33 USC 2232 - Construction of water resources development projects by non-Federal interests

View all text of Subchapter II [§ 2231 - § 2243]

§ 2232. Construction of water resources development projects by non-Federal interests

(a) Water resources development project definedIn this section, the term “water resources development project” means a project recommendation that results from—

(1) a feasibility report, as such term is defined in section 2282d(f) 1

1 See References in Text note below.

of this title;

(2) a completed feasibility study developed under section 2231 of this title; or

(3) a final feasibility study for water resources development and conservation and other purposes that is specifically authorized by Congress to be carried out by the Secretary.

(b) Authority

(1) In generalA non-Federal interest may carry out a federally authorized water resources development project, or separable element thereof—

(A) in accordance with a plan approved by the Secretary for the project or separable element; and

(B) subject to any conditions that the Secretary may require, including any conditions specified under section 2231(c)(3) of this title.

(2) ConditionsBefore carrying out a water resources development project, or separable element thereof, under this section, a non-Federal interest shall—

(A) obtain any permit or approval required in connection with the project or separable element under Federal or State law, except as provided in paragraph (3); and

(B) ensure that a final environmental impact statement or environmental assessment, as appropriate, for the project or separable element has been filed.

(3) Permit exception

(A) In general

For a project described in subsection (a)(1) or subsection (a)(3), or a separable element thereof, with respect to which a written agreement described in subparagraph (B) has been entered into, a non-Federal interest that carries out a project under this section shall not be required to obtain any Federal permits or approvals that would not be required if the Secretary carried out the project or separable element unless significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmental concerns or compliance have arisen since development of the project recommendation.

(B) Written agreement

For purposes of this paragraph, a written agreement shall provide that the non-Federal interest shall comply with the same legal and technical requirements that would apply if the project or separable element were carried out by the Secretary, including all mitigation required to offset environmental impacts of the project or separable element as determined by the Secretary.

Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), if a non-Federal interest carrying out a project under this section would, in the absence of a written agreement entered into under this paragraph, be required to obtain a certification from a State under Federal law to carry out the project, such certification shall still be required if a written agreement is entered into with respect to the project under this paragraph.

(4) Data sharing

(A) In general

If a non-Federal interest for a water resources development project begins to carry out that water resources development project under this section, the non-Federal interest may request that the Secretary transfer to the non-Federal interest all relevant data and documentation under the control of the Secretary with respect to that water resources development project.

(B) Deadline

Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall transfer the data and documentation requested by a non-Federal interest under subparagraph (A) not later than the date that is 90 days after the date on which the non-Federal interest so requests such data and documentation.

Nothing in this paragraph obligates the Secretary to share any data or documentation that the Secretary considers to be proprietary information.

(1) In general

When requested by an appropriate non-Federal interest, the Secretary shall undertake all necessary studies, engineering, and technical assistance on construction for any project to be undertaken under this section, and provide technical assistance in obtaining all necessary permits for the construction, if the non-Federal interest contracts with the Secretary to furnish the United States funds for the studies, engineering, or technical assistance on construction in the period during which the studies, engineering, or technical assistance on construction are being conducted.

(2) No waiver

Nothing in this section may be construed to waive any requirement of section 3142 of title 40.

(3) Limitation

Funds provided by non-Federal interests under this subsection shall not be eligible for credit or reimbursement under subsection (d).

(4) Impartial decisionmaking

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the use of funds accepted from a non-Federal interest will not affect the impartial decisionmaking of the Secretary, either substantively or procedurally.

(d) Credit or reimbursement

(1) General ruleSubject to paragraph (3), a project or separable element of a project carried out by a non-Federal interest under this section shall be eligible for credit or reimbursement for the Federal share of work carried out on a project or separable element of a project if—

(A) before initiation of construction of the project or separable element—

(i) the Secretary approves the plans for construction of the project or separable element of the project by the non-Federal interest;

(ii) the Secretary determines, before approval of the plans, that the project or separable element of the project is feasible; and

(iii) the non-Federal interest enters into a written agreement with the Secretary under section 1962d–5b of title 42, including an agreement to pay the non-Federal share, if any, of the cost of operation and maintenance of the project; and

(B) the Secretary determines that all Federal laws and regulations applicable to the construction of a water resources development project, and any conditions identified under subsection (b)(1)(B), were complied with by the non-Federal interest during construction of the project or separable element of the project.

(2) Application of creditThe Secretary may apply credit toward—

(A) the non-Federal share of authorized separable elements of the same project; or

(B) subject to the requirements of this section and section 2223 of this title, at the request of the non-Federal interest, the non-Federal share of a different water resources development project.

(3) RequirementsThe Secretary may only apply credit or provide reimbursement under paragraph (1) if—

(A) Congress has authorized construction of the project or separable element of the project;

(B) the Secretary certifies that the project has been constructed in accordance with—

(i) all applicable permits or approvals; and

(ii) this section; and

(4) MonitoringThe Secretary shall regularly monitor and audit any water resources development project, or separable element of a water resources development project, constructed by a non-Federal interest under this section to ensure that—

(A) the construction is carried out in compliance with the requirements of this section; and

(B) the costs of the construction are reasonable.

(5) Discrete segments

(A) In generalThe Secretary may authorize credit or reimbursement under this subsection for carrying out a discrete segment of a federally authorized water resources development project, or separable element thereof, before final completion of the project or separable element if—

(i) except as provided in clause (ii), the Secretary determines that the discrete segment satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (1) through (4) in the same manner as the project or separable element; and

(ii) notwithstanding paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the Secretary determines, before the approval of the plans under paragraph (1)(A)(i), that the discrete segment is technically feasible and environmentally acceptable.

(B) DeterminationCredit or reimbursement may not be made available to a non-Federal interest pursuant to this paragraph until the Secretary determines that—

(i) the construction of the discrete segment for which credit or reimbursement is requested is complete; and

(ii) the construction is consistent with the authorization of the applicable water resources development project, or separable element thereof, and the plans approved under paragraph (1)(A)(i).

(i) In generalAs part of the written agreement required under paragraph (1)(A)(iii), a non-Federal interest to be eligible for credit or reimbursement under this paragraph shall—(I) identify any discrete segment that the non-Federal interest may carry out; and(II) agree to the completion of the water resources development project, or separable element thereof, with respect to which the discrete segment is a part and establish a timeframe for such completion.

(ii) Remittance

If a non-Federal interest fails to complete a water resources development project, or separable element thereof, that it agreed to complete under clause (i)(II), the non-Federal interest shall remit any reimbursements received under this paragraph for a discrete segment of such project or separable element.

(D) Discrete segment definedIn this paragraph, the term “discrete segment” means a physical portion of a water resources development project to be carried out, or separable element thereof—

(i) described by a non-Federal interest in a written agreement required under paragraph (1)(A)(iii); and

(ii) that the non-Federal interest can operate and maintain, independently and without creating a hazard, in advance of final completion of the water resources development project, or separable element thereof.

(e) Notification of committees

If a non-Federal interest notifies the Secretary that the non-Federal interest intends to carry out a project, or separable element thereof, under this section, the Secretary shall provide written notice to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives concerning the intent of the non-Federal interest.

(f) Operation and maintenance

(1) Assumption of maintenanceWhenever a non-Federal interest carries out improvements to a federally authorized harbor or inland harbor, the Secretary shall be responsible for operation and maintenance in accordance with section 2211(b) of this title if—

(A) before construction of the improvements—

(i) the Secretary determines that the improvements are feasible and consistent with the purposes of this subchapter; and

(ii) the Secretary and the non-Federal interest execute a written agreement relating to operation and maintenance of the improvements;

(B) the Secretary certifies that the project or separable element of the project is constructed in accordance with applicable permits and appropriate engineering and design standards; and

(2) Federal financial participation in the costs of a locally preferred plan.

In the case of improvements determined by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (1)(A)(i) to deviate from the national economic development plan, the Secretary shall be responsible for all operation and maintenance costs of such improvements, as described in section 2211(b) of this title, including costs in excess of the costs of the national economic development plan, if the Secretary determines that the improvements satisfy the requirements of paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 99–662, title II, § 204, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4099; Pub. L. 101–640, title III, § 303, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4634; Pub. L. 113–121, title I, § 1014(b)(1), June 10, 2014, 128 Stat. 1220; Pub. L. 114–322, title I, § 1127, Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1648; Pub. L. 115–270, title I, § 1153, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3789; Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, § 105(a), (b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2622.)