Have we got news!! BTW, don’t forget to check out the WaterLog website at www.aldenst.com/waterlog for background info on coastal resilience, the Corps process etc.
There are TWO items in this update. Funds for Corps projects in the budget bill just passed and a link to the Federal Register announcement on applications for the beneficial use pilot program. A reminder: This update is going out to all those who have opted in to WaterLog. I’ve added a few others on for this update only. Anyone can opt-in by signing up on the WaterLog page (link immediately above), or by emailing me and requesting to opt-in. Please pass this update along to others who are interested in the information it contains.
The budget bill passed by Congress and signed into law a few hours ago, contains the following provisions for the Corps of Engineers:
$135 million for investigations (both currently authorized and not yet authorized) related to “flood and storm damage reduction, including shore protection at full federal expense. $75M of this is for studies in areas hit by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. They are other provisos regarding eligibility, so I have attached the language for those who are interested.
$15.055 billion to construct flood and storm damage reduction, including shore protection, projects which are currently authorized or which are authorized after the date of enactment of this subdivision, and flood and storm damage reduction, including shore protection, projects which already have signed Chief's Reports or which are studied using investigations funds provided in the bill. Again, see the attachment for other details
FCCE (100% federal post-disaster funds): $810 million for necessary expenses to prepare for flood, hurricane and other natural disasters and support emergency operations, repairs, and other activities in response to such disasters, as authorized by law. Funding utilized for authorized shore protection projects shall restore such projects to the full project profile at full Federal expense. Again, see the attachment for more details.
Navigation O&M: $608 million to repair damages to Corps projects caused by, natural disasters.
Mississippi River & Tributaries Account: $770 million. Please see the attachment
BONUS: For those of you looking for details about funding for other agencies, this link we’ll get you to what I cannot verify is the final language of the deal but carried a date stamp that indicates it’s at the very least close to final.
BENEFICIAL USE PILOT PROGRAM
The 30-day clock starts running now for applications to be selected as one of 10 (as yet unfunded) beneficial use pilot projects. Here’s the link: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-02-09/pdf/2018-02613.pdf
