§2326e Non-federal Interest Dredging Authority

Summary

The Secretary can allow a non‑Federal group to do maintenance work on an authorized navigation project (or a part of one) so the project stays at or above its required minimum size. The non‑Federal group must sign an agreement with the Secretary before starting. The group must give any equipment free to the Federal Government and must protect the United States from damage caused by that equipment, unless the damage is the fault of a Federal contractor. Reimbursement is available only if Congress provides money and cannot be more than the estimated Federal cost to do the work. Reimbursable dredge costs are limited to the lesser of: costs while the dredge works for the Federal Government in a fiscal year, or the actual Federal appropriations for that dredge use that year. The Secretary may audit projects starting 5 years after December 16, 2016, and the authority ends 10 years after December 16, 2016.