The amount of Federal funds that may be made available to such an organization for construction of a particular rehabilitation project is limited to 65 percent of the total rehabilitation costs, but may not exceed 100 percent of actual construction costs incurred. Under current law, the NRCS of the Department of Agriculture is authorized to give technical and financial help to local organizations in planning and carrying out watershed projects for flood protection, agricultural water management, recreation, municipal and industrial water supply, and wildlife enhancement. The watershed work plan for a project, which is the basis for authorization of the project, is prepared by a suitable local organization with assistance from the NRCS and coordination with other federal agencies. If none of the structures in the plan will have a total capacity of more than 4,000 acre-feet, then the project can be authorized by resolutions of the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture. If any structure in the plan will have a total capacity of more than 4,000 acre-feet, the project is referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate.
Authorization is accomplished if both committees pass resolutions approving the project.
Specific appropriations are not made for studies or construction of individual watershed projects. Rather, a lump sum is appropriated to the NRCS and the Chief of the Service approves initiation of the planning or construction of the projects. The recommended plan consists of nine floodwater retarding structures, one multipurpose structure, and associated wildlife mitigation measures. The multi-purpose structures provide flood prevention, fish, wildlife, and recreational development, and rural water supply for the Hackberry Flat Wetland Restoration Area. The Sponsors of the Plan envision these structures as acting in concert to protect and enhance the wetland and fish and wildlife resource.