 100 percent.
(d)
Eligibility of projects
transferred to non-Federal interest
The Secretary may carry out
measures described in subsection (a) on a water resources project, separable
element of a project, or functional component of a project that has been
transferred to the non-Federal interest.
(e)
Report to
Congress
Not later than 8 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a report on the implementation of this section,
including—
(1) any recommendations
relating to the continued need for the authority provided in this
section;
(2) a description of the
measures carried out under this section;
(3) any lessons learned
relating to the measures implemented under this section; and
(4) best practices for
carrying out measures to restore flood damage reduction projects.
(f)
Termination of
authority
The authority to carry out a measure under this section
terminates on the date that is 10 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(g)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $250,000,000.
2023.
Operation and
maintenance of certain projects
The Secretary may assume operation and
maintenance activities for a navigation channel that is deepened by a
non-Federal interest prior to December 31, 2012, if—
(1) the Secretary determines that the
requirements under paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 204(f) of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2232(f)) are met;
(2) the Secretary determines that the
activities carried out by the non-Federal interest in deepening the navigation
channel are economically justified and environmentally acceptable; and
(3) the deepening activities have been carried
out on a Federal navigation channel that—
(A) exists as of the date of enactment of this
Act; and
(B) has been authorized by Congress.
2024.
Dredging
study
(a)
In
general
The Secretary, in conjunction with other relevant Federal
agencies and applicable non-Federal interests, shall carry out a study—
(1) to compare domestic and
international dredging markets, including costs, technologies, and management
approaches used in each respective market, and determine the impacts of those
markets on dredging needs and practices in the United States;
(2) to analyze past and
existing practices, technologies, and management approaches used in dredging in
the United States; and
(3) to develop
recommendations relating to the best techniques, practices, and management
approaches for dredging in the United States.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of the study under this section are—
(1) the identification of the
best techniques, methods, and technologies for dredging, including the
evaluation of the feasibility, cost, and benefits of—
(A) new dredging
technologies; and
(B) improved dredging
practices and techniques;
(2) the appraisal of the
needs of the United States for dredging, including the need to increase the
size of private and Corps of Engineers dredging fleets to meet demands for
additional construction or maintenance dredging needed as of the date of
enactment of this Act and in the subsequent 20 years;
(3) the identification of any
impediments to dredging, including any recommendations of appropriate
alternatives for responding to those impediments;
(4) the assessment, including
any recommendations of appropriate alternatives, of the adequacy and
effectiveness of—
(A) the economic,
engineering, and environmental methods, models, and analyses used by the Chief
of Engineers and private dredging operations for dredging; and
(B) the current cost
structure of construction contracts entered into by the Chief of
Engineers;
(5) the evaluation of the
efficiency and effectiveness of past, current, and alternative dredging
practices and alternatives to dredging, including agitation dredging;
and
(6) the identification of
innovative techniques and cost-effective methods to expand regional sediment
management efforts, including the placement of dredged sediment within river
diversions to accelerate the creation of wetlands.
(c)
Study team
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall establish a study team to assist the
Secretary in planning, carrying out, and reporting on the results of the study
under this section.
(2)
Study
team
The study team established pursuant to paragraph (1)
shall—
(A) be appointed by the
Secretary; and
(B) represent a broad
spectrum of experts in the field of dredging and representatives of relevant
State agencies and relevant non-Federal interests.
(d)
Public comment
period
The Secretary shall—
(1) make available to the
public, including on the Internet, all draft and final study findings under
this section; and
(2) allow for a public
comment period of not less than 30 days on any draft study findings prior to
issuing final study findings.
(e)
Report to
congress
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, and subject to available appropriations, the Secretary, in
consultation with the study team established under subsection (c), shall submit
a detailed report on the results of the study to the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(f)
Failure to meet
deadlines
If the Secretary does not complete the study under this
section and submit a report to Congress under subsection (e) on or before the
deadline described in that subsection, the Secretary shall notify Congress and
describe why the study was not completed.
2025.
Non-Federal project
implementation pilot program
(a)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish and implement a pilot program to
evaluate the cost-effectiveness and project delivery efficiency of allowing
non-Federal interests to carry out flood risk management, hurricane and storm
damage reduction, and coastal harbor and channel and inland harbor navigation
projects.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of the pilot program are—
(1) to identify project
delivery and cost-saving alternatives that reduce the backlog of authorized
Corps of Engineers projects;
(2) to evaluate the
technical, financial, and organizational efficiencies of a non-Federal interest
carrying out the design, execution, management, and construction of 1 or more
projects; and
(3) to evaluate alternatives
for the decentralization of the project planning, management, and operational
decisionmaking process of the Corps of Engineers.
(c)
Administration
(1)
In
general
In carrying out the pilot program, the Secretary
shall—
(A) identify a total of not
more than 12 projects for flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage
reduction, including levees, floodwalls, flood control channels, water control
structures, and coastal harbor and channel and inland harbor navigation, that
have been authorized for construction prior to the date of enactment of this
Act that—
(i)
(I) have received
Federal funds prior to the date of enactment of this Act; or
(II) for more than 2
consecutive fiscal years, have an unobligated funding balance for that project
in the Corps of Engineers construction account; and
(ii) to the maximum extent
practicable, are located in each of the divisions of the Corps of
Engineers;
(B) notify the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the identification of
each project under the pilot program;
(C) in collaboration with the
non-Federal interest, develop a detailed project management plan for each
identified project that outlines the scope, budget, design, and construction
resource requirements necessary for the non-Federal interest to execute the
project, or a separable element of the project;
(D) on the request of the
non-Federal interest, enter into a project partnership agreement with the
non-Federal interest for the non-Federal interest to provide full project
management control for construction of the project, or a separable element of
the project, in accordance with plans approved by the Secretary;
(E) following execution of
the project partnership agreement, transfer to the non-Federal interest to
carry out construction of the project, or a separable element of the
project—
(i) if applicable, the
balance of the unobligated amounts appropriated for the project, except that
the Secretary shall retain sufficient amounts for the Corps of Engineers to
carry out any responsibilities of the Corps of Engineers relating to the
project and pilot program; and
(ii) additional amounts, as
determined by the Secretary, from amounts made available under subsection (h),
except that the total amount transferred to the non-Federal interest shall not
exceed the updated estimate of the Federal share of the cost of construction,
including any required design; and
(F) regularly monitor and
audit each project being constructed by a non-Federal interest under this
section to ensure that the construction activities are carried out in
compliance with the plans approved by the Secretary and that the construction
costs are reasonable.
(2)
Detailed project
schedule
Not later than 180 days after entering into an agreement
under paragraph (1)(D), each non-Federal interest, to the maximum extent
practicable, shall submit to the Secretary a detailed project schedule, based
on full funding capability, that lists all deadlines for each milestone in the
construction of the project.
(3)
Technical
assistance
On the request of
a non-Federal interest, the Secretary may provide technical assistance to the
non-Federal interest, if the non-Federal interest contracts with the Secretary
for the technical assistance and compensates the Secretary for the technical
assistance, relating to—
(A) any study, engineering activity, and design
activity for construction carried out by the non-Federal interest under this
section; and
(B) expeditiously obtaining any permits
necessary for the project.
(d)
Cost-share
Nothing in this section affects the
cost-sharing requirement applicable on the day before the date of enactment of
this Act to a project carried out under this section.
(e)
Report
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
detailing the results of the pilot program carried out under this section,
including—
(A) a description of the progress of
non-Federal interests in meeting milestones in detailed project schedules
developed pursuant to subsection (c)(2); and
(B) any recommendations of the Secretary
concerning whether the program or any component of the program should be
implemented on a national basis.
(2)
Update
Not
later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
an update of the report described in paragraph (1).
(3)
Failure to meet
deadline
If the Secretary fails to submit a report by the
required deadline under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed
explanation of why the deadline was missed and a projected date for submission
of the report.
(f)
Administration
All
laws and regulations that would apply to the Secretary if the Secretary were
carrying out the project shall apply to a non-Federal interest carrying out a
project under this section.
(g)
Termination of
Authority
The authority to commence a project under this section
terminates on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this
Act.
(h)
Authorization of
appropriations
In addition to
any amounts appropriated for a specific project, there is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the pilot program under this
section, including the costs of administration of the Secretary, $25,000,000
for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
2026.
Non-Federal
implementation of feasibility studies
(a)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall establish and implement a pilot program to
evaluate the cost-effectiveness and project delivery efficiency of allowing
non-Federal interests to carry out feasibility studies for flood risk
management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, and
coastal harbor and channel and inland harbor navigation.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of the pilot program are—
(1) to identify project
delivery and cost-saving alternatives to the existing feasibility study
process;
(2) to evaluate the
technical, financial, and organizational efficiencies of a non-Federal interest
carrying out a feasibility study of 1 or more projects; and
(3) to evaluate alternatives
for the decentralization of the project planning, management, and operational
decisionmaking process of the Corps of Engineers.
(c)
Administration
(1)
In
general
On the request of a non-Federal interest, the Secretary
may enter into an agreement with the non-Federal interest for the non-Federal
interest to provide full project management control of a feasibility study for
a project for—
(A) flood risk
management;
(B) hurricane and storm
damage reduction, including levees, floodwalls, flood control channels, and
water control structures;
(C) coastal harbor and
channel and inland harbor navigation; and
(D) ecosystem
restoration.
(2)
Use of
non-Federal-funds
(A)
In
general
A non-Federal interest that has entered into an agreement
with the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1) may use non-Federal funds to carry
out the feasibility study.
(B)
Credit
The
Secretary shall credit towards the non-Federal share of the cost of
construction of a project for which a feasibility study is carried out under
this section an amount equal to the portion of the cost of developing the study
that would have been the responsibility of the Secretary, if the study were
carried out by the Secretary, subject to the conditions that—
(i) non-Federal funds were
used to carry out the activities that would have been the responsibility of the
Secretary;
(ii) the Secretary determines
that the feasibility study complies with all applicable Federal laws and
regulations; and
(iii) the project is
authorized by any provision of Federal law enacted after the date on which an
agreement is entered into under paragraph (1).
(3)
Transfer of
funds
(A)
In
general
After the date on which an agreement is executed pursuant
to paragraph (1), the Secretary may transfer to the non-Federal interest to
carry out the feasibility study—
(i) if applicable, the
balance of any unobligated amounts appropriated for the study, except that the
Secretary shall retain sufficient amounts for the Corps of Engineers to carry
out any responsibilities of the Corps of Engineers relating to the project and
pilot program; and
(ii) additional amounts, as
determined by the Secretary, from amounts made available under subsection (h),
except that the total amount transferred to the non-Federal interest shall not
exceed the updated estimate of the Federal share of the cost of the feasibility
study.
(B)
Administration
The
Secretary shall include such provisions as the Secretary determines to be
necessary in an agreement under paragraph (1) to ensure that a non-Federal
interest receiving Federal funds under this paragraph—
(i) has the necessary
qualifications to administer those funds; and
(ii) will comply with all
applicable Federal laws (including regulations) relating to the use of those
funds.
(4)
Notification
The
Secretary shall notify the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives on the initiation of each feasibility study under the pilot
program.
(5)
Auditing
The
Secretary shall regularly monitor and audit each feasibility study carried out
by a non-Federal interest under this section to ensure that the use of any
funds transferred under paragraph (3) are used in compliance with the agreement
signed under paragraph (1).
(6)
Technical
assistance
On the request of a non-Federal interest, the
Secretary may provide technical assistance to the non-Federal interest relating
to any aspect of the feasibility study, if the non-Federal interest contracts
with the Secretary for the technical assistance and compensates the Secretary
for the technical assistance.
(7)
Detailed project
schedule
Not later than 180 days after entering into an agreement
under paragraph (1), each non-Federal interest, to the maximum extent
practicable, shall submit to the Secretary a detailed project schedule, based
on full funding capability, that lists all deadlines for milestones relating to
the feasibility study.
(d)
Cost-share
Nothing
in this section affects the cost-sharing requirement applicable on the day
before the date of enactment of this Act to a feasibility study carried out
under this section.
(e)
Report
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives a report detailing the results of the pilot
program carried out under this section, including—
(A) a description of the
progress of the non-Federal interests in meeting milestones in detailed project
schedules developed pursuant to subsection (c)(7); and
(B) any recommendations of
the Secretary concerning whether the program or any component of the program
should be implemented on a national basis.
(2)
Update
Not
later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
an update of the report described in paragraph (1).
(3)
Failure to meet
deadline
If the Secretary fails to submit a report by the
required deadline under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed
explanation of why the deadline was missed and a projected date for submission
of the report.
(f)
Administration
All
laws and regulations that would apply to the Secretary if the Secretary were
carrying out the feasibility study shall apply to a non-Federal interest
carrying out a feasibility study under this section.
(g)
Termination of
authority
The authority to commence a feasibility study under
this section terminates on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment
of this Act.
(h)
Authorization of
appropriations
In addition to any amounts appropriated for a
specific project, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to
carry out the pilot program under this section, including the costs of
administration of the Secretary, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.
2027.
Tribal partnership
program
Section 203 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (33 U.S.C. 2269) is amended—
(1) in subsection (d)(1)(B)—
(A) by striking The ability and
inserting the following:
(i)
In
general
The ability
;
and
(B) by adding at the end the
following:
(ii)
Determination
Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of
2013, the Secretary shall issue guidance on the procedures
described in clause (i).
;
and
(2) in subsection (e), by
striking 2012 and inserting 2023.
2028.
Cooperative
agreements with Columbia River Basin Indian tribes
The
Secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with 1 or more federally
recognized Indian tribes (or a designated representative of the Indian tribes)
that are located, in whole or in part, within the boundaries of the Columbia
River Basin to carry out authorized activities within the Columbia River Basin
to protect fish, wildlife, water quality, and cultural resources.
2029.
Military munitions
response actions at civil works shoreline protection projects
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may implement any response action the
Secretary determines to be necessary at a site where—
(1) the Secretary has carried
out a project under civil works authority of the Secretary that includes
placing sand on a beach;
(2) as a result of the
project described in paragraph (1), military munitions that were originally
released as a result of Department of Defense activities are deposited on the
beach, posing a threat to human health or the environment.
(b)
Response action
funding
A response action described in subsection (a) shall be
funded from amounts made available to the agency within the Department of
Defense responsible for the original release of the munitions.
2030.
Beach
nourishment
Section 156 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 1962d–5f) is amended to read
as follows:
156.
Beach
nourishment
(a)
In
general
The Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of
Engineers, may provide periodic beach nourishment for each water resources
development project for which that nourishment has been authorized for an
additional period of time, as determined by the Secretary, subject to the
condition that the additional period shall not exceed the later of—
(1) 50 years after the date
on which the construction of the project is initiated; or
(2) the date on which the
last estimated periodic nourishment for the project is to be carried out, as
recommended in the applicable report of the Chief of Engineers.
(b)
Extension
Before
the end of the 50-year period referred to in subsection (a)(1), the Secretary
of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers—
(1) may, at the request of
the non-Federal interest and subject to the availability of appropriations,
carry out a review of a nourishment project carried out under subsection (a) to
evaluate the feasibility of continuing Federal participation in the project for
a period not to exceed 15 years; and
(2) shall submit to Congress
any recommendations of the Secretary relating to the
review.
.
2031.
Regional sediment
management
Section 204 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326) (as amended by section
2003(c)) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting or
used in after obtained through; and
(B) in paragraph (3)(C), by
inserting for the purposes of improving environmental conditions in
marsh and littoral systems, stabilizing stream channels, enhancing shorelines,
and supporting State and local risk management adaptation strategies
before the period at the end;
(2) in subsection
(c)(1)(B)—
(A) in clause (i), by
striking clause (ii) and inserting clauses (ii) and
(iii);
(B) by redesignating clause
(ii) as clause (iii); and
(C) by inserting after clause
(i) the following:
(ii)
Reduction in
non-Federal share
The Secretary may reduce the non-Federal share
of the costs of construction of a project if the Secretary determines that,
through the beneficial use of sediment at another Federal project, there will
be an associated reduction or avoidance of Federal
costs.
;
(3) in subsection (d)—
(A) by striking the
subsection designation and heading and inserting the following:
(d)
Selection of Dredged
Material Disposal Method for Purposes Related to Environmental Restoration or
Storm Damage and Flood Reduction
;
and
(B) in paragraph (1), by
striking in relation to and all that follows through the period
at the end and inserting “in relation to—
(A) the environmental
benefits, including the benefits to the aquatic environment to be derived from
the creation of wetlands and control of shoreline erosion; or
(B) the flood and storm
damage and flood reduction benefits, including shoreline protection, protection
against loss of life, and damage to improved
property.
;
and
(4) in subsection (e), by
striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
(1) cooperate with any State
or group of States in the preparation of a comprehensive State or regional
sediment management plan within the boundaries of the State or among
States;
.
2032.
Study
acceleration
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) delays in the completion
of feasibility studies—
(A) increase costs for the
Federal Government as well as State and local governments; and
(B) delay the implementation
of water resources projects that provide critical benefits, including reducing
flood risk, maintaining commercially important flood risk, and restoring vital
ecosystems; and
(2) the efforts undertaken by
the Corps of Engineers through the establishment of the 3-3-3
planning process should be continued.
(b)
Acceleration of
Studies
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), a feasibility study
initiated after the date of enactment of this Act shall—
(A) be completed not later
than 3 years after the date of initiation of the study; and
(B) have a maximum Federal
cost share of $3,000,000.
(2)
Ability to
comply
On initiating a feasibility study under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall—
(A) certify that the study
will comply with the requirements of paragraph (1);
(B) for projects the
Secretary determines to be too complex to comply with the requirements of
paragraph (1)—
(i) not less than 30 days
after making a determination, notify the non-Federal interest regarding the
inability to comply; and
(ii) provide a new projected
timeline and cost; and
(C) if the study conditions
have changed such that scheduled timelines or study costs will not be
met—
(i) not later than 30 days
after the study conditions change, notify the non-Federal interest of those
changed conditions; and
(ii) present the non-Federal
interest with a new timeline for completion and new projected study
costs.
(3)
Appropriations
(A)
In
general
All timeline and cost conditions under this section shall
be subject to the Secretary receiving adequate appropriations for meeting study
timeline and cost requirements.
(B)
Notification
Not
later than 60 days after receiving appropriations, the Secretary shall notify
the non-Federal interest of any changes to timelines or costs due to inadequate
appropriations.
(c)
Report
Not
later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act and each year
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that describes—
(1) the status of the
implementation of the 3-3-3 planning process, including the
number of participating projects;
(2) the amount of time taken
to complete all studies participating in the 3-3-3 planning
process; and
(3) any recommendations for
additional authority necessary to support efforts to expedite the feasibility
study process for water resource projects.
2033.
Project
acceleration
Section 2045 of
the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 2348) is amended to read
as follows:
2045.
Project
acceleration
(a)
Definitions
In
this section:
(1)
Environmental impact
statement
The term environmental impact statement
means the detailed statement of environmental impacts of water resources
projects required to be prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(2)
Environmental review
process
(A)
In
general
The term environmental review process means
the process of preparing an environmental impact statement, environmental
assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document under the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) for a water resources
project.
(B)
Inclusions
The
term environmental review process includes the process for and
completion of any environmental permit, approval, review, or study required for
a water resources project under any Federal law other than the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(3)
Lead
agency
The term lead agency means the Corps of
Engineers and, if applicable, any State, local, or tribal governmental entity
serving as a joint lead agency pursuant to this section.
(b)
Policy
The
benefits of water resources projects are important to the economy and
environment of the United States, and recommendations to Congress regarding
those projects should be accelerated by coordinated and efficient review and
cooperative efforts to prevent or quickly resolve disputes during the
development and implementation of those water resources projects.
(c)
Applicability
(1)
In
general
The project development procedures under this section
apply to the development of projects initiated after the date of enactment of
the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 and for which the Secretary
determines that—
(A) an environmental impact
statement is required; or
(B) at the discretion of the
Secretary, other water resources projects for which an environmental review
process document is required to be prepared.
(2)
Flexibility
Any
authorities granted in this section may be exercised, and any requirements
established under this section may be satisfied, for the development of a water
resources project, a class of those projects, or a program of those
projects.
(3)
List of water resources
development projects
(A)
In
general
The Secretary shall annually prepare, and make publicly
available, a separate list of each study that the Secretary has
determined—
(i) meets the standards
described in paragraph (1); and
(ii) does not have adequate
funding to make substantial progress toward the completion of the planning
activities for the water resources project.
(B)
Inclusions
The
Secretary shall include for each study on the list under subparagraph (A) a
description of the estimated amounts necessary to make substantial progress on
the study.
(4)
Implementation
guidance
The Secretary shall prepare, in consultation with the
Council on Environmental Quality and other Federal agencies with jurisdiction
over actions or resources that may be impacted by a water resources project,
guidance documents that describe the processes that the Secretary will use to
implement this section, in accordance with the civil works program of the Corps
of Engineers and all applicable law.
(d)
Water resources project
review process
The Secretary shall develop and implement a
coordinated review process for the development of water resources
projects.
(e)
Identification of
jurisdictional agencies
With respect to the development of each
water resources project, the Secretary shall identify, as soon as practicable,
all Federal, State, and local government agencies and Indian tribes that
may—
(1) have jurisdiction over
the project;
(2) be required by law to
conduct or issue a review, analysis, or opinion for the project; or
(3) be required to make a
determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the project.
(f)
State
authority
If the coordinated review process is being implemented
under this section by the Secretary with respect to the development of a water
resources project described in subsection (c) within the boundaries of a State,
the State, consistent with State law, may choose to participate in the process
and to make subject to the process all State agencies that—
(1) have jurisdiction over
the project;
(2) are required to conduct
or issue a review, analysis, or opinion for the project; or
(3) are required to make a
determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the project.
(g)
Lead agencies
(1)
Federal lead
agency
Subject to paragraph (2), the Corps of Engineers shall be
the lead Federal agency in the environmental review process for a water
resources project.
(2)
Joint lead
agencies
(A)
In
general
At the discretion of the Secretary and subject to any
applicable regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an agency other than the Corps of Engineers may serve as
the joint lead agency.
(B)
Non-Federal interest as
joint lead agency
A non-Federal interest that is a State or local
governmental entity—
(i) may serve as a joint lead
agency with the Corps of Engineers for purposes of preparing any environmental
document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.); and
(ii) may prepare any
environmental review process document required in support of any action or
approval by the Secretary if—
(I) the Corps of Engineers
provides guidance in the preparation process and independently evaluates that
document; and
(II) the Secretary approves
and adopts the document before the Secretary takes any subsequent action or
makes any approval based on that document, regardless of whether the action or
approval of the Secretary results in Federal funding.
(3)
Duties
The
Secretary shall ensure that—
(A) the non-Federal interest
complies with all design and mitigation commitments made jointly by the
Secretary and the non-Federal interest in any environmental document prepared
by the non-Federal interest in accordance with this subsection; and
(B) any environmental
document prepared by the non-Federal interest is appropriately supplemented if
changes to the water resources project become necessary.
(4)
Adoption and use of
documents
Any environmental document prepared in accordance with
this subsection may be adopted or used by any Federal agency making any
approval to the same extent that the Federal agency could adopt or use a
document prepared by another Federal agency.
(5)
Roles and
responsibility of lead agency
With respect to the environmental
review process for any water resources project, the lead agency shall have
authority and responsibility—
(A) to take such actions as
are necessary and proper and within the authority and responsibility of the
lead agency to facilitate the expeditious resolution of the environmental
review process for the water resources project; and
(B) to prepare or ensure that
any required environmental impact statement or other environmental review
document for a water resources project required to be completed under the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) is completed
in accordance with this section and applicable Federal law.
(h)
Participating
agencies
(1)
Invitation
(A)
In
general
The lead agency shall identify, as early as practicable
in the environmental review process for a water resources project, any other
Federal or non-Federal agencies that may have an interest in that project and
invite those agencies to become participating agencies in the environmental
review process for the water resources project.
(B)
Deadline
An
invitation to participate issued under subparagraph (A) shall set a deadline by
which a response to the invitation shall be submitted, which may be extended by
the lead agency for good cause.
(2)
Federal participating
agencies
Any Federal agency that is invited by the lead agency to
participate in the environmental review process for a water resources project
shall be designated as a participating agency by the lead agency unless the
invited agency informs the lead agency, in writing, by the deadline specified
in the invitation that the invited agency—
(A) has no jurisdiction or
authority with respect to the water resources project;
(B) has no expertise or
information relevant to the water resources project;
(C) does not intend to submit
comments on the water resources project; and
(D) does not have adequate
funds to participate in the water resources project.
(3)
Effect of
designation
Designation as a participating agency under this
subsection shall not imply that the participating agency—
(A) supports a proposed water
resources project; or
(B) has any jurisdiction
over, or special expertise with respect to evaluation of, the water resources
project.
(4)
Concurrent
reviews
Each participating agency shall—
(A) carry out the obligations
of that agency under other applicable law concurrently and in conjunction with
the required environmental review process, unless doing so would impair the
ability of the Federal agency to conduct needed analysis or otherwise carry out
those obligations; and
(B) formulate and implement
administrative, policy, and procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to
ensure completion of the environmental review process in a timely, coordinated,
and environmentally responsible manner.
(i)
Programmatic
compliance
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall issue guidance to allow for the use
of programmatic approaches to carry out the environmental review process
that—
(A) eliminates repetitive
discussions of the same issues;
(B) focuses on the actual
issues ripe for analyses at each level of review;
(C) establishes a formal
process for coordinating with participating agencies, including the creation of
a list of all data that is needed to carry out an environmental review process;
and
(D) is consistent
with—
(i) the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.); and
(ii) other applicable
laws.
(2)
Requirements
In
carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—
(A) as the first step in
drafting guidance under that paragraph, consult with relevant Federal and State
agencies, Indian tribes, and the public on the appropriate use and scope of the
programmatic approaches;
(B) emphasize the importance
of collaboration among relevant Federal agencies, State agencies, and Indian
tribes in undertaking programmatic reviews, especially with respect to
including reviews with a broad geographical scope;
(C) ensure that the
programmatic reviews—
(i) promote transparency,
including of the analyses and data used in the environmental review process,
the treatment of any deferred issues raised by Federal, State, or tribal
agencies, or the public, and the temporal and special scales to be used to
analyze those issues;
(ii) use accurate and timely
information in the environmental review process, including—
(I) criteria for determining
the general duration of the usefulness of the review; and
(II) the timeline for
updating any out-of-date review;
(iii) describe—
(I) the relationship between
programmatic analysis and future tiered analysis; and
(II) the role of the public
in the creation of future tiered analysis; and
(iv) are available to other
relevant Federal and State agencies, Indian tribes, and the public;
(D) allow not fewer than 60
days of public notice and comment on any proposed guidance; and
(E) address any comments
received under subparagraph (D).
(j)
Coordinated
reviews
(1)
Coordination
plan
(A)
Establishment
(i)
In
general
The lead agency shall establish a plan for coordinating
public and agency participation in, and comment on, the environmental review
process for a water resources project or a category of water resources
projects.
(ii)
Incorporation
The
plan established under clause (i) shall be incorporated into the project
schedule milestones set under section 905(g)(2) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2282(g)(2)).
(2)
Comment
deadlines
The lead agency shall establish the following deadlines
for comment during the environmental review process for a project:
(A)
Draft environmental
impact statements
For comments by Federal and States agencies and
the public on a draft environmental impact statement, a period of not more than
60 days after publication in the Federal Register of notice of the date of
public availability of the draft environmental impact statement, unless—
(i) a different deadline is
established by agreement of the lead agency, the non-Federal interest, as
applicable, and all participating agencies; or
(ii) the deadline is extended
by the lead agency for good cause.
(B)
Other environmental
review processes
For all comment periods established by the lead
agency for agency or public comments in the environmental review process other
than for a draft environmental impact statement, a period of not more than 30
days after the date on which the materials on which comment is requested are
made available, unless—
(i) a different deadline is
established by agreement of the lead agency, the non-Federal interest, and all
participating agencies; or
(ii) the deadline is extended
by the lead agency for good cause.
(3)
Deadlines for decisions
under other laws
In any case in which a decision under any
Federal law relating to a project, including the issuance or denial of a permit
or license, is required to be made by the date described in subsection
(k)(6)(B)(ii), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives—
(A) as soon as practicable
after the 180-day period, an initial notice of the failure of the Federal
agency to make the decision; and
(B) every 60 days thereafter
until such date as all decisions of the Federal agency relating to the project
have been made by the Federal agency, an additional notice that describes the
number of decisions of the Federal agency that remain outstanding as of the
date of the additional notice.
(4)
Involvement of the
public
Nothing in this subsection shall reduce any time period
provided for public comment in the environmental review process under existing
Federal law (including regulations).
(k)
Issue identification
and resolution
(1)
Cooperation
The
lead agency and the participating agencies shall work cooperatively in
accordance with this section to identify and resolve issues that could delay
completion of the environmental review process or result in the denial of any
approval required for the project under applicable laws.
(2)
Lead agency
responsibilities
(A)
In
general
The lead agency shall make information available to the
participating agencies as early as practicable in the environmental review
process regarding the environmental and socioeconomic resources located within
the project area and the general locations of the alternatives under
consideration.
(B)
Data
sources
The information under subparagraph (A) may be based on
existing data sources, including geographic information systems mapping.
(3)
Participating agency
responsibilities
Based on information received from the lead
agency, participating agencies shall identify, as early as practicable, any
issues of concern regarding the potential environmental or socioeconomic
impacts of the project, including any issues that could substantially delay or
prevent an agency from granting a permit or other approval that is needed for
the project.
(4)
Interim decision on
achieving accelerated decisionmaking
(A)
In
general
Not later than 30 days after the close of the public
comment period on a draft environmental impact statement, the Secretary may
convene a meeting with the non-Federal interest or joint lead agency, as
applicable, relevant resource agencies, and relevant Federal and State agencies
to establish a schedule of deadlines to complete decisions regarding the
project.
(B)
Deadlines
(i)
In
general
The deadlines referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be
those established by the Secretary, in consultation with the non-Federal
interest or joint lead agency, as applicable, and other relevant Federal and
State agencies.
(ii)
Factors for
consideration
In establishing a schedule, the Secretary shall
consider factors such as—
(I) the responsibilities of
participating agencies under applicable laws;
(II) the resources available
to the non-Federal interest, joint lead agency, and other relevant Federal and
State agencies, as applicable;
(III) the overall size and
complexity of the project;
(IV) the overall schedule for
and cost of the project; and
(V) the sensitivity of the
natural and historical resources that could be affected by the project.
(iii)
Modifications
The
Secretary may—
(I) lengthen a schedule under
clause (i) for good cause; and
(II) shorten a schedule only
with concurrence of the affected non-Federal interest, joint lead agency, or
relevant Federal and State agencies, as applicable.
(C)
Failure to meet
deadline
If the agencies described in subparagraph (A) cannot
provide reasonable assurances that the deadlines described in subparagraph (B)
will be met, the Secretary may initiate the issue resolution and referral
process described under paragraph (5) before the completion of the record of
decision.
(5)
Accelerated issue
resolution and referral
(A)
Agency issue resolution
meeting
(i)
In
general
A participating agency or non-Federal interest may
request an issue resolution meeting to be conducted by the Secretary.
(ii)
Action by
Secretary
The Secretary shall convene an issue resolution meeting
under clause (i) with the relevant participating agencies and the non-Federal
interest, as applicable, to resolve issues that could—
(I) delay completion of the
environmental review process; or
(II) result in denial of any
approvals required for the project under applicable laws.
(iii)
Date
A
meeting requested under this subparagraph shall be held not later than 21 days
after the date on which the Secretary receives the request for the meeting,
unless the Secretary determines that there is good cause to extend that
deadline.
(iv)
Notification
On
receipt of a request for a meeting under this subparagraph, the Secretary shall
notify all relevant participating agencies of the request, including the issue
to be resolved and the date for the meeting.
(v)
Disputes
If
a relevant participating agency with jurisdiction over an approval required for
a project under applicable law determines that the relevant information
necessary to resolve the issue has not been obtained and could not have been
obtained within a reasonable time, but the Secretary disagrees, the resolution
of the dispute shall be forwarded to the heads of the relevant agencies for
resolution.
(vi)
Convention by lead
agency
The Secretary may convene an issue resolution meeting
under this subsection at any time, at the discretion of the Secretary,
regardless of whether a meeting is requested under clause (i).
(vii)
Exception
(I)
In
general
The issue resolution and referral process under this
subparagraph shall not be initiated if the applicable agency—
(aa) certifies that—
(AA) the agency has not
received necessary information or approvals from another entity in a manner
that affects the ability of the agency to meet any requirements under Federal,
State, or local law;
(BB) significant new
information or circumstances, including a major modification to an aspect of
the project, requires additional analysis for the agency to make a decision on
the project application; or
(CC) the agency lacks the
financial resources to complete the review under the scheduled timeframe,
including a description of the number of full-time employees required to
complete the review, the amount of funding required to complete the review, and
a justification as to why there is not enough funding available to complete the
review by the deadline; and
(bb) establishes a new
deadline for completion of the review.
(II)
Inspector
General
If the applicable agency makes a certification under
subclause (I)(aa)(CC), the Inspector General of the applicable agency shall
conduct a financial audit to review that certification and submit a report on
that certification within 90 days to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives.
(B)
Elevation of issue
resolution
(i)
In
general
If issue resolution is not achieved by not later than 30
days after the date on which a relevant meeting is held under subparagraph (A),
the Secretary shall notify the heads of the relevant participating agencies and
the non-Federal interest that an issue resolution meeting will be
convened.
(ii)
Requirements
The
Secretary shall identify the issues to be addressed at the meeting and convene
the meeting not later than 30 days after the date on which the notice is
issued.
(C)
Referral of issue
resolution
(i)
Referral to council on
environmental quality
(I)
In
general
If a resolution is not achieved by not later than 30 days
after the date on which an issue resolution meeting is held under subparagraph
(B), the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Council on Environmental
Quality.
(II)
Meeting
Not
later than 30 days after the date on which the Council on Environmental Quality
receives a referral from the Secretary under subclause (I), the Council on
Environmental Quality shall hold an issue resolution meeting with the lead
agency, the heads of relevant participating agencies and the non-Federal
interest.
(ii)
Referral to the
president
If a resolution of the issue is not achieved by not
later than 30 days after the date on which an issue resolution meeting is
convened by the Council on Environmental Quality under clause (i)(II), the
Secretary shall refer the matter directly to the President.
(6)
Financial penalty
provisions
(A)
In
general
A Federal agency with jurisdiction over an approval
required for a project under applicable Federal laws (including regulations)
shall complete any required approval on an expeditious basis using the shortest
existing applicable process.
(B)
Failure to
decide
(i)
In
general
If an agency described in subparagraph (A) fails to
render a decision under any Federal law relating to a project that requires the
preparation of an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment,
including the issuance or denial of a permit, license, or other approval by the
date described in clause (ii), an amount of funding equal to the amounts
specified in subclause (I) or (II) shall be transferred from the applicable
office of the head of the agency, or equivalent office to which the authority
for rendering the decision has been delegated by law to the agency or division
charged with rendering a decision regarding the application by not later than 1
day after the applicable date under clause (ii), and once each week thereafter
until a final decision is rendered, subject to subparagraph (C)—
(I) $20,000 for any project
requiring the preparation of an environmental assessment or environmental
impact statement; or
(II) $10,000 for any project
requiring any type of review under the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) other than an environmental assessment or
environmental impact statement.
(ii)
Description of
date
The date referred to in clause (i) is the later of—
(I) the date that is 180 days
after the date on which an application for the permit, license, or approval is
complete; and
(II) the date that is 180
days after the date on which the Federal lead agency issues a decision on the
project under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.).
(C)
Limitations
(i)
In
general
No transfer of funds under subparagraph (B) relating to
an individual project shall exceed, in any fiscal year, an amount equal to 1
percent of the funds made available for the applicable agency office.
(ii)
Failure to
decide
The total amount transferred in a fiscal year as a result
of a failure by an agency to make a decision by an applicable deadline shall
not exceed an amount equal to 5 percent of the funds made available for the
applicable agency office for that fiscal year.
(D)
No fault of
agency
A transfer of funds under this paragraph shall not be made
if—
(i) the applicable agency
described in subparagraph (A) certifies that—
(I) the agency has not
received necessary information or approvals from another entity in a manner
that affects the ability of the agency to meet any requirements under Federal,
State, or local law; or
(II) significant new
information or circumstances, including a major modification to an aspect of
the project, requires additional analysis for the agency to make a decision on
the project application; or
(III) the agency lacks the
financial resources to complete the review under the scheduled timeframe,
including a description of the number of full-time employees required to
complete the review, the amount of funding required to complete the review, and
a justification as to why there is not enough funding available to complete the
review by the deadline; and
(ii) if the applicable agency
makes a certification under clause (i)(III), the Inspector General of the
applicable agency shall conduct a financial audit to review that certification
and submit a report on that certification within 90 days to the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives.
(E)
Limitation
The
Federal agency from which funds are transferred pursuant to this paragraph
shall not reprogram funds to the office of the head of the agency, or
equivalent office, to reimburse that office for the loss of the funds.
(F)
Audits
In
any fiscal year in which any funds are transferred from a Federal agency
pursuant to this paragraph, the Inspector General of that agency shall—
(i) conduct an audit to
assess compliance with the requirements of this paragraph; and
(ii) not later than 120 days
after the end of the fiscal year in which the transfer occurred, submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
describing the reasons why the transfers were levied, including allocations of
resources.
(G)
Effect of
paragraph
Nothing in this paragraph affects or limits the
application of, or obligation to comply with, any Federal, State, local, or
tribal law.
(l)
Performance
measurement
The Secretary shall establish a program to measure
and report on progress made toward improving and expediting the planning and
environmental review process.
(m)
Memorandum of
Agreements for Early Coordination
(1)
Sense of
Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(A) the Secretary and other
Federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review process
should cooperate with each other, State agencies, and Indian tribes on
environmental review and water resources project delivery activities at the
earliest practicable time to avoid delays and duplication of effort later in
the process, prevent potential conflicts, and ensure that planning and water
resources project development decisions reflect environmental values;
and
(B) the cooperation referred
to in subparagraph (A) should include the development of policies and the
designation of staff that advise planning agencies and non-Federal interests of
studies or other information foreseeably required for later Federal action and
early consultation with appropriate State and local agencies and Indian
tribes.
(2)
Technical
assistance
If requested at any time by a State or non-Federal
interest, the Secretary and other Federal agencies with relevant jurisdiction
in the environmental review process, shall, to the maximum extent practicable
and appropriate, as determined by the agencies, provide technical assistance to
the State or non-Federal interest in carrying out early coordination
activities.
(3)
Memorandum of agency
agreement
If requested at any time by a State or non-Federal
interest, the lead agency, in consultation with other Federal agencies with
relevant jurisdiction in the environmental review process, may establish
memoranda of agreement with the non-Federal interest, State and local
governments, and other appropriate entities to carry out the early coordination
activities, including providing technical assistance in identifying potential
impacts and mitigation issues in an integrated fashion.
(n)
Limitations
Nothing
in this section preempts, supersedes, amends, modifies, or interferes
with—
(1) any statutory requirement
for seeking public comment;
(2) any power, jurisdiction,
or authority that a Federal, State, or local government agency, Indian tribe,
or non-Federal interest has with respect to carrying out a water resources
project;
(3) any obligation to comply
with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) and the regulations issued by the Council on Environmental
Quality to carry out that Act or any other Federal environmental law;
(4) the reviewability of any
final Federal agency action in a court of the United States or in the court of
any State;
(5) any practice of seeking,
considering, or responding to public comment; or
(6) any power, jurisdiction,
responsibility, or authority that a Federal, State, or local governmental
agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest has with respect to carrying out
a water resources project or any other provision of law applicable to water
resources development projects.
(o)
Categorical
exclusions
(1)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary shall—
(A) survey the use by the
Corps of Engineers of categorical exclusions in water resources projects since
2005;
(B) publish a review of the
survey that includes a description of—
(i) the types of actions
categorically excluded; and
(ii) any requests previously
received by the Secretary for new categorical exclusions; and
(C) solicit requests from
other Federal agencies and non-Federal interests for new categorical
exclusions.
(2)
New categorical
exclusions
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this subsection, if the Secretary has identified a categorical exclusion that
did not exist on the day before the date of enactment of this subsection based
on the review under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall publish a notice of
proposed rulemaking to propose that new categorical exclusion, to the extent
that the categorical exclusion meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion
under section 1508.4 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulation).
(p)
Review of water
resources project acceleration reforms
(1)
In
general
The Comptroller General of the United States
shall—
(A) assess the reforms
carried out under this section; and
(B) not later than 5 years
after the date of enactment of this subsection, submit to the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes
the results of the assessment.
(2)
Inspector General
report
The Inspector General of the Corps of Engineers
shall—
(A) assess the reforms
carried out under this section; and
(B) submit to the Committee
on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate—
(i) not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this subsection, an initial report of the
findings of the Inspector General; and
(ii) not later than 4 years
after the date of enactment of this subsection, a final report of the
findings.
.
2034.
Feasibility
studies
Section 905 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2282) is amended by adding
at the end the following:
(g)
Detailed project
schedule
(1)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Secretary shall determine a set of milestones needed for
the completion of a feasibility study under this subsection, including all
major actions, report submissions and responses, reviews, and comment
periods.
(2)
Detailed project
schedule milestones
Each District Engineer shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, establish a detailed project schedule, based on full
funding capability, that lists all deadlines for milestones relating to
feasibility studies in the District developed by the Secretary under paragraph
(1).
(3)
Non-Federal interest
notification
Each District Engineer shall submit by certified
mail the detailed project schedule under paragraph (2) to each relevant
non-Federal interest—
(A) for projects that have
received funding from the General Investigations Account of the Corps of
Engineers in the period beginning on October 1, 2009, and ending on the date of
enactment of this section, not later than 180 days after the establishment of
milestones under paragraph (1); and
(B) for projects for which a
feasibility cost-sharing agreement is executed after the establishment of
milestones under paragraph (1), not later than 90 days after the date on which
the agreement is executed.
(4)
Congressional and
public notification
Beginning in the first full fiscal year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(A) submit an annual report
that lists all detailed project schedules under paragraph (2) and an
explanation of any missed deadlines to the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives; and
(B) make publicly available,
including on the Internet, a copy of the annual report described in
subparagraph (A) not later than 14 days after date on which a report is
submitted to Congress.
(5)
Failure to
Act
If a District Engineer fails to meet any of the deadlines in
the project schedule under paragraph (2), the District Engineer shall—
(A) not later than 30 days
after each missed deadline, submit to the non-Federal interest a report
detailing—
(i) why the District Engineer
failed to meet the deadline; and
(ii) a revised project
schedule reflecting amended deadlines for the feasibility study; and
(B) not later than 30 days
after each missed deadline, make publicly available, including on the Internet,
a copy of the amended project schedule described in subparagraph
(A)(ii).
.
2035.
Accounting and
administrative expenses
(a)
In
general
On the request of a non-Federal interest, the Secretary
shall provide to the non-Federal interest a detailed accounting of the Federal
expenses associated with a water resources project.
(b)
Study
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of
Public Administration to carry out a study on the efficiency of the Corps
Engineers current staff salaries and administrative expense procedures as
compared to using a separate administrative expense account.
(2)
Contents
The
study under paragraph (1) shall include any recommendations of the National
Academy of Public Administration for improvements to the budgeting and
administrative processes that will increase the efficiency of the Corps of
Engineers project delivery.
2036.
Determination of
project completion
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall transfer to the non-Federal interest
the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of any water resources
project for which operation and maintenance is required of the non-Federal
interest or separable element or functional portion of that water resources
project on such date that the Secretary determines that the project is
complete.
(b)
Non-Federal interest
appeal of determination
(1)
In
general
Not later than 7 days after receiving a notification
under subparagraph (a), the non-Federal interest may appeal the completion
determination of the Secretary in writing.
(2)
Independent
review
(A)
In
general
On notification that a non-Federal interest has submitted
an appeal under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall contract with 1 or more
independent, non-Federal experts to determine whether the applicable water
resources project or separable element or functional portion of the water
resources project is complete.
(B)
Timeline
An
independent review carried out under subparagraph (A) shall be completed not
later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives an appeal
from a non-Federal interest under paragraph (1).
2037.
Project partnership
agreements
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall contract with the National Academy of
Public Administration to carry out a comprehensive review of the process for
preparing, negotiating, and approving Project Partnership Agreements and the
Project Partnership Agreement template, which shall include—
(1) a review of the process
for preparing, negotiating, and approving Project Partnership Agreements, as in
effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) an evaluation of how the
concerns of a non-Federal interest relating to the Project Partnership
Agreement and suggestions for modifications to the Project Partnership
Agreement made by a non-Federal interest are accommodated;
(3) recommendations for how
the concerns and modifications described in paragraph (2) can be better
accommodated;
(4) recommendations for how
the Project Partnership Agreement template can be made more efficient;
and
(5) recommendations for how
to make the process for preparing, negotiating, and approving Project
Partnership Agreements more efficient.
(b)
Report
The
Secretary shall submit a report describing the findings of the National Academy
of Public Administration to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of
the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House
of Representatives.
2038.
Interagency and
international support authority
Section 234 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2323a) is amended—
(1) in subsection (a), by striking other
Federal agencies, and inserting Federal departments or agencies,
nongovernmental organizations,;
(2) in subsection (b), by
inserting or foreign governments after
organizations;
(3) in subsection (c), by
inserting and restoration after protection;
and
(4) in subsection (d)—
(A) in the first
sentence—
(i) by striking There
is and inserting (1)
In
general.—There is; and
(ii) by striking
2008 and inserting 2014; and
(B) in the second
sentence—
(i) by striking The
Secretary and inserting (2)
Acceptance of
funds.—The Secretary; and
(ii) by striking other
Federal agencies and inserting Federal departments or agencies,
nongovernmental organizations.
2039.
Acceptance of
contributed funds to increase lock operations
(a)
In
general
The Secretary, after providing public notice, shall
establish a pilot program for the acceptance and expenditure of funds
contributed by non-Federal interests to increase the hours of operation of
locks at water resources development projects.
(b)
Applicability
The
establishment of the pilot program under this section shall not affect the
periodic review and adjustment of hours of operation of locks based on
increases in commercial traffic carried out by the Secretary.
(c)
Public
comment
Not later than 180 days before a proposed modification to
the operation of a lock at a water resources development project will be
carried out, the Secretary shall—
(1) publish the proposed
modification in the Federal Register; and
(2) accept public comment on
the proposed modification.
(d)
Reports
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate a report that evaluates the cost-savings
resulting from reduced lock hours and any economic impacts of modifying lock
operations.
(2)
Review of pilot
program
Not later than September 30, 2017 and each year
thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment
and Public Works of the Senate a report that describes the effectiveness of the
pilot program under this section.
(e)
Annual
review
The Secretary shall carry out an annual review of the
commercial use of locks and make any necessary adjustments to lock operations
based on that review.
(f)
Termination
The
authority to accept funds under this section shall terminate 5 years after the
date of enactment of this Act.
2040.
Emergency response to
natural disasters
(a)
In
general
Section 5(a)(1) of the Act entitled An Act
authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for
flood control, and for other purposes, approved August 18, 1941 (33
U.S.C. 701n(a)(1)), is amended in the first sentence by striking
structure damaged or destroyed by wind, wave, or water action of other
than an ordinary nature when in the discretion of the Chief of Engineers such
repair and restoration is warranted for the adequate functioning of the
structure for hurricane or shore protection and inserting
structure or project damaged or destroyed by wind, wave, or water action
of other than an ordinary nature to the design level of protection when, in the
discretion of the Chief of Engineers, such repair and restoration is warranted
for the adequate functioning of the structure or project for hurricane or shore
protection, subject to the condition that the Chief of Engineers may include
modifications to the structure or project to address major
deficiencies.
(b)
Report
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
detailing the amounts expended in the previous 5 fiscal years to carry out
Corps of Engineers projects under section 5 of the Act entitled An Act
authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for
flood control, and for other purposes, approved August 18, 1941 (33
U.S.C. 701n).
(2)
Inclusions
A
report under paragraph (1) shall, at a minimum, include a description
of—
(A) each project for which
amounts are expended, including the type of project and cost of the project;
and
(B) how the Secretary has
restored or intends to restore the project to the design level of protection
for the project.
2041.
Systemwide
improvement frameworks
A levee
system shall remain eligible for rehabilitation assistance under the authority
provided by section 5 of the Act entitled An Act authorizing the
construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control,
and for other purposes (33 U.S.C. 701n) as long as the levee system
sponsor continues to make satisfactory progress, as determined by the
Secretary, on an approved systemwide improvement framework or letter of
intent.
2042.
Funding to process
permits
Section 214 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–541; 33 U.S.C. 2201
note) is amended by striking subsections (d) and (e) and inserting the
following:
(d)
Public
availability
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall ensure that all final permit
decisions carried out using funds authorized under this section are made
available to the public in a common format, including on the Internet, and in a
manner that distinguishes final permit decisions under this section from other
final actions of the Secretary.
(2)
Decision
document
The Secretary shall—
(A) use a standard decision
document for evaluating all permits using funds accepted under this section;
and
(B) make the standard
decision document, along with all final permit decisions, available to the
public, including on the Internet.
(3)
Agreements
The
Secretary shall make all active agreements to accept funds under this section
available on a single public Internet site.
(e)
Reporting
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall prepare an annual report on the
implementation of this section, which, at a minimum, shall include for each
district of the Corps of Engineers that accepts funds under this
section—
(A) a comprehensive list of
any funds accepted under this section during the previous fiscal year;
(B) a comprehensive list of
the permits reviewed and approved using funds accepted under this section
during the previous fiscal year, including a description of the size and type
of resources impacted and the mitigation required for each permit; and
(C) a description of the
training offered in the previous fiscal year for employees that is funded in
whole or in part with funds accepted under this section.
(2)
Submission
Not
later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary
shall—
(A) submit to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives the annual
report described in paragraph (1); and
(B) make each report received
under subparagraph (A) available on a single publicly accessible Internet
site.
.
2043.
National riverbank
stabilization and erosion prevention study and pilot program
(a)
Definition of inland
and intracoastal waterway
In this section, the term inland
and intracoastal waterway means the inland and intracoastal waterways of
the United States described in section 206 of the Inland Waterways Revenue Act
of 1978 (33 U.S.C. 1804).
(b)
Pilot
program
The Secretary—
(1) is authorized to study
issues relating to riverbank stabilization and erosion prevention along inland
and intracoastal waterways; and
(2) shall establish and carry
out for a period of 5 fiscal years a national riverbank stabilization and
erosion prevention pilot program to address riverbank erosion along inland and
intracoastal waterways.
(c)
Study
(1)
In
general
The Secretary, in consultation with appropriate Federal,
State, local, and nongovernmental entities, shall carry out a study of the
options and technologies available to prevent the erosion and degradation of
riverbanks along inland and intracoastal waterways.
(2)
Contents
The
study shall—
(A) evaluate the nature and
extent of the damages resulting from riverbank erosion along inland and
intracoastal waterways throughout the United States;
(B) identify specific inland
and intracoastal waterways and affected wetland areas with the most urgent need
for restoration;
(C) analyze any legal
requirements with regard to maintenance of bank lines of inland and
intracoastal waterways, including a comparison of Federal, State, and private
obligations and practices;
(D) assess and compare
policies and management practices to protect surface areas adjacent to inland
and intracoastal waterways applied by various Districts of the Corps of
Engineers; and
(E) make any recommendations
the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(d)
Riverbank stabilization
and erosion prevention pilot program
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall develop a pilot program for the
construction of riverbank stabilization and erosion prevention projects on
public land along inland and intracoastal waterways if the Secretary determines
that the projects are feasible and lower maintenance costs of those inland and
intracoastal waterways.
(2)
Pilot program
goals
A project under the pilot program shall, to the maximum
extent practicable—
(A) develop or demonstrate
innovative technologies;
(B) implement efficient
designs to prevent erosion at a riverbank site, taking into account the
lifecycle cost of the design, including cleanup, maintenance, and
amortization;
(C) prioritize natural
designs, including the use of native and naturalized vegetation or temporary
structures that minimize permanent structural alterations to the
riverbank;
(D) avoid negative impacts to
adjacent communities;
(E) identify the potential
for long-term protection afforded by the innovative technology; and
(F) provide additional
benefits, including reduction of flood risk.
(3)
Project
Selections
The Secretary shall develop criteria for the selection
of projects under the pilot program, including criteria based on—
(A) the extent of damage and
land loss resulting from riverbank erosion;
(B) the rate of
erosion;
(C) the significant threat of
future flood risk to public or private property, public infrastructure, or
public safety;
(D) the destruction of
natural resources or habitats; and
(E) the potential
cost-savings for maintenance of the channel.
(4)
Consultation
The
Secretary shall carry out the pilot program in consultation with—
(A) Federal, State, and local
governments;
(B) nongovernmental
organizations; and
(C) applicable university
research facilities.
(5)
Report
Not
later than 1 year after the first fiscal year for which amounts to carry out
this section are appropriated, and every year thereafter, the Secretary shall
prepare and submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives a report describing—
(A) the activities carried
out and accomplishments made under the pilot program since the previous report
under this paragraph; and
(B) any recommendations of
the Secretary relating to the program.
(e)
Authorization of
Appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2019.
2044.
Hurricane and storm
damage risk reduction prioritization
(a)
Purposes
The
purposes of this section are—
(1) to provide adequate
levels of protection to communities impacted by natural disasters, including
hurricanes, tropical storms, and other related extreme weather events;
and
(2) to expedite critical
water resources projects in communities that have historically been and
continue to remain susceptible to extreme weather events.
(b)
Priority
For
authorized projects and ongoing feasibility studies with a primary purpose of
hurricane and storm damage risk reduction, the Secretary shall give funding
priority to projects and ongoing studies that—
(1) address an imminent
threat to life and property;
(2) prevent storm surge from
inundating populated areas;
(3) prevent the loss of
coastal wetlands that help reduce the impact of storm surge;
(4) protect emergency
hurricane evacuation routes or shelters;
(5) prevent adverse impacts
to publicly owned or funded infrastructure and assets;
(6) minimize disaster relief
costs to the Federal Government; and
(7) address hurricane and
storm damage risk reduction in an area for which the President declared a major
disaster in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170).
(c)
Expedited consideration
of currently authorized projects
Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(1) submit to the Committee
on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a list of
all—
(A) ongoing hurricane and
storm damage reduction feasibility studies that have signed feasibility cost
share agreements and have received Federal funds since 2009; and
(B) authorized hurricane and
storm damage reduction projects that—
(i) have been authorized for
more than 20 years but are less than 75 percent complete; or
(ii) are undergoing a
post-authorization change report, general reevaluation report, or limited
reevaluation report;
(2) identify those projects
on the list required under paragraph (1) that meet the criteria described in
subsection (b); and
(3) provide a plan for
expeditiously completing the projects identified under paragraph (2), subject
to available funding.
(d)
Prioritization of new
studies for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction
In
selecting new studies for hurricane and storm damage reduction to propose to
Congress under section 4002, the Secretary shall give priority to
studies—
(1) that—
(A) have been recommended in
a comprehensive hurricane protection study carried out by the Corps of
Engineers; or
(B) are included in a State
plan or program for hurricane, storm damage reduction, flood control, coastal
protection, conservation, or restoration, that is created in consultation with
the Corps of Engineers or other relevant Federal agencies; and
(2) for areas for which the
President declared a major disaster in accordance with section 401 of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5170).
2045.
Prioritization of
ecosystem restoration efforts
For authorized projects with a primary
purpose of ecosystem restoration, the Secretary shall give funding priority to
projects—
(1) that—
(A) address an identified
threat to public health, safety, or welfare;
(B) preserve, establish, or
restore habitats of national significance; or
(C) preserve habitats of
importance for federally protected species, including migratory birds;
and
(2) for which the restoration
activities will contribute to other ongoing or planned Federal, State, or local
restoration initiatives.
2046.
Special use
permits
(a)
Special use
permits
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may issue special permits for uses such as
group activities, recreation events, motorized recreation vehicles, and such
other specialized recreation uses as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate, subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines
to be in the best interest of the Federal Government.
(2)
Fees
(A)
In
general
In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary
may—
(i) establish and collect
fees associated with the issuance of the permits described in paragraph (1);
or
(ii) accept in-kind services
in lieu of those fees.
(B)
Outdoor recreation
equipment
The Secretary may establish and collect fees for the
provision of outdoor recreation equipment and services at public recreation
areas located at lakes and reservoirs operated by the Corps of
Engineers.
(C)
Use of
fees
Any fees generated pursuant to this subsection shall
be—
(i) retained at the site
collected; and
(ii) available for use,
without further appropriation, solely for administering the special permits
under this subsection and carrying out related operation and maintenance
activities at the site at which the fees are collected.
(b)
Cooperative
management
(1)
Program
(A)
In
general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary may enter into
an agreement with a State or local government to provide for the cooperative
management of a public recreation area if—
(i) the public recreation
area is located—
(I) at a lake or reservoir
operated by the Corps of Engineers; and
(II) adjacent to or near a
State or local park or recreation area; and
(ii) the Secretary determines
that cooperative management between the Corps of Engineers and a State or local
government agency of a portion of the Corps of Engineers recreation area or
State or local park or recreation area will allow for more effective and
efficient management of those areas.
(B)
Restriction
The
Secretary may not transfer administration responsibilities for any public
recreation area operated by the Corps of Engineers.
(2)
Acquisition of goods
and services
The Secretary may acquire from or provide to a State
or local government with which the Secretary has entered into a cooperative
agreement under paragraph (1) goods and services to be used by the Secretary
and the State or local government in the cooperative management of the areas
covered by the agreement.
(3)
Administration
The
Secretary may enter into 1 or more cooperative management agreements or such
other arrangements as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, including
leases or licenses, with non-Federal interests to share the costs of operation,
maintenance, and management of recreation facilities and natural resources at
recreation areas that are jointly managed and funded under this
subsection.
(c)
Funding transfer
authority
(1)
In
general
If the Secretary determines that it is in the public
interest for purposes of enhancing recreation opportunities at Corps of
Engineers water resources development projects, the Secretary may transfer
funds appropriated for resource protection, research, interpretation, and
maintenance activities related to resource protection in the areas at which
outdoor recreation is available at those Corps of Engineers water resource
development projects to State, local, and tribal governments and such other
public or private nonprofit entities as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
(2)
Cooperative
agreements
Any transfer of funds pursuant to this subsection
shall be carried out through the execution of a cooperative agreement, which
shall contain such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be
necessary in the public interest.
(d)
Services of
volunteers
Chapter IV of title I of Public Law 98–63 (33 U.S.C.
569c) is amended—
(1) in the first sentence, by
inserting , including expenses relating to uniforms, transportation,
lodging, and the subsistence of those volunteers, without regard to the place
of residence of the volunteers, after incidental
expenses; and
(2) by inserting after the
first sentence the following: The Chief of Engineers may also provide
awards of up to $100 in value to volunteers in recognition of the services of
the volunteers.
(e)
Training and
educational activities
Section 213(a) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 (33 U.S.C. 2339) is amended by striking
at and inserting about.
2047.
Operations and
maintenance on fuel taxed inland waterways
(a)
In
general
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
shall have responsibility for 65 percent of the costs of the operation,
maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of any flood gate, as well
as any pumping station constructed within the channel as a single unit with
that flood gate, that—
(1) was constructed as of the
date of enactment of this Act as a feature of an authorized hurricane and storm
damage reduction project; and
(2) crosses an inland or
intracoastal waterway described in section 206 of the Inland Waterways Revenue
Act of 1978 (33 U.S.C. 1804).
(b)
Payment
options
For rehabilitation or replacement of any structure under
this section, the Secretary may apply to the full non-Federal contribution the
payment option provisions under section 103(k) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2213(k)).
2048.
Corrosion
prevention
(a)
Guidance and
procedures
The Secretary shall develop guidance and procedures
for the certification of qualified contractors for—
(1) the application of
protective coatings; and
(2) the removal of hazardous
protective coatings.
(b)
Requirements
Except
as provided in subsection (c), the Secretary shall use certified contractors
for—
(1) the application of
protective coatings for complex work involving steel and cementitious
structures, including structures that will be exposed in immersion;
(2) the removal of hazardous
coatings or other hazardous materials that are present in sufficient
concentrations to create an occupational or environmental hazard; and
(3) any other activities the
Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(c)
Exception
The
Secretary may approve exceptions to the use of certified contractors under
subsection (b) only after public notice, with the opportunity for comment, of
any such proposal.
2049.
Project
deauthorizations
(a)
In
general
Section 1001(b) of the Water Resources Development Act of
1986 (33 U.S.C. 579a(b)) is amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (2)
and inserting the following:
(2)
List of
projects
(A)
In
general
Notwithstanding section 3003 of Public Law 104–66 (31
U.S.C. 1113 note; 109 Stat. 734), each year, after the submission of the list
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to Congress a list of projects
or separable elements of projects that have been authorized but that have
received no obligations during the 5 full fiscal years preceding the submission
of that list.
(B)
Additional
notification
On submission of the list under subparagraph (A) to
Congress, the Secretary shall notify—
(i) each Senator in whose
State and each Member of the House of Representatives in whose district a
project (including any part of a project) on that list would be located;
and
(ii) each applicable
non-Federal interest associated with a project (including any part of a
project) on that list.
(C)
Deauthorization
A
project or separable element included in the list under subparagraph (A) is not
authorized after the last date of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in
which the list is submitted to Congress, if funding has not been obligated for
the planning, design, or construction of the project or element of the project
during that period.
;
and
(2) by adding at the end the
following:
(3)
Minimum funding
list
At the end of each fiscal year, the Secretary shall submit
to Congress a list of—
(A) projects or separable
elements of projects authorized for construction for which funding has been
obligated in the 5 previous fiscal years;
(B) the amount of funding
obligated per fiscal year;
(C) the current phase of each
project or separable element of a project; and
(D) the amount required to
complete those phases.
(4)
Report
(A)
In
general
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of
the Water Resources Development Act of
2013, the Secretary shall compile and publish a complete list of
all uncompleted, authorized projects of the Corps of Engineers, including for
each project on that list—
(i) the original budget
authority for the project;
(ii) the status of the
project;
(iii) the estimated date of
completion of the project;
(iv) the estimated cost of
completion of the project; and
(v) any amounts for the
project that remain unobligated.
(B)
Publication
(i)
In
general
The Secretary shall submit a copy of the list under
subparagraph (A) to—
(I) the appropriate
committees of Congress; and
(II) the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget.
(ii)
Public
availability
Not later than 30 days after providing the report to
Congress under clause (i), the Secretary shall make a copy of the list
available on a publicly accessible Internet site, in a manner that is
downloadable, searchable, and
sortable.
.
(b)
Infrastructure
Deauthorization Commission
(1)
Purposes
The
purposes of this subsection are—
(A) to establish a process
for identifying authorized Corps of Engineers water resources projects that are
no longer in the Federal interest and no longer feasible;
(B) to create a
commission—
(i) to review suggested
deauthorizations, including consideration of recommendations of the States and
the Secretary for the deauthorization of water resources projects; and
(ii) to make recommendations
to Congress;
(C) to ensure public
participation and comment; and
(D) to provide oversight on
any recommendations made to Congress by the Commission.
(2)
Infrastructure
deauthorization commission
(A)
Establishment
There
is established an independent commission to be known as the
Infrastructure Deauthorization Commission (referred to in this
paragraph as the Commission).
(B)
Duties
The
Commission shall carry out the review and recommendation duties described in
paragraph (5).
(C)
Membership
(i)
In
general
The Commission shall be composed of 8 members, who shall
be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate
according to the expedited procedures described in clause (ii).
(ii)
Expedited nomination
procedures
(I)
Privileged nominations; information
requested
On receipt by the
Senate of a nomination under clause (i), the nomination shall—
(aa) be placed on the Executive Calendar under
the heading Privileged Nominations—Information Requested;
and
(bb) remain on the Executive Calendar under that
heading until the Executive Clerk receives a written certification from the
Chairman of the committee of jurisdiction under subclause (II).
(II)
Questionnaires
The Chairman of the Committee on
Environment and Public Works of the Senate shall notify the Executive Clerk in
writing when the appropriate biographical and financial questionnaires have
been received from an individual nominated for a position under clause
(i).
(III)
Privileged nominations; information
received
On receipt of the
certification under subclause (II), the nomination shall—
(aa) be placed on the Executive Calendar under
the heading Privileged Nomination—Information Received and
remain on the Executive Calendar under that heading for 10 session days;
and
(bb) after the expiration of the period referred
to in item (aa), be placed on the Nominations section of the
Executive Calendar.
(IV)
Referral to committee of
jurisdiction
During the
period when a nomination under clause (i) is listed under the Privileged
Nomination—Information Requested section of the Executive Calendar
described in subclause (I)(aa) or the Privileged Nomination—Information
Received section of the Executive Calendar described in subclause
(III)(aa)—
(aa) any Senator may request on his or her own
behalf, or on the behalf of any identified Senator that the nomination be
referred to the appropriate committee of jurisdiction; and
(bb) if a Senator makes a request described in
paragraph item (aa), the nomination shall be referred to the appropriate
committee of jurisdiction.
(V)
Executive calendar
The Secretary of the Senate shall create
the appropriate sections on the Executive Calendar to reflect and effectuate
the requirements of this clause.
(VI)
Committee
justification for new executive positions
The report accompanying each bill or joint
resolution of a public character reported by any committee shall contain an
evaluation and justification made by that committee for the establishment in
the measure being reported of any new position appointed by the President
within an existing or new Federal entity.
(iii)
Qualifications
Members
of the Commission shall be knowledgeable about Corps of Engineers water
resources projects.
(iv)
Geographical
diversity
To the maximum extent practicable, the members of the
Commission shall be geographically diverse.
(D)
Compensation of
members
(i)
In
general
Each member of the Commission who is not an officer or
employee of the Federal Government shall be compensated at a rate equal to the
daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the
Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each
day (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in the
performance of the duties of the Commission.
(ii)
Federal
employees
All members of the Commission who are officers or
employees of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to
that received for their services as officers or employees of the United
States.
(iii)
Travel
expenses
The members of the Commission shall be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for
employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the
performance of service for the Commission.
(3)
State water resources
infrastructure plan
Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, each State, in consultation with local interests, may
develop and submit to the Commission, the Committee on Environment and Public
Works of the Senate, and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of
the House of Representatives, a detailed statewide water resources plan that
includes a list of each water resources project that the State recommends for
deauthorization.
(4)
Corps of Engineers
infrastructure plan
Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Commission, the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a detailed
plan that—
(A) contains a detailed list
of each water resources project that the Corps of Engineers recommends for
deauthorization; and
(B) is based on assessment by
the Secretary of the needs of the United States for water resources
infrastructure, taking into account public safety, the economy, and the
environment.
(5)
Review and
Recommendation Commission
(A)
In
general
On the appointment and confirmation of all members of the
Commission, the Commission shall solicit public comment on water resources
infrastructure issues and priorities and recommendations for deauthorization,
including by—
(i) holding public hearings
throughout the United States; and
(ii) receiving written
comments.
(B)
Recommendations
(i)
In
general
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Commission shall submit to Congress a list of water resources
projects of the Corps of Engineers for deauthorization.
(ii)
Considerations
In
carrying out this paragraph, the Commission shall establish criteria for
evaluating projects for deauthorization, which shall include consideration
of—
(I) the infrastructure plans
submitted by the States and the Secretary under paragraphs (3) and (4);
(II) any public comment
received during the period described in subparagraph (A);
(III) public safety and
security;
(IV) the environment;
and
(V) the economy.
(C)
Non-eligible
projects
The following types of projects shall not be eligible
for review for deauthorization by the Commission:
(i) Any project authorized
after the date of enactment of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996
(Public Law 104–303; 110 Stat. 3658), including any project that has been
reauthorized after that date.
(ii) Any project that, as of
the date of enactment of this Act, is undergoing a review by the Corps of
Engineers.
(iii) Any project that has
received appropriations in the 10-year period ending on the date of enactment
of this Act.
(iv) Any project that, on the
date of enactment of this Act, is more than 50 percent complete.
(v) Any project that has a
viable non-Federal sponsor.
(D)
Congressional
disapproval
Any water resources project recommended for
deauthorization on the list submitted to Congress under subparagraph (B) shall
be deemed to be deauthorized unless Congress passes a joint resolution
disapproving of the entire list of deauthorized water resources projects prior
to the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Commission submits the
list to Congress.
2050.
Reports to
Congress
(a)
In
general
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the
Secretary shall complete and submit to Congress by the applicable date required
the reports that address public safety and enhanced local participation in
project delivery described in subsection (b).
(b)
Reports
The
reports referred to in subsection (a) are the reports required under—
(1) section 2020;
(2) section 2022;
(3) section 2025;
(4) section 2026;
(5) section 2039;
(6) section 2040;
(7) section 6007; and
(8) section 10015.
(c)
Failure to provide a
completed report
(1)
In
general
Subject to subsection (d), if the Secretary fails to
provide a report listed under subsection (b) by the date that is 180 days after
the applicable date required for that report, $5,000 shall be reprogrammed from
the General Expenses account of the civil works program of the Army Corps of
Engineers into the account of the division of the Army Corps of Engineers with
responsibility for completing that report.
(2)
Subsequent
reprogramming
Subject to subsection (d), for each additional week
after the date described in paragraph (1) in which a report described in that
paragraph remains uncompleted and unsubmitted to Congress, $5,000 shall be
reprogrammed from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil
Works into the account of the division of the Secretary of the Army with
responsibility for completing that report.
(d)
Limitations
(1)
In
general
For each report, the total amounts reprogrammed under
subsection (c) shall not exceed, in any fiscal year, $50,000.
(2)
Aggregate
limitation
The total amount reprogrammed under subsection (c) in
a fiscal year shall not exceed $200,000.
(e)
No fault of the
secretary
Amounts shall not be reprogrammed under subsection (c)
if the Secretary certifies in a letter to the applicable committees of Congress
that—
(1) a major modification has
been made to the content of the report that requires additional analysis for
the Secretary to make a final decision on the report;
(2) amounts have not been
appropriated to the agency under this Act or any other Act to carry out the
report; or
(3) additional information is
required from an entity other than the Corps of Engineers and is not available
in a timely manner to complete the report by the deadline.
(f)
Limitation
The
Secretary shall not reprogram funds to reimburse the Office of the Assistant
Secretary of the Army for Civil Works for the loss of the funds.
(g)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $10,000,000.
2051.
Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act conforming
amendment
Section 106(k) of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450j-1(k)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(13) Interest payments, the
retirement of principal, the costs of issuance, and the costs of insurance or a
similar credit support for a debt financing instrument, the proceeds of which
are used to support a contracted construction
project.
.
2052.
Invasive species
review
The Secretary, in
consultation with the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service,
the Chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and other applicable heads of
Federal agencies, shall—
(1) carry out a review of
existing Federal authorities relating to responding to invasive species,
including aquatic weeds, aquatic snails, and other aquatic invasive species,
that have an impact on water resources; and
(2) based on the review under
paragraph (1), make any recommendations to Congress and applicable State
agencies for improving Federal and State laws to more effectively respond to
the threats posed by those invasive species.
2053.
Wetlands
conservation study
(a)
In
general
The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry
out a study to identify all Federal programs relating to wetlands
conservation.
(b)
Report
The
Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report
based on the study under subsection (a) describing options for maximizing
wetlands conservation benefits while reducing redundancy, increasing
efficiencies, and reducing costs.
2054.
Dam repair
study
(a)
In
general
The Comptroller General of the United States shall carry
out a study to evaluate repairs made at dams on the Cumberland River as
compared to similar repairs made by the Corps of Engineers at other
dams.
(b)
Contents
The
study under subsection (a) shall compare—
(1) how the repairs were
classified at each dam; and
(2) the Federal and
non-Federal cost-sharing requirements for each dam.
(c)
Report
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report based on the
study under subsection (a) with the recommendations of the Comptroller General
on whether the repairs carried out at dams on the Cumberland River should have
been classified as repairs carried out under the National Dam Safety Program
Act (33 U.S.C. 467 et seq.).
III
Project
modifications
3001.
Purpose
The purpose of this title is to modify
existing water resource project authorizations, subject to the condition that
the modifications do not affect authorized costs.
3002.
Chatfield Reservoir,
Colorado
Section 116 of the
Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 (123
Stat. 608), is amended in the matter preceding the proviso by inserting
(or a designee of the Department) after Colorado
Department of Natural Resources.
3003.
Missouri River
Recovery Implementation Committee expenses reimbursement
Section 5018(b)(5) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1200) is amended by striking subparagraph
(B) and inserting the following:
(B)
Travel
expenses
Subject to the availability of funds, the Secretary may
reimburse a member of the Committee for travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of a Federal agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away
from the home or regular place of business of the member in performance of
services for the
Committee.
.
3004.
Hurricane and storm
damage reduction study
With
respect to the study for flood and storm damage reduction related to natural
disasters to by carried out by the Secretary and authorized under the heading
Investigations under title II
of division A of Public Law 113–2, the Secretary shall include, to the maximum
extent practicable, specific project recommendations in the report developed
for that study.
3005.
Lower Yellowstone
Project, Montana
Section 3109
of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1135) is
amended—
(1) by striking The
Secretary may and inserting the following:
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may
;
and
(2) by adding at the end the
following:
(b)
Local
participation
In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall
consult with, and consider the activities being carried out by—
(1) other Federal
agencies;
(2) conservation
districts;
(3) the Yellowstone River
Conservation District Council; and
(4) the State of
Montana.
.
3006.
Project
deauthorizations
(a)
Goose Creek, Somerset
County, Maryland
The project for navigation, Goose Creek,
Somerset County, Maryland, carried out pursuant to section 107 of the Rivers
and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577), is realigned as follows: Beginning at
Goose Creek Channel Geometry Centerline of the 60-foot-wide main navigational
ship channel, Centerline Station No. 0+00, coordinates North 157851.80, East
1636954.70, as stated and depicted on the Condition Survey Goose Creek, Sheet 1
of 1, prepared by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore
District, July 2003; thence departing the aforementioned centerline traveling
the following courses and distances: S. 64 degrees 49 minutes 06 seconds E.,
1583.82 feet to a point, on the outline of said 60-foot-wide channel thence
binding on said out-line the following four courses and distances: S. 63
degrees 26 minutes 06 seconds E., 1460.05 feet to a point, thence; N. 50
degrees 38 minutes 26 seconds E., 973.28 feet to a point, thence; N. 26 degrees
13 minutes 09 seconds W., 240.39 feet to a point on the Left Toe of the
60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline Station No.
42+57.54, coordinates North 157357.84, East 1640340.23. Geometry Left Toe of
the 60-foot-wide main navigational ship channel, Left Toe Station No. 0+00,
coordinates North 157879.00, East 1636967.40, as stated and depicted on the
Condition Survey Goose Creek, Sheet 1 of 1, prepared by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, August 2010; thence departing the
aforementioned centerline traveling the following courses and distances: S. 64
degrees 49 minutes 12 seconds E., 1583.91 feet to a point, on the outline of
said 60-foot-wide channel thence binding on said out-line the following eight
courses and distances: S. 63 degrees 25 minutes 38 seconds E., 1366.25 feet to
a point, thence; N. 83 degrees 36 minutes 24 seconds E., 125.85 feet to a
point, thence; N. 50 degrees 38 minutes 26 seconds E., 805.19 feet to a point,
thence; N. 12 degrees 12 minutes 29 seconds E., 78.33 feet to a point thence;
N. 26 degrees 13 minutes 28 seconds W., 46.66 feet to a point thence; S. 63
degrees 45 minutes 41 seconds W., 54.96 feet to a point thence; N. 26 degrees
13 minutes 24 seconds W., 119.94 feet to a point on the Left Toe of the
60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline Station No.
41+81.10, coordinates North 157320.30, East 1640264.00. Geometry Right Toe of
the 60-foot-wide main navigational ship channel, Right Toe Station No. 0+00,
coordinates North 157824.70, East 1636941.90, as stated and depicted on the
Condition Survey Goose Creek, Sheet 1 of 1, prepared by the United States Army
Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, August 2010; thence departing the
aforementioned centerline traveling the following courses and distances: S. 64
degrees 49 minutes 06 seconds E., 1583.82 feet to a point, on the outline of
said 60-foot-wide channel thence binding on said out-line the following six
courses and distances: S. 63 degrees 25 minutes 47 seconds E., 1478.79 feet to
a point, thence; N. 50 degrees 38 minutes 26 seconds E., 1016.69 feet to a
point, thence; N. 26 degrees 14 minutes 49 seconds W., 144.26 feet to a point,
thence; N. 63 degrees 54 minutes 03 seconds E., 55.01 feet to a point thence;
N. 26 degrees 12 minutes 08 seconds W., 120.03 feet to a point a point on the
Right Toe of the 60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline
Station No. 43+98.61, coordinates North 157395.40, East 1640416.50.
(b)
Lower Thoroughfare,
Deal Island, Maryland
Beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary is no longer authorized to carry out the portion of the
project for navigation, Lower Thoroughfare, Maryland, authorized by the Act of
June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. 630, chapter 382) (commonly known as the River
and Harbor Act of 1910), that begins at Lower Thoroughfare Channel
Geometry Centerline of the 60-foot-wide main navigational ship channel,
Centerline Station No. 44+88, coordinates North 170435.62, East 1614588.93, as
stated and depicted on the Condition Survey Lower Thoroughfare, Deal Island,
Sheet 1 of 3, prepared by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore
District, August 2010; thence departing the aforementioned centerline traveling
the following courses and distances: S. 42 degrees 20 minutes 44 seconds W.,
30.00 feet to a point, on the outline of said 60-foot-wide channel thence
binding on said out-line the following four courses and distances: N. 64
degrees 08 minutes 55 seconds W., 53.85 feet to a point, thence; N. 42 degrees
20 minutes 43 seconds W., 250.08 feet to a point, thence; N. 47 degrees 39
minutes 03 seconds E., 20.00 feet to a point, thence; S. 42 degrees 20 minutes
44 seconds E., 300.07 feet to a point binding on the Left Toe of the
60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline Station No.
43+92.67, coordinates North 170415.41, 1614566.76; thence; continuing with the
aforementioned centerline the following courses and distances: S. 42 degrees 20
minutes 42 seconds W., 30.00 feet to a point, on the outline of said
60-foot-wide channel thence binding on said out-line the following four courses
and distances: N. 20 degrees 32 minutes 06 seconds W., 53.85 feet to a point,
thence; N. 42 degrees 20 minutes 49 seconds W., 250.08 feet to a point, thence;
S. 47 degrees 39 minutes 03 seconds W., 20.00 feet to a point, thence; S. 42
degrees 20 minutes 46 seconds E., 300.08 feet to a point binding on the Left
Toe of the 60-foot-wide main navigational channel at computed Centerline
Station No. 43+92.67, coordinates North 170415.41, 1614566.76.
(c)
Thomaston Harbor,
Georges River, Maine
Beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary is no longer authorized to carry out the portion of the
project for navigation, Georges River, Maine (Thomaston Harbor), authorized by
the first section of the Act of June 3, 1896 (29 Stat. 215, chapter 314), and
modified by section 317 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 (Public
Law 106–541; 114 Stat. 2604), that lies northwesterly of a line commencing at
point N87,220.51, E321,065.80 thence running northeasterly about 125 feet to a
point N87,338.71, E321,106.46.
(d)
Warwick Cove, Rhode
Island
Beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary is no longer authorized to carry out the portion of the project for
navigation, Warwick Cove, Rhode Island, authorized by section 107 of the River
and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577) that is located within the 5 acre
anchorage area east of the channel and lying east of the line beginning at a
point with coordinates N220,349.79, E357,664.90 thence running north 9 degrees
10 minutes 21.5 seconds west 170.38 feet to a point N220,517.99, E357,637.74
thence running north 17 degrees 44 minutes 30.4 seconds west 165.98 feet to a
point N220,676.08, E357,587.16 thence running north 0 degrees 46 minutes 0.9
seconds east 138.96 feet to a point N220,815.03, E357,589.02 thence running
north 8 degrees 36 minutes 22.9 seconds east 101.57 feet to a point
N220,915.46, E357,604.22 thence running north 18 degrees 18 minutes 27.3
seconds east 168.20 feet to a point N221,075.14, E357,657.05 thence running
north 34 degrees 42 minutes 7.2 seconds east 106.4 feet to a point N221,162.62,
E357,717.63 thence running south 29 degrees 14 minutes 17.4 seconds east 26.79
feet to a point N221,139.24, E357,730.71 thence running south 30 degrees 45
minutes 30.5 seconds west 230.46 feet to a point N220,941.20, E357,612.85
thence running south 10 degrees 49 minutes 12.0 seconds west 95.46 feet to a
point N220,847.44, E357,594.93 thence running south 9 degrees 13 minutes 44.5
seconds east 491.68 feet to a point N220,362.12, E357,673.79 thence running
south 35 degrees 47 minutes 19.4 seconds west 15.20 feet to the point of
origin.
(e)
Clatsop County Diking
District No. 10, Karlson Island, Oregon
Beginning on the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary is no longer authorized to carry out the Diking District No.
10, Karlson Island portion of the project for raising and improving existing
levees in Clatsop County, Oregon, authorized by section 5 of the Act of June
22, 1936 (as amended) (33 U.S.C. 701h).
(f)
Numberg Dike No. 34
leveed area, Clatsop County Diking District No. 13, Clatsop County, Oregon
(Walluski-Youngs)
Beginning
on the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary is no longer authorized to
carry out the Numberg Dike No. 34 leveed area, Clatsop County Diking District,
No. 13, Walluski River and Youngs River dikes, portion of the project for
raising and improving existing levees in Clatsop County, Oregon, authorized by
section 5 of the Act of June 22, 1936 (as amended) (33 U.S.C. 701h).
(g)
Port of Hood River,
Oregon
(1)
Extinguishment of
portions of existing flowage easement
With respect to the properties described in
paragraph (2), beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, the flowage
easement identified as Tract 1200E–6 on the Easement Deed recorded as
Instrument No. 740320 is extinguished above elevation 79.39 feet (NGVD 29) the
Ordinary High Water Line.
(2)
Affected
properties
The properties referred to in paragraph (1), as
recorded in Hood River County, Oregon, are as follows:
(A) Instrument Number
2010–1235
(B) Instrument Number
2010–02366.
(C) Instrument Number
2010–02367.
(D) Parcel 2 of Partition
Plat #2011–12P.
(E) Parcel 1 of Partition
Plat 2005–26P.
(3)
Federal liabilities;
cultural, environmental, and other regulatory reviews
(A)
Federal
liability
The United States shall not be liable for any injury
caused by the extinguishment of the easement under this subsection.
(B)
Cultural and
environmental regulatory actions
Nothing in this subsection
establishes any cultural or environmental regulation relating to the properties
described in paragraph (2).
(4)
Effect on other
rights
Nothing in this subsection affects any remaining right or
interest of the Corps of Engineers in the properties described in paragraph
(2).
3007.
Raritan River Basin,
Green Brook Sub-basin, New Jersey
Title I of the Energy and Water Development
Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 105–62; 111 Stat. 1327) is amended by
striking section 102.
3008.
Red River Basin,
Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana
(a)
In
general
The Secretary is authorized to reassign unused irrigation
storage within a reservoir on the Red River Basin to municipal and industrial
water supply for use by a non-Federal interest if that non-Federal interest has
already contracted for a share of municipal and industrial water supply on the
same reservoir.
(b)
Non-Federal
interest
A reassignment of storage under subsection (a) shall be
contingent upon the execution of an agreement between the Secretary and the
applicable non-Federal interest.
3009.
Point Judith Harbor
of Refuge, Rhode Island
The
project for the Harbor of Refuge at Point Judith, Narragansett, Rhode Island,
adopted by the Act of September 19, 1890 (commonly known as the River
and Harbor Act of 1890) (26 Stat. 426, chapter 907), House Document
numbered 66, 51st Congress, 1st Session, and modified to include the west shore
arm breakwater under the first section of the Act of June 25, 1910 (commonly
known as the River and Harbor Act of 1910) (36 Stat. 632,
chapter 382), is further modified to include shore protection and erosion
control as project purposes.
IV
Water resource
studies
4001.
Purpose
The purpose of this title is to direct the
Corps of Engineers to study and recommend solutions for water resource issues
relating to flood risk and storm damage reduction, navigation, and ecosystem
restoration.
4002.
Initiation of new
water resources studies
(a)
In
general
Subject to subsections (b), (c), and (d), the Secretary
may initiate a study—
(1) to determine the
feasibility of carrying out 1 or more projects for flood risk management, storm
damage reduction, ecosystem restoration, navigation, hydropower, or related
purposes; or
(2) to carry out watershed
and river basin assessments in accordance with section 729 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2267a).
(b)
Criteria
The
Secretary may only initiate a study under subsection (a) if—
(1) the study—
(A) has been requested by an
eligible non-Federal interest;
(B) is for an area that is
likely to include a project with a Federal interest; and
(C) addresses a high-priority
water resource issue necessary for the protection of human life and property,
the environment, or the national security interests of the United States;
and
(2) the non-Federal interest
has demonstrated—
(A) that local support exists
for addressing the water resource issue; and
(B) the financial ability to
provide the required non-Federal cost-share.
(c)
Congressional
approval
(1)
Submission to
congress
Prior to initiating a study under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House—
(A) a description of the
study, including the geographical area addressed by the study;
(B) a description of how the
study meets each of the requirements of subsection (b); and
(C) a certification that the
proposed study can be completed within 3 years and for a Federal cost of not
more than $3,000,000.
(2)
Expenditure of
funds
No funds may be spent on a study initiated under subsection
(a) unless—
(A) the required information
is submitted to Congress under paragraph (1); and
(B) after such submission,
amounts are appropriated to initiate the study in an appropriations or other
Act.
(3)
Additional
notification
The Secretary shall notify each Senator or Member of
Congress with a State or congressional district in the study area described in
paragraph (1)(A).
(d)
Limitations
(1)
In
general
Subsection (a) shall not apply to a project for which a
study has been authorized prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
(2)
New
studies
In each fiscal year, the Secretary may initiate not more
than—
(A) 3 new studies in each of
the primary areas of responsibility of the Corps of Engineers; and
(B) 3 new studies from any 1
division of the Corps of Engineers.
(e)
Termination
The
authority under subsection (a) expires on the date that is 3 years after the
date of enactment of this Act.
(f)
Authorization of
Appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2017.
4003.
Applicability
(a)
In
general
Nothing in this title authorizes the construction of a
water resources project.
(b)
New authorization
required
New authorization from Congress is required before any
project evaluated in a study under this title is constructed.
V
Regional and nonproject
provisions
5001.
Purpose
The purpose of this title is to authorize
regional, multistate authorities to address water resource needs and other
non-project provisions.
5002.
Northeast Coastal
Region ecosystem restoration
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall plan, design, and construct projects
for aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters of the Northeastern
United States from the State of Virginia to the State of Maine, including
associated bays, estuaries, and critical riverine areas.
(b)
General coastal
management plan
(1)
Assessment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency, the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies, the
Governors of the coastal States from Virginia to Maine, nonprofit
organizations, and other interested parties, shall assess the needs regarding,
and opportunities for, aquatic ecosystem restoration within the coastal waters
of the Northeastern United States.
(2)
Plan
The
Secretary shall develop a general coastal management plan based on the
assessment carried out under paragraph (1), maximizing the use of existing
plans and investigation, which plan shall include—
(A) an inventory and evaluation of coastal
habitats;
(B) identification of aquatic
resources in need of improvement;
(C) identification and
prioritization of potential aquatic habitat restoration projects; and
(D) identification of
geographical and ecological areas of concern, including—
(i) finfish habitats;
(ii) diadromous fisheries
migratory corridors;
(iii) shellfish
habitats;
(iv) submerged aquatic
vegetation;
(v) wetland; and
(vi) beach dune complexes and
other similar habitats.
(c)
Eligible
projects
The Secretary may
carry out an aquatic ecosystem restoration project under this section if the
project—
(1) is consistent with the
management plan developed under subsection (b); and
(2) provides for—
(A) the restoration of degraded aquatic habitat
(including coastal, saltmarsh, benthic, and riverine habitat);
(B) the restoration of
geographical or ecological areas of concern, including the restoration of
natural river and stream characteristics;
(C) the improvement of water
quality; or
(D) other projects or
activities determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(d)
Cost sharing
(1)
Management
plan
The management plan developed under subsection (b) shall be
completed at Federal expense.
(2)
Restoration
projects
The non-Federal share of the cost of a project carried
out under this section shall be 35 percent.
(e)
Cost
limitation
Not more than $10,000,000 in Federal funds may be
allocated under this section for an eligible project.
(f)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section (including funds for the completion of the management plan)
$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
5003.
Chesapeake Bay
Environmental Restoration and Protection Program
Section 510 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–303; 110 Stat. 3759; 121 Stat. 1202) is
amended—
(1) in subsection (a)—
(A) in paragraph (1)—
(i) by striking pilot
program and inserting program; and
(ii) by inserting in
the basin States described in subsection (f) and the District of
Columbia after interests; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2)
and inserting the following:
(2)
Form
The
assistance under paragraph (1) shall be in the form of design and construction
assistance for water-related resource protection and restoration projects
affecting the Chesapeake Bay estuary, based on the comprehensive plan under
subsection (b), including projects for—
(A) sediment and erosion
control;
(B) protection of eroding
shorelines;
(C) ecosystem restoration,
including restoration of submerged aquatic vegetation;
(D) protection of essential
public works;
(E) beneficial uses of
dredged material; and
(F) other related projects
that may enhance the living resources of the
estuary.
;
(2) by striking subsection
(b) and inserting the following:
(b)
Comprehensive
plan
(1)
In
general
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of
2013, the Secretary, in cooperation with State and local
governmental officials and affected stakeholders, shall develop a comprehensive
Chesapeake Bay restoration plan to guide the implementation of projects under
subsection (a)(2).
(2)
Coordination
The
restoration plan described in paragraph (1) shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, consider and avoid duplication of any ongoing or planned actions
of other Federal, State, and local agencies and nongovernmental
organizations.
(3)
Prioritization
The
restoration plan described in paragraph (1) shall give priority to projects
eligible under subsection (a)(2) that will also improve water quality or
quantity or use natural hydrological features and systems.
(4)
Administration
The
Federal share of the costs of carrying out paragraph (1) shall be 75
percent.
;
(3) in subsection (c)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by
striking to provide and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting for the design and construction of a project
carried out pursuant to the comprehensive Chesapeake Bay restoration plan
described in subsection (b).;
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by
striking facilities or resource protection and development plan
and inserting resource protection and restoration plan;
and
(C) by adding at the end the
following:
(3)
Projects on Federal
land
A project carried out pursuant to the comprehensive
Chesapeake Bay restoration plan described in subsection (b) that is located on
Federal land shall be carried out at the expense of the Federal agency that
owns the land on which the project will be a carried out.
(4)
Non-Federal
contributions
A Federal agency carrying out a project described
in paragraph (3) may accept contributions of funds from non-Federal entities to
carry out that
project.
;
(4) by striking subsection
(e) and inserting the following:
(e)
Cooperation
In
carrying out this section, the Secretary shall cooperate with—
(1) the heads of appropriate
Federal agencies, including—
(A) the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency;
(B) the Secretary of
Commerce, acting through the Administrator of the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration;
(C) the Secretary of the
Interior, acting through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service; and
(D) the heads of such other
Federal agencies as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and
(2) agencies of a State or
political subdivision of a State, including the Chesapeake Bay
Commission.
;
(5) by striking subsection
(f) and inserting the following:
(f)
Projects
The
Secretary shall establish, to the maximum extent practicable, at least 1
project under this section in—
(1) regions within the
Chesapeake Bay watershed of each of the basin States of Delaware, Maryland, New
York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; and
(2) the District of
Columbia.
;
(6) by striking subsection
(h); and
(7) by redesignating
subsection (i) as subsection (h).
5004.
Rio Grande
environmental management program, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas
Section 5056 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1213) is amended—
(1) in subsection
(b)(2)—
(A) in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by striking 2008 and inserting
2014; and
(B) in subparagraph (C), by
inserting and an assessment of needs for other related purposes in the
Rio Grande Basin, including flood damage reduction after
assessment;
(2) in subsection
(c)(2)—
(A) by striking an
interagency agreement with and inserting 1 or more interagency
agreements with the Secretary of State and; and
(B) by inserting or
the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission
after the Department of the Interior; and
(3) in subsection (f), by
striking 2011 and inserting 2024.
5005.
Lower Columbia River
and Tillamook Bay ecosystem restoration, Oregon and Washington
Section 536(g) of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2000 (114 Stat. 2661) is amended by striking
$30,000,000 and inserting $75,000,000.
5006.
Arkansas River,
Arkansas and Oklahoma
(a)
Project
Goal
The goal for operation of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River
navigation system, Arkansas and Oklahoma, shall be to maximize the use of the
system in a balanced approach that incorporates advice from representatives
from all project purposes to ensure that the full value of the system is
realized by the United States.
(b)
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas
River navigation system advisory committee
(1)
In
general
In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
U.S.C. App.), the Secretary shall establish an advisory committee for the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation system, Arkansas and Oklahoma, project
authorized by the Act of July 24, 1946 (60 Stat. 635, chapter 595).
(2)
Duties
The
advisory committee shall—
(A) serve in an advisory
capacity only; and
(B) provide information and
recommendations to the Corps of Engineers relating to the efficiency,
reliability, and availability of the operations of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas
River navigation system.
(3)
Selection and
composition
The advisory committee shall be—
(A) selected jointly by the
Little Rock district engineer and the Tulsa district engineer; and
(B) composed of members that
equally represent the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation system project
purposes.
(4)
Agency
resources
The Little Rock district and the Tulsa district of the
Corps of Engineers, under the supervision of the southwestern division, shall
jointly provide the advisory committee with adequate staff assistance,
facilities, and resources.
(5)
Termination
(A)
In
general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the advisory committee shall
terminate on the date on which the Secretary submits a report to Congress
demonstrating increases in the efficiency, reliability, and availability of the
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River navigation system.
(B)
Restriction
The
advisory committee shall terminate not less than 2 calendar years after the
date on which the advisory committee is established.
5007.
Aquatic invasive
species prevention and management; Columbia River Basin
(a)
In
general
The Secretary may establish a program to prevent and
manage aquatic invasive species in the Columbia River Basin in the States of
Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington.
(b)
Watercraft inspection
stations
(1)
In
general
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
establish watercraft inspection stations in the Columbia River Basin to be
located in the States of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington at locations,
as determined by the Secretary, with the highest likelihood of preventing the
spread of aquatic invasive species into reservoirs operated and maintained by
the Secretary.
(2)
Inclusions
Locations
identified under paragraph (1) may include—
(A) State border
crossings;
(B) international border
crossings; and
(C) highway entry points that
are used by owners of watercraft to access boat launch facilities owned or
managed by the Secretary.
(3)
Cost-share
The
non-Federal share of the cost of operating and maintaining watercraft
inspection stations described in paragraph (1) (including personnel costs)
shall be 50 percent.
(4)
Other inspection
sites
The Secretary may establish watercraft inspection stations
using amounts made available to carry out this section in States other than
those described in paragraph (1) at or near boat launch facilities that the
Secretary determines are regularly used by watercraft to enter the States
described in paragraph (1).
(c)
Monitoring and
contingency planning
The Secretary shall—
(1) carry out risk
assessments of each major public and private water resources facility in the
Columbia River Basin;
(2) establish an aquatic
invasive species monitoring program in the Columbia River Basin;
(3) establish a Columbia
River Basin watershed-wide plan for expedited response to an infestation of
aquatic invasive species; and
(4) monitor water quality,
including sediment cores and fish tissue samples, at facilities owned or
managed by the Secretary in the Columbia River Basin.
(d)
Coordination
In
carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult and coordinate
with—
(1) the States described in
subsection (a);
(2) Indian tribes; and
(3) other Federal agencies,
including—
(A) the Department of
Agriculture;
(B) the Department of
Energy;
(C) the Department of
Homeland Security;
(D) the Department of
Commerce; and
(E) the Department of the
Interior.
(e)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $30,000,000, of which $5,000,000 may be
used to carry out subsection (c).
5008.
Upper Missouri Basin
flood and drought monitoring
(a)
In
general
The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Chief of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, the Director of the United States Geological
Survey, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, shall establish a
program to provide for—
(1) soil moisture and
snowpack monitoring in the Upper Missouri River Basin to reduce flood risk and
improve river and water resource management in the Upper Missouri River Basin,
as outlined in the February 2013 report entitled Upper Missouri Basin
Monitoring Committee—Snow Sampling and Instrumentation
Recommendations;
(2) restoring and maintaining
existing mid- and high-elevation snowpack monitoring sites operated under the
SNOTEL program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service; and
(3) operating streamflow
gages and related interpretive studies in the Upper Missouri River Basin under
the cooperative water program and the national streamflow information program
of the United States Geological Service.
(b)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $11,250,000.
(c)
Use of
Funds
Amounts made available to the Secretary under this section
shall be used to complement other related activities of Federal agencies that
are carried out within the Missouri River Basin.
(d)
Report
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller
General of the United States, in consultation with the Secretary, shall submit
to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives
a report that—
(1) identifies progress made
by the Secretary and other Federal agencies to implement the recommendations
contained in the report described in subsection (a)(1) with respect to
enhancing soil moisture and snowpack monitoring in the Upper Missouri Basin;
and
(2) includes recommendations
to enhance soil moisture and snowpack monitoring in the Upper Missouri
Basin.
5009.
Northern Rockies
headwaters extreme weather mitigation
(a)
In
general
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary shall establish
a program to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events, such as 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
by carrying out river, stream, and floodplain protection and restoration
projects, including—
(1) floodplain restoration
and reconnection;
(2) floodplain and riparian
area protection through the use of conservation easements;
(3) instream flow restoration
projects;
(4) fish passage
improvements;
(5) channel migration zone
mapping; and
(6) invasive weed
management.
(b)
Restriction
All
projects carried out using amounts made available to carry out this section
shall emphasize the protection and enhancement of natural riverine
processes.
(c)
Non-federal cost
share
The non-Federal share of the costs of carrying out a
project under this section shall not exceed 35 percent of the total cost of the
project.
(d)
Coordination
In
carrying out this section, the Secretary—
(1) shall consult and
coordinate with the appropriate State natural resource agency in each State;
and
(2) may—
(A) delegate any authority or
responsibility of the Secretary under this section to those State natural
resource agencies; and
(B) provide amounts made
available to the Secretary to carry out this section to those State natural
resource agencies.
(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.
(f)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section $30,000,000.
5010.
Aquatic
nuisance species prevention, Great Lakes and Mississippi River Basin
(a)
In
general
The Secretary is authorized to implement measures
recommended in the efficacy study authorized under section 3061 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 2007 (121 Stat. 1121) or in interim reports, with
any modifications or any emergency measures that the Secretary determines to be
appropriate to prevent aquatic nuisance species from dispersing into the Great
Lakes by way of any hydrologic connection between the Great Lakes and the
Mississippi River Basin.
(b)
Reports
The
Secretary shall report to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and
Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House of Representatives any emergency
actions taken pursuant to this section.
VI
Levee safety
6001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the National Levee Safety Program Act.
6002.
Findings;
purposes
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) there is a need to
establish a national levee safety program to provide national leadership and
encourage the establishment of State and tribal levee safety programs;
(2) according to the National
Committee on Levee Safety, the level of protection and robustness of
design and construction of levees vary considerably across the
country;
(3) knowing the location,
condition, and ownership of levees, as well as understanding the population and
infrastructure at risk in leveed areas, is necessary for identification and
prioritization of activities associated with levees;
(4) levees are an important
tool for reducing flood risk and should be considered in the context of broader
flood risk management efforts;
(5) States and Indian
tribes—
(A) are uniquely positioned
to oversee, coordinate, and regulate local and regional levee systems;
and
(B) should be encouraged to
participate in a national levee safety program by establishing individual levee
safety programs; and
(6) States, Indian tribes,
and local governments that do not invest in protecting the individuals and
property located behind levees place those individuals and property at
risk.
(b)
Purposes
The
purposes of this title are—
(1) to promote sound
technical practices in levee design, construction, operation, inspection,
assessment, security, and maintenance;
(2) to ensure effective
public education and awareness of risks involving levees;
(3) to establish and maintain
a national levee safety program that emphasizes the protection of human life
and property; and
(4) to implement solutions
and incentives that encourage the establishment of effective State and tribal
levee safety programs.
6003.
Definitions
In this title:
(1)
Board
The
term Board means the National Levee Safety Advisory Board
established under section 6005.
(2)
Canal
structure
(A)
In
general
The term canal structure means an
embankment, wall, or structure along a canal or manmade watercourse
that—
(i) constrains water
flows;
(ii) is subject to frequent
water loading; and
(iii) is an integral part of
a flood risk reduction system that protects the leveed area from flood waters
associated with hurricanes, precipitation events, seasonal high water, and
other weather-related events.
(B)
Exclusion
The
term canal structure does not include a barrier across a
watercourse.
(3)
Federal
agency
The term Federal agency means a Federal
agency that designs, finances, constructs, owns, operates, maintains, or
regulates the construction, operation, or maintenance of a levee.
(4)
Flood damage reduction
system
The term flood damage reduction system means
a system designed and constructed to have appreciable and dependable effects in
reducing damage by floodwaters.
(5)
Flood
mitigation
The term flood mitigation means any
structural or nonstructural measure that reduces risks of flood damage by
reducing the probability of flooding, the consequences of flooding, or
both.
(6)
Floodplain
management
The term floodplain management means the
operation of a community program of corrective and preventative measures for
reducing flood damage.
(7)
Indian
tribe
The term Indian tribe has the meaning given
the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
(8)
Levee
(A)
In
general
The term levee means a manmade barrier (such
as an embankment, floodwall, or other structure)—
(i) the primary purpose of
which is to provide hurricane, storm, or flood protection relating to seasonal
high water, storm surges, precipitation, or other weather events; and
(ii) that is normally subject
to water loading for only a few days or weeks during a calendar year.
(B)
Inclusions
The
term levee includes a levee system, including—
(i) levees and canal
structures that—
(I) constrain water
flows;
(II) are subject to more
frequent water loading; and
(III) do not constitute a
barrier across a watercourse; and
(ii) roadway and railroad
embankments, but only to the extent that the embankments are integral to the
performance of a flood damage reduction system.
(C)
Exclusions
The
term levee does not include—
(i) a roadway or railroad
embankment that is not integral to the performance of a flood damage reduction
system;
(ii) a canal constructed
completely within natural ground without any manmade structure (such as an
embankment or retaining wall to retain water or a case in which water is
retained only by natural ground);
(iii) a canal regulated by a
Federal or State agency in a manner that ensures that applicable Federal safety
criteria are met;
(iv) a levee or canal
structure—
(I) that is not a part of a
Federal flood damage reduction system;
(II) that is not recognized
under the National Flood Insurance Program as providing protection from the
1-percent-annual-chance or greater flood;
(III) that is not greater
than 3 feet high;
(IV) the population in the
leveed area of which is less than 50 individuals; and
(V) the leveed area of which
is less than 1,000 acres; or
(v) any shoreline protection
or river bank protection system (such as revetments or barrier islands).
(9)
Levee
feature
The term levee feature means a structure
that is critical to the functioning of a levee, including—
(A) an embankment
section;
(B) a floodwall
section;
(C) a closure
structure;
(D) a pumping station;
(E) an interior drainage
work; and
(F) a flood damage reduction
channel.
(10)
Levee safety
guidelines
The term levee safety guidelines means
the guidelines established by the Secretary under section 6004(c)(1).
(11)
Levee
segment
The term levee segment means a discrete
portion of a levee system that is owned, operated, and maintained by a single
entity or discrete set of entities.
(12)
Levee
system
The term levee system means 1 or more levee
segments, including all levee features that are interconnected and necessary to
ensure protection of the associated leveed areas—
(A) that collectively provide
flood damage reduction to a defined area; and
(B) the failure of 1 of which
may result in the failure of the entire system.
(13)
Leveed
area
The term leveed area means the land from which
flood water in the adjacent watercourse is excluded by the levee system.
(14)
National levee
database
The term national levee database means the
levee database established under section 9004 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 3303).
(15)
Participating
program
The term participating program means a levee
safety program developed by a State or Indian tribe that includes the minimum
components necessary for recognition by the Secretary.
(16)
Rehabilitation
The
term rehabilitation means the repair, replacement, reconstruction,
or removal of a levee that is carried out to meet national levee safety
guidelines.
(17)
Risk
The
term risk means a measure of the probability and severity of
undesirable consequences.
(18)
Secretary
The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the
Chief of Engineers.
(19)
State
The
term State means—
(A) each of the several
States of the United States;
(B) the District of
Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico;
(D) Guam;
(E) American Samoa;
(F) the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands;
(G) the Federated States of
Micronesia;
(H) the Republic of the
Marshall Islands;
(I) the Republic of Palau;
and
(J) the United States Virgin
Islands.
6004.
National levee safety
program
(a)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, shall establish a national levee safety program to provide
national leadership and consistent approaches to levee safety,
including—
(1) a national levee
database;
(2) an inventory and
inspection of Federal and non-Federal levees;
(3) national levee safety
guidelines;
(4) a hazard potential
classification system for Federal and non-Federal levees;
(5) research and
development;
(6) a national public
education and awareness program, with an emphasis on communication regarding
the residual risk to communities protected by levees and levee systems;
(7) coordination of levee
safety, floodplain management, and environmental protection activities;
(8) development of State and
tribal levee safety programs; and
(9) the provision of
technical assistance and materials to States and Indian tribes relating
to—
(A) developing levee safety
programs;
(B) identifying and reducing
flood risks associated with residual risk to communities protected by levees
and levee systems;
(C) identifying local actions
that may be carried out to reduce flood risks in leveed areas; and
(D) rehabilitating,
improving, replacing, reconfiguring, modifying, and removing levees and levee
systems.
(b)
Management
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall appoint—
(A) an administrator of the
national levee safety program; and
(B) such staff as is
necessary to implement the program.
(2)
Administrator
The
sole duty of the administrator appointed under paragraph (1)(A) shall be the
management of the national levee safety program.
(c)
Levee safety
guidelines
(1)
Establishment
Not
later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in
coordination with State and local governments and organizations with expertise
in levee safety, shall establish a set of voluntary, comprehensive, national
levee safety guidelines that—
(A) are available for common,
uniform use by all Federal, State, tribal, and local agencies;
(B) incorporate policies,
procedures, standards, and criteria for a range of levee types, canal
structures, and related facilities and features; and
(C) provide for adaptation to
local, regional, or watershed conditions.
(2)
Requirement
The
policies, procedures, standards, and criteria under paragraph (1)(B) shall be
developed taking into consideration the levee hazard potential classification
system established under subsection (d).
(3)
Adoption by federal
agencies
All Federal agencies shall consider the levee safety
guidelines in activities relating to the management of levees.
(4)
Public
comment
Prior to finalizing the guidelines under this subsection,
the Secretary shall—
(A) issue draft guidelines
for public comment; and
(B) consider any comments
received in the development of final guidelines.
(d)
Hazard potential
classification system
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary shall establish a hazard potential classification system for use
under the national levee safety program and participating programs.
(2)
Revision
The
Secretary shall review and, as necessary, revise the hazard potential
classification system not less frequently than once every 5 years.
(3)
Consistency
The
hazard potential classification system established pursuant to this subsection
shall be consistent with and incorporated into the levee safety action
classification tool developed by the Corps of Engineers.
(e)
Technical assistance
and materials
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Board, shall establish a national levee
safety technical assistance and training program to develop and deliver
technical support and technical assistance materials, curricula, and training
in order to promote levee safety and assist States, communities, and levee
owners in—
(A) developing levee safety
programs;
(B) identifying and reducing
flood risks associated with levees;
(C) identifying local actions
that may be carried out to reduce flood risks in leveed areas; and
(D) rehabilitating,
improving, replacing, reconfiguring, modifying, and removing levees and levee
systems.
(2)
Use of
services
In establishing the national levee safety training
program under paragraph (1), the Secretary may use the services of—
(A) the Corps of
Engineers;
(B) the Federal Emergency
Management Agency;
(C) the Bureau of
Reclamation; and
(D) other appropriate Federal
agencies, as determined by the Secretary.
(f)
Comprehensive national
public education and awareness campaign
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and the Board, shall establish a national public education
and awareness campaign relating to the national levee safety program.
(2)
Purposes
The
purposes of the campaign under paragraph (1) are—
(A) to educate individuals
living in leveed areas regarding the risks of living in those areas;
(B) to promote consistency in
the transmission of information regarding levees among government agencies;
and
(C) to provide national
leadership regarding risk communication for implementation at the State and
local levels.
(g)
Coordination of levee
safety, floodplain management, and environmental concerns
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Board, shall evaluate opportunities to
coordinate—
(1) public safety, floodplain
management, and environmental protection activities relating to levees;
and
(2) environmental permitting
processes for operation and maintenance activities at existing levee projects
in compliance with all applicable laws.
(h)
Levee
Inspection
(1)
In
general
The Secretary shall carry out a one-time inventory and
inspection of all levees identified in the national levee database.
(2)
No Federal
interest
The inventory and inspection under paragraph (1) does
not create a Federal interest in the construction, operation, or maintenance
any levee that is included in the inventory or inspected under this
subsection.
(3)
Inspection
criteria
In carrying out the inventory and inspection, the
Secretary shall use the levee safety action classification criteria to
determine whether a levee should be classified in the inventory as requiring a
more comprehensive inspection.
(4)
State and tribal
participation
At the request of a State or Indian tribe with
respect to any levee subject to inspection under this subsection, the Secretary
shall—
(A) allow an official of the
State or Indian tribe to participate in the inspection of the levee; and
(B) provide information to
the State or Indian tribe relating to the location, construction, operation, or
maintenance of the levee.
(5)
Exceptions
In
carrying out the inventory and inspection under this subsection, the Secretary
shall not be required to inspect any levee that has been inspected by a State
or Indian tribe using the same methodology described in paragraph (3) during
the 1-year period immediately preceding the date of enactment of this Act if
the Governor of the State or tribal government, as applicable, requests an
exemption from the inspection.
(i)
State and tribal levee
safety program
(1)
Guidelines
(A)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, in coordination with the Board, the Secretary shall issue guidelines that
establish the minimum components necessary for recognition of a State or tribal
levee safety program as a participating program.
(B)
Guideline
contents
The guidelines under subparagraph (A) shall include
provisions and procedures requiring each participating State and Indian tribe
to certify to the Secretary that the State or Indian tribe, as
applicable—
(i) has the authority to
participate in the national levee safety program;
(ii) can receive funds under
this title;
(iii) has adopted any
national levee safety guidelines developed under this title;
(iv) will carry out levee
inspections;
(v) will carry out,
consistent with applicable requirements, flood risk management and any
emergency action planning procedures the Secretary determines to be necessary
relating to levees;
(vi) will carry out public
education and awareness activities consistent with the national public
education and awareness campaign established under subsection (f); and
(vii) will collect and share
information regarding the location and condition of levees.
(C)
Public
comment
Prior to finalizing the guidelines under this paragraph,
the Secretary shall—
(i) issue draft guidelines
for public comment; and
(ii) consider any comments
received in the development of final guidelines.
(2)
Grant program
(A)
Establishment
The
Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide
grants to assist States and Indian tribes in establishing participating
programs, conducting levee inventories, and carrying out this title.
(B)
Requirements
To
be eligible to receive grants under this section, a State or Indian tribe
shall—
(i) meet the requirements of
a participating program established by the guidelines issued under paragraph
(1);
(ii) use not less than 25
percent of any amounts received to identify and assess non-Federal levees
within the State or on land of the Indian tribe;
(iii) submit to the Secretary
any information collected by the State or Indian tribe in carrying out this
subsection for inclusion in the national levee safety database; and
(iv) identify actions to
address hazard mitigation activities associated with levees and leveed areas
identified in the hazard mitigation plan of the State approved by the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et
seq.).
(j)
Levee rehabilitation
assistance program
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary shall establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide
assistance to States, Indian tribes, and local governments in addressing flood
mitigation activities that result in an overall reduction in flood risk.
(2)
Requirements
To
be eligible to receive assistance under this subsection, a State, Indian tribe,
or local government shall—
(A) participate in, and
comply with, all applicable Federal floodplain management and flood insurance
programs;
(B) have in place a hazard
mitigation plan that—
(i) includes all levee risks;
and
(ii) complies with the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106–390; 114 Stat. 1552);
(C) submit to the Secretary
an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Secretary may require; and
(D) comply with such minimum
eligibility requirements as the Secretary, in consultation with the Board, may
establish to ensure that each owner and operator of a levee under a
participating State or tribal levee safety program—
(i) acts in accordance with
the guidelines developed in subsection (c); and
(ii) carries out activities
relating to the public in the leveed area in accordance with the hazard
mitigation plan described in subparagraph (B).
(3)
Floodplain management
plans
(A)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of execution of a
project agreement for assistance under this subsection, a State, Indian tribe,
or local government shall prepare a floodplain management plan in accordance
with the guidelines under subparagraph (D) to reduce the impacts of future
flood events in each applicable leveed area.
(B)
Inclusions
A
plan under subparagraph (A) shall address potential measures, practices, and
policies to reduce loss of life, injuries, damage to property and facilities,
public expenditures, and other adverse impacts of flooding in each applicable
leveed area.
(C)
Implementation
Not
later than 1 year after the date of completion of construction of the
applicable project, a floodplain management plan prepared under subparagraph
(A) shall be implemented.
(D)
Guidelines
Not
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall develop such guidelines for the preparation of floodplain management
plans prepared under this paragraph as the Secretary determines to be
appropriate.
(E)
Technical
support
The Secretary may provide technical support for the
development and implementation of floodplain management plans prepared under
this paragraph.
(4)
Use of funds
(A)
In
general
Assistance provided under this subsection may be
used—
(i) for any rehabilitation
activity to maximize overall risk reduction associated with a levee under a
participating State or tribal levee safety program; and
(ii) only for a levee that is
not federally operated and maintained.
(B)
Prohibition
Assistance
provided under this subsection shall not be used—
(i) to perform routine
operation or maintenance for a levee; or
(ii) to make any modification
to a levee that does not result in an improvement to public safety.
(5)
No proprietary
interest
A contract for assistance provided under this subsection
shall not be considered to confer any proprietary interest on the United
States.
(6)
Cost-share
The
maximum Federal share of the cost of any assistance provided under this
subsection shall be 65 percent.
(7)
Project
limit
The maximum amount of Federal assistance for a project
under this subsection shall be $10,000,000.
(8)
Other
laws
Assistance provided under this subsection shall be subject
to all applicable laws (including regulations) that apply to the construction
of a civil works project of the Corps of Engineers.
(k)
Effect of
section
Nothing in this section—
(1) affects the requirement
under section 100226(b)(2) of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of
2012 (42 U.S.C. 4101 note; 126 Stat. 942); or
(2) confers any regulatory
authority on—
(A) the Secretary; or
(B) the Director of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, including for the purpose of setting
premium rates under the national flood insurance program established under
chapter 1 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4011 et
seq.).
6005.
National levee safety
advisory board
(a)
Establishment
The
Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, shall establish a board, to be known as the National
Levee Safety Advisory Board—
(1) to advise the Secretary
and Congress regarding consistent approaches to levee safety;
(2) to monitor the safety of
levees in the United States;
(3) to assess the
effectiveness of the national levee safety program; and
(4) to ensure that the
national levee safety program is carried out in a manner that is consistent
with other Federal flood risk management efforts.
(b)
Membership
(1)
Voting
members
The Board shall be composed of the following 14 voting
members, each of whom shall be appointed by the Secretary, with priority
consideration given to representatives from those States that have the most
Corps of Engineers levees in the State, based on mileage:
(A) 8 representatives of
State levee safety programs, 1 from each of the civil works divisions of the
Corps of Engineers.
(B) 2 representatives of the
private sector who have expertise in levee safety.
(C) 2 representatives of
local and regional governmental agencies who have expertise in levee
safety.
(D) 2 representatives of
Indian tribes who have expertise in levee safety.
(2)
Nonvoting
members
The Secretary (or a designee of the Secretary), the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or a designee of the
Administrator), and the administrator of the national levee safety program
appointed under section 6004(b)(1)(A) shall serve as nonvoting members of the
Board.
(3)
Chairperson
The
voting members of the Board shall appoint a chairperson from among the voting
members of the Board, to serve a term of not more than 2 years.
(c)
Qualifications
(1)
Individuals
Each
voting member of the Board shall be knowledgeable in the field of levee safety,
including water resources and flood risk management.
(2)
As a
whole
The membership of the Board, considered as a whole, shall
represent the diversity of skills required to advise the Secretary regarding
levee issues relating to—
(A) engineering;
(B) public
communications;
(C) program development and
oversight;
(D) with respect to levees,
flood risk management and hazard mitigation; and
(E) public safety and the
environment.
(d)
Terms of
service
(1)
In
general
A voting member of the Board shall be appointed for a
term of 3 years, except that, of the members first appointed—
(A) 5 shall be appointed for
a term of 1 year;
(B) 5 shall be appointed for
a term of 2 years; and
(C) 4 shall be appointed for
a term of 3 years.
(2)
Reappointment
A
voting member of the Board may be reappointed to the Board, as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
(3)
Vacancies
A
vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original
appointment was made.
(e)
Standing
committees
(1)
In
general
The Board shall be supported by Standing Committees,
which shall be comprised of volunteers from all levels of government and the
private sector, to advise the Board regarding the national levee safety
program.
(2)
Establishment
The
Standing Committees of the Board shall include—
(A) the Standing Committee on
Participating Programs, which shall advise the Board regarding—
(i) the development and
implementation of State and tribal levee safety programs; and
(ii) appropriate incentives
(including financial assistance) to be provided to States, Indian tribes, and
local and regional entities;
(B) the Standing Committee on
Technical Issues, which shall advise the Board regarding—
(i) the management of the
national levee database;
(ii) the development and
maintenance of levee safety guidelines;
(iii) processes and materials
for developing levee-related technical assistance and training; and
(iv) research and development
activities relating to levee safety;
(C) the Standing Committee on
Public Education and Awareness, which shall advise the Board regarding the
development, implementation, and evaluation of targeted public outreach
programs—
(i) to gather public
input;
(ii) to educate and raise
awareness in leveed areas of levee risks;
(iii) to communicate
information regarding participating programs; and
(iv) to track the
effectiveness of public education efforts relating to levee risks;
(D) the Standing Committee on
Safety and Environment, which shall advise the Board regarding—
(i) operation and maintenance
activities for existing levee projects;
(ii) opportunities to
coordinate public safety, floodplain management, and environmental protection
activities relating to levees;
(iii) opportunities to
coordinate environmental permitting processes for operation and maintenance
activities at existing levee projects in compliance with all applicable laws;
and
(iv) opportunities for
collaboration by environmental protection and public safety interests in leveed
areas and adjacent areas; and
(E) such other standing
committees as the Secretary, in consultation with the Board, determines to be
necessary.
(3)
Membership
(A)
In
general
The Board shall recommend to the Secretary for approval
individuals for membership on the Standing Committees.
(B)
Qualifications
(i)
Individuals
Each
member of a Standing Committee shall be knowledgeable in the issue areas for
which the Committee is charged with advising the Board.
(ii)
As a
whole
The membership of each Standing Committee, considered as a
whole, shall represent, to the maximum extent practicable, broad geographical
diversity.
(C)
Limitation
Each
Standing Committee shall be comprised of not more than 10 members.
(f)
Duties and
powers
The Board—
(1) shall submit to the
Secretary and Congress an annual report regarding the effectiveness of the
national levee safety program in accordance with section 6007; and
(2) may secure from other
Federal agencies such services, and enter into such contracts, as the Board
determines to be necessary to carry out this subsection.
(g)
Task force
coordination
The Board shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
coordinate the activities of the Board with the Federal Interagency Floodplain
Management Task Force.
(h)
Compensation
(1)
Federal
employees
Each member of the Board who is an officer or employee
of the United States shall serve without compensation in addition to
compensation received for the services of the member as an officer or employee
of the United States, but shall be allowed a per diem allowance for travel
expenses, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency under subchapter I
of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from the home or
regular place of business of the member in the performance of the duties of the
Board.
(2)
Non-federal
employees
To the extent amounts are made available to carry out
this section in appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall provide to each member
of the Board who is not an officer or employee of the United States a stipend
and a per diem allowance for travel expenses, at rates authorized for an
employee of an agency under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United
States Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of the
member in performance of services for the Board.
(3)
Standing committee
members
Each member of a Standing Committee shall—
(A) serve in a voluntary
capacity; but
(B) receive a per diem
allowance for travel expenses, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency
under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away
from the home or regular place of business of the member in performance of
services for the Board.
(i)
Nonapplicability of
FACA
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not
apply to the Board or the Standing Committees.
6006.
Inventory and
inspection of levees
Section
9004(a)(2)(A) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C.
3303(a)(2)(A)) is amended by striking and, for non-Federal levees, such
information on levee location as is provided to the Secretary by State and
local governmental agencies and inserting and updated levee
information provided by States, Indian tribes, Federal agencies, and other
entities.
6007.
Reports
(a)
State of
levees
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary in coordination with the Board,
shall submit to Congress a report describing the state of levees in the United
States and the effectiveness of the national levee safety program,
including—
(A) progress achieved in
implementing the national levee safety program;
(B) State and tribal
participation in the national levee safety program;
(C) recommendations to
improve coordination of levee safety, floodplain management, and environmental
protection concerns, including—
(i) identifying and
evaluating opportunities to coordinate public safety, floodplain management,
and environmental protection activities relating to levees; and
(ii) evaluating opportunities
to coordinate environmental permitting processes for operation and maintenance
activities at existing levee projects in compliance with all applicable laws;
and
(D) any recommendations for
legislation and other congressional actions necessary to ensure national levee
safety.
(2)
Inclusion
Each
report under paragraph (1) shall include a report of the Board that describes
the independent recommendations of the Board for the implementation of the
national levee safety program.
(b)
National dam and levee
safety program
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment
of this Act, to the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary, in coordination
with the Board, shall submit to Congress a report that includes recommendations
regarding the advisability and feasibility of, and potential approaches for,
establishing a joint national dam and levee safety program.
(c)
Alignment of Federal
programs relating to levees
Not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a
report on opportunities for alignment of Federal programs to provide incentives
to State, tribal, and local governments and individuals and entities—
(1) to promote shared
responsibility for levee safety;
(2) to encourage the
development of strong State and tribal levee safety programs;
(3) to better align the
national levee safety program with other Federal flood risk management
programs; and
(4) to promote increased
levee safety through other Federal programs providing assistance to State and
local governments.
(d)
Liability for certain
levee engineering projects
Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that
includes recommendations that identify and address any legal liability
associated with levee engineering projects that prevent—
(1) levee owners from
obtaining needed levee engineering services; or
(2) development and
implementation of a State or tribal levee safety program.
6008.
Effect of
title
Nothing in this
title—
(1) establishes any liability
of the United States or any officer or employee of the United States (including
the Board and the Standing Committees of the Board) for any damages caused by
any action or failure to act; or
(2) relieves an owner or
operator of a levee of any legal duty, obligation, or liability incident to the
ownership or operation of the levee.
6009.
Authorization of
appropriations
There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this title—
(1) for funding the
administration and staff of the national levee safety program, the Board, the
Standing Committees of the Board, and participating programs, $5,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2014 through 2023;
(2) for technical programs,
including the development of levee safety guidelines, publications, training,
and technical assistance—
(A) $5,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018;
(B) $7,500,000 for each of
fiscal years 2019 and 2020; and
(C) $10,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2021 through 2023;
(3) for public involvement
and education programs, $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2023;
(4) to carry out the levee
inventory and inspections under section 9004 of the Water Resources Development
Act of 2007 (33 U.S.C. 3303), $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018;
(5) for grants to State and
tribal levee safety programs, $300,000,000 for fiscal years 2014 through 2023;
and
(6) for levee rehabilitation
assistance grants, $300,000,000 for fiscal years 2014 through 2023.
VII
Inland
waterways
7001.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to improve program and project management
relating to the construction and major rehabilitation of navigation projects on
inland waterways;
(2) to optimize inland
waterways navigation system reliability;
(3) to minimize the size and
scope of inland waterways navigation project completion schedules;
(4) to eliminate preventable
delays in inland waterways navigation project completion schedules; and
(5) to make inland waterways
navigation capital investments through the use of prioritization criteria that
seek to maximize systemwide benefits and minimize overall system risk.
7002.
Definitions
In this title:
(1)
Inland Waterways Trust
Fund
The term Inland Waterways Trust Fund means the
Inland Waterways Trust Fund established by section 9506(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
(2)
Qualifying
project
The term qualifying project means any
construction or major rehabilitation project for navigation infrastructure of
the inland and intracoastal waterways that is—
(A) authorized before, on, or
after the date of enactment of this Act;
(B) not completed on the date
of enactment of this Act; and
(C) funded at least in part
from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund.
(3)
Secretary
The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, acting through the
Chief of Engineers.
7003.
Project delivery
process reforms
(a)
Requirements for
qualifying projects
With respect to each qualifying project, the
Secretary shall require—
(1) formal project management
training and certification for each project manager;
(2) assignment as project
manager only of personnel fully certified by the Chief of Engineers; and
(3) for an applicable cost
estimation, that—
(A) the estimation—
(i) is risk-based; and
(ii) has a confidence level
of at least 80 percent; and
(B) a risk-based cost
estimate shall be implemented—
(i) for a qualified project
that requires an increase in the authorized amount in accordance with section
902 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public Law 99–662; 100
Stat. 4183), during the preparation of a post-authorization change report or
other similar decision document;
(ii) for a qualified project
for which the first construction contract has not been awarded, prior to the
award of the first construction contract;
(iii) for a qualified project
without a completed Chief of Engineers report, prior to the completion of such
a report; and
(iv) for a qualified project
with a completed Chief of Engineers report that has not yet been authorized,
during design for the qualified project.
(b)
Additional project
delivery process reforms
Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall—
(1) establish a system to
identify and apply on a continuing basis lessons learned from prior or ongoing
qualifying projects to improve the likelihood of on-time and on-budget
completion of qualifying projects;
(2) evaluate early contractor
involvement acquisition procedures to improve on-time and on-budget project
delivery performance; and
(3) implement any additional
measures that the Secretary determines will achieve the purposes of this title
and the amendments made by this title, including, as the Secretary determines
to be appropriate—
(A) the implementation of
applicable practices and procedures developed pursuant to management by the
Secretary of an applicable military construction program;
(B) the establishment of 1 or
more centers of expertise for the design and review of qualifying
projects;
(C) the development and use
of a portfolio of standard designs for inland navigation locks;
(D) the use of full-funding
contracts or formulation of a revised continuing contracts clause; and
(E) the establishment of
procedures for recommending new project construction starts using a capital
projects business model.
(c)
Pilot projects
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary may carry out 1
or more pilot projects to evaluate processes or procedures for the study,
design, or construction of qualifying projects.
(2)
Inclusions
At
a minimum, the Secretary shall carry out pilot projects under this subsection
to evaluate—
(A) early contractor
involvement in the development of features and components;
(B) an appropriate use of
continuing contracts for the construction of features and components;
and
(C) applicable principles,
procedures, and processes used for military construction projects.
(d)
Inland Waterways User
Board
Section 302 of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2251) is amended—
(1) by striking subsection
(b) and inserting the following:
(b)
Duties of Users
Board
(1)
In
general
The Users Board shall meet not less frequently than
semiannually to develop and make recommendations to the Secretary and Congress
regarding the inland waterways and inland harbors of the United States.
(2)
Advice and
recommendations
For commercial navigation features and components
of the inland waterways and inland harbors of the United States, the Users
Board shall provide—
(A) prior to the development
of the budget proposal of the President for a given fiscal year, advice and
recommendations to the Secretary regarding construction and rehabilitation
priorities and spending levels;
(B) advice and
recommendations to Congress regarding any report of the Chief of Engineers
relating to those features and components;
(C) advice and
recommendations to Congress regarding an increase in the authorized cost of
those features and components;
(D) not later than 60 days
after the date of the submission of the budget proposal of the President to
Congress, advice and recommendations to Congress regarding construction and
rehabilitation priorities and spending levels; and
(E) a long-term capital
investment program in accordance with subsection (d).
(3)
Project development
teams
The chairperson of the Users Board shall appoint a
representative of the Users Board to serve on the project development team for
a qualifying project or the study or design of a commercial navigation feature
or component of the inland waterways and inland harbors of the United
States.
(4)
Independent
judgment
Any advice or recommendation made by the Users Board to
the Secretary shall reflect the independent judgment of the Users
Board.
;
(2) by redesignating
subsection (c) as subsection (f); and
(3) by inserting after
subsection (b) the following:
(c)
Duties of
Secretary
The Secretary shall—
(1) communicate not less than
once each quarter to the Users Board the status of the study, design, or
construction of all commercial navigation features or components of the inland
waterways or inland harbors of the United States; and
(2) submit to the Users Board
a courtesy copy of all reports of the Chief of Engineers relating to a
commercial navigation feature or component of the inland waterways or inland
harbors of the United States.
(d)
Capital investment
program
(1)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
subsection, the Secretary, in coordination with the Users Board, shall develop,
and submit to Congress a report describing, a 20-year program for making
capital investments on the inland and intracoastal waterways, based on the
application of objective, national project selection prioritization
criteria.
(2)
Consideration
In
developing the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall take into
consideration the 20-year capital investment strategy contained in the Inland
Marine Transportation System (IMTS) Capital Projects Business Model, Final
Report published on April 13, 2010, as approved by the Users Board.
(3)
Criteria
In
developing the plan and prioritization criteria under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that investments
made under the 20-year program described in paragraph (1)—
(A) are made in all
geographical areas of the inland waterways system; and
(B) ensure efficient funding
of inland waterways projects.
(4)
Strategic review and
update
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this
subsection, and not less frequently than once every 5 years thereafter, the
Secretary, in conjunction with the Users Board, shall—
(A) submit to Congress a
strategic review of the 20-year program in effect under this subsection, which
shall identify and explain any changes to the project-specific recommendations
contained in the previous 20-year program (including any changes to the
prioritization criteria used to develop the updated recommendations);
and
(B) make such revisions to
the program as the Secretary and Users Board jointly consider to be
appropriate.
(e)
Project management
plans
The chairperson of the Users Board and the project
development team member appointed by the chairperson under subsection (b)(3)
shall sign the project management plan for the qualifying project or the study
or design of a commercial navigation feature or component of the inland
waterways and inland harbors of the United
States.
.
7004.
Major rehabilitation
standards
(a)
In
general
The Secretary shall develop a methodology for applying
standard accounting principles when classifying activities as major
rehabilitation projects.
(b)
Evaluations
The
Secretary shall evaluate the effect of applying the methodology developed under
subsection (a) to not less than 3 qualifying projects.
(c)
Report
The
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the evaluation under subsection
(b).
7005.
Inland waterways
system revenues
(a)
Findings
Congress
finds that—
(1) there are approximately
12,000 miles of Federal waterways, known as the inland waterways system, that
are supported by user fees and managed by the Corps of Engineers;
(2) the inland waterways
system spans 38 States and handles approximately one-half of all inland
waterway freight;
(3) according to the final
report of the Inland Marine Transportation System Capital Projects Business
Model, freight traffic on the Federal fuel-taxed inland waterways system
accounts for 546,000,000 tons of freight each year;
(4) expenditures for
construction and major rehabilitation projects on the inland waterways system
are equally cost-shared between the Federal Government and the Inland Waterways
Trust Fund;
(5) the Inland Waterways
Trust Fund is financed through a fee of $0.20 per gallon on fuel used by
commercial barges;
(6) the balance of the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund has declined significantly in recent years;
(7) according to the final
report of the Inland Marine Transportation System Capital Projects Business
Model, the estimated financial need for construction and major rehabilitation
projects on the inland waterways system for fiscal years 2011 through 2030 is
approximately $18,000,000,000; and
(8) users of the inland
waterways system are supportive of an increase in the existing revenue sources
for inland waterways system construction and major rehabilitation activities to
expedite the most critical of those construction and major rehabilitation
projects.
(b)
Sense of
Congress
It is the sense of Congress that—
(1) the existing revenue
sources for inland waterways system construction and rehabilitation activities
are insufficient to cover the costs of non-Federal interests of construction
and major rehabilitation projects on the inland waterways system; and
(2) the issue described in
paragraph (1) should be addressed.
7006.
Efficiency of revenue
collection
Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall
prepare a report on the efficiency of collecting the fuel tax for the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund, which shall include—
(1) an evaluation of whether
current methods of collection of the fuel tax result in full compliance with
requirements of the law;
(2) whether alternative
methods of collection would result in increased revenues into the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund; and
(3) an evaluation of
alternative collection options.
VIII
Harbor
maintenance
8001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
Act of 2013.
8002.
Purposes
The purposes of this title are—
(1) to ensure that revenues
collected into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for the intended
purposes of those revenues;
(2) to increase investment in
the operation and maintenance of United States ports, which are critical for
the economic competitiveness of the United States;
(3) to promote equity among
ports nationwide; and
(4) to ensure United States
ports are prepared to meet modern shipping needs, including the capability to
receive large ships that require deeper drafts.
8003.
Funding for harbor
maintenance programs
(a)
Harbor maintenance
trust fund guarantee
(1)
In
general
The total budget
resources made available from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund each fiscal
year pursuant to section 9505(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating
to expenditures from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund) shall be equal to the
level of receipts plus interest credited to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
for that fiscal year. Such amounts may be used only for harbor maintenance
programs described in section 9505(c) of such Code.
(2)
Guarantee
No funds may be appropriated for harbor
maintenance programs described in such section unless the amount described in
paragraph (1) has been provided.
(b)
Definitions
In
this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)
Total budget
resources
The term total budget resources means the
total amount made available by appropriations Acts from the Harbor Maintenance
Trust Fund for a fiscal year for making expenditures under section 9505(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(2)
Level of receipts plus
interest
The term level of receipts plus interest
means the level of taxes and interest credited to the Harbor Maintenance Trust
Fund under section 9505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for a fiscal year
as set forth in the President’s budget baseline projection as defined in
section 257 of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985
(Public Law 99–177; 99 Stat. 1092) for that fiscal year submitted pursuant to
section 1105 of title 31, United States Code.
(c)
Enforcement of
guarantees
It shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution,
amendment, motion, or conference report that would cause total budget resources
in a fiscal year for harbor maintenance programs described in subsection (b)(1)
for such fiscal year to be less than the amount required by subsection (a)(1)
for such fiscal year.
8004.
Harbor Maintenance
Trust Fund prioritization
(a)
In
general
Section 210 of the Water Resources Development Act of
1986 (33 U.S.C. 2238) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(c)
Prioritization
(1)
In
general
Of the amounts made available under this section to carry
out projects described in subsection (a)(2), the Secretary of the Army, acting
through the Chief of Engineers, shall give priority to those projects in the
following order:
(A) In any fiscal year in
which all projects subject to the harbor maintenance fee under section 24.24 of
title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulation) are not
maintained to their authorized width and depth, the Secretary shall prioritize
amounts made available under this section for those projects that are high-use
deep draft.
(B) In any fiscal year in
which the projects described in subparagraph (A) are maintained to their
constructed width and depth as of the date of enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of
2013, the Secretary shall prioritize not more than 20 percent of
remaining amounts made available under this section for projects—
(i) that have been maintained
at less than their authorized width and depth during the preceding 5 fiscal
years; and
(ii) for which significant
State and local investments in infrastructure have been made at those
projects.
(2)
Administration
For
purposes of this subsection, State and local investments in infrastructure
shall include infrastructure investments made using amounts made available for
activities under section 105(a)(9) of the Housing and Community Development Act
of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(9)).
(3)
Application
The
prioritization criteria under paragraph (1) shall not be implemented in any
fiscal year in which the guarantee in section 8003 of the
Water Resources Development Act of
2013 is not fully
enforced.
.
(b)
Operation and
maintenance
Section 101(b) of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211(b)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by
striking 45 feet and inserting 50 feet;
and
(2) by adding at the end the
following:
(3)
Operation and
maintenance activities defined
(A)
Scope of operation and
maintenance activities
Notwithstanding any other provision of law
(including regulations and guidelines) and subject to subparagraph (B), for
purposes of this subsection, operation and maintenance activities that are
eligible for the Federal cost share under paragraph (1) shall include—
(i) the dredging of berths in
a harbor that is accessible to a Federal channel, if the Federal channel has
been constructed to a depth equal to the authorized depth of the channel;
and
(ii) the dredging and
disposal of legacy-contaminated sediments and sediments unsuitable for ocean
disposal that—
(I) are located in or affect
the maintenance of Federal navigation channels; or
(II) are located in berths
that are accessible to Federal channels.
(B)
Limitations
(i)
In
general
For each fiscal year, subparagraph (A) shall only apply
if all operation and maintenance activities that are eligible for the Federal
cost share under paragraph (1) in a State described in clause (ii) have been
funded.
(ii)
State
limitation
For each fiscal year, the operation and maintenance
activities described in subparagraph (A) may only be carried out in a
State—
(I) in which the total
amounts collected pursuant to section 4461 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
comprise not less than 2.5 percent annually of the total funding of the Harbor
Maintenance Trust Fund established under section 9505 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986; and
(II) that received less than
50 percent of the total amounts collected in that State pursuant to section
4461 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in the previous 3 fiscal
years.
(iii)
Prioritization
In
allocating amounts made available under this paragraph, the Secretary shall
give priority to projects that have received the lowest rate of funding from
the Harbor Maintenance Trust fund in the previous 3 fiscal
years.
.
(c)
Conforming
amendment
Section 9505(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986
is amended by striking as in effect on the date of the enactment of the
Water Resources Development Act of 1996 and inserting as in
effect on the date of the enactment of the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Act of
2013.
8005.
Civil works program
of the Corps of Engineers
(a)
Point of order
(1)
In
general
Subject to
subsections (b) and (c), it shall not be in order in the House of
Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution,
amendment, motion, or conference report that would result in making the amounts
made available for a given fiscal year to carry out all programs, projects, and
activities of the civil works program of the Corps of Engineers other than the
harbor maintenance programs to be less than the amounts made available for
those purposes in the previous fiscal year.
(2)
Calculation of
amounts
For each fiscal year,
the amounts made available to carry out all programs, projects, and activities
of the civil works program of the Corps of Engineers shall not include any
amounts that are designated by Congress—
(A) as being for emergency requirements
pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)); or
(B) as being for disaster
relief pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(D) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(D)).
(b)
Exceptions
Subsection (a) shall not apply if amounts
made available for the civil works program of the Corps of Engineers for a
fiscal year is less than the amounts made available for the civil works program
in the previous fiscal year if the reduction in amounts made available—
(1) applies to all discretionary funds and
programs of the Federal Government; and
(2) is applied to the civil works program in
the same percentage and manner as other discretionary funds and
programs.
(c)
Waiver and
appeal
(1)
Senate
(A)
In
general
Subsection (a) may be
waived or suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of 3⁄5 of the
Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn.
(B)
Appeal
An affirmative vote of 3⁄5 of the Members
of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of
the ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under subsection (a).
(2)
House of
representatives
The Committee on Rules of the House of
Representatives may not report a rule or order that would waive a point of
order to a bill or joint resolution from being made under subsection
(a).
IX
Dam safety
9001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the Dam Safety Act of
2013.
9002.
Purpose
The purpose of this title and the amendments
made by this title is to reduce the risks to life and property from dam failure
in the United States through the reauthorization of an effective national dam
safety program that brings together the expertise and resources of the Federal
Government and non-Federal interests in achieving national dam safety hazard
reduction.
9003.
Administrator
(a)
In
general
The National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467 et
seq.) is amended by striking Director each place it appears and
inserting Administrator.
(b)
Conforming
amendment
Section 2 of the
National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467) is amended—
(1) by striking paragraph (3);
(2) by redesignating
paragraphs (1) and (2) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and
(3) by inserting before
paragraph (2) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)) the following:
(1)
Administrator
The
term Administrator means the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management
Agency.
.
9004.
Inspection of
dams
Section 3(b)(1) of the
National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467a(b)(1)) is amended by striking
or maintenance and inserting maintenance, condition, or
provisions for emergency operations.
9005.
National Dam Safety
Program
(a)
Objectives
Section 8(c) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467f(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (4) and
inserting the following:
(4) develop and implement a comprehensive dam
safety hazard education and public awareness program to assist the public in
preparing for, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from dam
incidents;
.
(b)
Board
Section
8(f)(4) of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467f(f)(4)) is
amended by inserting , representatives from nongovernmental
organizations, after State agencies.
9006.
Public awareness and
outreach for dam safety
The
National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467 et seq.) is amended—
(1) by redesignating sections 11, 12, and 13 as
sections 12, 13, and 14, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after
section 10 (33 U.S.C. 467g–1) the following:
11.
Public awareness and
outreach for dam safety
The
Administrator, in consultation with other Federal agencies, State and local
governments, dam owners, the emergency management community, the private
sector, nongovernmental organizations and associations, institutions of higher
education, and any other appropriate entities shall carry out a nationwide
public awareness and outreach program to assist the public in preparing for,
mitigating, responding to, and recovering from dam
incidents.
.
9007.
Authorization of
appropriations
(a)
National Dam
Safety Program
(1)
Annual
amounts
Section 14(a)(1) of the National Dam Safety Program Act
(33 U.S.C. 467j(a)(1)) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking
$6,500,000 and all that follows through 2011 and
inserting $9,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
(2)
Maximum amount
of allocation
Section 14(a)(2)(B) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(a)(2)(B)) (as so redesignated) is amended—
(A) by striking
The amount and inserting the following:
(i)
In
general
The amount
;
and
(B) by adding at the
end the following:
(ii)
Fiscal year 2014 and
subsequent fiscal years
For fiscal year 2014 and each subsequent
fiscal year, the amount of funds allocated to a State under this paragraph may
not exceed the amount of funds committed by the State to implement dam safety
activities.
.
(b)
National dam
inventory
Section 14(b) of
the National Dam Safety Program Act (33 U.S.C. 467j(b)) (as so redesignated) is
amended by striking $650,000 and all that follows through
2011 and inserting $500,000 for each of fiscal years 2014
through 2018.
(c)
Public
awareness
Section 14 of the National Dam Safety Program Act (33
U.S.C. 467j) (as so redesignated) is amended—
(1) by redesignating
subsections (c) through (f) as subsections (d) through (g), respectively;
and
(2) by inserting
after subsection (b) the following:
(c)
Public
awareness
There is authorized
to be appropriated to carry out section 11 $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2014 through
2018.
.
(d)
Research
Section 14(d) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (as so redesignated) is amended by striking
$1,600,000 and all that follows through 2011 and
inserting $1,450,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
(e)
Dam safety
training
Section 14(e) of the
National Dam Safety Program Act (as so redesignated) is amended by striking
$550,000 and all that follows through 2011 and
inserting $750,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through
2018.
(f)
Staff
Section 14(f) of the National Dam Safety
Program Act (as so redesignated) is amended by striking $700,000
and all that follows through 2011 and inserting
$1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
X
Innovative financing
pilot projects
10001.
Short
title
This title may be cited
as the Water Infrastructure Finance
and Innovation Act of 2013.
10002.
Purposes
The purpose of this title is to establish a
pilot program to assess the ability of innovative financing tools to—
(1) promote increased
development of critical water resources infrastructure by establishing
additional opportunities for financing water resources projects that complement
but do not replace or reduce existing Federal infrastructure financing tools
such as the State water pollution control revolving loan funds established
under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.) and the State drinking water
treatment revolving loan funds established under section 1452 of the Safe
Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300j–12);
(2) attract new investment
capital to infrastructure projects that are capable of generating revenue
streams through user fees or other dedicated funding sources;
(3) complement existing
Federal funding sources and address budgetary constraints on the Corps of
Engineers civil works program and existing wastewater and drinking water
infrastructure financing programs;
(4) leverage private
investment in water resources infrastructure;
(5) align investments in
water resources infrastructure to achieve multiple benefits; and
(6) assist communities facing
significant water quality, drinking water, or flood risk challenges with the
development of water infrastructure projects.
10003.
Definitions
In this title:
(1)
Administrator
The
term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency.
(2)
Community water
system
The term community water system has the
meaning given the term in section 1401 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42
U.S.C. 300f).
(3)
Federal credit
instrument
The term Federal credit instrument means
a secured loan or loan guarantee authorized to be made available under this
title with respect to a project.
(4)
Investment-grade
rating
The term investment-grade rating means a
rating of BBB minus, Baa3, bbb minus, BBB (low), or higher assigned by a rating
agency to project obligations.
(5)
Lender
(A)
In
general
The term lender means any non-Federal
qualified institutional buyer (as defined in section 230.144A(a) of title 17,
Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation), known as Rule 144A(a)
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and issued under the Securities Act
of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.)).
(B)
Inclusions
The
term lender includes—
(i) a qualified retirement
plan (as defined in section 4974(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that
is a qualified institutional buyer; and
(ii) a governmental plan (as
defined in section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) that is a
qualified institutional buyer.
(6)
Loan
guarantee
The term loan guarantee means any
guarantee or other pledge by the Secretary or the Administrator to pay all or
part of the principal of, and interest on, a loan or other debt obligation
issued by an obligor and funded by a lender.
(7)
Obligor
The
term obligor means an eligible entity that is primarily liable for
payment of the principal of, or interest on, a Federal credit
instrument.
(8)
Project
obligation
(A)
In
general
The term project obligation means any note,
bond, debenture, or other debt obligation issued by an obligor in connection
with the financing of a project.
(B)
Exclusion
The
term project obligation does not include a Federal credit
instrument.
(9)
Rating
agency
The term rating agency means a credit rating
agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a nationally
recognized statistical rating organization (as defined in section 3(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))).
(10)
Secured
loan
The term secured loan means a direct loan or
other debt obligation issued by an obligor and funded by the Secretary in
connection with the financing of a project under section 10010.
(11)
State
The
term State means—
(A) a State;
(B) the District of
Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico; and
(D) any other territory or
possession of the United States.
(12)
State infrastructure
financing authority
The term State infrastructure financing
authority means the State entity established or designated by the
Governor of a State to receive a capitalization grant provided by, or otherwise
carry out the requirements of, title VI of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1381 et. seq.) or section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act
(42 U.S.C. 300j–12).
(13)
Subsidy
amount
The term subsidy amount means the amount of
budget authority sufficient to cover the estimated long-term cost to the
Federal Government of a Federal credit instrument, as calculated on a net
present value basis, excluding administrative costs and any incidental effects
on governmental receipts or outlays in accordance with the Federal Credit
Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
(14)
Substantial
completion
The term substantial completion, with
respect to a project, means the earliest date on which a project is considered
to perform the functions for which the project is designed.
(15)
Treatment
works
The term treatment works has the meaning given
the term in section 212 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1292).
10004.
Authority to provide
assistance
(a)
In
general
The Secretary and the Administrator may provide financial
assistance under this title to carry out pilot projects, which shall be
selected to ensure a diversity of project types and geographical
locations.
(b)
Responsibility
(1)
Secretary
The
Secretary shall carry out all pilot projects under this title that are eligible
projects under section 10007(1).
(2)
Administrator
The
Administrator shall carry out all pilot projects under this title that are
eligible projects under paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (8) of section
10007.
(3)
Other
projects
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
carry out eligible projects under paragraph (7) or (9) of section 10007.
10005.
Applications
(a)
In
general
To receive assistance under this title, an eligible
entity shall submit to the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Secretary or the Administrator may require.
(b)
Combined
projects
In the case of an eligible project described in
paragraph (8) or (9) of section 10007, the Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, shall require the eligible entity to submit a single application
for the combined group of projects.
10006.
Eligible
entities
The following
entities are eligible to receive assistance under this title:
(1) A corporation.
(2) A partnership.
(3) A joint venture.
(4) A trust.
(5) A Federal, State, or
local governmental entity, agency, or instrumentality.
(6) A tribal government or
consortium of tribal governments.
(7) A State infrastructure
financing authority.
10007.
Projects eligible
for assistance
The following
projects may be carried out with amounts made available under this
title:
(1) A project for flood
control or hurricane and storm damage reduction that the Secretary has
determined is technically sound, economically justified, and environmentally
acceptable, including—
(A) a structural or
nonstructural measure to reduce flood risk, enhance stream flow, or protect
natural resources; and
(B) a levee, dam, tunnel,
aqueduct, reservoir, or other related water infrastructure.
(2) 1 or more activities that
are eligible for assistance under section 603(c) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1383(c)), notwithstanding the public ownership
requirement under paragraph (1) of that subsection.
(3) 1 or more activities
described in section 1452(a)(2) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C.
300j–12(a)(2)).
(4) A project for enhanced
energy efficiency in the operation of a public water system or a publicly owned
treatment works.
(5) A project for repair,
rehabilitation, or replacement of a treatment works, community water system, or
aging water distribution or waste collection facility.
(6) A brackish or sea water
desalination project, a managed aquifer recharge project, or a water recycling
project.
(7) Acquisition of real
property or an interest in real property—
(A) if the acquisition is
integral to a project described in paragraphs (1) through (6); or
(B) pursuant to an existing
plan that, in the judgment of the Administrator or the Secretary, as
applicable, would mitigate the environmental impacts of water resources
infrastructure projects otherwise eligible for assistance under this
section.
(8) A combination of
projects, each of which is eligible under paragraph (2) or (3), for which a
State infrastructure financing authority submits to the Administrator a single
application.
(9) A combination of projects
secured by a common security pledge, each of which is eligible under paragraph
(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7), for which an eligible entity, or a
combination of eligible entities, submits a single application.
10008.
Activities eligible
for assistance
For purposes of
this title, an eligible activity with respect to an eligible project includes
the cost of—
(1) development-phase
activities, including planning, feasibility analysis (including any related
analysis necessary to carry out an eligible project), revenue forecasting,
environmental review, permitting, preliminary engineering and design work, and
other preconstruction activities;
(2) construction,
reconstruction, rehabilitation, and replacement activities;
(3) the acquisition of real
property or an interest in real property (including water rights, land relating
to the project, and improvements to land), environmental mitigation (including
acquisitions pursuant to section 10007(7)), construction contingencies, and
acquisition of equipment;
(4) capitalized interest
necessary to meet market requirements, reasonably required reserve funds,
capital issuance expenses, and other carrying costs during construction;
and
(5) refinancing interim
construction funding, long-term project obligations, or a secured loan or loan
guarantee made under this title.
10009.
Determination of
eligibility and project selection
(a)
Eligibility
requirements
To be eligible to receive financial assistance under
this title, a project shall meet the following criteria, as determined by the
Secretary or Administrator, as applicable:
(1)
Creditworthiness
(A)
In
general
Subject to subparagraph (B), the project shall be
creditworthy, which shall be determined by the Secretary or the Administrator,
as applicable, who shall ensure that any financing for the project has
appropriate security features, such as a rate covenant, to ensure
repayment.
(B)
Preliminary rating
opinion letter
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable,
shall require each project applicant to provide a preliminary rating opinion
letter from at least 1 rating agency indicating that the senior obligations of
the project (which may be the Federal credit instrument) have the potential to
achieve an investment-grade rating.
(C)
Special rule for
certain combined projects
The Administrator shall develop a
credit evaluation process for a Federal credit instrument provided to a State
infrastructure financing authority for a project under section 10007(8) or an
entity for a project under section 10007(9), which may include requiring the
provision of a preliminary rating opinion letter from at least 1 rating
agency.
(2)
Eligible project
costs
The eligible project costs of a project shall be reasonably
anticipated to be not less than $20,000,000.
(3)
Dedicated revenue
sources
The Federal credit instrument for the project shall be
repayable, in whole or in part, from dedicated revenue sources that also secure
the project obligations.
(4)
Public sponsorship of
private entities
In the case of a project carried out by an
entity that is not a State or local government or an agency or instrumentality
of a State or local government, the project shall be publicly sponsored.
(5)
Limitation
No
project receiving Federal credit assistance under this title may be financed or
refinanced (directly or indirectly), in whole or in part, with proceeds of any
obligation—
(A) the interest on which is
exempt from the tax imposed under chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986; or
(B) with respect to which
credit is allowable under subpart I or J of part IV of subchapter A of chapter
1 of such Code.
(b)
Selection
criteria
(1)
Establishment
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall establish criteria for the
selection of projects that meet the eligibility requirements of subsection (a),
in accordance with paragraph (2).
(2)
Criteria
The
selection criteria shall include the following:
(A) The extent to which the
project is nationally or regionally significant, with respect to the generation
of economic and public benefits, such as—
(i) the reduction of flood
risk;
(ii) the improvement of water
quality and quantity, including aquifer recharge;
(iii) the protection of
drinking water; and
(iv) the support of
international commerce.
(B) The extent to which the
project financing plan includes public or private financing in addition to
assistance under this title.
(C) The likelihood that
assistance under this title would enable the project to proceed at an earlier
date than the project would otherwise be able to proceed.
(D) The extent to which the
project uses new or innovative approaches.
(E) The amount of budget
authority required to fund the Federal credit instrument made available under
this title.
(F) The extent to which the
project—
(i) protects against extreme
weather events, such as floods or hurricanes; or
(ii) helps maintain or
protect the environment.
(G) The extent to which a
project serves regions with significant energy exploration, development, or
production areas.
(H) The extent to which a
project serves regions with significant water resource challenges, including
the need to address—
(i) water quality concerns in
areas of regional, national, or international significance;
(ii) water quantity concerns
related to groundwater, surface water, or other water sources;
(iii) significant flood
risk;
(iv) water resource
challenges identified in existing regional, State, or multistate agreements;
or
(v) water resources with
exceptional recreational value or ecological importance.
(I) The extent to which
assistance under this title reduces the contribution of Federal assistance to
the project.
(3)
Special rule for
certain combined projects
For a project described in section
10007(8), the Administrator shall only consider the criteria described in
subparagraphs (B) through (I) of paragraph (2).
(c)
Federal
requirements
Nothing in this section supersedes the applicability
of other requirements of Federal law (including regulations).
10010.
Secured
loans
(a)
Agreements
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), the Secretary or
the Administrator, as applicable, may enter into agreements with 1 or more
obligors to make secured loans, the proceeds of which shall be used—
(A) to finance eligible
project costs of any project selected under section 10009;
(B) to refinance interim
construction financing of eligible project costs of any project selected under
section 10009; or
(C) to refinance long-term
project obligations or Federal credit instruments, if that refinancing provides
additional funding capacity for the completion, enhancement, or expansion of
any project that—
(i) is selected under section
10009; or
(ii) otherwise meets the
requirements of section 10009.
(2)
Limitation on
refinancing of interim construction financing
A secured loan
under paragraph (1) shall not be used to refinance interim construction
financing under paragraph (1)(B) later than 1 year after the date of
substantial completion of the applicable project.
(3)
Financial risk
assessment
Before entering into an agreement under this
subsection for a secured loan, the Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget and each rating agency providing a preliminary rating opinion letter
under section 10009(a)(1)(B), shall determine an appropriate capital reserve
subsidy amount for the secured loan, taking into account each such preliminary
rating opinion letter.
(4)
Investment-grade rating
requirement
The execution of a secured loan under this section
shall be contingent on receipt by the senior obligations of the project of an
investment-grade rating.
(b)
Terms and
limitations
(1)
In
general
A secured loan provided for a project under this section
shall be subject to such terms and conditions, and contain such covenants,
representations, warranties, and requirements (including requirements for
audits), as the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, determines to be
appropriate.
(2)
Maximum
amount
The amount of a secured loan under this section shall not
exceed the lesser of—
(A) an amount equal to 49
percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs; and
(B) if the secured loan does
not receive an investment-grade rating, the amount of the senior project
obligations of the project.
(3)
Payment
A
secured loan under this section—
(A) shall be payable, in
whole or in part, from State or local taxes, user fees, or other dedicated
revenue sources that also secure the senior project obligations of the relevant
project;
(B) shall include a rate
covenant, coverage requirement, or similar security feature supporting the
project obligations; and
(C) may have a lien on
revenues described in subparagraph (A), subject to any lien securing project
obligations.
(4)
Interest
rate
The interest rate on a secured loan under this section shall
be not less than the yield on United States Treasury securities of a similar
maturity to the maturity of the secured loan on the date of execution of the
loan agreement.
(5)
Maturity date
(A)
In
general
The final maturity date of a secured loan under this
section shall be not later than 35 years after the date of substantial
completion of the relevant project.
(B)
Special rule for State
infrastructure financing authorities
The final maturity date of a
secured loan to a State infrastructure financing authority under this section
shall be not later than 35 years after the date on which amounts are first
disbursed.
(6)
Nonsubordination
A
secured loan under this section shall not be subordinated to the claims of any
holder of project obligations in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency, or
liquidation of the obligor of the project.
(7)
Fees
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may establish fees at a level
sufficient to cover all or a portion of the costs to the Federal Government of
making a secured loan under this section.
(8)
Non-Federal
share
The proceeds of a secured loan under this section may be
used to pay any non-Federal share of project costs required if the loan is
repayable from non-Federal funds.
(9)
Maximum federal
involvement
(A)
In
general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), for each project
for which assistance is provided under this title, the total amount of Federal
assistance shall not exceed 80 percent of the total project cost.
(B)
Exception
Subparagraph
(A) shall not apply to any rural water project—
(i) that is authorized to be
carried out by the Secretary of the Interior;
(ii) that includes among its
beneficiaries a federally recognized Indian tribe; and
(iii) for which the
authorized Federal share of the total project costs is greater than the amount
described in subparagraph (A).
(c)
Repayment
(1)
Schedule
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall establish a repayment
schedule for each secured loan provided under this section, based on the
projected cash flow from project revenues and other repayment sources.
(2)
Commencement
(A)
In
general
Scheduled loan repayments of principal or interest on a
secured loan under this section shall commence not later than 5 years after the
date of substantial completion of the project.
(B)
Special rule for State
infrastructure financing authorities
Scheduled loan repayments of
principal or interest on a secured loan to a State infrastructure financing
authority under this title shall commence not later than 5 years after the date
on which amounts are first disbursed.
(3)
Deferred
payments
(A)
Authorization
If,
at any time after the date of substantial completion of a project for which a
secured loan is provided under this section, the project is unable to generate
sufficient revenues to pay the scheduled loan repayments of principal and
interest on the secured loan, the Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, subject to subparagraph (C), may allow the obligor to add unpaid
principal and interest to the outstanding balance of the secured loan.
(B)
Interest
Any
payment deferred under subparagraph (A) shall—
(i) continue to accrue
interest in accordance with subsection (b)(4) until fully repaid; and
(ii) be scheduled to be
amortized over the remaining term of the secured loan.
(C)
Criteria
(i)
In
general
Any payment deferral under subparagraph (A) shall be
contingent on the project meeting such criteria as the Secretary or the
Administrator, as applicable, may establish.
(ii)
Repayment
standards
The criteria established under clause (i) shall include
standards for reasonable assurance of repayment.
(4)
Prepayment
(A)
Use of excess
revenues
Any excess revenues that remain after satisfying
scheduled debt service requirements on the project obligations and secured loan
and all deposit requirements under the terms of any trust agreement, bond
resolution, or similar agreement securing project obligations may be applied
annually to prepay a secured loan under this section without penalty.
(B)
Use of proceeds of
refinancing
A secured loan under this section may be prepaid at
any time without penalty from the proceeds of refinancing from non-Federal
funding sources.
(d)
Sale of secured
loans
(1)
In
general
Subject to paragraph (2), as soon as practicable after
the date of substantial completion of a project and after providing a notice to
the obligor, the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may sell to
another entity or reoffer into the capital markets a secured loan for a project
under this section, if the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable,
determines that the sale or reoffering can be made on favorable terms.
(2)
Consent of
obligor
In making a sale or reoffering under paragraph (1), the
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may not change the original
terms and conditions of the secured loan without the written consent of the
obligor.
(e)
Loan
guarantees
(1)
In
general
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
provide a loan guarantee to a lender in lieu of making a secured loan under
this section, if the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, determines
that the budgetary cost of the loan guarantee is substantially the same as that
of a secured loan.
(2)
Terms
The
terms of a loan guarantee provided under this subsection shall be consistent
with the terms established in this section for a secured loan, except that the
rate on the guaranteed loan and any prepayment features shall be negotiated
between the obligor and the lender, with the consent of the Secretary or the
Administrator, as applicable.
10011.
Program
administration
(a)
Requirement
The
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall establish a uniform system
to service the Federal credit instruments made available under this
title.
(b)
Fees
(1)
In
general
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
collect and spend fees, contingent on authority being provided in
appropriations Acts, at a level that is sufficient to cover—
(A) the costs of services of
expert firms retained pursuant to subsection (d); and
(B) all or a portion of the
costs to the Federal Government of servicing the Federal credit instruments
provided under this title.
(c)
Servicer
(1)
In
general
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
appoint a financial entity to assist the Secretary or the Administrator in
servicing the Federal credit instruments provided under this title.
(2)
Duties
A
servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall act as the agent for the Secretary
or the Administrator, as applicable.
(3)
Fee
A
servicer appointed under paragraph (1) shall receive a servicing fee, subject
to approval by the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable.
(d)
Assistance from
experts
The Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may
retain the services, including counsel, of organizations and entities with
expertise in the field of municipal and project finance to assist in the
underwriting and servicing of Federal credit instruments provided under this
title.
(e)
Applicability of other
laws
Section 513 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1372) applies to the construction of a project carried out, in whole or
in part, with assistance made available through a Federal credit instrument
under this title in the same manner that section applies to a treatment works
for which a grant is made available under that Act.
10012.
State, tribal, and
local permits
The provision of
financial assistance for project under this title shall not—
(1) relieve any recipient of
the assistance of any obligation to obtain any required State, local, or tribal
permit or approval with respect to the project;
(2) limit the right of any
unit of State, local, or tribal government to approve or regulate any rate of
return on private equity invested in the project; or
(3) otherwise supersede any
State, local, or tribal law (including any regulation) applicable to the
construction or operation of the project.
10013.
Regulations
The Secretary or the Administrator, as
applicable, may promulgate such regulations as the Secretary or Administrator
determines to be appropriate to carry out this title.
10014.
Funding
(a)
In
general
There is authorized to be appropriated to each of the
Secretary and the Administrator to carry out this title $50,000,000 for each of
fiscal years 2014 through 2018, to remain available until expended.
(b)
Administrative
costs
Of the funds made available to carry out this title, the
Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, may use for the administration
of this title, including for the provision of technical assistance to aid
project sponsors in obtaining the necessary approvals for the project, not more
than $2,200,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
10015.
Report to
Congress
Not later than 2
years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter,
the Secretary or the Administrator, as applicable, shall submit to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report
summarizing for the projects that are receiving, or have received, assistance
under this title—
(1) the financial performance of those
projects, including a recommendation as to whether the objectives of this title
are being met; and
(2) the public benefit
provided by those projects, including, as applicable, water quality and water
quantity improvement, the protection of drinking water, and the reduction of
flood risk.
XI
Extreme weather
11001.
Study on risk
reduction
(a)
In
general
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and
the Secretary of Commerce, shall enter into an arrangement with the National
Academy of Sciences to carry out a study and make recommendations relating to
infrastructure and coastal restoration options for reducing risk to human life
and property from extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, coastal storms,
and inland flooding.
(b)
Considerations
The
study under subsection (a) shall include—
(1) an analysis of strategies
and water resources projects, including authorized water resources projects
that have not yet been constructed, and other projects implemented in the
United States and worldwide to respond to risk associated with extreme weather
events;
(2) an analysis of historical
extreme weather events and the ability of existing infrastructure to mitigate
risks associated with those events;
(3) identification of proven,
science-based approaches and mechanisms for ecosystem protection and
identification of natural resources likely to have the greatest need for
protection, restoration, and conservation so that the infrastructure and
restoration projects can continue safeguarding the communities in, and
sustaining the economy of, the United States;
(4) an estimation of the
funding necessary to improve infrastructure in the United States to reduce risk
associated with extreme weather events;
(5) an analysis of the
adequacy of current funding sources and the identification of potential new
funding sources to finance the necessary infrastructure improvements referred
to in paragraph (3); and
(6) an analysis of the
Federal, State, and local costs of natural disasters and the potential
cost-savings associated with implementing mitigation measures.
(c)
Coordination
The
National Academy of Sciences may cooperate with the National Academy of Public
Administration to carry out 1 or more aspects of the study under subsection
(a).
(d)
Publication
Not
later than 30 days after completion of the study under subsection (a), the
National Academy of Sciences shall—
(1) submit a copy of the
study to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives;
and
(2) make a copy of the study
available on a publicly accessible Internet site.
11002.
GAO study on
management of flood, drought, and storm damage
(a)
In
general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Environment and
Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a study of the strategies used
by the Corps of Engineers for the comprehensive management of water resources
in response to floods, storms, and droughts, including an historical review of
the ability of the Corps of Engineers to manage and respond to historical
drought, storm, and flood events.
(b)
Considerations
The
study under subsection (a) shall address—
(1) the extent to which
existing water management activities of the Corps of Engineers can better meet
the goal of addressing future flooding, drought, and storm damage risks, which
shall include analysis of all historical extreme weather events that have been
recorded during the previous 5 centuries as well as in the geological
record;
(2) whether existing water
resources projects built or maintained by the Corps of Engineers, including
dams, levees, floodwalls, flood gates, and other appurtenant infrastructure
were designed to adequately address flood, storm, and drought impacts and the
extent to which the water resources projects have been successful at addressing
those impacts;
(3) any recommendations for
approaches for repairing, rebuilding, or restoring infrastructure, land, and
natural resources that consider the risks and vulnerabilities associated with
past and future extreme weather events;
(4) whether a reevaluation of
existing management approaches of the Corps of Engineers could result in
greater efficiencies in water management and project delivery that would enable
the Corps of Engineers to better prepare for, contain, and respond to flood,
storm, and drought conditions;
(5) any recommendations for
improving the planning processes of the Corps of Engineers to provide
opportunities for comprehensive management of water resources that increases
efficiency and improves response to flood, storm, and drought conditions;
and
(6) any recommendations for
improving approaches to rebuilding or restoring infrastructure and natural
resources that contribute to risk reduction, such as coastal wetlands, to
prepare for flood and drought.
11003.
Post-disaster
watershed assessments
(a)
Watershed
assessments
(1)
In
general
In an area that the President has declared a major
disaster in accordance with section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), the Secretary may carry
out a watershed assessment to identify, to the maximum extent practicable,
specific flood risk reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, or
ecosystem restoration project recommendations that will help to rehabilitate
and improve the resiliency of damaged infrastructure and natural resources to
reduce risks to human life and property from future natural disasters.
(2)
Existing
projects
A watershed assessment carried out paragraph (1) may
identify existing projects being carried out under 1 or more of the authorities
referred to in subsection (b) (1).
(3)
Duplicate watershed
assessments
In carrying out a watershed assessment under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use all existing watershed assessments and
related information developed by the Secretary or other Federal, State, or
local entities.
(b)
Projects
(1)
In
general
The Secretary may carry out 1 or more small projects
identified in a watershed assessment under subsection (a) that the Secretary
would otherwise be authorized to carry out under—
(A) section 205 of the Flood
Control Act of 1948 (33 U.S.C. 701s);
(B) section 111 of the River
and Harbor Act of 1968 (33 U.S.C. 426i);
(C) section 206 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1996 (33 U.S.C. 2330);
(D) section 1135 of the Water
Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2309a);
(E) section 107 of the River
and Harbor Act of 1960 (33 U.S.C. 577); or
(F) section 3 of the Act of
August 13, 1946 (33 U.S.C. 426g).
(2)
Existing
projects
In carrying out a project under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall—
(A) to the maximum extent
practicable, use all existing information and studies available for the
project; and
(B) not require any element
of a study completed for the project prior to the disaster to be
repeated.
(c)
Requirements
All
requirements applicable to a project under the Acts described in subsection (b)
shall apply to the project.
(d)
Limitations on
assessments
(1)
In
general
A watershed assessment under subsection (a) shall be
initiated not later than 2 years after the date on which the major disaster
declaration is issued.
(2)
Federal
share
The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a watershed
assessment under subsection (a) shall not exceed $1,000,000.
(e)
Authorization of
appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
April 22, 2013
Reported with an amendment