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[Federal Register: February 9, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 26)]
[Notices]               
[Page 6364-6368]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09fe10-44]                         


[[Page 6364]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

 
Process for Requesting a Variance From Vegetation Standards for 
Levees and Floodwalls

AGENCY: United States Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is proposing to 
update its current process for requesting a variance from vegetation 
standards for levees and floodwalls to reflect organizational changes 
and incorporate current agency-wide review processes.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 11, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number COE-
2010-0007 by any of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    E-mail: Douglas.J.Wade@usace.army.mil. Include the docket number, 
COE-2010-0007 in the subject line of the message.
    Mail: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CE, Douglas J. Wade, 
441 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20314-1000.
    Hand Delivery/Courier: Due to security requirements, we cannot 
receive comments by hand delivery or courier.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to docket number COE-2010-0007. 
All comments received will be included in the public docket without 
change and may be made available on-line at http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal information provided, unless the commenter 
indicates that the comment includes information claimed to be 
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you 
consider to be CBI, or otherwise protected, through regulations.gov or 
e-mail. The regulations.gov Web site is an anonymous access system, 
which means we will not know your identity or contact information 
unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-
mail directly to the Corps without going through regulations.gov, your 
e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part of 
the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available on 
the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, we recommend that 
you include your name and other contact information in the body of your 
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If we cannot read your 
comment because of technical difficulties and cannot contact you for 
clarification, we may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic 
comments should avoid the use of any special characters, any form of 
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov. All documents in 
the docket are listed. Although listed in the index, some information 
is not publicly available, such as CBI or other information whose 
disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such as 
copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be 
publicly available only in hard copy form.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Douglas J. Wade, Headquarters, 
Engineering and Construction Community of Practice, Washington, DC at 
202-761-4668.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The request process was developed to 
implement Section 202(g) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) 
of 1996. Consistent with our regulations for implementing NEPA for our 
Civil Works programs, we have included a draft Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) for review in addition to the draft 
Environmental Assessment (EA). The draft FONSI is subject to change 
based on the comments received through this public notice and should 
not be viewed as predetermining the outcome of this process. Based on 
the comments received, we may determine that a FONSI is not appropriate 
and that a full Environmental Impact Statement is required for this 
action.
    To comply with the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act, a draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared. A 
copy of the draft EA is available at http://www.regulations.gov in 
docket number COE-2010-0007. If you would like to submit comments on 
the draft EA, you must do so before the end of the comment period 
specified in the DATES section above.

    Authority: We are proposing to issue this Policy Guidance Letter 
under the authority of 33 U.S.C. 701n.

    Dated: February 4, 2010.
James C. Dalton,
Chief, Engineering and Construction, Directorate of Civil Works.

Policy Guidance Letter--Variance From Vegetation Standards for Levees 
and Floodwalls

    1. Purpose. This policy guidance letter revises the procedures for 
obtaining variances from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) mandatory 
vegetation-management standards for levees, floodwalls, and appurtenant 
structures contained in Engineer Technical Letter (ETL) 1110-2-571--
Guidelines for Landscape Planting and Vegetation Management at Levees, 
Floodwalls, Embankment Dams, and Appurtenant Structures. All vegetation 
variances, both new and existing, are required to seek approval through 
the process described in this policy guidance letter. Subjecting all 
new and existing variances to this approval process aligns with the 
Levee Safety Program goals that make public safety a top priority and 
assures application of consistent and well-documented approaches. This 
policy guidance letter supersedes the applicable regional variance 
policy and process contained in Engineer Regulation (ER) 500-1-1 and 
Engineer Pamphlet (EP) 500-1-1 (including Appendix E), dated 30 
September 2001, and will serve as interim guidance until this process 
is incorporated into an USACE engineer publication.
    2. Applicability. This policy guidance letter applies to all 
Headquarters USACE (HQUSACE) elements, Major Subordinate Commands 
(MSCs), districts, and field operating activities having responsibility 
for Civil Works projects. Specifically, this policy guidance letter 
applies to flood damage reduction projects within an USACE program or 
project authority.
    3. References.
    a. Engineer Regulation (ER) 500-1-1, Emergency Employment of Army 
and Other Resources, Civil Emergency Management Program, Chapter 5, 
Rehabilitation and Inspection Program, 30 September 2001.
    b. Engineer Pamphlet (EP) 500-1-1, Emergency Employment of Army and 
Other Resources, Civil Emergency Management Program--Procedures, 
Chapter 5, The Rehabilitation and Inspection Program, and Appendix E, 
Regional Variances to Levee Vegetation Standards, 30 September 2001.
    c. Engineer Technical Letter (ETL) 1110-2-571, Guidelines for 
Landscape Planting and Vegetation Management at Levees, Floodwalls, 
Embankment Dams,

[[Page 6365]]

and Appurtenant Structures, 10 April 2009.
    4. Background. The purpose stated in Section 202(g) of the Water 
Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1996 is ``to provide a coherent and 
coordinated policy for vegetation management for levees,'' so as to 
``address regional variations in levee management and resource needs.'' 
In general, the resulting policy set forth in ER 500-1-1, paragraph 5-
22, allowed the project sponsor of a levee, in active status, to seek a 
variance from USACE standards to allow additional vegetation on or near 
levees when such vegetation would preserve, protect, and/or enhance 
natural resources and/or protect rights of Native Americans. However, 
the safety, structural integrity, and functionality of the levee, in 
addition to accessibility for inspection and flood-fighting purposes, 
must be retained. This guidance provides a clearly defined process to 
implement Section 202(g) of WRDA 1996.
    5. Definition of a Levee System. A levee system consists of one or 
more segments and associated features which collectively provide flood, 
storm, or hurricane damage reduction to a defined area. Failure of one 
feature or segment within a levee system may result in failure of the 
entire system. Levee systems may consist of embankment sections, 
floodwall sections, closure structures, pumping stations, interior 
drainage works, and flood damage reduction channels.
    6. Process. The process for the request and approval of a 
vegetation variance consists of the following steps.
    a. The project sponsor or district (when appropriate as outlined in 
paragraph 9.g. of this document) shall submit a Vegetation Variance 
Request, as described in paragraph 7, to the Commander of the 
appropriate USACE district. The request shall fully explain the nature 
of the variance being requested and demonstrate compliance with the 
following two basic criteria.
    (1) The variance must be shown to be necessary, and the only 
feasible means, to
     preserve, protect, and enhance natural resources, and/or
     protect the rights of Native Americans, pursuant to 
treaty, statute, or Executive Order.
    (2) With regard to levee systems, the variance must assure that
     safety, structural integrity, and functionality are 
retained, and
     accessibility for maintenance, inspection, monitoring, and 
flood-fighting are retained. Note that, as used here, the term 
``retained'' refers to the level of functionality and reliability 
expected under conditions that are fully consistent with the 
requirements set forth in ETL 1110-2-571 and any other applicable 
criteria.
    b. The district Levee Safety Officer (LSO) shall review the request 
for completeness and compliance, and recommend to the District 
Commander acceptance or non-acceptance. All review costs incurred by 
the district shall be funded by the appropriate account, based on 
authorization (O&M General, Inspection of Completed Works, or Flood 
Control and Coastal Emergencies).
    c. The District Commander shall accept or reject the request. If 
accepted, the District Commander shall submit the request package 
through the MSC LSO to the MSC Commander. The MSC Commander shall 
either accept or reject the recommended request. If accepted, the MSC 
Commander shall submit the request to HQUSACE, via the Regional 
Integration Team (RIT) process, for an Agency Technical Review (ATR).
    d. The ATR leader shall concur or non-concur with the variance 
request and shall include an executive summary, clearly expressing the 
pertinent rationale. The ATR team may recommend amendments to the 
request as an alternative to a non-endorsement.
    e. The HQUSACE LSO, or the HQUSACE LSO designee, will be the final 
approving official for the request.
    f. The district shall notify the appropriate regional offices of 
the federal resource agencies when a vegetation variance request has 
been received.
    g. The district shall serve as the main point of contact for 
coordination with the sponsor during the entire variance request 
process. If the request is denied at any level (district, MSC, or 
HQUSACE), the district shall notify the sponsor in writing and include 
reasons for the denial.
    h. All final documentation for the Vegetation Variance Request 
shall be uploaded by the district to the National Levee Database (NLD).
    i. During inspections, levees will be rated for vegetation in 
accordance with approved variances. The associated vegetation 
management plan and approved variance shall be added to the levee's 
operation and maintenance manual as an addendum.
    7. Vegetation Variance Request. The following shall be submitted 
under the cover of the checklist in Enclosure 1 in Adobe PDF format for 
ATR review.
    a. The Vegetation Variance Request and Agreement form (see 
enclosure) with attachments, completed and signed by the sponsor(s) or 
district (for situations as specified in 9.g.). District counsel should 
be involved in the drafting. Substantive deviations are not permitted 
without a specific separate request and approval from HQUSACE.
    b. General description of the levee system including system name, 
project authority, location, and potential human and environmental 
consequences (brief description of the population at risk, estimated 
potential economic losses, and identification of any critical public 
facilities or special environmental considerations).
    c. Detailed and annotated plans and section drawings, at an 
appropriate scale, clearly conveying the following information.
    (1) The boundaries of the specific area(s) to which the variance is 
to apply. The variance should not include areas for which there are 
reasonable alternatives. For example, a variance will not be granted 
for an entire alignment when only a portion of the alignment meets the 
first of the criteria described in paragraph 6.a.(1).
    (2) Overall plan view clearly delineating normal and ordinary-high-
water marks, project right-of-way, levees, floodwalls, appurtenant 
structures, vegetation-management zones, and required vegetation-free 
zones.
    (3) Description of proposed deviations from vegetation standards, 
including planting locations and species. Depict each species at its 
expected size at maturity.
    (4) Details of any structural measures (such as armoring or 
overbuilt sections) intended to preserve system reliability and 
resiliency by preventing or mitigating vegetation impacts.
    (5) For each typical condition, provide a section drawing, at an 
appropriate scale, clearly showing both the normal and ordinary-high-
water marks, the project right-of-way, levee, floodwall, appurtenant 
structures, any associated structural modifications, vegetation-
management zones, required vegetation-free zones, and all proposed 
vegetation (by species, shown at mature size)--including the typical 
extent of the root system at species maturity. Clearly indicate that 
the proposed plantings do not include noxious or invasive species or 
involve any improper use of herbicides.
    d. Explanation of reasons the proposed changes are necessary to 
preserve, protect, and enhance natural resources and/or protect the 
rights of Native Americans pursuant to treaty and statute. Explain what 
alternatives to a vegetation variance were considered and why the 
proposed changes were the only feasible means to provide the

[[Page 6366]]

benefits to natural resources and/or to protect the rights of Native 
Americans.
    e. An engineering analysis showing that the changes proposed will 
result in conditions consistent with the criteria in 6.a.(2). Include 
graphics, text, and information, such as construction materials and 
standards as needed to clearly support conclusions.
    f. The most recent Routine Inspection Report and Periodic 
Inspection Report completed by the USACE district.
    g. Summary of system performance history for any and all 
significant flood events. Indicate the system's design flood or design 
water surface elevation, as applicable and, for each event, the year of 
occurrence, event probability (e.g. 1% flood), flood duration, and 
description of any flood-fighting challenges, failures, and outcomes.
    h. Vegetation maintenance plan.
    i. Any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species 
Act (ESA), and any other environmental compliance documentation that 
the district determines are required in order to conduct the review.
    j. Other information, as needed.
    k. Primary point of contact (POC) for this request.
    8. Agency Technical Review. In coordination with the RIT leader and 
the HQUSACE Levee Safety Program Manager (LSPM), the USACE Risk 
Management Center shall lead and manage the ATR for each variance 
request. HQUSACE will fund the ATR. The timeline for the ATR will 
depend on the complexity of the request, but will not exceed 90 days 
unless special circumstances warrant additional time.
    9. Special Considerations. The following points will be considered 
prior to initiating a variance request.
    a. Variances will be considered only for individual levee systems 
or portions thereof.
    b. The vegetation variance request process does not apply to 
embankment dams and their appurtenant structures, channels, or shore-
line or river-bank protection systems such as revetments, sand dunes, 
and barrier islands.
    c. Waterside planting berms are allowed only by approved variance.
    d. The burden shall be on the sponsor to provide adequate 
documentation to facilitate review. Sufficient and appropriate 
documentation will ensure a timely review. Insufficient packages will 
be returned for completion.
    e. Due to the significant threat to system reliability, ability to 
flood fight, and observe system response under high water conditions, 
no vegetation variance involving woody vegetation, as defined in ETL 
1110-2-571 shall be granted for the following portions of a levee: The 
upper third of the river-side (or flood-side) slope, the crown, the 
land-side (or protected-side) slope, or within 15 feet of the land-side 
(or protected-side) toe (subject to preexisting right-of-way).
    f. The vegetation variance process is not a mechanism to validate 
conditions that have developed as a result of inadequate operation and 
maintenance.
    g. A district may submit a variance for levee systems currently in 
the preconstruction, engineering, and design phase (including major 
rehabilitation projects) on the date when this policy guidance letter 
is signed. Districts may also apply for variance for USACE operated and 
maintained levee systems. Funding needed by the district to compile the 
variance request shall come from the project appropriations. For areas 
in which ESA considerations exist, the district can apply for a 
variance in conjunction with planning and design of future 
rehabilitation under PL 84-99 and associated measures needed to comply 
with ESA.
    h. If implementation of a vegetation variance will modify or alter 
a federally authorized levee system in the PL 84-99 program, a Section 
208.10/408 review will be necessary and the requirements for that 
review should be coordinated with the vegetation variance request 
requirements.
    10. Existing Variances or Other Deviations. Deviation from the 
national standards, as defined in ETL 1110-2-571, is permitted only 
through a vegetation variance, approved by the HQUSACE LSO, via the 
process described herein. All existing vegetation variances, 
agreements, or other deviations, that are not submitted for an ATR via 
the process described herein, by 30 September 2010, may no longer be 
considered valid. On or around this date, each levee system sponsor 
that had an existing variance, but did not submit that variance for 
approval will be informed via letter from the district LSO (copy 
furnished to the MSC and HQUSACE LSO) of the vegetation management 
standards to be applied to that system.
    11. Environmental Compliance. The sponsor is responsible for 
providing all National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered 
Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation, and any other environmental 
compliance documentation required by the district to analyze the 
request (except for those levees listed in section 9.g. of this 
document). The documentation must analyze, as alternatives, the effects 
of the implementation of the proposed variance and the implementation 
of the national standards. The sponsor must commit to implementation of 
any measures (such as monitoring, reasonable and prudent alternatives, 
etc.) needed to comply with ESA before the sponsor may participate, or 
continue participation, in the Public Law 84-99 program. Further, the 
sponsor must commit to bearing the cost for implementation of any 
measures required to comply with ESA. However, USACE ultimately remains 
responsible for ensuring that ESA and other environmental compliance 
obligations are met.
    12. After vegetation variance request packages are reviewed through 
this process, results will be posted by the HQUSACE LSPM to the Levee 
Safety Community of Practice page, on the Technical Excellence Network 
(TEN) at https://ten.usace.army.mil.
    13. The point of contact for this guidance is -------- .

2 Encls
    1. Checklist.
    2. Request Package.

James C. Dalton, P.E.
Chief, Engineering and Construction Directorate of Civil Works.

Enclosure 1--Vegetation Variance Request: Submittal Checklist

VEGETATION VARIANCE REQUEST: SUBMITTAL CHECKLIST

The items checked below are submitted herewith, consistent with the 
requirements outlined in paragraph 7 (Vegetation Variance Request) 
of Policy Guidance Letter--Requesting a Variance From Vegetation 
Standards for Levees and Floodwalls, dated ------------ .

[squ] (a) Vegetation Variance Request and Agreement, completed and 
signed.
[squ] (b) General Description of the levee system. (attachment 1)
[squ] (c) Drawings. (attachment 2)
[squ] (d) Explanation of why the proposed changes are necessary to 
preserve, protect, and enhance natural resources and/or protect the 
rights of Native Americans pursuant to treaty and statute. 
(attachment 3)
[squ] (e) An engineering analysis showing that the proposed changes 
will result in conditions consistent with the criteria in 6.a.(2) of 
the PGL. (attachment 4)
[squ] (f) The most recent Routine Inspection Report and Periodic 
Inspection Report completed by the USACE district. (attachment 5)
[squ] (g) Summary of system performance history for all significant 
flood events. (attachment 6)
[squ] (h) Vegetation Maintenance Plan. (attachment 7)
[squ] (i) Any National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered 
Species Act (ESA), or other environmental compliance documentation 
that the district determines necessary to the review. (attachment 8)
[squ] (j) Other information, as needed. (attachment 9)

[[Page 6367]]

[squ] (k) Primary point of contact (POC) for this request, as 
follows.
Name:------------------------------------------------------------------
Organization:----------------------------------------------------------
Telephone:-------------------------------------------------------------
E-Mail:----------------------------------------------------------------
Address:---------------------------------------------------------------

Enclosure 2--Vegetation Variance Request and Agreement

VEGETATION VARIANCE REQUEST AND AGREEMENT

Addressing the Vegetation Standards for (enter the levee system name 
and location, as defined in the National Levee Database).

I. Purpose. The purpose of this Agreement is to allow for specific 
and limited variance from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers vegetation 
standards, for the levee system named above, provided such variance 
does not diminish system reliability, and is necessary to preserve, 
protect, and enhance natural resources, and protect the rights of 
Native Americans pursuant to treaty and statute.

II. Authority. This Agreement is made pursuant to the authority of 
Public Law 99, 84th Congress (Pub. L. 84-99), (33 U.S.C. 701n) (69 
Stat. 186), as regulated by Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, 
Sections 203 and 208.10, and as implemented by policy guidance 
letter, Subject: Policy Guidance Letter--Requesting a Variance From 
Vegetation Standards for Levees and Floodwalls, dated ------------ .

III. Applicability. This Agreement is applicable to the portion(s) 
of the (insert name of levee system) described in attachment (insert 
number).

    IV. References. (Insert any references that are applicable, 
including the existing project cooperation agreement. This could 
include state law, county ordinances, Federal or state court 
documents, technical manuals, etc. References may be incorporated 
into this Agreement.)
    V. Scope. A detailed description of the conditions proposed 
under this agreement is provided in attachment(s) (insert 
number(s)).
    VI. Actions During and After Emergencies.

    A. Definition of Emergency. For the purposes of application of 
this Agreement, the term ``emergency'' is defined as any situation 
in which a levee is threatened with either failure or overtopping.
    B. Definition of Flood Fight. For the purposes of application of 
this Agreement, the term ``flood fight'' is defined as actions taken 
immediately before or during a flood to protect human life and 
reduce flood damages, such as evacuation, emergency sandbagging and 
diking, and providing assistance to flood victims.
    C. Conduct of Flood-Fight Activities. During an emergency, any 
responsible party engaged in flood-fight activities, to specifically 
include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the (list states, cities, 
or counties as necessary), and the project sponsor(s) may take 
whatever actions are necessary to preserve the structural integrity 
of the levee system addressed by this Agreement. Actions necessary 
to preserve the structural integrity of the system may include 
removal of any and all vegetation on or near the levee or floodwall.
    D. Rehabilitation. Any levee repairs, modifications, or 
improvements made as a result of the emergency event shall be in 
accordance with current USACE vegetation management standards or 
approved vegetation variance for the levee system.

VII. Obligations of the Signatories of the Agreement.

    A. The sponsor shall hold and save the Government free from all 
damages arising from the construction, operation, maintenance 
repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of the (insert name of levee 
system), the Hurricane/Shore Protection Project, and any related 
betterments, except for damages due to the fault or negligence of 
the Government or the Government's contractors.
    B. The sponsors agree to maintain the levee system in accordance 
this variance agreement and assume the responsibility for 
implementing and bearing the costs of any measures that are required 
for compliance with the Endangered Species Act or any mitigation 
requirements that result from environmental compliance processes 
such as the National Environmental Policy Act or required permits.

VIII. Notices.
    A. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications 
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be 
deemed to have been duly given if in writing and delivered 
personally, given by prepaid telegram, or mailed by first-class 
(postage prepaid), registered, or certified mail, to the address 
provided.
    B. A party may change the address to which such communications 
are to be directed by giving written notice to the other parties in 
the manner provided in paragraph C (below).
    C. Any notice, request, demand, or other communication made 
pursuant to this Article shall be deemed to have been received by 
the addressee at such time as it is personally delivered, or, seven 
calendar days after it is mailed.

IX. Expiration of this Agreement.

    (Approval of this agreement may be contingent upon agreement to 
an expiration mechanism. Use one of the three conditions below to 
complete this paragraph.)
(This Vegetation Variance is intended to be permanent.)

(This Vegetation Variance shall expire on [insert date].)

(This Vegetation Variance shall expire upon [explain event].)

    However, the Corps reserves the right to revoke this agreement 
if it becomes apparent that it results in conditions that threaten 
system reliability and public safety.

X. Signatures.

    In witness hereof, the parties hereto have executed this 
Agreement, which shall become effective upon the date it is signed 
by the HQUSACE Levee Safety Officer.

    Submitted by:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The (name of entity)

(signature)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(full name, typed)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(title, in full)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(date)

(additional sponsor signature blocks may be added if needed--
afterward, delete this note)

    Reviewed by:

US Army Corps of Engineers, (insert name)
District

(signature)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(full name, typed)

Levee Safety Officer

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(date)

    Accepted by:

US Army Corps of Engineers, (insert name)
District

(signature)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(full name, typed)

Commander

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(date)


    Reviewed by:

US Army Corps of Engineers, (insert name)
 Division

(signature)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(full name, typed)

Levee Safety Officer

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(date)

    Accepted by:

US Army Corps of Engineers, (insert name)
Division

(signature)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(full name, typed)

Commander

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(date)

    Endorsed by:

US Army Corps of Engineers, Risk Management Center

[ballot] As Proposed
[ballot] As Amended

(signature)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(full name, typed)

Leader, Agency Technical Review Team

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(date)

    Approved by: The Department of the Army

(signature)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(full name, typed)

Levee Safety Officer, HQUSACE

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(date)

XI. Certificate of Authority

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY

    I, ------------------------ , do hereby certify that I am the 
principal legal officer of the (Name of Public Sponsor), that (Name 
of

[[Page 6368]]

Public Sponsor) is a legally constituted public body with full 
authority and legal capability to perform the terms of the Agreement 
between the Department of the Army and the (Name of Public Sponsor) 
in connection with this Vegetation Variance Request and Agreement 
Addressing the Vegetation Standards for (enter the levee system name 
and location, as defined in the National Levee Database) and to pay 
damages in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, if 
necessary, in the event of the failure to perform, as required by 
Section 221 of Public Law 91-611 (42 U.S.C. Section 1962d-5b), and 
that the persons who have executed this Agreement on behalf of (Name 
of Public Sponsor) have acted within their statutory authority.

    In Witness Whereof, I have made and executed this certification 
this ---- day of ------------ 20 ---- .

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Counsel for signing entity)
(Full Formal title)

XII. Certification Regarding Lobbying.

CERTIFICATION REGARDING LOBBYING

    The undersigned certifies, to the best of his or her knowledge 
and belief that:
    (1) No Federal appropriated funds have been paid or will be 
paid, by or on behalf of the undersigned, to any person for 
influencing or attempting to influence an officer or employee of any 
agency, a Member of Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or 
an employee of a member of Congress in connection with the awarding 
of any Federal contract, the making of any Federal grant, the making 
of any Federal loan, the entering into of any cooperative agreement, 
and the extension, continuation, renewal, amendment, or modification 
of any Federal contract, grant, loan, or cooperative agreement.
    (2) If any funds other than Federal appropriated funds have been 
paid or will be paid to any person for influencing or attempting to 
influence an officer or employee of any agency, a Member of 
Congress, an officer or employee of Congress, or an employee of a 
member of Congress in connection with this Federal contract, grant, 
loan, or cooperative agreement, the undersigned shall complete and 
submit Standard Form-LLL, ``Disclosure Form to Report Lobbying,'' in 
accordance with its instructions.
    (3) The undersigned shall require that the language of this 
certification be included in the award documents for all subawards 
at all tiers (including subcontracts, subgrants, and contracts under 
grants, loans, and cooperative agreements) and that all 
subrecipients shall certify and disclose accordingly.
    This certification is a material representation of fact upon 
which reliance was placed when this transaction was made or entered 
into. Submission of this certification is a prerequisite for making 
or entering into this transaction imposed by section 1352, title 31, 
U.S. Code. Any person who fails to file the required certification 
shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 and not 
more than $100,000 for each such failure.

    DATED this ---- day of ------------ , 20 ----

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Signature of Agreement Signatory)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(Typed Name)

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(Typed Title)

[FR Doc. 2010-2807 Filed 2-8-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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