80 FR 30061 - Proposals by Non-Federal Interests for Feasibility Studies and for Modifications to an Authorized Water Resources Development Project, or Feasibility Study for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 100 (May 26, 2015)

Section 7001 of Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) 2014 requires that the Secretary of the Army annually submit to the Congress a report that identifies feasibility reports, proposed feasibility studies submitted by non-Federal interests, and proposed modifications to an authorized water resources development project or feasibility study that meet certain criteria. The report is to be based, in part, upon an annual request for proposals by non-Federal interests.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30061-30063]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-12626]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Proposals by Non-Federal Interests for Feasibility Studies and 
for Modifications to an Authorized Water Resources Development Project, 
or Feasibility Study for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on 
Future Water Resources Development

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Section 7001 of Water Resources Reform and Development Act 
(WRRDA) 2014 requires that the Secretary of the Army annually submit to 
the Congress a report that identifies feasibility reports, proposed 
feasibility studies submitted by non-Federal interests, and proposed 
modifications to an authorized water resources development project or 
feasibility study that meet certain criteria. The report is to be 
based, in part, upon an annual request for proposals by non-Federal 
interests.

[[Page 30062]]


DATES: Proposals must be submitted online by September 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Submit proposals online at: http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/ProjectPlanning/WRRDA7001Proposals.aspx. If a 
different method of submission is required, use the further information 
contact information to arrange an alternative submission process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Send an email to the help desk at 
[email protected] or call Lisa Kiefel, Planning 
Community of Practice, Headquarters, USACE, Washington, DC at 202-761-
0626.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 requires the 
publication of a notice in the Federal Register to request proposals by 
non-Federal interests for feasibility studies and modifications to an 
authorized USACE water resources development project or feasibility 
study. Project feasibility reports that have successfully completed 
Executive Branch review, but have not been authorized will be included 
in the report table by the Secretary of the Army and these proposals do 
not need to be submitted in response to this notice.
    Proposals by non-Federal interests must be entered online and 
require the following information:
    1. The name of all non-Federal interests planning to act as the 
sponsor, including any non-Federal interest that has contributed to or 
is expected to contribute toward the non-Federal share of the proposed 
feasibility study or modification.
    2. State if this proposal is for a feasibility study or a 
modification to an authorized USACE water resources development project 
or feasibility study and, if a modification, specify the authorized 
water resources development project or study that is proposed for 
modification.
    3. State the specific project purpose(s) of the proposed study or 
modification.
    4. Provide an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the total 
cost, and the Federal and non-Federal share of those costs, of the 
proposed study and, separately, an estimate of the cost of construction 
or modification.
    5. Describe, to the extent applicable and practicable, an estimate 
of the anticipated monetary and nonmonetary benefits of the proposal 
with regard to benefits to the protection of human life and property; 
improvement to transportation; the national economy; the environment; 
or the national security interests of the United States.
    6. Describe if local support exists for the proposal.
    7. State if the non-Federal interest has the financial ability to 
provide for the required cost share, reference ER 1105-2-100.
    8. Upload a letter or statement of support from each associated 
non-Federal interest.
    All provided information may be included in the Annual Report to 
Congress on Future Water Resources Development. Therefore, please do 
not include information that is Confidential Business Information, 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute, or other 
information that you would not want to appear in the annual report.
    Process: Proposals received within the time frame set forth in this 
notice will be reviewed by the Chief of Engineers and Secretary of the 
Army and will be presented in one of two tables. The first table will 
be in the report itself, and the second table will be in an appendix. 
To be included in the report table, the proposals must meet the 
following criteria:
    1. Are related to the missions and authorities of the USACE;
    Involves a proposed or existing USACE water resources project or 
effort whose primary purpose is flood and storm damage reduction, 
commercial navigation, or aquatic ecosystem restoration. Following 
long-standing USACE practice, related proposals such as for recreation, 
hydropower, or water supply, are eligible for inclusion if undertaken 
in conjunction with such a project or effort.
    2. Require specific congressional authorization, including by an 
Act of Congress;
    This is envisioned to comprise the following cases:
    a. Seeking Construction Authorization.
     Signed Chief's Reports or non-Federal feasibility reports 
submitted to the Secretary of the Army under Section 203 of WRDA 1986, 
as amended, under review,
     Signed Chief's Report or non-Federal feasibility reports 
not yet submitted to the Secretary of the Army under Section 203 of 
WRDA 1986, as amended,
     Ongoing feasibility studies that are expected to result in 
a Chief's Report or non-Federal feasibility studies that have not yet 
been submitted to the Secretary of the Army under Section 203 of WRDA 
1986, as amended
     Proposed modifications to authorized water resources 
development projects requested by non-Federal interests through the 
Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 process.
    b. Seeking Study Authorization.
     New feasibility studies proposed by non-Federal interests 
through the Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 process will be evaluated by the 
USACE to determine whether or not there is existing study authority, 
and
     Proposed modifications to studies requested by non-Federal 
interests through the Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014 process.
    c. The following cases are not considered eligible to be included 
in the report and will be included in the appendix for transparency:
     Proposals for modifications to non-Federal activities 
where USACE has provided previous technical assistance. Authorization 
to provide technical assistance does not provide authorization of a 
water resources development project.
     Proposals for construction of a new (projects unrelated to 
currently authorized water resource development projects) water 
resources development project that is not the subject of a complete or 
ongoing, feasibility study.
    d. In cases seeking new construction authorization, the Secretary 
of the Army will make clear that construction on any project included 
in the main report cannot proceed until: And
     For feasibility reports or ongoing feasibility studies, 
there is a signed Chief's Report that has been transmitted to Congress.
     For non-Federal feasibility reports submitted, or to be 
submitted, under Section 203 of WRDA 1986, as amended, the report has 
been transmitted to Congress;
     For modifications to authorized projects, a current 
decision document that has been transmitted to Congress.
    3. Have not been congressionally authorized;
    4. Have not been included in the report table of any previous 
Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development; and
     If the proposal was included in the report table in a 
previous Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development, then 
the proposal is not eligible to be included in the report table. If a 
proposal was previously included in an appendix it may be re-submitted.
    5. If authorized, could be carried out by the USACE.
     Whether following the USACE Chief's Report process, or 
Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014, a proposal for a project or a project 
modification would need a current decision document to provide updated 
information on the scope of the potential project and demonstrate a 
clear Federal interest. This

[[Page 30063]]

determination would include an assessment of whether the proposal is:

--Technically sound, economically viable and environmentally 
acceptable.
--Compliant with environmental and other laws including but not limited 
to National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Coastal 
Zone Management Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
--Compliant with statutes related to Water Resources Development 
including but not limited to the various water resources provisions 
related to the authorized cost of projects, level of detail, separable 
elements, fish and wildlife mitigation, project justification, matters 
to be addressed in planning, and the 1958 Water Supply Act.
--Feasibility study proposals submitted by non-Federal interests if 
authorized, are for the study only. Once a decision document is 
completed in accordance with Executive Branch policies and procedures, 
the Secretary will determine what projects to recommend for 
authorization.
--Section 902 of WRDA 1986 established a process for reauthorizing 
USACE projects. A post authorization report is required to be completed 
to support an increase to the 902 limit. Authority to undertake a 902 
study is inherent in the project authority, so no authority is required 
to proceed with the study. The post authorization change report is the 
basis for the Administration to seek reauthorization to increase the 
902 limit.

The Secretary shall include in the Annual Report to Congress on Future 
Water Resources Development a certification stating that each 
feasibility report, proposed feasibility study, and proposed 
modification to an authorized water resources development project or 
feasibility study included in the annual report meets the criteria 
established in Section 7001 of WRRDA 2014.
    Please contact the appropriate division office or use the contact 
information above to assist with researching and identifying existing 
authorizations and existing USACE decision documents. Those proposals 
that do not meet the criteria will be included in an appendix table 
included in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources 
Development. Proposals in the appendix table will include a description 
of why those proposals did not meet the criteria.

    Dated: May 18, 2015.
Steven L. Stockton,
Director of Civil Works.
[FR Doc. 2015-12626 Filed 5-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3720-58-P