Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-110
§2316 Environmental Protection Mission
Title 33 › CHAPTER 36 — WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT › SUBCHAPTER V — GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 2316
Summary
The Secretary must make protecting the environment one of the Corps of Engineers’ main goals when planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining water projects. That change does not affect (1) Corps' existing authorities, including navigation and flood control; (2) pending permit applications or lawsuits; or (3) how public‑interest reviews apply.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §2316
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)General rule
The Secretary shall include environmental protection as one of the primary missions of the Corps of Engineers in planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining water resources projects.
(b)Limitation
Nothing in this section affects—
(1)existing Corps of Engineers’ authorities, including its authorities with respect to navigation and flood control;
(2)pending Corps of Engineers permit applications or pending lawsuits involving permits or water resources projects; or
(3)the application of public interest review procedures for Corps of Engineers permits.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1990, and not as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 which comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
“Secretary” Defined Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 2 of Pub. L. 101–640, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 2316
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110