Collapse to view only § 2215. Feasibility studies; planning, engineering, and design

§ 2211. Harbors
(a) Construction
(1) Payments during construction
The non-Federal interests for a navigation project for a harbor or inland harbor, or any separable element thereof, on which a contract for physical construction has not been awarded before June 10, 2014, shall pay, during the period of construction of the project, the following costs associated with general navigation features:
(A) 10 percent of the cost of construction of the portion of the project which has a depth not in excess of 20 feet; plus
(B) 25 percent of the cost of construction of the portion of the project which has a depth in excess of 20 feet but not in excess of 50 feet; plus
(C) 50 percent of the cost of construction of the portion of the project which has a depth in excess of 50 feet.
(2) Additional 10 percent payment over 30 years
(3) Lands, easements, and rights-of-way
(4) Utility relocations
(5) Dredged material disposal facilities for project construction
(b) Operation and maintenance
(1) In general
(2) Dredged material disposal facilities
(c) Erosion or shoaling attributable to Federal navigation works
(d) Non-Federal payments during construction
(e) Agreement
Before initiation of construction of a project to which this section applies, the Secretary and the non-Federal interests shall enter into a cooperative agreement according to the provisions of section 1962d–5b of title 42. The non-Federal interests shall agree to—
(1) provide to the Federal Government lands, easements, and rights-of-way, including those necessary for dredged material disposal facilities, and perform the necessary relocations required for construction, operation, and maintenance of such project;
(2) hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction or operation and maintenance of the project, except for damages due to the fault or negligence of the United States or its contractors;
(3) provide to the Federal Government the non-Federal share of all other costs of construction of such project; and
(4) in the case of a deep-draft harbor, be responsible for the non-Federal share of operation and maintenance required by subsection (b) of this section.
(f) Consideration of funding requirements and equitable apportionment
The Secretary shall ensure, to the extent practicable, that—
(1) funding requirements for operation and maintenance dredging of commercial navigation harbors are considered before Federal funds are obligated for payment of the Federal share of costs associated with the construction of dredged material disposal facilities in accordance with subsections (a) and (b);
(2) funds expended for such construction are apportioned equitably in accordance with regional needs; and
(3) use of a dredged material disposal facility designed, constructed, managed, or operated by a private entity is not precluded if, consistent with economic and environmental considerations, the facility is the least-cost alternative.
(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 101, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4082; Pub. L. 100–676, § 13(a), Nov. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 4025; Pub. L. 102–580, title III, § 333(b)(1), Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4852; Pub. L. 104–303, title II, § 201(a)–(d), Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3671, 3672; Pub. L. 113–121, title II, § 2102(b), June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1278; Pub. L. 114–322, title I, § 1111, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1636.)
§ 2211a. Preserving United States harbors
(a) In general
(b) Justification of investment
A report submitted under subsection (a) may provide for an economic justification of Federal investment in the operation and maintenance of a federally authorized harbor based on—
(1) the projected economic benefits, including transportation savings and job creation; and
(2) other factors, including navigation safety, national security, and sustainability of subsistence harbors.
(c) Written response
(d) Prioritization
(e) Limitation on statutory construction
(Pub. L. 113–121, title II, § 2107, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1281.)
§ 2212. Inland waterway transportation
(a) Construction
65 percent of the costs of construction—
(1) of each project authorized by title III of this Act,
(2) of the project authorized by section 652(j) of this title, and
(3) allocated to inland navigation for the project authorized by section 844 of this Act,
shall be paid only from amounts appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury. 35 percent of such costs shall be paid only from amounts appropriated from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. For purposes of this subsection, the term “construction” shall include planning, designing, engineering, surveying, the acquisition of all lands, easements, and rights-of-way necessary for the project, including lands for disposal of dredged material, and relocations necessary for the project.
(b) Operation and maintenance
(c) Floodgates on the Inland Waterways
(1) Operation and maintenance carried out by the Secretary
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall be responsible for the operation and maintenance, including repair, of any flood gate, as well as any pumping station constructed within the channel as a single unit with that flood gate, that—
(A) was constructed as of June 10, 2014, as a feature of an authorized hurricane and storm damage reduction project; and
(B) crosses an inland or intracoastal waterway described in section 1804 of this title.
(2) Non-Federal cost share
(d) Authorizations from general fund
Any Federal responsibility—
(1) with respect to a project authorized by title III or section 652(j) of this title, or
(2) with respect to the portion of the project authorized by section 844 allocated to inland navigation,
which responsibility is not provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall be paid only from amounts appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury.
(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 102, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4084; Pub. L. 113–121, title II, § 2013, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1271; Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXI, § 8157(a), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3738.)
§ 2213. Flood control and other purposes
(a) Flood control
(1) General ruleThe non-Federal interests for a project with costs assigned to flood control (other than a nonstructural project) shall—
(A) pay 5 percent of the cost of the project assigned to flood control during construction of the project;
(B) provide all lands, easements, rights-of-way, and dredged material disposal areas required only for flood control and perform all related necessary relocations; and
(C) provide that portion of the joint costs of lands, easements, rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and relocations which is assigned to flood control.
(2) 35 percent minimum contribution
(3) 50 percent maximum
(4) Deferred payment of amount exceeding 30 percent
(b) Projects using nonstructural, natural, or nature-based features
(1) In general
(2) Non-Federal contribution in excess of 35 percent
(c) Other purposesThe non-Federal share of the cost assigned to other project purposes shall be as follows:
(1) hydroelectric power: 100 percent, except that the marketing of such power and the recovery of costs of constructing, operating, maintaining, and rehabilitating such projects shall be in accordance with existing law: Provided, That after November 17, 1986, the Secretary shall not submit to Congress any proposal for the authorization of any water resources project that has a hydroelectric power component unless such proposal contains the comments of the appropriate Power Marketing Administrator designated pursuant to section 7152 of title 42 concerning the appropriate Power Marketing Administration’s ability to market the hydroelectric power expected to be generated and not required in the operation of the project under the applicable Federal power marketing law, so that, 100 percent of operation, maintenance and replacement costs, 100 percent of the capital investment allocated to the purpose of hydroelectric power (with interest at rates established pursuant to or prescribed by applicable law), and any other costs assigned in accordance with law for return from power revenues can be returned within the period set for the return of such costs by or pursuant to such applicable Federal power marketing law;
(2) municipal and industrial water supply: 100 percent;
(3) agricultural water supply: 35 percent;
(4) recreation, including recreational navigation: 50 percent of separable costs and, in the case of any harbor or inland harbor or channel project, 50 percent of joint and separable costs allocated to recreational navigation;
(5) hurricane and storm damage reduction: 35 percent;
(6) aquatic plant control: 50 percent of control operations; and
(7) environmental protection and restoration: 35 percent; except that nothing in this paragraph shall affect or limit the applicability of section 2283 of this title.
(d) Certain other costs assigned to project purposes
(1) Construction
(2) Periodic nourishment
(A) In generalIn the case of a project authorized for construction after December 31, 1999, except for a project for which a District Engineer’s Report is completed by that date, the non-Federal cost of the periodic nourishment of the project, or any measure for shore protection or beach erosion control for the project, that is carried out—
(i) after January 1, 2001, shall be 40 percent;
(ii) after January 1, 2002, shall be 45 percent; and
(iii) after January 1, 2003, shall be 50 percent.
(B) Benefits to privately owned shores
(C) Benefits to federally owned shores
(e) Applicability
(1) In general
(2) Exceptions
(f) “Separable element” definedFor purposes of this Act, the term “separable element” means a portion of a project—
(1) which is physically separable from other portions of the project; and
(2) which—
(A) achieves hydrologic effects, or
(B) produces physical or economic benefits,
which are separately identifiable from those produced by other portions of the project.
(g) Deferral of payment
(1) With respect to the projects listed in paragraph (2), no amount of the non-Federal share required under this section shall be required to be paid during the three-year period beginning on November 17, 1986.
(2) The projects referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) Boeuf and Tensas Rivers, Tensas Basin, Louisiana and Arkansas, authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1946;
(B) Eight Mile Creek, Arkansas, authorized by Public Law 99–88; and
(C) Rocky Bayou Area, Yazoo Backwater Area, Yazoo Basin, Mississippi, authorized by the Flood Control Act approved August 18, 1941.
(h) Assigned joint and separable costs
(i) Lands, easements, rights-of-way, dredged material disposal areas, and relocations
(j) Agreement
(1) Requirement for agreement
(A) In general
(B) Inclusion
(2) Elements of agreementThe agreement required pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be in accordance with the requirements of section 1962d–5b of title 42 and shall provide for the rights and duties of the United States and the non-Federal interest with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project, including, but not limited to, provisions specifying that, in the event the non-Federal interest fails to provide the required non-Federal share of costs for such work, the Secretary—
(A) shall terminate or suspend work on the project unless the Secretary determines that continuation of the work is in the interest of the United States or is necessary in order to satisfy agreements with other non-Federal interests in connection with the project; and
(B) may terminate or adjust the rights and privileges of the non-Federal interest to project outputs under the terms of the agreement.
(k) Payment options
(1) In general
(2) Renegotiation of terms
(A) In generalAt the request of a non-Federal interest, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest may renegotiate the terms and conditions of an eligible deferred payment, including—
(i) permitting the non-Federal contribution to be made without interest, pursuant to paragraph (1);
(ii) recalculation of the interest rate;
(iii) full or partial forgiveness of interest accrued during the period of construction; and
(iv) a credit against construction interest for a non-Federal investment that benefits the completion or performance of the project or separable element.
(B) Eligible deferred paymentAn eligible deferred payment agreement under subparagraph (A) is an agreement for which—
(i) the non-Federal contribution was made with interest;
(ii) the period of project construction exceeds 10 years from the execution of a project partnership agreement or appropriation of funds; and
(iii) the construction interest exceeds $45,000,000.
(3) Credit for non-Federal contribution
(A) In general
(B) Credit of costs
(4) Treatment of pre-payment
(A) In generalNotwithstanding a deferred payment agreement with a non-Federal interest, the Secretary shall accept, without interest of any type, the repayment of a non-Federal contribution for any eligible deferred payment described in paragraph (2)(B) for which—
(i) the non-Federal interest makes a payment of at least $200,000,000 for that eligible deferred payment agreement on or before September 30, 2021;
(ii) the non-Federal interest repays an amount equal to ⅔ of the remaining principal by September 30, 2023; and
(iii) the non-Federal interest repays the balance of remaining principal by June 1, 2032.
(B) Repayment optionsRepayment of a non-Federal contribution under subparagraph (A)(iii) may be satisfied through the provision by the non-Federal interest of fish and wildlife mitigation for one or more projects or separable elements, if the Secretary determines that—
(i) the non-Federal interest has incurred costs for the provision of mitigation that—(I) equal or exceed the amount of the required repayment; and(II) are in excess of any required non-Federal contribution for the project or separable element for which the mitigation is provided; and
(ii) the mitigation is integral to the project for which it is provided.
(l) Delay of payment
(1) Initial payment
(2) Interest
(A) In generalAt the request of any non-Federal interest, the Secretary may waive the accrual of interest on any non-Federal cash contribution under this section or section 2211 of this title for a project for a period of not more than 1 year if the Secretary determines that—
(i) the waiver will contribute to the ability of the non-Federal interest to make future contributions; and
(ii) the non-Federal interest is in good standing under terms agreed to under subsection (k)(1).
(B) Limitations
(m) Ability to pay
(1) In general
(2) Criteria and procedures
(3) Revision of criteria and proceduresIn revising criteria and procedures pursuant to paragraph (2), the Secretary—
(A) shall consider—
(i) per capita income data for the county or counties in which the project is to be located; and
(ii) the per capita non-Federal cost of construction of the project for the county or counties in which the project is to be located; and
(B) may consider additional criteria relating to the non-Federal interest’s financial ability to carry out its cost-sharing responsibilities, to the extent that the application of such criteria does not eliminate areas from eligibility for a reduction in the non-Federal share as determined under subparagraph (A).
(4) Non-Federal share
(n) Non-Federal contributions
(1) Prohibition on solicitation of excess contributionsThe Secretary may not—
(A) solicit contributions from non-Federal interests for costs of constructing authorized water resources projects or measures in excess of the non-Federal share assigned to the appropriate project purposes listed in subsections (a), (b), and (c); or
(B) condition Federal participation in such projects or measures on the receipt of such contributions.
(2) Limitation on statutory construction
(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 103, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4084; Pub. L. 101–640, title III, § 305(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4635; Pub. L. 102–580, title II, § 201(a), title III, § 333(b)(2), Oct. 31, 1992, 106 Stat. 4825, 4852; Pub. L. 104–303, title II, §§ 202(a)(1)(A), (2), (b)(1), 210(a), Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3673, 3681; Pub. L. 106–53, title II, §§ 215(a), 219(c), Aug. 17, 1999, 113 Stat. 292, 295; Pub. L. 106–109, § 5, Nov. 24, 1999, 113 Stat. 1495; Pub. L. 106–541, title II, § 204, Dec. 11, 2000, 114 Stat. 2589; Pub. L. 110–114, title II, §§ 2001, 2019(a), Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1067, 1078; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, §§ 115(b), 143, title III, § 351, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2627, 2653, 2717; Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXI, §§ 8385, 8386, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3829, 3830.)
§ 2213a. Treatment of certain benefits and costs
(a) In general
(b) Savings provision
Except with respect to the benefit-cost analysis, the additional costs referred to in subsection (a) shall be—
(1) included in the total project cost; and
(2) subject to cost-share requirements otherwise applicable to the project.
(Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 152, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2658; Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXI, § 8380, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3828.)
§ 2214. General credit for flood control
(a) Guidelines
(b) Analysis of costs and benefits
(c) Crediting of non-Federal share
The guidelines established under subsection (a) shall provide for crediting the cost of work carried out by the non-Federal interests against the non-Federal share of the cost of an authorized project for flood control as follows:
(1) Work which is carried out after the end of the reconnaissance study and before the submission to Congress of the final report of the Chief of Engineers on the project and which is determined by the Secretary to be compatible with the project shall be included as part of the project and shall be recommended by the Secretary in the final report for credit against the non-Federal share of the cost of the project.
(2) Work which is carried out after submission of the final report of the Chief of Engineers to Congress and which is determined by the Secretary to be compatible with the project shall be considered as part of the project and shall be credited by the Secretary against the non-Federal share of the cost of the project in accordance with the guidelines promulgated pursuant to subsection (a).
In no event may work which was carried out more than 5 years before November 17, 1986, be considered under this subsection, unless otherwise provided in this Act.
(d) Procedure for work done before November 17, 1986
(e)
(f) Limitation not applicable
(g) Cash contribution not affected
(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 104, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4087.)
§ 2215. Feasibility studies; planning, engineering, and design
(a) Feasibility studies
(1) Cost sharing
(A) In general
(B) Payment of cost share during period of studyDuring the period of the study, the non-Federal share of the cost of the study payable under subparagraph (A) shall be 50 percent of the sum of—
(i) the cost estimate for the study as contained in the feasibility cost-sharing agreement; and
(ii) any excess of the cost of the study over the cost estimate if the excess results from—(I) a change in Federal law; or(II) a change in the scope of the study requested by the non-Federal interests.
(C) Payment of cost share on authorization of project or termination of study
(i) Project timely authorized
(ii) Project not timely authorized
(D) Amendment of cost estimate
(E) In-kind contributions
(2) Applicability
(3) Detailed project reportsThe requirements of this subsection that apply to a feasibility study also shall apply to a study that results in a detailed project report, except that—
(A) the first $100,000 of the costs of a study that results in a detailed project report shall be a Federal expense; and
(B) paragraph (1)(C)(ii) shall not apply to such a study.
(b) Planning and engineering
(c) Design
(d) DefinitionsIn this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) Detailed project report
(2) Feasibility study
(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 105, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4088; Pub. L. 101–640, title III, § 301, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4633; Pub. L. 104–303, title II, § 203(a), Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3677; Pub. L. 106–541, title II, § 225, Dec. 11, 2000, 114 Stat. 2598; Pub. L. 110–114, title II, § 2043(a), Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1101.)
§ 2216. Rate of interest

Whenever a non-Federal interest is required or elects to repay an amount under this Act over a period of time, the amount to be repaid shall include interest at a rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration the average market yields on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the reimbursement period, during the month preceding the fiscal year in which costs for the construction of the project are first incurred (or in the case of recalculation the fiscal year in which the recalculation is made), plus a premium of one-eighth of one percentage point for transaction costs; except that such rates for hydroelectric power shall be in accordance with existing law.

(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 106, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4089.)
§ 2217. Limitation on applicability of certain provisions in reports

If any provision in any report designated by this Act recommends that a State contribute in cash 5 percent of the construction costs allocated to non-vendible project purposes and 10 percent of the construction costs allocated to vendible project purposes, such provision shall not apply to the project recommended in such report.

(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 107, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4089.)
§ 2218. General applicability of cost sharing

Unless otherwise specified, the cost sharing provisions of this subchapter shall apply to all projects in this Act. The Federal share of any cost of a project authorized by this Act for which cost a Federal share is not established in this subchapter, shall be the share of such cost otherwise provided by law.

(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 108, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4089.)
§ 2219. Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter, terms shall have the meanings given by section 2241 of this title.

(Pub. L. 99–662, title I, § 109, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4089.)
§ 2220. Rivers and harbors and other waterways projects for benefit of navigation, flood control, hurricane protection, beach erosion control, and other purposes
(a) Congressional declaration of policy; purchase of indebtedness and loans to local interests to meet contribution requirements
(b) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 89–298, title II, § 217, Oct. 27, 1965, 79 Stat. 1088.)
§ 2221. Cost limitations on projects

Beginning in fiscal year 2006 and thereafter, agreements proposed for execution by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works or the United States Army Corps of Engineers after November 19, 2005, pursuant to section 560 of this title; section 561 1

1 See References in Text note below.
of this title; the Civil Functions Appropriations Act, 1936, Public Law 75–208 1 ; section 1962d–5a of title 42; sections 2214, 2231, and 2232 of this title; section 426i–1 1 of this title; section 701b–13 1 of this title; and any other specific project authority, shall be limited to total credits and reimbursements for all applicable projects not to exceed $100,000,000 in each fiscal year.

(Pub. L. 109–103, title I, § 102, Nov. 19, 2005, 119 Stat. 2253.)
§ 2222. Use of other Federal funds
The non-Federal interest for a water resources development study or project, including a study or project under a continuing authority program (as defined in section 2282d(c)(1)(D) of this title) and a study or project under an environmental infrastructure assistance program, may use, and the Secretary shall accept, funds provided by a Federal agency under any other Federal program, to satisfy, in whole or in part, the non-Federal share of the cost of the study or project if—
(1) the statutory authority for the funds provided by the Federal agency does not expressly prohibit use of the funds for a study or project of the Corps of Engineers; and
(2) the Federal agency that provides the funds determines that the study or project activities for which the funds will be used are otherwise eligible for funding under such statutory authority.
(Pub. L. 110–114, title II, § 2007, Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1073; Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXI, § 8149, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3731.)
§ 2223. Transfer of excess credit
(a) Application of credit
(1) In general
(2) Application prior to completion of project
(3) Studies and projects with multiple non-Federal interests
(b) Restrictions
(1) In general
(2) ConditionsCredit in excess of the non-Federal 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 are in excess of the non-Federal cost share for the study or project; and
(ii) the authorized 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 share for the studies and projects in the approved comprehensive plan.
(3) Conditional approval of excess credit
(c) Additional criteriaIn evaluating a request to apply credit in excess of the non-Federal 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
(e) Report
(1) Deadlines
(A) In general
(B) Final report
(2) InclusionsThe 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.
(Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1020, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1227; Pub. L. 114–322, title I, § 1166, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1670; Pub. L. 117–263, div. H, title LXXXI, § 8383, Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3829.)
§ 2224. Crediting authority for federally authorized navigation projects

A non-Federal interest may carry out operation and maintenance activities for an authorized navigation project, subject to the condition that the non-Federal interest complies with all Federal laws and regulations applicable to such operation and maintenance activities, and may receive credit for the costs incurred by the non-Federal interest in carrying out such activities towards the share of construction costs of that non-Federal interest for another element of the same project or another authorized navigation project, except that in no instance may such credit exceed 20 percent of the total costs associated with construction of the general navigation features of the project for which such credit may be applied pursuant to this section.

(Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1021, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1228.)
§ 2225. Credit or reimbursement
(a) Requests for credits
(b) Application of credits
(c) Application of reimbursement
(Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1022, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1228; Pub. L. 114–322, title I, § 1171, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1671; Pub. L. 115–270, title I, § 1136(a), Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3783.)
§ 2226. Water resources projects on Federal land
(a) In general
(b) MOU required
(c) Applicability
(Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1025, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1229.)
§ 2227. Clarification of impacts to other Federal facilities

In any case where the modification or construction of a water resources development project carried out by the Secretary adversely impacts other Federal facilities, the Secretary may accept from other Federal agencies such funds as may be necessary to address the adverse impact, including by removing, relocating, or reconstructing those facilities.

(Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1026, June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1229.)