Corps of Engineers Modernization and Improvement Act of 2005

Bill: 109-s-753
Sponsor: Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]
Introduced: 2005-04-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Animals
Army Corps of Engineers
Barges
Coastal zone
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Congressional-executive relations
Construction costs
Cost accounting
Cost effectiveness
Department of Defense
Economic development
Economic impact statements
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to water resources development
Finance and Financial Sector
Fishery management
Flood control
Flood damage prevention
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Governmental investigations
Habitat conservation
Harbors
Hydraulic engineering
Hydrology
Infrastructure
Inland water transportation
Inspectors general
Internet
Law
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Navigation
Planning
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Railroads
Restoration ecology
Riparian ecology
Science, Technology, Communications
Shore protection
Trade secrets
Transportation and Public Works
Waterways

Summary:
action_date: 2005-04-11
text: 
Corps of Engineers Modernization and Improvement Act of 2005 - Amends the Flood Control Act of 1970 to require: (1) the Secretary of the Army to revise the planning guidelines, regulations, and circulars of the Corps of Engineers to comply with specified requirements, including encouraging ecosystem restoration through the restoration of hydrologic and geomorphic processes; and (2) the Corps to develop and at least every four years update an integrated national plan to manage, rehabilitate, and modernize inland waterway and port infrastructure to meet national economic and environmental needs. 
 
Directs the Secretary to ensure that each feasibility report, general reevaluation report, and environmental impact statement of a water resource project is subject to review by an independent panel of experts if: (1) the project has an estimated total cost of more than $25 million; (2) the Governor of an affected State requests such review; (3) the head of a Federal agency charged with reviewing the project determines that it is likely to have a significant adverse impact; or (4) the Secretary determines that the project is controversial. Directs the Inspector General of the Army to appoint a Director of Independent Review to establish panels of experts to review water resources projects. Sets forth review guidelines and requirements.
 
Permits the Secretary to recommend a project for congressional authorization only if it has projected national benefits that are at least 1.5 times as great as the estimated total project costs. Requires the Secretary to identify for deauthorization those projects whose projected remaining benefits do not meet that threshold.
 
Sets forth revised provisions governing cost sharing for operation and maintenance of inland waterways.
 
Establishes requirements for: (1) full mitigation of losses of aquatic and terrestrial resources, fish, and wildlife for approval of water resources projects; and (2) a record-keeping system to track mitigation for each each project constructed, operated, or maintained by the Secretary.
 
Requires the Chief of Engineers, annually, to submit a fiscal transparency report on Corps expenditures and projects expected to be completed. Provides for deauthorization of projects for which federal funds have not been obligated over specified periods.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-07-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7813-7814)
action_date: 2005-04-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3426-3430)
action_date: 2005-04-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3425-3426)
action_date: 2005-04-11
text: Introduced in Senate