Water Resources Development Act of 1996

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

28 March 1995

Last action

12 October 1996 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 104-303.

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Water Resources Projects Title II: Project-Related Provisions Title III: General Provisions Water Resources Development Act of 1995 - Title I: Water Resources Projects - Authorizes specified projects throughout the United States for storm damage reduction, flood control, navigation, shoreline erosion protection, hydropower, and bluff stabilization, providing a total cost limit in each case and, in most cases, the estimated Federal and non-Federal share of such cost. Modifies specified projects authorized under previous water resources development Acts. (Sec. 103) Deauthorizes portions of specified water resources development projects (projects). (Sec. 104) Directs the Secretary of the Army to carry out or review certain studies for flood control, navigation, wildlife habitat improvement, and other projects. Title II: Project-Related Provisions - Directs the Secretary to accept certain in-kind contributions for the project at Morgan Point, Arkansas. (Sec. 202) Requires the project for flood control and power generation at White River Basin Lakes, Arkansas and Missouri, to include recreation and fish and wildlife mitigation within project purposes to the extent they do not adversely affect existing project purposes. (Sec. 203) Directs the Secretary to carry out the construction of a turbine bypass at Pine Flat Dam, Kings River, California. (Sec. 204) Modifies the project for Central and Southern Florida to authorize the Secretary to implement a plan of improvement contained in a certain report, at a specified total cost. Provides the Federal share of various costs under the project. (Sec. 205) Modifies the project for flood protection of West Palm Beach, Florida, to provide for the construction of an enlarged stormwater retention area in accordance with a plan of improvement for such project. Requires the additional work authorized under the project to be accomplished at full Federal cost. (Sec. 206) Deems the Greenville Inner Harbor Channel, Mississippi, to be a portion of the navigable waters of the United States, and therefore included among the navigable waters for which the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) maintains a ten-foot navigable channel. (Sec. 207) Directs the Secretary to work cooperatively with Mississippi and the city of Sardis in the management of existing and proposed land leases for the economic development of Sardis Lake, Mississippi. (Sec. 208) Directs the Secretary to undertake certain construction activities at Libby Dam, Montana. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 209) Authorizes the Secretary to expend Federal funds as necessary to complete the small flood control project at Malta, Montana. (Sec. 210) Directs the Secretary to provide periodic beach nourishment for Cliffwood Beach, New Jersey, for a 50-year period. Places at 35 percent the non-Federal share of such cost. (Sec. 211) Directs the Secretary to place sand dredged from the Fire Island Inlet, New York, on a specified shoreline in Suffolk County, New York. (Sec. 212) Directs the Secretary to maintain a specified minimum conservation pool level at the Wister Lake project in LeFlore County, Oklahoma. (Sec. 213) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to direct the Secretary to remove a sunken barge from waters offshore of the Narragansett Town Beach in Narragansett, Rhode Island, at a specified total cost. (Sec. 214) Directs the Secretary to incorporate a specified water channel into the navigation project for Providence River and Harbor, Rhode Island. (Sec. 215) Requires Federal participation in the maintenance of the Rudee Inlet in Virginia Beach, Virginia, to continue for the life of the project. (Sec. 216) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary to budget for FY 1996 specified funds to be paid to Virginia Beach, Virginia, for certain beach nourishment activities undertaken by the city from 1986 through 1993. Title III: General Provisions - Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to set at 25 percent the non-Federal share of environmental protection and restoration project costs under such Act. (Sec. 302) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1988 to require the Secretary to provide appropriate protections for a specified period against the dissemination of information developed as a result of a research or development activity conducted by the Corps that is likely to be subject to a cooperative research and development (R&D) agreement within two years after its development and which would be considered a trade secret or privileged or confidential information if obtained from a non-Federal party participating in a cooperative R&D agreement under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. (Sec. 303) Makes permanent (currently ends after FY 1994) the authorization of appropriations for maintaining and periodically updating information relating to a national inventory of dams. (Sec. 304) Authorizes the Secretary, after making specified determinations, to take necessary actions to increase the efficiency of energy production or the capacity, or both, of a hydroelectric power generating facility of a project. (Sec. 305) Authorizes the Secretary to make lump-sum payments of the Federal share of the operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of a Corps project for which the non-Federal interests are responsible for performing the project's operation, maintenance, replacement, and rehabilitation. Requires, before such payments may be made, a binding agreement under which the non-Federal interests agree to perform such functions. (Sec. 306) Requires any proposal submitted to the Congress by the Secretary for the modification of an existing project requiring the removal of one or more project features that would significantly and adversely impact authorized project purposes or outputs to include the recommendation that the non-Federal interests provide 50 percent of the cost of such modification, including the cost of acquiring additional land for such modification. (Sec. 307) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of: (1) 1990 to terminate a technical advisory committee established under such Act to provide recommendations with respect to reservoir management; and (2) 1986 to add project planning and design information to a list of information required to be submitted to certain officials with respect to projects deauthorized under such Act. (Sec. 309) Amends the Flood Control Act of 1950 to repeal a provision authorizing the Secretary to allot certain funds for Corps participation in international engineering and scientific conferences. (Sec. 310) Authorizes the Secretary, in carrying out R&D in support of the Army civil works program, to utilize contracts and cooperative R&D agreements with, and grants to, non-Federal entities. Requires such agreements to have or use the potential for commercial application. (Sec. 311) Authorizes the Secretary to engage in activities in support of other Federal agencies or international organizations to address problems of national significance. Provides funding. (Sec. 312) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 to: (1) authorize the Secretary to determine if the operation of a project has contributed to the degradation of environmental quality; (2) repeal provisions limiting the non-Federal share of a project modification, as well as the total cost of an environmental improvement project modification without specific congressional authorization; and (3) authorize the Secretary to carry out environmental restoration measures upon a positive determination of environmental degradation, providing funding for such measures. (Sec. 313) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of: (1) 1990 to repeal a specified termination date with respect to the Secretary's authority to remove contaminated sediments as part of the O&M of a navigation project; and (2) 1986 to limit to 50 percent the non-Federal share of the estimate of the cost of feasibility studies undertaken under such Act. (Sec. 315) Amends the Act commonly referred to as the River and Harbor Act of 1899 to: (1) increase the fines for the wrongful deposit of refuse; and (2) require the owner of a vessel which is blocking navigation in any navigable U.S. waters, within 24 hours after an order to stop or delay navigation there due to such blockage, to begin removal of the vessel using the most expeditious means available. (Sec. 316) Amends Federal flood control provisions to direct the Secretary to prepare and provide to appropriate non-Federal interests a manual describing the maintenance and upkeep responsibilities that the Corps requires of a non-Federal interest in order to receive financial assistance under such Act. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 317) Directs the Secretary to obtain the services of an independent consultant in order to receive a risk-based analysis relating to certain aspects of flood damage reduction studies, minimum engineering and safety standards, and policy changes necessitated by such studies. Directs the Secretary to establish a task force to oversee and review the analysis. Terminates the task force two years after enactment of this Act. Limits the risk-based techniques to be used under the studies. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 318) Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 to: (1) provide a goal, and require an annual report to the Congress, with respect to a sediments decontamination technology project under such Act; and (2) increase after FY 1995 the authorization of appropriations for such project. (Sec. 319) Amends the River and Harbor Act of 1958 to include the control and eradication of the melaleuca tree within a program for the control of aquatic plant growths. (Sec. 320) Directs the Secretary to design and construct shoreline protection measures for the coastline adjacent to Faulkner Island Lighthouse, Connecticut, at a specified total cost. (Sec. 321) Designates lock and dam four on the Red River Waterway, Louisiana, as the Russell B. Long Lock and Dam. (Sec. 322) Directs the Secretary to transfer a specified sum to Maryland for use in constructing an access road to the William Jennings Randolph Lake in Garrett County, Maryland. (Sec. 323) Directs the Secretary to enter into necessary arrangements, contracts, and leases for purposes of the rehabilitation, renovation, preservation, and maintenance of the New York State canal system and related facilities. Provides estimated Federal and non-Federal shares of the cost of such improvements. (Sec. 324) Directs the Secretary to replace a certain bulkhead at the Quonset Point-Davisville Industrial Park in Rhode Island, at a specified total cost. (Sec. 325) Authorizes the Corps Chief of Engineers to modernize the Washington Aqueduct in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Chief to enter into contracts with public water supply customers under which the customer repays a pro rata share of the principal and interest of the Corps debt for such modernization. Provides contract conditions and borrowing authority. (Sec. 326) Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to provide environmental assistance to non-Federal interests in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Requires any project receiving such assistance to be publicly owned, operated and maintained. Requires local cooperation agreements with non-Federal interests before the provision of such assistance. Places at 75 percent the Federal share of total project costs. Prohibits the provision of such assistance from affecting the applicability of other Federal and State laws and agreements that would otherwise apply to a project. Requires the Secretary to establish at least one project for the receipt of such assistance in each of Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Requires a report on program results. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1996. (Sec. 327) Makes technical corrections to the Water Resources Development Act of 1992.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

28 March 1995
Introduced
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Source: IntroReferral
28 March 1995
Introduced
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4729)
Source: IntroReferral
28 March 1995
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
2 August 1995
Reported
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Source: Committee
9 November 1995
Calendars
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 227.
Source: Calendars
9 November 1995
Reported
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-170. Additional views filed.
Source: Committee
9 November 1995
Reported
Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported to Senate by Senator Chafee with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 104-170. Additional views filed.
Source: Committee
11 July 1996
Floor
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S7703-7742)
Source: Floor
11 July 1996
Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Source: Floor
12 July 1996
Floor
Held at the desk.
Source: Floor
12 July 1996
Floor
Received in the House.
Source: Floor
30 July 1996
Floor
A similar measure H.R. 3592 was laid on the table without objection.
Source: Floor
30 July 1996
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
30 July 1996
Passed
On passage Passed without objection.
Source: Floor
30 July 1996
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Source: Floor
30 July 1996
Passed
The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 3592. Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
30 July 1996
Floor
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H8735-8756)
Source: Floor
30 July 1996
Floor
Mr. Shuster asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Source: Floor
31 July 1996
Floor
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Source: Floor
10 September 1996
Passed
Senate disagreed to House amendment requested conference and appointed conferees. Chafee; Warner; Smith; Baucus; Moynihan.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
11 September 1996
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
18 September 1996
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 September 1996
ResolvingDifferences
The Speaker appointed conferees: Shuster, Young (AK), Boehlert, Oberstar, and Borski.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 September 1996
Passed
On motion that the House insist upon its amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H10532)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
18 September 1996
ResolvingDifferences
Mr. Shuster asked unanimous consent that the House insist upon its amendment, and agree to a conference.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
25 September 1996
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report H. Rept. 104-843 filed. (text of conference report: CR H11158-11202)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
25 September 1996
ResolvingDifferences
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 104-843 filed.(text of conference report: CR H11158-11202)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
25 September 1996
Passed
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
25 September 1996
Passed
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
26 September 1996
ResolvingDifferences
Conference papers: message on House action held at the desk in Senate.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
26 September 1996
Passed
On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H11322-30)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
26 September 1996
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: ResolvingDifferences
26 September 1996
Passed
Conference report agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H11322-30)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
26 September 1996
Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.
Source: Floor
26 September 1996
ResolvingDifferences
Mr. Shuster moved to suspend the rules and agree to the conference report, H. Rept. 104-843. (consideration: CR H11330)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
27 September 1996
Passed
Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11519-11527)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
27 September 1996
Passed
Conference report agreed to in Senate: Senate agreed to conference report by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11519-11527)
Source: ResolvingDifferences
28 September 1996
Floor
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Source: Floor
2 October 1996
Floor
Presented to President.
Source: Floor
2 October 1996
President
Presented to President.
Source: President
12 October 1996
Became law
Became Public Law No: 104-303.
Source: President
12 October 1996
Became law
Signed by President.
Source: BecameLaw
12 October 1996
President
Signed by President.
Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Public Law · 13 October 1996 · Official file
Enrolled Bill · 27 September 1996 · Official file
Engrossed Amendment House · 30 July 1996 · Official file
Engrossed in Senate · 11 July 1996 · Official file
Reported to Senate · 9 November 1995 · Official file
Introduced in Senate · 28 March 1995 · Official file

Documents

17 official files

Public Law (text)
Public Law · EN · 13 October 1996
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Public Law (PDF)
Public Law · EN · 13 October 1996
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Enrolled Bill (text)
Enrolled Bill · EN · 27 September 1996
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Enrolled Bill (PDF)
Enrolled Bill · EN · 27 September 1996
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Conference report filed in House
summary · EN · 25 September 1996
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Engrossed Amendment House (text)
Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 30 July 1996
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Engrossed Amendment House (PDF)
Engrossed Amendment House · EN · 30 July 1996
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Passed House amended
summary · EN · 30 July 1996
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Engrossed in Senate (text)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 11 July 1996
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Engrossed in Senate (PDF)
Engrossed in Senate · EN · 11 July 1996
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Passed Senate amended
summary · EN · 11 July 1996
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Reported to Senate (text)
Reported to Senate · EN · 9 November 1995
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Reported to Senate (PDF)
Reported to Senate · EN · 9 November 1995
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Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 9 November 1995
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Introduced in Senate (text)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 28 March 1995
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Introduced in Senate (PDF)
Introduced in Senate · EN · 28 March 1995
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Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 28 March 1995
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Related records

related to → Water Resources Development Act of 1996
related to → Wetlands Restoration and Improvement Act of 1996

Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/104th-congress/senate-bill/640
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/104/s/640
us · 104-s-640 · source updated 7 April 2025