---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3956"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3956"
heading: "General provisions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3956"
units:
  - "Chapter 59A — Wetlands"
---

# §3956. General provisions

- (a) **Additional authority for Corps of Engineers—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3951.md?p=1) is authorized to carry out [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for the protection, restoration, or enhancement of aquatic and associated ecosystems, including [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) for the protection, restoration, or creation of wetlands and coastal ecosystems. In carrying out such [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4), the [Secretary](/usc/16/3951.md?p=1) shall give such [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) equal consideration with [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) relating to irrigation, navigation, or flood control.
- (b) **Study—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/3951.md?p=1) is hereby authorized and directed to study the feasibility of modifying the operation of existing navigation and flood control [projects](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) to allow for an increase in the share of the Mississippi River flows and sediment sent down the Atchafalaya River for purposes of land building and wetlands nourishment.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–646, title III, § 307, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4787.)