---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 578b"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "578b"
heading: "Disposition of projects"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/578b"
units:
  - "Chapter 12 — River and Harbor Improvements Generally"
  - "Subchapter I — General Provisions"
---

# §578b. Disposition of projects

- (a) **In general—** In carrying out a disposition study for a project of the Corps of Engineers, or a [separable element](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=3) of such a project, including a disposition study under [section 549a of this title](/usc/33/549a.md), the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) shall consider modifications that would improve the overall quality of the environment in the public interest, including removal of the project or [separable element](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=3) of a project.
- (b) **Disposition study transparency—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) shall carry out disposition studies described in [subsection (a)](#a) in a transparent manner, including by—
  - (1) providing opportunities for public input; and
  - (2) publishing the final disposition studies.
- (c) **Removal of infrastructure—** For disposition studies described in [subsection (a)](#a) in which the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) determines that a Federal interest no longer exists, and makes a recommendation of removal of the project or [separable element](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=3) of a project, the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) is authorized, using existing authorities, to pursue removal of the project or [separable element](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=3) of a project in partnership with other Federal agencies and non-Federal entities with appropriate capabilities to undertake infrastructure removal.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 115–270, title I, § 1168, Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3798.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### “Secretary” Defined

Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 102 of Pub. L. 115–270, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.