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<br />m <br /> <br />SECTION 206 <br /> <br />US Army Corps <br />of Engineers <br /> <br />Authority for: AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION <br /> <br />WHAT CAN THE CORPS DO? Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, provides authority for the Corps to <br />restore aquatic ecosystems. A project is accepted for construction after a detailed investigation shows it is technically feasible, <br />environmentally acceptable, and provides cost effective environmental benefits. Each project must be complete within itself, not a part <br />of a larger project. The maximum federal expenditure per project is $5 million, which includes both planning and construction costs. <br />Project costs are shared 65% federal, 35% non-federal. Costs of lands, easements, and operation and maintenance of the project are <br />non-federal. Section 206 allows cost sharing credit to sponsors for certain works-in-kind, including design work, provisions of materials, <br />and construction activities. Contributions, such as volunteer labor, can also be accepted to reduce the overall project cost. <br /> <br />The Corps does restoration projects in aquatic habitat areas such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands. We evaluate projects that benefit the <br />environlIlen~!>x_~t()ring, aquati<:~a!>it~t:"" <br /> <br />After a State or local agency requests a potential project, the Corps will conduct a preliminary study to determine if the problem may <br />have a federal interest. If the Corps' Division Office approves this effort, a feasibility study begins at federal expense. In the feasibility <br />study the problem is defined, potential solutions are identified, the costs, benefits, and environmental impacts of the alternatives are <br />analyzed, and a plan is chosen, In addition to the study, a draft project cooperation agreement (PCA) is drawn up by which the federal <br />government and the sponsor agree to share project costs, No more than 2 years should pass between the start of the study and the time <br />the project is ready for construction. Projects with an estimated federal cost of $300,000 or less may be expedited allowing for a project <br />to be completed in 18 months or less. <br /> <br />WHAT ARE THE LOCAL RESPONSIBILITIES? Costs for Section 206 projects are shared between the federal government (65%) <br />and a non-federal sponsor (35%) in accordance with the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. Sponsors must be public agencies <br />that have the legal and financial capability to fulfill the requirement of cost sharing and local cooperation. The sponsor generally must <br />agree to the following: <br /> <br />. Provide all lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and dredged material disposal areas. <br />. Provide any additional cash contributions needed to make the local sponsor's share of the cost 35 percent. <br />