33 USC 2317 - Wetlands

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 03, 2024

§ 2317.

Wetlands

(a)

Goals and action plan

(1)

Goals

(2)

Use of authorities

(3)

Action plan

(A)

Development

(B)

Contents

(C)

Completion deadline

(b)

Constructed wetlands for Mud Creek, Arkansas

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is authorized and directed to establish and carry out a research and pilot project to evaluate and demonstrate—

(1)

the use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment, and

(2)

methods by which such projects contribute—

(A)

to meeting the objective of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] to restore and maintain the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters, and

(B)

to attaining the goals established by subsection (a).

The project under this subsection shall be carried out to improve the quality of effluent discharged from publicly owned treatment works operated by the city of Fayetteville, Arkansas, into Mud Creek or its tributaries.

(c)

Non-Federal responsibilities

For the project conducted under subsection (b), the non-Federal interest shall agree—

(1)

to provide, without cost to the United States, all lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and dredged material disposal areas necessary for construction and subsequent research and demonstration work;

(2)

to hold and save the United States free from damages due to construction, operation, and maintenance of the project, except damages due to the fault or negligence of the United States or its contractors; and

(3)

to operate and maintain the restored or constructed wetlands in accordance with good management practices; except that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as precluding a Federal agency from agreeing to operate and maintain the restored or reconstructed wetlands.

The value of the non-Federal lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and dredged material disposal areas provided by the non-Federal interest shall be credited toward the non-Federal share of project design and construction costs. The non-Federal share of project design and construction costs shall be 25 percent.

(d)

Wetlands restoration and enhancement demonstration program

(1)

Establishment and implementation

(2)

Goal

(3)

Factors to consider

In establishing the demonstration program under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider—

(A)

past experience with wetlands restoration, enhancement, and creation;

(B)

the appropriate means of measuring benefits of compensatory mitigation activities, including enhancement or restoration of existing wetlands or creation of wetlands;

(C)

the appropriate geographic scope for which wetlands loss may be offset by restoration, enhancement, and creation efforts;

(D)

the technical feasibility and scientific likelihood that wetlands can be successfully restored, enhanced, and created;

(E)

means of establishing liability for, and long-term ownership of, wetlands restoration, enhancement, and creation areas; and

(F)

responsibilities for short- and long-term project monitoring.

(4)

Reporting

(A)

To the Chief of Engineers

(B)

To Congress

(5)

Effect on other laws

(e)

Training and certification of delineators

(1)

In general

(2)

Reports

(Pub. L. 101–640, title III, § 307, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4635.)

cite as: 33 USC 2317