---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 3154"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "3154"
heading: "Special impact areas"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/3154"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Public Works and Economic Development"
  - "Subchapter II — Grants for Public Works and Economic Development"
---

# §3154. Special impact areas

- (a) **In general—** On the application of an [eligible recipient](/usc/42/3122.md?p=6-A) that is determined by the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) to be unable to comply with the requirements of [section 3162 of this title](/usc/42/3162.md), the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) may waive, in whole or in part, the requirements of [section 3162 of this title](/usc/42/3162.md) and designate the area represented by the recipient as a special impact area.
- (b) **Conditions—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) may make a designation under [subsection (a)](#a) only after determining that—
  - (1) the [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) will fulfill a pressing need of the area; and
  - (2) the [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) will—
    - (A) be useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment; or
    - (B) assist in providing useful employment opportunities for the unemployed or underemployed residents in the area.
- (c) **Notification—** At the time of the designation under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/3122.md?p=13) shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a written notice of the designation, including a justification for the designation.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–136, title II, § 214, as added Pub. L. 108–373, title II, § 209(a), Oct. 27, 2004, 118 Stat. 1763.)