Sec. 4001 Purpose
The purpose of this title is to authorize the Secretary to study and recommend solutions for water resource issues relating to flood risk and storm damage reduction, navigation, and aquatic ecosystem restoration.
Title IV — Water resource studies
IV Water resource studies
Sec. 4002 Initiation of new water resources studies
In general— Subject to subsections (b), (c), and (d), the Secretary may initiate a study—
to determine the feasibility of carrying out 1 or more projects for flood risk management, storm damage reduction, aquatic ecosystem restoration, navigation, hydropower, or related purposes; or
to carry out watershed and river basin assessments in accordance with section 729 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2267a).
Criteria— The Secretary may only initiate a study under subsection (a) if—
the study—
has been requested by an eligible non-Federal interest;
is for an area that is likely to include a project with a Federal interest; and
addresses a high-priority water resource issue necessary for the protection of human life and property, the environment, or the national security interests of the United States; and
the non-Federal interest has demonstrated—
that local support exists for addressing the water resource issue; and
the financial ability to provide the required non-Federal cost-share.
Congressional approval—
Submission to congress— Prior to initiating a study under subsection (a), the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Environment and Public Works and Appropriations of the Senate and the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Appropriations of the House—
a description of the study, including the geographical area addressed by the study;
a description of how the study meets each of the requirements of subsection (b); and
a certification that the proposed study can be completed within 3 years and for a Federal cost of not more than $3,000,000.
Expenditure of funds— No funds may be spent on a study initiated under subsection (a) unless—
the required information is submitted to Congress under paragraph (1); and
after such submission, amounts are appropriated to initiate the study in an appropriations or other Act.
Additional notification— The Secretary shall notify each Senator or Member of Congress with a State or congressional district in the study area described in paragraph (1)(A).
Limitations—
In general— Subsection (a) shall not apply to a project for which a study has been authorized prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
New studies— In each fiscal year, the Secretary may initiate not more than—
3 new studies in each of the primary mission areas of the Corps of Engineers; and
3 new studies from any 1 division of the Corps of Engineers.
Termination— The authority under subsection (a) expires on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
Authorization of Appropriations— There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2017.