§701n–3 Permanent Measures to Reduce Emergency Flood Fighting Needs for Communities Subject to Repetitive Flooding

Summary

The Secretary can study, design, and build water projects to reduce flood and coastal storm risk for communities that have flooded more than once and that got emergency flood-fighting help (like temporary barriers). "Affected community" means a public government body over such an area. "Natural feature" and "nature-based feature" refer to natural or nature-like elements used for flood risk management. Projects can change or add to existing flood works, build new works, and use natural, nature-based, or nonstructural features. Whenever practical, the Secretary must try to include natural or nature-based features (or a mix with nonstructural options) that cut flood or storm damage by at least 50% in at least one final alternative. If a project is cost‑effective and the federal construction share is $17,500,000 or less, it can proceed without new Congressional approval. If the federal share is more than $17,500,000, the Secretary must send the recommendation to Congress and include it in the next annual report. If benefits don’t exceed costs, the community may pay enough to make the project’s remaining costs equal to its estimated benefits. Cost-sharing must consider the community’s ability to pay, as determined by the Secretary, and any reduced local share for that reason does not count toward the federal share limit.