109 HR 5461 IH: To authorize the Secretary of the Army to carry out water
U.S. House of Representatives
2006-05-23
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Meeting Authorization
Requirements for the Coast Act of 2006
.
(b)
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary.
Title I—Water Resources Projects
Sec. 101. Project authorizations.
Sec. 102. General provisions.
Sec. 103. Project modifications.
Sec. 104. Project-related provisions.
Sec. 105. Studies.
Title II—Louisiana Coastal Area
Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Additional Reports.
Sec. 203. Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and
Restoration Task Force.
Sec. 204. Investigations.
Sec. 205. Construction.
Sec. 206. Non-Federal cost share.
Sec. 207. Project justification.
Sec. 208. Statutory construction.
2.In this Act, the
term Secretary
means the Secretary of the Army.
<enum>I</enum><header>Water
Resources Projects</header>
<section id="H138A7C6416EF4A4A855C2F616333598D"><enum>101.</enum><header>Project
authorizations</header>
<subsection id="HCB998F775F7240AD9B488132A0053D8E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Project with
chief’s report</header>
<paragraph id="HE155A974068844D584BDAA3E00566E91"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Morganza to the
Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana</header><text>The Secretary is authorized to carry
out the project for hurricane and storm damage reduction, Morganza to the Gulf
of Mexico, Louisiana: Reports of the Chief of Engineers, dated August 23, 2002,
and July 22, 2003, substantially in accordance with the plans, and subject to
the conditions, described in such reports, at a total cost of $788,000,000,
with an estimated Federal cost of $512,200,000 and an estimated non-Federal
cost of $275,800,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB5774113E5DE4B73884D7BA27DF9BABB"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Credit</header><text>The
Secretary shall credit toward the non-Federal share of the cost of the project
the cost of design and construction work carried out by the non-Federal
interest before the date of the partnership agreement for the project if the
Secretary determines that the work is integral to the project.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H24C48E6A46964C3AAAAFC527833848C"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Project
authorization subject to final report</header>
<paragraph id="HB4BB444DD9544F17BC5E297700EC00EC"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Donaldsonville,
Louisiana, to the Gulf of Mexico</header><text>The project for flood control,
Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to the Gulf of Mexico, is authorized to be carried
out by the Secretary substantially in accordance with the plans, and subject to
the conditions, recommended in a final report of the Chief of Engineers if a
favorable report of the Chief is completed, at a total cost of $510,300,000,
with an estimated Federal cost of $331,700,000 and an estimated non-Federal
cost of $178,600,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HD4E58B724BE64B71977B28ABC1FEF799"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Sense of
Congress</header><text>It is the sense of Congress that in considering possible
alignments for the project for flood control, Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to the
Gulf of Mexico, the Secretary should take in account the preference of the West
Jefferson Levee District for an alignment that would provide flood protection
for all of the communities located in the Lafitte, Barataria, and Crown Point
areas within Jefferson Parish.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H0868F792D73040F88F18B0532993B308"><enum>102.</enum><header>General
provisions</header>
<subsection id="H344464D631814B22A396EE1708C7F71C"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Small flood
damage reduction projects</header><text>Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of
1948 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/701s">33 U.S.C. 701s</external-xref>) is amended by striking <quote>$7,000,000</quote> and
inserting <quote>$15,000,000</quote>.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H4103E1E91100493ABB3197D0DF009E12"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Beneficial uses
of dredged material</header><text>Section 204 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1992 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/2326">33 U.S.C. 2326</external-xref>) is amended by striking subsections (c)
through (g) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="H91E85FCDD3D94A118568F5629BAE28AF">
<subsection id="H77091C5D544348F1B0DB22109FE3B577"><enum>(c)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary may carry out projects to transport and
place sediment obtained in connection with the construction, operation, or
maintenance of an authorized water resources project at locations selected by a
non-Federal entity for use in the construction, repair, or rehabilitation of
projects determined by the Secretary to be in the public interest and
associated with flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction,
aquatic plant control, and environmental protection and restoration.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H49A67FB6ABC244ADB57622A97BC136A7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Cooperative
agreement</header><text>Any project undertaken pursuant to this section shall
be initiated only after non-Federal interests have entered into an agreement
with the Secretary in which the non-Federal interests agree to pay the
non-Federal share of the cost of construction of the project and 100 percent of
the cost of operation, maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation of the
project in accordance with section 103 of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1986 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/2213">33 U.S.C. 2213</external-xref>).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H856BDF518920478DAF00C0A62DD095C"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Special
rule</header><text>Construction of a project under subsection (a) may be
carried out at Federal expense if—</text>
<paragraph id="HF2E15C6A6E8D40B6B291C9D32BC2C2A0"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the project is for
one or more of the purposes of protection, restoration, or creation of aquatic
and ecologically related habitat, will be carried out at a cost which does not
exceed $750,000 and will be located in a disadvantaged community as determined
by the Secretary; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF81396CDC79F42D199C509D95F006081"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the project will
be located in a coastal community impacted by a hurricane in 2005.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HED7EFC022A6C460DBB68A948F41A84B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Determination of
construction costs</header><text>Costs associated with construction of a
project under this section shall be limited solely to construction costs that
are in excess of those costs necessary to carry out the dredging for
construction, operation, or maintenance of the authorized water resources
project in the most cost- effective way, consistent with economic, engineering,
and environmental criteria.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HEB21DCE513AE40AB97106EABB8D936CC"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Selection of
sediment disposal method</header><text>In developing and carrying out a water
resources project involving the disposal of sediment, the Secretary may select,
with the consent of the non-Federal interest, a disposal method that is not the
least cost option if the Secretary determines that the incremental costs of
such disposal method are reasonable in relation to the environmental benefits,
including the benefits to the aquatic environment to be derived from the
creation of wetlands and control of shoreline erosion. The Federal share of
such incremental costs shall be determined in accordance with subsections (d)
and (f).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H959393A1F9944C7493139213BCBA60C1"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Nonprofit
entities</header><text>Notwithstanding section 221 of the Flood Control Act of
1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1962d-5b">42 U.S.C. 1962d–5b</external-xref>), for any project carried out under this section, a
non-Federal interest may include a nonprofit entity, with the consent of the
affected local government.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HDF1A21056C79417F97067BAD2BB897B6"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000
annually for projects under this section of which not more than $3,000,000
annually may be used for construction of projects described in subsection (e).
Such sums shall remain available until expended.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF76583D59382445EBAE690154DB0F4CC"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Regional
sediment management planning</header><text>In consultation with appropriate
State and Federal agencies, the Secretary may develop, at Federal expense,
plans for regional management of sediment obtained in conjunction with the
construction, operation, or maintenance of water resources projects, including
potential beneficial uses of sediment for construction, repair, or
rehabilitation of public projects for flood damage reduction, hurricane and
storm damage reduction, aquatic plant control, and environmental protection and
restoration.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HF6F12C1F93AD48B58F00CBD6CBA8844C"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header>
<paragraph id="HC37EDF160A0F4138BDAA2840A4536722"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Non-Federal
interest</header><text>The non-Federal interest for a project described in this
section may use, and the Secretary shall accept, funds provided under any other
Federal or State program, to satisfy, in whole or in part, the non-Federal
share of the cost of such project if such funds are authorized to be used to
carry out such project.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6FBAA4DDCDBC4718845262A6ECDCCCC3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other Federal
agencies</header><text>The non-Federal share of the cost of construction of a
project under this section may be met through contributions from a Federal
agency made directly to the Secretary, with the consent of the affected local
government, if such funds are authorized to be used to carry out such project.
Before initiating a project to which this paragraph applies, the Secretary
shall enter into an agreement with a non-Federal interest in which the
non-Federal interest agrees to pay 100 percent of the cost of operation,
maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation of the
project.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="H3B17016C29784D9B98121465B7A4FEE8"><enum>103.</enum><header>Project
modifications</header>
<subsection id="H24F2452D3582477B9BC916DC61523594"><enum>(a)</enum><header>New Orleans to
Venice, Louisiana</header><text>The project for hurricane protection, New
Orleans to Venice, Louisiana, authorized by section 203 of the Flood Control
Act of 1962 (76 Stat. 1184), is modified to authorize the Secretary to carry
out the work on the St. Jude to City Price, Upper Reach A back levee. The
Federal share of the cost of such work shall be 70 percent.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HD2C6E9DDE5D144D9984446BB1D4DEBE3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Deer Island,
Harrison County, Mississippi</header><text>The project for ecosystem
restoration, Deer Island, Harrison County, Mississippi, being carried out under
section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/2326">33 U.S.C. 2326</external-xref>), is
modified to authorize the non-Federal interest to provide any portion of the
non-Federal share of the cost of the project in the form of in-kind services
and materials.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H8CC4E8E27216477CAC8B555BF9D81296"><enum>104.</enum><header>Project-related
provisions</header>
<subsection id="H60FC269F3F944F8A91332E294575EEAB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Larose to Golden
Meadow, Louisiana</header>
<paragraph id="H82E0DF1F8DDD44EAA8002BBA40B30591"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Reimbursement</header><text>The
Secretary shall reimburse the non-Federal interest for 65 percent of the cost
of any planning, design, and construction work performed by the non-Federal
interest between August 16, 1999, and the date of enactment of this Act in
converting the Golden Meadow floodgate, Louisiana, into a navigational lock if
the Secretary determines that the work conforms to the Leon Theriot Lock
Evaluation Report as approved by the Chief of Engineers.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0D18A38025FE446EA97D3054327D1500"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this subsection $16,000,000. Such sums shall remain available until
expended.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H1EDC13BD5F6F4698996CA9C29B452DC"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Non-Federal
levees in Terrebonne, St. Charles, Lafourche, and St. Mary parishes,
Louisiana</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out projects for the
restoration of damaged hurricane and flood control facilities, including
non-Federal facilities, in Terrebonne, St. Charles, Lafourche, and St. Mary
Parishes, Louisiana, to pre-storm levels of protection at full Federal expense
under the emergency authority provided by <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/84/99">Public Law 84–99</external-xref> (33 U.S.C.
701n).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H3DAF61FF08DD42419DBF6945277F6F"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Levees in
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana</header>
<paragraph id="HFA01F005589C4C8FAF7BE771BB1C7589"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Incorporation of
East bank non-Federal levee</header>
<subparagraph id="H88E29E08CC4F402690D2BAF45DB38762"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Incorporation
into Federal levee system</header><text>The Secretary is authorized to
incorporate the non-Federal levee on the east bank of the Mississippi River in
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, into the existing Federal levee system.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HC1E43C73E569445982A9BEE1BEDE946D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Authorization of
appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this paragraph $94,000,000. Such sums shall remain available until
expended.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HD36B314DF8644805AC3F8FB9170431F2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Level of flood
protection</header><text>The Secretary is authorized to undertake such measures
as may be necessary to provide a 100-year level of flood protection for
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6DFF981EB5C54D23A749E806FE2D228B"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Feasibility
studies for certain levee projects, Louisiana</header><text>In conducting
feasability studies for each of the following projects for flood control, the
Secretary shall include, as part of the calculation of benefits and costs, the
benefits of the project to the region commonly referred to as West Jefferson
Parish, Louisiana:</text>
<paragraph id="HED95570286884248A8B8769E44254172"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Crown Point Basin, Crown Point,
Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H571EBD9A6D09402E94B72435B30923DB"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Lower Barataria Basin, Barataria,
Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2CD8CE351A9041D88474CFE6C0C798FF"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Lower Highway 45 Evacuation Route, Lafitte,
Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA0113F39FEE947E491C8D0BBCD5EF100"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Upper Highway 45 Evacuation Route, Jean
Lafitte, Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H16B05515B7E54C9CBC00AFC80017006C"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Jones Point Basin, Crown Point,
Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF5668808CDED48A8B5365985004800A7"><enum>(6)</enum><text>Lower Lafitte
Basin, Lafitte, Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4BE6FDBB6C624CADA300274152F5533E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Harrison,
Hancock, and Jackson Counties, Mississippi</header><text>In carrying out
projects for the protection, restoration, and creation of aquatic and
ecologically related habitats located in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson
Counties, Mississippi, under section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act
of 1992 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/33/2326">33 U.S.C. 2326</external-xref>), the Secretary shall accept any portion of the
non-Federal share of the cost of the project in the form of in-kind services
and materials.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H30705E5EE1414DD8AD8287C87F5318E"><enum>105.</enum><header>Studies</header>
<subsection id="HBCCCBAFF28294E68BE487816BEFBAE9F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Comprehensive
study for Southwest Louisiana</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct a study
of the coast of Louisiana in Cameron, Calcasieu, Vermillion, Iberia, St.
Martin, and St. Mary Parishes, with particular reference to the advisability of
providing hurricane protection and storm damage reduction and related purposes.
In conducting the study, the Secretary shall assess the feasibility of
constructing an armored 12-foot levee along the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H463F65F8EDA144D7979F012CD54995C1"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Mississippi
coastal area, Mississippi</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct a study to
determine the feasibility of making improvements or modifications to existing
improvements in the coastal area of Mississippi in the interest of hurricane
and storm damage reduction, prevention of saltwater intrusion, preservation of
fish and wildlife, prevention of erosion, and other related water resource
purposes.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Louisiana Coastal
Area</header>
<section id="H4841E976114747108FF67D6B9700B192"><enum>201.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title, the following definitions
apply:</text>
<paragraph id="H891481FB6410424681A4B12897B31086"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Coastal
Louisiana ecosystem</header><text>The term <term>coastal Louisiana
ecosystem</term> means the coastal area of Louisiana from the Sabine River on
the west and the Pearl River on the east, including those parts of the Deltaic
Plain and the Chenier Plain included within the study area of the Plan.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDC08822F8FA847CB929CDB57C49CE3E6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Governor</header><text>The
term <term>Governor</term> means the Governor of the State of Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H394F5C0456014C109511A5C12BD28D85"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Plan</header><text>The
term <term>Plan</term> means the report of the Chief of Engineers for ecosystem
restoration for the Louisiana Coastal Area dated January 31, 2005.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0E11C2EF76614171B585D3DBAB85D2D3"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Task
Force</header><text>The term <term>Task Force</term> means the Coastal
Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force established by
section 203.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="HAA6527705F864D899BB430A7816DEA5B"><enum>202.</enum><header>Additional
reports</header>
<subsection id="HC390EBA3A9914EA9BE436B150524BDD4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Mississippi
River-Gulf Outlet</header>
<paragraph id="HDF0E46510C5D4E469CA24FF776B084D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a report recommending modifications to the Mississippi
River-Gulf Outlet to address navigation, salt water intrusion, channel bank
erosion, mitigation, and threats to life and property. The report shall contain
recommended strategies for closing the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet to
navigation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H99D8048182A34184A1B3889B58CDD64"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Dredging
activities</header><text>The Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet element of the
project for the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico,
authorized by <external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/84/455">Public Law 84–455</external-xref> (70 Stat. 65), is modified to direct the
Secretary to cease channel dredging activities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H524D8F80B2A549F3A059127534C08E12"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Chenier
plain</header><text>Not later than July 1, 2007, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report recommending near-term ecosystem restoration measures for the
Chenier Plain, Louisiana.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H1FF6A5636BD745219BB2EDA9FC98A763"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Long-Term
Plan</header>
<paragraph id="H35C6CF6C3B6047069F12AEE9892DA04"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Comprehensive
framework</header><text>Not later than one year after the date of enactment of
this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a recommended framework
for developing a long-term program that provides for the comprehensive
protection, conservation, and restoration of the wetlands, estuaries (including
Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary), barrier islands, and related land and features
that protect critical resources, habitat, and infrastructure in the coastal
Louisiana ecosystem from the impacts of coastal storms, hurricanes, erosion,
and subsidence.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H363C9ECC962C429792B9939F8E937D00"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Consideration</header><text>In
developing the recommended framework, the Secretary shall consider integrating
other Federal or State projects or activities within the coastal Louisiana
ecosystem into the long-term restoration program.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0B9F570044974A7C926536E1C6252F44"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Comprehensive
Plan</header>
<subparagraph id="H21F992C67723454D8CB6FE9D7BCD4C7"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>Not
later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall
submit to Congress a feasibility study recommending a comprehensive, long-term,
plan for the protection, conservation, and restoration of the coastal Louisiana
ecosystem.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H273CF45EF1A24B8E8CB7DD82A38CB76B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Integration</header><text>The
comprehensive, long-term, plan shall include recommendations for the
integration of ongoing Federal and State projects, programs, and
activities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H3E477BCD3153453ABB7E6F819D005150"><enum>203.</enum><header>Coastal
Louisiana Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force</header>
<subsection id="H8FD0855210EA43AC905B9F7CE0FD7BF0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment
and membership</header><text>There is established the Coastal Louisiana
Ecosystem Protection and Restoration Task Force, which shall consist of the
following members (or, in the case of the head of a Federal agency, a designee
at the level of Assistant Secretary or an equivalent level):</text>
<paragraph id="H99A161FBFC2C423680EA47B5D9EFC667"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The
Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6C3F12D3F6D0405A98A6E754D1EDFDC8"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The Secretary of
the Interior.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1BC2F4BE90CA49CEAA8E3D14991F6BCB"><enum>(3)</enum><text>The Secretary of
Commerce.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H99106E489B3E4B6980E9D63FFD38404B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H76FFEBE872704E9ABB13AC193F4188B6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>The Secretary of
Agriculture.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H0B2E2F0D92D843AFAAEAB73F8473E7B"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The Secretary of
Transportation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE33CC6F8A62A46F7892C9B79D15EB436"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The Secretary of
Energy.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2A2FD084DD4A4029898BDD9B9599DAB8"><enum>(8)</enum><text>The Director of
the Federal Emergency Management Agency.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2141296729F4432195D3B71EF3834D22"><enum>(9)</enum><text>The Commandant of
the Coast Guard.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5BDDDDE63DDD46109E1D75B4C48C666D"><enum>(10)</enum><text>The Coastal
Advisor to the Governor.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H834E74ED4F034A3AA3074726C1430038"><enum>(11)</enum><text>The Secretary of
the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HC5C3341E1D8E4036830063A70251E7A"><enum>(12)</enum><text>A
representative of the Louisiana Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal
Restoration and Conservation.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H200D0D47027B4153B4ADB43757C3C658"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties of Task
Force</header><text>The Task Force shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H64AD58DD6947415DAA60BCC22982C2D7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>make
recommendations to the Secretary regarding policies, strategies, plans,
programs, projects, and activities for addressing protection, conservation, and
restoration of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HAD9DFFA4F340414A897B475104BF2E4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>prepare financial
plans for each of the agencies represented on the Task Force for funds proposed
for the protection, conservation, and restoration of the coastal Louisiana
ecosystem under authorities of each agency, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="H4813538FE2574A2E9F0370F48C5717F5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>recommendations
that identify funds from current agency missions and budgets; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H38854D6C03E746A2B6FBF8C43B497F71"><enum>(B)</enum><text>recommendations
for coordinating individual agency budget requests; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="HE6BF517C4D7C426280D94448D527DFC2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>submit to Congress
a biennial report that summarizes the activities of the Task Force and progress
towards the purposes set forth in section 202(c)(1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H28416DFFF3FD472C8C58344C00043FA5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Procedures and
advice</header><text>The Task Force shall—</text>
<paragraph id="H6AA35E4FFF0F40A298574C66E66FC665"><enum>(1)</enum><text>implement
procedures to facilitate public participation with regard to Task Force
activities, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="H2C9D6556624141DC8C40025007B71E7D"><enum>(A)</enum><text>providing advance
notice of meetings;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H26C7F888477E414284E5F79F7B5B84D0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>providing adequate
opportunity for public input and comment;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD975E7662B9A4B1BB2D674DF7FF553FF"><enum>(C)</enum><text>maintaining
appropriate records; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HBABAA934C7FE47F89EB08516039664D"><enum>(D)</enum><text>making a record of
proceedings available for public inspection; and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H663976D4A6554078B04DC4D8B56EDEA"><enum>(2)</enum><text>establish such
working groups as are necessary to assist the Task Force in carrying out its
duties.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HDDBE39A48DA1474F9966F5C488B7F037"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>Members
of the Task Force or any associated working group may not receive compensation
for their services as members of the Task Force or working group.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H969E1CB949FA41C685FA9B3D0014AEBD"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Travel
expenses</header><text>Travel expenses incurred by members of the Task Force,
or members of an associated working group, in the performance of their service
on the Task Force or working group shall be paid by the agency or entity that
the member represents.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H136310948A7A4D87BEC1FDE5A00D252"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Application of
<act-name parsable-cite="FACA">Federal Advisory Committee
Act</act-name></header><text>The Task Force and any working group established
by the Task Force shall not be considered an advisory committee under the
<act-name parsable-cite="FACA">Federal Advisory Committee Act</act-name> (5
U.S.C. App.).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="HA1C5316EA0C74645BFDDFDCC3B5400EA"><enum>204.</enum><header>Investigations</header>
<subsection id="HDFC248F9DF264A79A3A4E6D3C5540E7"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct feasibility studies for
future authorization and large-scale studies substantially in accordance with
the Plan at a total cost $130,000,000.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HEFE2F72E58EC48FCB81218E9CD82AC83"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Existing
federally authorized water resources projects</header>
<paragraph id="H54006B6804474FF5B07891196D4D57C7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall review existing federally authorized
water resources projects in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem in order to
determine their consistency with the purposes of this section and whether the
projects have the potential to contribute to ecosystem restoration through
revised operations or modified project features.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE15A56ED4090490ABBEB1B1B90AF9502"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Funding</header><text>There
is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 to carry out this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="HB11CA345E8CF43C4A1D4FCA7EE84CDA0"><enum>205.</enum><header>Construction</header>
<subsection id="H743AED98119640C0AC7B279158B14C7B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Coastal
Louisiana ecosystem Program</header>
<paragraph id="HF384DE9D824547799668EE030FF242B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall carry out a coastal Louisiana
ecosystem program substantially in accordance with the Plan, at a total cost of
$50,000,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFC1715DE26474BC3AA9EEAB3A8D718E1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Objectives</header><text>The
objectives of the program shall be to—</text>
<subparagraph id="HBCEDEFC49C1B47E2A46164A1D5586230"><enum>(A)</enum><text>identify
uncertainties about the physical, chemical, geological, biological, and
cultural baseline conditions in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H8B72109104DA457887EB5358E145A100"><enum>(B)</enum><text>improve the State
of knowledge of the physical, chemical, geological, biological, and cultural
baseline conditions in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H6121F094B8794CD3BFFDB3DD7D2E0F5"><enum>(C)</enum><text>identify and
develop technologies, models, and methods that could be useful in carrying out
the purposes of this title.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H7D933CC1D1CF454A99BEFDB1EE2228"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Working
groups</header><text>The Secretary may establish such working groups as are
necessary to assist in carrying out this subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HB193CFEDF6E04E7D88BCF3F37CECE96"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Procedures and
advice</header><text>In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary is
authorized to enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with scientific
and engineering experts in the restoration of aquatic and marine ecosystems,
including a consortium of academic institutions in Louisiana and Mississippi
for coastal restoration and enhancement through science and technology.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H98FF498910C740B8BFEC14B7FD6E7449"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Demonstration
projects</header>
<paragraph id="H881C168BC51D4A48AA5545333BA2E759"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary may
carry out projects substantially in accordance with the Plan for the purpose of
resolving critical areas of scientific or technological uncertainty related to
the implementation of the comprehensive plan to be developed under section
202(c)(3).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA3940CBE8FC74D7686AEEBD3CCBBE100"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Maximum
cost</header>
<subparagraph id="H1A2A08D3BD254B03B1CC523C85481F6E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Total
cost</header><text>The total cost for planning, design, and construction of all
demonstration projects under this subsection shall not exceed
$100,000,000.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HB2E9768644DC42E3A3FCD46347849B76"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Individual
Project</header><text>The total cost of an individual demonstration project
under this subsection shall not exceed $25,000,000.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9AC2BC492C88474BB7C79FCD5BEF598E"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Initial
projects</header><text>The Secretary is authorized to carry out the following
projects substantially in accordance with the Plan:</text>
<paragraph id="H54529EFA466D4235ABDBE8B621521572"><enum>(1)</enum><text>Mississippi River
Gulf Outlet Environmental Restoration at a total cost of $105,300,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H6510E1B0B8164C82A121FF2EB8F44EC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>Small Diversion at
Hope Canal at a total cost of $68,600,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HFC072E7500794207A7041225DA3929E4"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Barataria Basin
Barrier Shoreline Restoration at a total cost of $242,600,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1ECE937B92D940128F87CDD5BA70C1B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>Small Bayou
Lafourche Reintroduction at a total cost of $133,500,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HCC95000192614BEAB7783C4243ED00F4"><enum>(5)</enum><text>Medium Diversion
at Myrtle Grove with Dedicated Dredging at a total cost of $278,300,000.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC116B19EB3AA4EC5812C78A6055254A3"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Beneficial use
of dredged material</header>
<paragraph id="H79A8C2FE3D274D06B8A800E92418656B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary, substantially in accordance with the Plan,
shall implement in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem a program for the beneficial
use of material dredged from federally maintained waterways at a total cost of
$130,000,000.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HE958B521248849750011C20010A0AA33"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Sediment
delivery system, West Pointe a la Hache, Plaquemines Parish</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Of the amounts appropriated pursuant to
paragraph (1), $30,000,000 shall be used to provide financial assistance to
permit the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with
Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, the Center for Bioenvironmental
Research, and the Plaquemines Parish government, to—</text>
<subparagraph id="HAC067C59CD374438BB30660034D13C3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>determine the best
plan and design for a sediment delivery system in the region of West Pointe a
la Hache, Plaquemines Parish; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD7B0FA1E6CA04EECAC4C826C88255D73"><enum>(B)</enum><text>construct a
project based on such plan and design.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="H1A862D6CE423404DABFF2DAA007235C2"><enum>206.</enum><header>Non-Federal
cost share</header>
<subsection id="H92988288A72F483989C716CBFFE821CF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Credit</header><text>The
Secretary shall credit toward the non-Federal share of the cost of a study
authorized by section 204 or a project authorized by section 205 the cost of
work carried out in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem by the non-Federal interest
before the date of the partnership agreement for the study or project, as the
case may be, if the Secretary determines that the work is integral to the study
or project, as the case may be.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H65A4D3BF67DF436BB410F0DD70002F00"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Treatment of
credit between projects</header><text>Any credit provided under this section
toward the non-Federal share of the cost of a study authorized by section 204
or a project authorized by section 205 may be applied toward the non-Federal
share of the cost of any other study authorized by section 204 or any other
project authorized by section 205, as the case may be.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="HFE13FE509F374150B82524CCA0DD40FD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Periodic
monitoring</header>
<paragraph id="H6DCC6A87931A41079F5F701D996149D0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>To ensure that the contributions of the non-Federal
interest equal the non-Federal share of the cost of a study authorized by
section 204 or a project authorized by section 205, during each 5-year period
beginning after the date of commencement of the first study under section 204
or construction of the first project under section 205, as the case may be, the
Secretary shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="H9718D8FC12A249209BB02D00D0A6B679"><enum>(A)</enum><text>monitor the
non-Federal provision for each study authorized by section 204 or each project
authorized by section 205, as the case may be, of cash, in-kind services and
materials, and land, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and disposal areas;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H910F280B013B4EDEA7888589E7211E52"><enum>(B)</enum><text>manage, to the
extent practicable, the requirement of the non-Federal interest to provide for
each such project cash, in-kind services and materials, and land, easements,
rights-of-way, relocations, and disposal areas.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H06C9C226552E435A9009F0EBA3FCD469"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Other
monitoring</header><text>The Secretary shall conduct monitoring separately for
the study phase, construction phase, the preconstruction engineering and design
phase, and the planning phase for each project authorized on or after date of
enactment of this Act for all or any portion of the coastal Louisiana
ecosystem.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9CB40C5B735D495B8DD291EC58C5819C"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Audits</header><text>Credit
for land, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and disposal areas (including
land value and incidental costs) provided under this section, and the cost of
work provided under this section, shall be subject to audit by the
Secretary.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H592EF34F558B444C8E2415E15E6C8F24"><enum>207.</enum><header>Project
justification</header>
<subsection id="HA609D7153ED24FD7B09252823458A244"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding section 209 of the Flood Control Act of
1970 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/1962-2">42 U.S.C. 1962–2</external-xref>) or any other provision of law, in carrying out any
project or activity authorized by or under this title or any other provision of
law to protect, conserve, and restore the coastal Louisiana ecosystem, the
Secretary may determine that—</text>
<paragraph id="HDB9565EC737F48759C44B7D470B5AD13"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the project or
activity is justified by the environmental benefits derived by the coastal
Louisiana ecosystem; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H2CF5FD4EB9C34991AEB06B1BBA28874D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>no further
economic justification for the project or activity is required if the Secretary
determines that the project or activity is cost effective.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H876009A162324093B05900E36DB79198"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitation on
applicability</header><text>Subsection (a) shall not apply to any separable
element intended to produce benefits that are predominantly unrelated to the
protection, conservation, and restoration of the coastal Louisiana
ecosystem.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H00D634CA8C184CDFB01D54B80029912F"><enum>208.</enum><header>Statutory
construction</header>
<subsection id="H953829F326B5429CB317F3509384F486"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Existing
authority</header><text>Except as otherwise provided in this title, nothing in
this title affects any authority in effect on the date of enactment of this
Act, or any requirement relating to the participation in protection,
conservation, and restoration projects and activities in the coastal Louisiana
ecosystem, including projects and activities referred to in subsection (a)
of—</text>
<paragraph id="HFA7C9C8C989C41DC9466B555006C4B02"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Department of
the Army;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H8632447BCD364E44B6DFF87CE7AC501D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Department of
the Interior;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H3E4289190E8B43CE8E00544FDE245675"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Department of
Commerce;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H95CF3FBD4E26435AA7335403E004297"><enum>(4)</enum><text>the Environmental
Protection Agency;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H42943CACDDB44685B8E4C119BF180059"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the Department of
Agriculture;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H22EA7AA96731440F8BBD55B2882C8199"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the Department of
Transportation;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H32E5B5274F8240B3A2562812E138F99B"><enum>(7)</enum><text>the Department of
Energy;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H923222DDF1F140E28F88246D02AE006E"><enum>(8)</enum><text>the Federal
Emergency Management Agency;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HA8F58C9D89A0457DADA37F06734B29FD"><enum>(9)</enum><text>the Coast Guard;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H03CEA701958D42EEA9BD00B7DC7C73A6"><enum>(10)</enum><text>the State of
Louisiana.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HA290C7C1F6B447F8BABDA68FBDB335CE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>New
authority</header><text>Nothing in this title confers any new regulatory
authority on any Federal or non-Federal entity that carries out any project or
activity authorized by or under this title.</text>
</subsection></section>