§ 2255a. High water-low water preparedness

• (a) In this section:
  • (1) The term “bypass” means an alternate water route adjacent to a lock and dam on a Federal inland waterway system that can be used for commercial navigation during high water conditions.
  • (2) The term “emergency condition” means—
    • (A) unsafe conditions on a Federal inland waterway system that prevent the operation of commercial vessels, resulting from a major change in water level or flows;
    • (B) an obstruction in a Federal inland waterway system, including silt, sediment, rock formation, or a shallow channel;
    • (C) an impaired or inoperable Federal lock and dam; or
    • (D) any other condition determined appropriate by the Secretary.
• (b) The Secretary, in consultation with the District Commanders responsible for maintaining any Federal inland waterway system, the users of the waterway system, and the Coast Guard, may make a determination that an emergency condition exists on the waterway system.
• (c)
  • (1) Subject to paragraph (2) and the availability of appropriations, and in accordance with all applicable Federal requirements, the Secretary may carry out an emergency mitigation project on a Federal inland waterway system with respect to which the Secretary has determined that an emergency condition exists under subsection (b), or on a bypass of such system, to remedy that emergency condition.
  • (2) An emergency mitigation project under paragraph (1) shall—
    • (A) be initiated by not later than 60 days after the date on which the Secretary makes the applicable determination under subsection (b); and
    • (B) to the maximum extent practicable, be completed by not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary makes such determination.
• (d) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024, to remain available until expended.