A bill to establish a lower Missouri River flood prevention program, and for other purposes.

To establish a lower Missouri River flood prevention program, and for other purposes. 1. Lower Missouri River flood prevention program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Affected community The term affected community Flood Control Act of 1941 33 U.S.C. 701n (2) Lower Missouri River The term lower Missouri River (A) the lower 735 miles of the Missouri River from Sioux City, Iowa, to the mouth of the Missouri River; and (B) the tributaries of the portion of the Missouri River described in subparagraph (A). (3) Missouri River project The term Missouri River project (A) a project constructed as part of— (i) the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program authorized by section 9(b) of the Act of December 22, 1944 (commonly known as the Flood Control Act of 1944 (ii) the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project authorized by section 2 of the Act of March 2, 1945 (commonly known as the River and Harbor Act of 1945 (B) a locally owned levee system, as identified by the Secretary for participation under the program under subsection (b). (4) Secretary The term Secretary (b) Program (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a program to study, design, and construct water resources development projects, and modifications to completed water resources development projects, to provide flood protection to affected communities. (2) Preliminary technical evaluations The Secretary shall carry out, at full Federal expense, any technical evaluations or analyses of a Missouri River project determined by the Secretary to be necessary to formulate flood protection recommendations for affected communities that avoid or minimize— (A) the potential for flood risk transfer; and (B) adverse impacts to navigation and other authorized purposes of the applicable Missouri River project. (3) System plan (A) In general A preliminary technical evaluation under paragraph (2) shall include development of a system plan for reducing flood risk and improving resiliency that shall be used in recommending projects for construction. (B) Considerations In developing a system plan under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider— (i) recommendations of the Pick-Sloan Missouri River Basin Program authorized by section 9(b) of the Act of December 22, 1944 (commonly known as the Flood Control Act of 1944 (ii) the use of both structural and nonstructural measures, including the setting back of levees and removing structures from areas of recurring flood vulnerability where advantageous to reduce system flood risk and damages, and where locally acceptable. (4) Consultation The Secretary shall carry out the program under this subsection in consultation with applicable Federal and State agencies, Indian Tribes, and other stakeholders. (5) Construction (A) Feasibility report For each project recommended for construction under this subsection, the District Commander of the district in which the project is located shall develop a feasibility report for approval by the Commander of the Northwestern Division of the Corps of Engineers that includes project features, costs, cooperation requirements, and justification. (B) Construction of projects After approval of a feasibility report under subparagraph (A) and subject to paragraph (6), the Secretary shall construct the project. (C) Timeliness The Secretary shall carry out feasibility studies and construction phase activities under this subsection as expeditiously as possible, including by concurrently conducting project planning and construction activities where advisable. (6) Cost (A) In general Except as provided under subparagraph (B), not more than $75,000,000 may be used for the Federal costs of construction of a project under this subsection. (B) Specific authorization The Secretary may carry out a project under this subsection for which the Federal share of the cost of the project exceeds $75,000,000 if Congress provides a specific authorization for the project prior to construction. (7) Cost-share (A) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subparagraph (C), the Federal share of the cost of a feasibility study or project carried out under this subsection shall be 80 percent. (B) Inclusions Costs of a project carried out under this subsection shall include the costs of— (i) design; (ii) design-related activities and data gathering; (iii) all land, easements, right-of-way acquisitions, and borrow and disposal areas, including related administrative costs, required for construction and maintenance of the project; (iv) costs to relocate compensable public and private utilities; and (v) construction and construction management. (C) Ability to pay (i) In general A cost-sharing agreement for a project under this subsection shall be subject to the ability of the affected community to pay. (ii) Determination The ability of an affected community to pay shall be determined by the Secretary, in accordance with procedures established by the Secretary. (iii) Treatment Any reduction in the share of the affected community of the cost of a project under this subsection in accordance with clause (i) shall not be included for purposes of the amount described in paragraph (6)(A). (8) Transfer On completion of a project under this subsection, the Secretary shall transfer ownership (including operation and maintenance responsibility) of the project, including any permanent land and easements acquired for the project, to the non-Federal interest. (9) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated for planning, design, and construction under this section $500,000,000, to remain available until expended.

Summary: This bill requires the Army Corps of Engineers to study and construct water resources development projects to provide flood protection to communities that are located in the Lower Missouri River Basin and have experienced multiple flooding events over a 10-year period.