§2267a Watershed and River Basin Assessments

Summary

The Secretary can study what river basins and watersheds need for their water resources. The study can look at things like protecting and restoring ecosystems, reducing flood damage, navigation and ports, watershed protection, water supply and drought planning, sea level rise and coastal storm damage, and protecting streambanks and shorelines. The Secretary must work with the Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce Departments, the EPA Administrator, and other federal agencies, and must consult with tribal, State, interstate, and local governments. When picking places to study, the Secretary must give priority to 18 named basins and watersheds (for example: Delaware, Kentucky, Potomac, Susquehanna, Willamette, the Mississippi watershed, San Francisco Bay, New York–New Jersey Harbor watersheds, several basins in New York and Michigan, and others). The Secretary can accept cash or in-kind help from government partners to finish a study. For studies done on or after December 11, 2000, non‑Federal partners must pay 25 percent of the cost. In-kind help can count toward that 25 percent, but not more than 25 percent of the total cost. If a non‑Federal party asks, the Secretary may prepare a feasibility report recommending a project, and must give priority to certain Maui watersheds (Wahikuli, Honokowai, Kahana, Honokahua, and Honolua and nearby coral reef habitat) and to watersheds in the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.