§ 2211a. Preserving United States harbors

• (a) Upon a request from a non-Federal interest, the Secretary shall review a report developed by the non-Federal interest that provides an economic justification for Federal investment in the operation and maintenance of a federally authorized harbor or inland harbor (referred to in this section as a “federally authorized harbor”).
• (b) A report submitted under subsection (a) may provide for an economic justification of Federal investment in the operation and maintenance of a federally authorized harbor based on—
  • (1) the projected economic benefits, including transportation savings and job creation; and
  • (2) other factors, including navigation safety, national security, and sustainability of subsistence harbors.
• (c) Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a report under subsection (a), the Secretary shall provide to the non-Federal interest a written response to the report, including an assessment of the information provided by the non-Federal interest.
• (d) As the Secretary determines to be appropriate, the Secretary may use the information provided in the report under subsection (a) to justify additional operation and maintenance funding for a federally authorized harbor in accordance with section 2211(b) of this title .
• (e) Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude the operation and maintenance of a federally authorized harbor under section 2211(b) of this title .