Levee Vegetation Review Act of 2013

To direct the Secretary of the Army to undertake a comprehensive review of the Corps of Engineers policy guidelines on vegetation management for levees, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Levee Vegetation Review Act of 2013 2. Flood control policy (a) Review In order to determine whether current Federal policy relating to levee vegetation is appropriate for all regions of the United States, the Secretary of the Army shall undertake a comprehensive review of the Corps of Engineers policy guidelines on vegetation management for levees (in this section referred to as the guidelines (b) Factors (1) In general In conducting the review, the Secretary shall examine the guidelines in view of— (A) the varied interests and responsibilities in managing flood risks, including the need to provide the greatest levee safety benefit with limited resources; (B) preserving, protecting, and enhancing natural resources, including the potential benefit that vegetation on levees can have in providing habitat for species of concern; (C) protecting the rights of Native Americans pursuant to treaties and statutes; and (D) such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate. (2) Regional and watershed considerations In conducting the review, the Secretary shall specifically consider factors that promote and allow for consideration of potential variances from national guidelines on a regional or watershed basis. Such factors may include regional or watershed soil conditions, hydrologic factors, vegetation patterns and characteristics, environmental resources, levee performance history, institutional considerations, and other relevant factors. The scope of a variance approved by the Secretary may include an exemption to national guidelines where appropriate. (c) Cooperation and consultation; recommendations (1) In general The review shall be undertaken in cooperation with interested Federal agencies and in consultation with interested representatives of State and local governments, Native American Indian tribes, appropriate nongovernmental organizations, and the public. (2) Recommendations Corps of Engineers Regional Integration Teams, representing districts, divisions, and headquarters, in consultation with State and Federal resources agencies, and with participation by local agencies, shall recommend to the Chief of Engineers vegetation management policies for levees that conform with State and Federal laws and other applicable requirements. (d) Peer review (1) Views of National Academy of Engineering As part of the review, the Secretary shall solicit and consider the views of the National Academy of Engineering on the engineering, environmental, and institutional considerations underlying the guidelines. (2) Availability of views The views of the National Academy of Engineering obtained under paragraph (1) shall be— (A) made available to the public; and (B) included in supporting materials issued in connection with the revised guidelines required under subsection (e). (e) Revision of guidelines (1) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall— (A) revise the guidelines based on the results of the review, including the results of the peer review conducted under subsection (d); and (B) submit to Congress a report that contains a summary of the activities of the Secretary and a description of the findings of the Secretary under this section. (2) Content; incorporation into manual The revised guidelines shall— (A) provide a practical process for approving regional or watershed variances from the national guidelines, reflecting due consideration of measures to maximize public safety benefits with limited resources, regional climatic variations, environmental quality, implementation challenges, and allocation of responsibilities; and (B) be incorporated into the manual proposed under section 5(c) of the Act entitled An Act authorizing the construction of certain public works on rivers and harbors for flood control, and for other purposes (f) Continuation of work Concurrent with completion of the requirements of this section, the Secretary shall proceed without interruption or delay with those ongoing or programmed projects and studies, or elements of projects or studies, that are not directly related to vegetation variance policy.

Summary: Levee Vegetation Review Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of the Army to undertake a comprehensive review of the Corps of Engineers policy guidelines on vegetation management for levees in order to determine whether current federal policy is appropriate for all regions of the United States. Requires the Secretary to examine the guidelines in view of factors including: (1) the varied interests and responsibilities in managing flood risks; (2) preserving, protecting, and enhancing natural resources; (3) protecting the rights of Native Americans pursuant to treaties and statutes; and (4) factors that promote and allow for consideration of potential variances from national guidelines on a regional or watershed basis. Directs Corps of Engineers Regional Integration Teams representing districts, divisions, and headquarters, in consultation with state and federal resources agencies and with participation by local agencies, to recommend to the Chief of Engineers vegetation management policies for levees that conform with state and federal laws and other applicable requirements. Directs the Secretary to: (1) solicit and consider the views of the National Academy of Engineering on the engineering, environmental, and institutional considerations underlying the guidelines; and (2) revise the guidelines based on the results of the review and report to Congress. Requires the revised guidelines to: (1) provide a practical process for approving regional or watershed variances from the national guidelines, and (2) be incorporated into a proposed manual.