(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 REVIEWS.—
(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 re-
view 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 before 
entering a final record of decision for the project, the 
Chief of Engineers shall consider any recommenda-
tions contained in the report and prepare a written 
response for any recommendations adopted or not 
adopted. 
(2) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY AND TRANSMITTAL TO 
CONGRESS.—After receiving a report on a project
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 rec-
ommendations contained in the report available 
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 Engi-
neers 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 experts 
established for a peer review under this section—
(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 paragraph 
(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 and
for which the array of alternatives to be considered 
has not been identified; and 
(2) project studies initiated during the period be-
ginning on such date of enactment and ending 4 
years after such date of enactment. 
(i) REPORT.—Within 4 1/2 years of the date of enact-
ment of this section, the Chief of Engineers shall submit 
a report to Congress on the implementation of this section. 
(j) NONAPPLICABILITY OF FACA.—The Federal Advi-
sory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to any 
peer review panel established under this section. 
(k) SAVINGS CLAUSE.—Nothing in this section shall 
be construed to affect any authority of the Chief of Engi-
neers to cause or conduct a peer review of a water resources 
project existing on the date of enactment of this section. 
(l) DEFINITIONS.—In this section, the following defini-
tions apply: 
(1) PROJECT STUDY.—The term ‘‘project study’’ 
means a feasibility study or reevaluation study for a 
project. The term also includes any other study asso-
ciated with a modification or update of a project that 
includes an environmental impact statement, includ-
ing the environmental impact statement. 
(2) AFFECTED
STATE.—The term ‘‘affected 
State’’, as used with respect to a project, means a