I 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6026 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 26, 2012 Mr. Richmond introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To modify the project for navigation, Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Dredging for Restoration and Economic Development for Global Exports Act of 2012 or the DREDGE Act of 2012.

2.

Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana

(a)

Project modification

The project for navigation, Mississippi River Ship Channel, Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, authorized by section 201 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (100 Stat. 4090), is modified as follows: (1)To direct the Secretary of the Army to achieve, operate, and maintain a navigation channel of 50 feet with respect to the portion of the project from Baton Rouge to the Southwest Pass sea buoy. (2)To direct the Secretary to complete the work required under paragraph (1) not later than the last day of the third fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act (completing at least one-third of such work in each of the first 2 fiscal years beginning after such date of enactment). (3)To direct the Secretary to conduct a pilot disposal and sediment project in the Southwest Pass area to determine the cost-effectiveness of pump-out disposal operations for hopper dredges for— (A)environmental enhancement; and (B)dredged material disposal. (b)

Consultation

In carrying out subsection (a)(3), the Secretary shall consult with appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and stakeholders to determine the safe placement and timing of pump-out disposal operations that protect, create, restore, and nourish coastal wetlands and aquatic habitat. (c)

Treatment of costs

All costs of the work required under subsection (a) shall be treated as operation and maintenance costs, including the first costs of achieving a navigation channel of 50 feet. (d)

Federal share

Notwithstanding section 101(b)(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211(b)(1)), the Federal share of the cost of the work required under subsection (a) shall be 100 percent. (e)

Funding

Notwithstanding section 210 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2238) or section 9505 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the Secretary shall pay 100 percent of the costs of the work required under subsection (a) out of amounts made available to the Secretary from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund for operation and maintenance expenses. (f)

Report to Congress

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on— (1)the cost and the environmental, storm damage reduction, and social benefits of the pump-out disposal operation carried out under subsection (a)(3), as compared to standard dredging practices for the area; and (2)the total quantity of dredge material produced during operation and maintenance activities in the New Orleans District and the quantity that is beneficially used. (g)

Limitation on statutory construction

Nothing in this section may be construed to affect the authority of the Secretary with respect to the width of the project referred to in subsection (a).