“A bill to designate certain categorical exclusions for water resources development projects, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section directs the Secretary of the Army, not later than 180 days after enactment, to designate as categorically excluded from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for environmental assessments or impact statements any water resources development project—(1) carried out under a continuing authority program (CAP; i.e., authorities such as those in 33 U.S.C. 2282d(c)(1)(D) allowing the Army Corps of Engineers to plan and execute small projects without individual congressional authorization) or an environmental infrastructure assistance program; (2) for which construction work is performed by the non-Federal sponsor; and (3) with a federal cost share of less than $6 million or less than 15% of total project costs not exceeding $35 million. The section further requires the Secretary to promulgate regulations implementing this exclusion not later than 150 days after enactment. (Thus, qualifying projects avoid full NEPA review, expediting small-scale water infrastructure development.)