PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

The Secretary must, with the non‑Federal study sponsor’s consent, consider four kinds of options when studying projects for flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration: natural features (formed by physical, geological, biological, or chemical processes over time), nature‑based features (built to work with natural processes to reduce risk), nonstructural measures, and structural measures. By February 1, 2020, and again 5 and 10 years after that, the Secretary must send a report to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The report must describe guidance and steps taken; assess the costs, benefits, impacts, and trade-offs and the effectiveness of measures recommended for coastal risk reduction; and explain any statutory, fiscal, or regulatory barriers to using the full range of measures.

Title 33, §2289a

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definitions

In this section, the following definitions apply:

(1)Natural feature

The term “natural feature” means a feature that is created through the action of physical, geological, biological, and chemical processes over time.

(2)Nature-based feature

The term “nature-based feature” means a feature that is created by human design, engineering, and construction to provide risk reduction by acting in concert with natural processes.

(b)Requirement

In studying the feasibility of projects for flood risk management, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration the Secretary shall, with the consent of the non-Federal sponsor of the feasibility study, consider, as appropriate—

(1)natural features;

(2)nature-based features;

(3)nonstructural measures; and

(4)structural measures.

(c)Report to Congress

(1)In general

Not later than February 1, 2020, and 5 and 10 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 on the implementation of subsection (b).

(2)Contents

The report under paragraph (1) shall include, at a minimum, the following:

(A)A description of guidance or instructions issued, and other measures taken, by the Secretary and the Chief of Engineers to implement subsection (b).

(B)An assessment of the costs, benefits, impacts, and trade-offs associated with measures recommended by the Secretary for coastal risk reduction and the effectiveness of those measures.

(C)A description of any statutory, fiscal, or regulatory barriers to the appropriate consideration and use of a full array of measures for coastal risk reduction.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, and also as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act, also known as the WIIN Act, and not as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 115–270 struck out “in coastal areas” after “risk reduction”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

“Secretary” Defined Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 1002 of Pub. L. 114–322, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.

§2289a Consideration of Measures