§2325b. Materials, services, and funds for repair, restoration, or rehabilitation of projects

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Covered area

The term "covered area" means an area-

(A) for which the Governor of a State has requested a determination that an emergency exists; or

(B) covered by an emergency or major disaster declaration declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).

(2) Emergency period

The term "emergency period" means-

(A) with respect to a covered area described in paragraph (1)(A), the period during which the Secretary determines an emergency exists; and

(B) with respect to a covered area described in paragraph (1)(B), the period during which the applicable declaration is in effect.

(b) In general

In any covered area, the Secretary is authorized to accept and use materials, services, and funds, during the emergency period, from a non-Federal interest or private entity to repair, restore, or rehabilitate a federally authorized water resources development project, and to provide reimbursement to such non-Federal interest or private entity for such materials, services, and funds, in the Secretary's sole discretion, and subject to the availability of appropriations, if the Secretary determines that reimbursement is in the public interest.

(c) Additional requirement

The Secretary may only reimburse for the use of materials or services accepted under this section if such materials or services meet the Secretary's specifications and comply with all applicable laws and regulations that would apply if such materials and services were acquired by the Secretary, including sections 3141 through 3148 and 3701 through 3708 of title 40, section 8302 of title 41, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

(d) Agreements

(1) In general

Prior to the acceptance of materials, services, or funds under this section, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest or private entity shall enter into an agreement that specifies-

(A) the non-Federal interest or private entity shall hold and save the United States free from any and all damages that arise from use of materials or services of the non-Federal interest or private entity, except for damages due to the fault or negligence of the United States or its contractors;

(B) the non-Federal interest or private entity shall certify that the materials or services comply with all applicable laws and regulations under subsection (c); and

(C) any other term or condition required by the Secretary.

(2) Exception

If an agreement under paragraph (1) was not entered prior to materials or services being contributed, a non-Federal interest or private entity shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary that-

(A) specifies the value, as determined by the Secretary, of those materials or services contributed and eligible for reimbursement; and

(B) ensures that the materials or services comply with subsection (c) and paragraph (1).

( Pub. L. 116–260, div. AA, title I, §130, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2642 .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143 , which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§5121 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5121 of Title 42 and Tables.

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (c), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852 , which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, and not as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

"Secretary" Defined

Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 2 of div. AA of Pub. L. 116–260, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.