33-U.S.C.-2348
§2348 – Project Streamlining
Pathway
Title 33 > Chapter 36 > Subchapter V > Section 2348
Details
- Reference: Section 2348
- Legend: §2348 – Project Streamlining
- USCode Year: 2013
Provision Content
(a) Policy
The benefits of water resources projects are important to the Nations economy and environment, and recommendations to Congress regarding such projects should not be delayed due to uncoordinated or inefficient reviews or the failure to timely resolve disputes during the development of water resources projects.
(b) Scope
This section shall apply to each study initiated after November 8, 2007, to develop a feasibility report under section 2282 of this title, or a reevaluation report, for a water resources project if the Secretary determines that such study requires an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(c) Water resources project review process
The Secretary shall develop and implement a coordinated review process for the development of water resources projects.
(d) Coordinated reviews
The coordinated review process under this section may provide that all reviews, analyses, opinions, permits, licenses, and approvals that must be issued or made by a Federal, State, or local government agency or Indian tribe for the development of a water resources project described in subsection (b) will be conducted, to the maximum extent practicable, concurrently and completed within a time period established by the Secretary in cooperation with the agencies identified under subsection (e) with respect to the project.
(e) Identification of jurisdictional agencies
With respect to the development of each water resources project, the Secretary shall identify, as soon as practicable, all Federal, State, and local government agencies and Indian tribes that may—
(1) have jurisdiction over the project;
(2) be required by law to conduct or issue a review, analysis, or opinion for the project; or
(3) be required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the project.
(f) State authority
If the coordinated review process is being implemented under this section by the Secretary with respect to the development of a water resources project described in subsection (b) within the boundaries of a State, the State, consistent with State law, may choose to participate in the process and to make subject to the process all State agencies that—
(1) have jurisdiction over the project;
(2) are required to conduct or issue a review, analysis, or opinion for the project; or
(3) are required to make a determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval for the project.
(g) Memorandum of understanding
The coordinated review process developed under this section may be incorporated into a memorandum of understanding for a water resources project between the Secretary, the heads of Federal, State, and local government agencies, Indian tribes identified under subsection (e), and the non-Federal interest for the project.
(h) Effect of failure to meet deadline
(1) Notification
If the Secretary determines that a Federal, State, or local government agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest that is participating in the coordinated review process under this section with respect to the development of a water resources project has not met a deadline established under subsection (d) for the project, the Secretary shall notify, within 30 days of the date of such determination, the agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest about the failure to meet the deadline.
(2) Agency report
Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of a notice under paragraph (1), the Federal, State, or local government agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest involved may submit a report to the Secretary, explaining why the agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest did not meet the deadline and what actions it intends to take to complete or issue the required review, analysis, or opinion or determination on issuing a permit, license, or approval.
(3) Report to Congress
Not later than 30 days after the date of receipt of a report under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall compile and submit a report to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, and the Council on Environmental Quality, describing any deadlines identified in paragraph (1), and any information provided to the Secretary by the Federal, State, or local government agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest involved under paragraph (2).
(i) Limitations
Nothing in this section shall preempt or interfere with—
(1) any statutory requirement for seeking public comment;
(2) any power, jurisdiction, or authority that a Federal, State, or local government agency, Indian tribe, or non-Federal interest has with respect to carrying out a water resources project; or
(3) any obligation to comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] and the regulations issued by the Council on Environmental Quality to carry out such Act.
(Pub. L. 110–114, title II, §2045, Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1103.)
References in Text
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (i)(3), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, and not as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 which comprises this chapter.
Secretary Defined
Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 2 of Pub. L. 110–114, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.
U.S. Encyclopedia of Law Coverage
33-U.S.C.-2348 in the Legal Encyclopedia: Waters
In this entry about 33-U.S.C.-2348, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to waters in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States waters-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.
33-U.S.C.-2326B in the Legal Encyclopedia: Water Resources Development
In this entry about 33-U.S.C.-2326B, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to water resources development in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States water resources development-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.
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