Recognizing the National Benefits of Flood Protection Act of 2013

To improve energy infrastructure resilience through federal water resource investments, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Recognizing the National Benefits of Flood Protection Act of 2013 2. Calculation of benefits and costs for flood damage reduction and hurricane and storm damage reduction projects (a) Calculation of benefits and costs for flood damage reduction and hurricane and storm damage reduction projects A feasibility study for a project for flood damage reduction or hurricane and storm damage reduction shall include, as part of the calculation of benefits and costs— (1) a calculation of the anticipated reduction in flood or hurricane damage to public and private property and infrastructure resulting from the completion of the proposed project; (2) a calculation of the anticipated direct and indirect economic benefits resulting from the completion of the proposed project, including such benefits from any potential reductions in national and regional economic volatility, disruptions, and losses; and (3) a calculation of the anticipated benefits to public safety, including protection of evacuation routes, resulting from the completion of the proposed project. (b) Applicability This section shall apply to any feasibility study for a project for flood damage reduction or hurricane and storm damage reduction that has not been completed before the date of enactment of this Act. 3. Flood damage reduction and hurricane and storm damage reduction project reviews (a) In general The non-Federal interest for a project for flood damage reduction or hurricane and storm damage reduction may submit to the Secretary a request for a review under this section for the project if— (1) the Secretary determines that the project is not feasible; (2) the Chief of Engineers issues an unfavorable report for the project; or (3) the Secretary identifies the feasibility study for the project as inactive. (b) Review panels (1) Establishment The Secretary shall establish, for each division of the Corps of Engineers, a review panel to conduct reviews and make determinations under this section. (2) Membership (A) In general The Secretary shall appoint to each review panel 5 members— (i) each of whom shall have relevant experience in flood damage reduction or hurricane and storm damage reduction in the geographic area represented by the division for which the review panel is established; and (ii) at least one of whom shall have education or experience in the field of economics. (B) Limitation Not more than 2 members of each review panel may be employees (including uniformed members) or contractors of the Corps of Engineers. (C) Term Each member shall be appointed to a review panel for a term of 4 years. (3) Deadline The Secretary shall establish a review panel for a division not later than 60 days after the first request for a review under this section is submitted for a project within the division. (4) Duties A review panel established under this section shall, with respect to each request for a review submitted to the Secretary for a project within the division for which the review panel is established— (A) conduct a review of— (i) the feasibility study for the project; (ii) the adequacy and acceptability of the economic, engineering, and environmental methods, models, and analyses used by the Secretary in the preparation of the feasibility study for the project; (iii) the public written and oral comments provided to the Secretary for the project; and (iv) any additional information submitted by the non-Federal interest as part of the request for a review; and (B) submit to the Secretary a final report containing— (i) an economic, engineering, and environmental analysis of the feasibility study for the project, including an assessment of the adequacy and acceptability of the economic, engineering, and environmental methods, models, and analyses used by the Secretary in the preparation of the feasibility study; and (ii) a determination of the feasibility of the project, taking into account calculations of costs and benefits described in section 2(a). (c) Effect of review panel determination If a review panel determines that a project for which a request for a review has been submitted is feasible, the Chief of Engineers shall issue a favorable report for the project. (d) Procedures Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish procedures for reviews under this section. 4. Priority for feasibility studies In carrying out feasibility studies for projects for flood damage reduction and hurricane and storm damage reduction each year, the Secretary shall give priority to the completion of such studies for projects in areas that have experienced flooding or hurricane damage during the preceding 10 years. 5. Report to Congress Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on Homeland Security and Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives an analysis of the connection between Corps of Engineers projects for flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, and navigation and the protection of energy infrastructure. 6. Secretary defined In this Act, the term Secretary 7. Applicability This Act shall not apply to any project primarily designed for the purposes of navigational improvements on the Nation's system of inland waterways.

Summary: Recognizing the National Benefits of Flood Protection Act of 2013 - Requires a feasibility study for a flood, hurricane, or storm damage reduction project to include calculations of the anticipated: (1) reduction in damage to public and private property and infrastructure; (2) direct and indirect economic benefits, including from potential reductions in national and regional economic volatility, disruptions, and losses; and (3) benefits to public safety, including protection of evacuation routes. Authorizes the non-federal interest for such a project to submit to the Chief of Engineers a request for a project review if the Chief: (1) determines that the project is not feasible, (2) issues an unfavorable report for the project, or (3) identifies the feasibility study for the project as inactive. Directs the Chief to establish a panel to conduct such reviews for each Corps of Engineers division not later than 60 days after the first request for a review of a project within that division is submitted. Requires such panel to conduct a review of: (1) the feasibility study for the project; (2) the adequacy and accessibility of the economic, engineering, and environmental methods, models, and analyses used in preparing such study; (3) public comments on the project; and (4) any additional information submitted by the non-federal interest as part of the review request. Requires: (1) the panel to submit a final report containing an economic, engineering, and environmental analysis of the feasibility study and a determination of the project's feasibility; and (2) the Chief, if the panel determines that a project is feasible, to issue a favorable report for the project. Directs the Chief to: (1) give priority to the completion of feasibility studies for projects in areas that have experienced flooding or hurricane damage during the preceding 10 years, and (2) submit an analysis of the connection between such Corps projects and navigation and the protection of energy infrastructure.