§426m Collection and removal of drift and debris from publicly maintained commercial boat harbors and adjacent land and water areas

Summary

Requires the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to plan and carry out projects that collect and remove floating trash, wrecks, and other dangerous material from publicly maintained commercial boat harbors and the land and water right next to them. Projects that cost less than $400,000 in federal money can be done without extra approval from Congress. The federal government pays two-thirds of a project's cost. States, cities, or other local governments pay the rest, unless the debris is on federal land — then the federal government pays. Local sponsors must try to get money back from owners of piers or other sources of the debris, or make repairs so the sources stop creating debris. Local sponsors must give needed land, access, and disposal areas, keep and regulate the area after work is done, and agree to protect the United States from damage claims; the Chief of Engineers will give technical help. “Drift” means floating material that can harm boats. “Debris” means old or sunk structures or objects that could fall into the water. Money can be appropriated as needed for fiscal years after September 30, 1986.