(2) MEMBERSHIP.—A panel of experts estab-
lished for a project study under this section shall be 
composed of independent experts who represent a 
balance of areas of expertise suitable for the review 
being conducted. 
(3) LIMITATION ON APPOINTMENTS.—An indi-
vidual may not be selected to serve on a panel of ex-
perts established for a project study under this sec-
tion if the individual has a financial or close profes-
sional association with any organization or group 
with a strong financial or organizational interest in 
the project. 
(4) 
CONGRESSIONAL
NOTIFICATION.—Upon 
identification of a project study for peer review 
under this section, but prior to initiation of any re-
view, the Chief of Engineers shall notify the Com-
mittee on Environment and Public Works of the 
Senate and the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of 
such review. 
(d) DUTIES OF PANELS.—A panel of experts estab-
lished for a peer review for a project study under this sec-
tion shall, consistent with the scope of the referral for re-
view—
(1) conduct a peer review for the project study 
submitted to the panel for review; 
(2) assess the adequacy and acceptability of the 
economic and environmental methods, models, and 
analyses used by the Chief of Engineers; 
(3) provide timely written and oral comments to 
the Chief of Engineers throughout the development 
of the project study, as requested; and 
(4) submit to the Chief of Engineers a final re-
port containing the panel’s economic, engineering, 
and environmental analysis of the project study, in-
cluding the panel’s assessment of the adequacy and 
acceptability of the economic and environmental 
methods, models, and analyses used by the Chief of 
Engineers, to accompany the publication of the 
project study. 
(e) DURATION
OF
PROJECT
STUDY
PEER
RE-
VIEWS.—
(1) DEADLINE.—A panel of experts shall—
(A) complete its peer review under this sec-
tion for a project study and submit a report to 
the Chief of Engineers under subsection (d)(4) 
within 180 days after the date of establishment 
of the panel, or, if the Chief of Engineers deter-
mines that a longer period of time is necessary,
such period of time established by the Chief of 
Engineers, but in no event later than 90 days 
after the date a draft project study is made 
available for public review; and 
(B) terminate on the date of submission of 
the report. 
(2) FAILURE TO MEET DEADLINE.—If a panel 
does not complete its peer review of a project study 
under this section and submit a report to the Chief 
of Engineers under subsection (d)(4) on or before 
the deadline established by paragraph (1) for the 
project study, the Chief of Engineers shall continue 
the project study for the project that is subject to 
peer review by the panel without delay. 
(f) RECOMMENDATIONS OF PANEL.—
(1) CONSIDERATION BY THE CHIEF OF ENGI-
NEERS.—After receiving a report on a project study 
from a panel of experts under this section and be-
fore entering a final record of decision for the 
project, the Chief of Engineers shall consider any 
recommendations contained in the report and pre-
pare a written response for any recommendations 
adopted or not adopted. 
(2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND TRANSMITTAL 
TO CONGRESS.—After receiving a report on a project
100
study from a panel of experts under this section, the 
Chief of Engineers shall—
(A) make a copy of the report and any 
written response of the Chief of Engineers on 
recommendations contained in the report avail-
able to the public; and 
(B) transmit to Congress a copy of the re-
port, together with any such written response, 
on the date of a final report of the Chief of En-
gineers or other final decision document for a 
project study that is subject to peer review by 
the panel. 
(g) COSTS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The costs of a panel of ex-
perts established for a peer review under this sec-
tion—
(A) shall be a Federal expense; and 
(B) shall not exceed $500,000. 
(2) WAIVER.—The Chief of Engineers may 
waive the $500,000 limitation contained in para-
graph (1)(B) in cases that the Chief of Engineers 
determines appropriate. 
(h) APPLICABILITY.—This section shall apply to—
(1) project studies initiated during the 2-year 
period preceding the date of enactment of this Act