effective way, consistent with economic, engineering, and 
environmental criteria. 
‘‘(g) SELECTION OF SEDIMENT DISPOSAL METH-
OD.—In developing and carrying out a water resources 
project involving the disposal of sediment, the Secretary 
may select, with the consent of the non-Federal interest, 
a disposal method that is not the least cost option if the 
Secretary determines that the incremental costs of such 
disposal method are reasonable in relation to the environ-
mental benefits, including the benefits to the aquatic envi-
ronment to be derived from the creation of wetlands and 
control of shoreline erosion. The Federal share of such in-
cremental costs shall be determined in accordance with 
subsections (d) and (f). 
‘‘(h) NONPROFIT ENTITIES.—Notwithstanding sec-
tion 221 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 
1962d–5b), for any project carried out under this section, 
a non-Federal interest may include a nonprofit entity, with 
the consent of the affected local government. 
‘‘(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated $30,000,000 annually for 
projects under this section of which not more than 
$3,000,000 annually may be used for construction of 
projects described in subsection (e). Such sums shall re-
main available until expended. 
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‘‘(j) REGIONAL
SEDIMENT
MANAGEMENT
PLAN-
NING.—In consultation with appropriate State and Fed-
eral agencies, the Secretary may develop, at Federal ex-
pense, plans for regional management of sediment ob-
tained in conjunction with the construction, operation, or 
maintenance of water resources projects, including poten-
tial beneficial uses of sediment for construction, repair, or 
rehabilitation of public projects for flood damage reduc-
tion, hurricane and storm damage reduction, aquatic plant 
control, and environmental protection and restoration. 
‘‘(k) USE OF FUNDS.— 
‘‘(1) NON-FEDERAL INTEREST.—The non-Fed-
eral interest for a project described in this section 
may use, and the Secretary shall accept, funds pro-
vided under any other Federal or State program, to 
satisfy, in whole or in part, the non-Federal share 
of the cost of such project if such funds are author-
ized to be used to carry out such project. 
‘‘(2) OTHER
FEDERAL
AGENCIES.—The non- 
Federal share of the cost of construction of a project 
under this section may be met through contributions 
from a Federal agency made directly to the Sec-
retary, with the consent of the affected local govern-
ment, if such funds are authorized to be used to 
carry out such project. Before initiating a project to 
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which this paragraph applies, the Secretary shall 
enter into an agreement with a non-Federal interest 
in which the non-Federal interest agrees to pay 100 
percent of the cost of operation, maintenance, re-
placement, and rehabilitation of the project.’’. 
SEC. 103. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS. 
(a) NEW ORLEANS TO VENICE, LOUISIANA.—The 
project for hurricane protection, New Orleans to Venice, 
Louisiana, authorized by section 203 of the Flood Control 
Act of 1962 (76 Stat. 1184), is modified to authorize the 
Secretary to carry out the work on the St. Jude to City 
Price, Upper Reach A back levee. The Federal share of 
the cost of such work shall be 70 percent. 
(b) DEER
ISLAND, HARRISON
COUNTY, MIS-
SISSIPPI.—The project for ecosystem restoration, Deer Is-
land, Harrison County, Mississippi, being carried out 
under section 204 of the Water Resources Development 
Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326), is modified to authorize 
the non-Federal interest to provide any portion of the non- 
Federal share of the cost of the project in the form of 
in-kind services and materials. 
SEC. 104. PROJECT-RELATED PROVISIONS. 
(a) LAROSE TO GOLDEN MEADOW, LOUISIANA.— 
(1) REIMBURSEMENT.—The Secretary shall re-
imburse the non-Federal interest for 65 percent of 
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the cost of any planning, design, and construction 
work performed by the non-Federal interest between 
August 16, 1999, and the date of enactment of this 
Act in converting the Golden Meadow floodgate, 
Louisiana, into a navigational lock if the Secretary 
determines that the work conforms to the Leon 
Theriot Lock Evaluation Report as approved by the 
Chief of Engineers. 
(2) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this subsection $16,000,000. Such sums shall re-
main available until expended. 
(b) NON-FEDERAL LEVEES IN TERREBONNE, ST. 
CHARLES, LAFOURCHE, AND ST. MARY PARISHES, LOU-
ISIANA.—The Secretary shall carry out projects for the 
restoration of damaged hurricane and flood control facili-
ties, including non-Federal facilities, in Terrebonne, St. 
Charles, Lafourche, and St. Mary Parishes, Louisiana, to 
pre-storm levels of protection at full Federal expense 
under the emergency authority provided by Public Law 
84–99 (33 U.S.C. 701n). 
(c) LEVEES IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH, LOUISIANA.— 
(1) INCORPORATION OF EAST BANK NON-FED-
ERAL LEVEE.— 
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(A) INCORPORATION INTO FEDERAL LEVEE 
SYSTEM.—The Secretary is authorized to incor-
porate the non-Federal levee on the east bank 
of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, 
Louisiana, into the existing Federal levee sys-
tem. 
(B) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this paragraph $94,000,000. Such 
sums shall remain available until expended. 
(2) LEVEL OF FLOOD PROTECTION.—The Sec-
retary is authorized to undertake such measures as 
may be necessary to provide a 100-year level of flood 
protection for Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. 
(d) FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FOR CERTAIN LEVEE 
PROJECTS, LOUISIANA.—In conducting feasability studies 
for each of the following projects for flood control, the Sec-
retary shall include, as part of the calculation of benefits 
and costs, the benefits of the project to the region com-
monly referred to as West Jefferson Parish, Louisiana: 
(1) Crown Point Basin, Crown Point, Lou-
isiana. 
(2) Lower Barataria Basin, Barataria, Lou-
isiana. 
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(3) Lower Highway 45 Evacuation Route, La-
fitte, Louisiana. 
(4) Upper Highway 45 Evacuation Route, Jean 
Lafitte, Louisiana. 
(5) Jones Point Basin, Crown Point, Louisiana. 
(6) Lower Lafitte Basin, Lafitte, Louisiana. 
(e) HARRISON, HANCOCK, AND JACKSON COUNTIES, 
MISSISSIPPI.—In carrying out projects for the protection, 
restoration, and creation of aquatic and ecologically re-
lated habitats located in Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson 
Counties, Mississippi, under section 204 of the Water Re-
sources Development Act of 1992 (33 U.S.C. 2326), the 
Secretary shall accept any portion of the non-Federal 
share of the cost of the project in the form of in-kind serv-
ices and materials. 
SEC. 105. STUDIES. 
(a) COMPREHENSIVE STUDY FOR SOUTHWEST LOU-
ISIANA.—The Secretary shall conduct a study of the coast 
of Louisiana in Cameron, Calcasieu, Vermillion, Iberia, St. 
Martin, and St. Mary Parishes, with particular reference 
to the advisability of providing hurricane protection and 
storm damage reduction and related purposes. In con-
ducting the study, the Secretary shall assess the feasibility 
of constructing an armored 12-foot levee along the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway. 
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(b) MISSISSIPPI COASTAL AREA, MISSISSIPPI.—The 
Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the feasibility 
of making improvements or modifications to existing im-
provements in the coastal area of Mississippi in the inter-
est of hurricane and storm damage reduction, prevention 
of saltwater intrusion, preservation of fish and wildlife, 
prevention of erosion, and other related water resource 
purposes. 
TITLE II—LOUISIANA COASTAL 
AREA 
SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title, the following definitions apply: 
(1) COASTAL
LOUISIANA
ECOSYSTEM.—The 
term ‘‘coastal Louisiana ecosystem’’ means the 
coastal area of Louisiana from the Sabine River on 
the west and the Pearl River on the east, including 
those parts of the Deltaic Plain and the Chenier 
Plain included within the study area of the Plan. 
(2) GOVERNOR.—The term ‘‘Governor’’ means 
the Governor of the State of Louisiana. 
(3) PLAN.—The term ‘‘Plan’’ means the report 
of the Chief of Engineers for ecosystem restoration 
for the Louisiana Coastal Area dated January 31, 
2005. 
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(4) TASK
FORCE.—The term ‘‘Task Force’’ 
means the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection 
and Restoration Task Force established by section 
203. 
SEC. 202. ADDITIONAL REPORTS. 
(a) MISSISSIPPI RIVER-GULF OUTLET.— 
(1) REPORT.—Not later than 2 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
submit to Congress a report recommending modi-
fications to the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet to ad-
dress navigation, salt water intrusion, channel bank 
erosion, mitigation, and threats to life and property. 
The report shall contain recommended strategies for 
closing the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet to naviga-
tion. 
(2) DREDGING
ACTIVITIES.—The Mississippi 
River-Gulf Outlet element of the project for the Mis-
sissippi River, Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico, 
authorized by Public Law 84–455 (70 Stat. 65), is 
modified to direct the Secretary to cease channel 
dredging activities. 
(b) CHENIER PLAIN.—Not later than July 1, 2007, 
the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report recom-
mending near-term ecosystem restoration measures for the 
Chenier Plain, Louisiana. 
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(c) LONG-TERM PLAN.— 
(1) COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK.—Not later 
than one year after the date of enactment of this 
section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
recommended framework for developing a long-term 
program that provides for the comprehensive protec-
tion, conservation, and restoration of the wetlands, 
estuaries (including Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary), 
barrier islands, and related land and features that 
protect critical resources, habitat, and infrastructure 
in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem from the impacts 
of coastal storms, hurricanes, erosion, and subsid-
ence. 
(2) CONSIDERATION.—In developing the rec-
ommended framework, the Secretary shall consider 
integrating other Federal or State projects or activi-
ties within the coastal Louisiana ecosystem into the 
long-term restoration program. 
(3) COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.— 
(A) DEADLINE.—Not later than 5 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to Congress a feasibility 
study recommending a comprehensive, long- 
term, plan for the protection, conservation, and 
restoration of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem. 
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(B) INTEGRATION.—The comprehensive, 
long-term, plan shall include recommendations 
for the integration of ongoing Federal and 
State projects, programs, and activities. 
SEC. 203. COASTAL LOUISIANA ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION 
AND RESTORATION TASK FORCE. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP.—There is 
established the Coastal Louisiana Ecosystem Protection 
and Restoration Task Force, which shall consist of the fol-
lowing members (or, in the case of the head of a Federal 
agency, a designee at the level of Assistant Secretary or 
an equivalent level): 
(1) The Secretary. 
(2) The Secretary of the Interior. 
(3) The Secretary of Commerce. 
(4) The Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency. 
(5) The Secretary of Agriculture. 
(6) The Secretary of Transportation. 
(7) The Secretary of Energy. 
(8) The Director of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency. 
(9) The Commandant of the Coast Guard. 
(10) The Coastal Advisor to the Governor. 
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(11) The Secretary of the Louisiana Depart-
ment of Natural Resources. 
(12) A representative of the Louisiana Gov-
ernor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Restoration 
and Conservation. 
(b) DUTIES
OF TASK FORCE.—The Task Force 
shall— 
(1) make recommendations to the Secretary re-
garding 
policies, 
strategies, 
plans, 
programs, 
projects, and activities for addressing protection, 
conservation, and restoration of the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; 
(2) prepare financial plans for each of the agen-
cies represented on the Task Force for funds pro-
posed for the protection, conservation, and restora-
tion of the coastal Louisiana ecosystem under au-
thorities of each agency, including— 
(A) recommendations that identify funds 
from current agency missions and budgets; and 
(B) recommendations for coordinating in-
dividual agency budget requests; and 
(3) submit to Congress a biennial report that 
summarizes the activities of the Task Force and 
progress towards the purposes set forth in section 
202(c)(1). 
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(c) PROCEDURES
AND ADVICE.—The Task Force 
shall— 
(1) implement procedures to facilitate public 
participation with regard to Task Force activities, 
including— 
(A) providing advance notice of meetings; 
(B) providing adequate opportunity for 
public input and comment; 
(C) maintaining appropriate records; and 
(D) making a record of proceedings avail-
able for public inspection; and 
(2) establish such working groups as are nec-
essary to assist the Task Force in carrying out its 
duties. 
(d) COMPENSATION.—Members of the Task Force or 
any associated working group may not receive compensa-
tion for their services as members of the Task Force or 
working group. 
(e) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—Travel expenses incurred 
by members of the Task Force, or members of an associ-
ated working group, in the performance of their service 
on the Task Force or working group shall be paid by the 
agency or entity that the member represents. 
(f) APPLICATION
OF FEDERAL ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE ACT.—The Task Force and any working group 
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established by the Task Force shall not be considered an 
advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Com-
mittee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). 
SEC. 204. INVESTIGATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct feasi-
bility studies for future authorization and large-scale stud-
ies substantially in accordance with the Plan at a total 
cost $130,000,000. 
(b) EXISTING FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED WATER RE-
SOURCES PROJECTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall review 
existing federally authorized water resources projects 
in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem in order to deter-
mine their consistency with the purposes of this sec-
tion and whether the projects have the potential to 
contribute to ecosystem restoration through revised 
operations or modified project features. 
(2) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be ap-
propriated $10,000,000 to carry out this subsection. 
SEC. 205. CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) COASTAL LOUISIANA ECOSYSTEM PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry 
out a coastal Louisiana ecosystem program substan-
tially in accordance with the Plan, at a total cost of 
$50,000,000. 
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(2) OBJECTIVES.—The objectives of the pro-
gram shall be to— 
(A) identify uncertainties about the phys-
ical, chemical, geological, biological, and cul-
tural baseline conditions in the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; 
(B) improve the State of knowledge of the 
physical, chemical, geological, biological, and 
cultural baseline conditions in the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; and 
(C) identify and develop technologies, mod-
els, and methods that could be useful in car-
rying out the purposes of this title. 
(3) WORKING GROUPS.—The Secretary may es-
tablish such working groups as are necessary to as-
sist in carrying out this subsection. 
(4) PROCEDURES
AND
ADVICE.—In carrying 
out this subsection, the Secretary is authorized to 
enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with 
scientific and engineering experts in the restoration 
of aquatic and marine ecosystems, including a con-
sortium of academic institutions in Louisiana and 
Mississippi for coastal restoration and enhancement 
through science and technology. 
(b) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraphs (2) 
and (3), the Secretary may carry out projects sub-
stantially in accordance with the Plan for the pur-
pose of resolving critical areas of scientific or tech-
nological uncertainty related to the implementation 
of the comprehensive plan to be developed under sec-
tion 202(c)(3). 
(2) MAXIMUM COST.— 
(A) TOTAL COST.—The total cost for plan-
ning, design, and construction of all demonstra-
tion projects under this subsection shall not ex-
ceed $100,000,000. 
(B) INDIVIDUAL PROJECT.—The total cost 
of an individual demonstration project under 
this subsection shall not exceed $25,000,000. 
(c) INITIAL PROJECTS.—The Secretary is authorized 
to carry out the following projects substantially in accord-
ance with the Plan: 
(1) Mississippi River Gulf Outlet Environ-
mental Restoration at a total cost of $105,300,000. 
(2) Small Diversion at Hope Canal at a total 
cost of $68,600,000. 
(3) Barataria Basin Barrier Shoreline Restora-
tion at a total cost of $242,600,000. 
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(4) Small Bayou Lafourche Reintroduction at a 
total cost of $133,500,000. 
(5) Medium Diversion at Myrtle Grove with 
Dedicated Dredging at a total cost of $278,300,000. 
(d) BENEFICIAL USE OF DREDGED MATERIAL.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, substantially 
in accordance with the Plan, shall implement in the 
coastal Louisiana ecosystem a program for the bene-
ficial use of material dredged from federally main-
tained waterways at a total cost of $130,000,000. 
(2) 
SEDIMENT
DELIVERY
SYSTEM, 
WEST 
POINTE A LA HACHE, PLAQUEMINES PARISH.—Of 
the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph 
(1), $30,000,000 shall be used to provide financial 
assistance to permit the Louisiana Department of 
Natural Resources, in cooperation with Barataria- 
Terrebonne National Estuary Program, the Center 
for 
Bioenvironmental 
Research, 
and 
the 
Plaquemines Parish government, to— 
(A) determine the best plan and design for 
a sediment delivery system in the region of 
West Pointe a la Hache, Plaquemines Parish; 
and 
(B) construct a project based on such plan 
and design. 
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SEC. 206. NON-FEDERAL COST SHARE. 
(a) CREDIT.—The Secretary shall credit toward the 
non-Federal share of the cost of a study authorized by 
section 204 or a project authorized by section 205 the cost 
of work carried out in the coastal Louisiana ecosystem by 
the non-Federal interest before the date of the partnership 
agreement for the study or project, as the case may be, 
if the Secretary determines that the work is integral to 
the study or project, as the case may be. 
(b) TREATMENT OF CREDIT BETWEEN PROJECTS.— 
Any credit provided under this section toward the non- 
Federal share of the cost of a study authorized by section 
204 or a project authorized by section 205 may be applied 
toward the non-Federal share of the cost of any other 
study authorized by section 204 or any other project au-
thorized by section 205, as the case may be. 
(c) PERIODIC MONITORING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—To ensure that the contribu-
tions of the non-Federal interest equal the non-Fed-
eral share of the cost of a study authorized by sec-
tion 204 or a project authorized by section 205, dur-
ing each 5-year period beginning after the date of 
commencement of the first study under section 204 
or construction of the first project under section 
205, as the case may be, the Secretary shall— 
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(A) monitor the non-Federal provision for 
each study authorized by section 204 or each 
project authorized by section 205, as the case 
may be, of cash, in-kind services and materials, 
and land, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, 
and disposal areas; and 
(B) manage, to the extent practicable, the 
requirement of the non-Federal interest to pro-
vide for each such project cash, in-kind services 
and materials, and land, easements, rights-of- 
way, relocations, and disposal areas. 
(2) OTHER MONITORING.—The Secretary shall 
conduct monitoring separately for the study phase, 
construction phase, the preconstruction engineering 
and design phase, and the planning phase for each 
project authorized on or after date of enactment of 
this Act for all or any portion of the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem. 
(d) AUDITS.—Credit for land, easements, rights-of- 
way, relocations, and disposal areas (including land value 
and incidental costs) provided under this section, and the 
cost of work provided under this section, shall be subject 
to audit by the Secretary. 
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SEC. 207. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding section 209 of 
the Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 1962–2) or any 
other provision of law, in carrying out any project or activ-
ity authorized by or under this title or any other provision 
of law to protect, conserve, and restore the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem, the Secretary may determine that— 
(1) the project or activity is justified by the en-
vironmental benefits derived by the coastal Lou-
isiana ecosystem; and 
(2) no further economic justification for the 
project or activity is required if the Secretary deter-
mines that the project or activity is cost effective. 
(b) LIMITATION ON APPLICABILITY.—Subsection (a) 
shall not apply to any separable element intended to 
produce benefits that are predominantly unrelated to the 
protection, conservation, and restoration of the coastal 
Louisiana ecosystem. 
SEC. 208. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION. 
(a) EXISTING AUTHORITY.—Except as otherwise pro-
vided in this title, nothing in this title affects any author-
ity in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, or any 
requirement relating to the participation in protection, 
conservation, and restoration projects and activities in the 
coastal Louisiana ecosystem, including projects and activi-
ties referred to in subsection (a) of— 
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(1) the Department of the Army; 
(2) the Department of the Interior; 
(3) the Department of Commerce; 
(4) the Environmental Protection Agency; 
(5) the Department of Agriculture; 
(6) the Department of Transportation; 
(7) the Department of Energy; 
(8) the Federal Emergency Management Agen-
cy; 
(9) the Coast Guard; and 
(10) the State of Louisiana. 
(b) NEW AUTHORITY.—Nothing in this title confers 
any new regulatory authority on any Federal or non-Fed-
eral entity that carries out any project or activity author-
ized by or under this title. 
Æ 
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