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<br />m <br /> <br />SECTION 1135 <br /> <br />US Army Corps <br />of Engineers <br /> <br />Authority for: PROJECT MODIFICATIONS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT <br /> <br />WHAT CAN THE CORPS DO? Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended, provides the authority to <br />modify existing Corps projects to restore the environment and construct new projects to restore areas degraded by Corps projects. A project <br />is accepted for construction after a detailed investigation shows it is technically feasible, environmentally acceptable, and provides cost <br />effective environmental benefits. Each project must be complete within itself, not a part of a larger project. Project costs may not exceed $5 <br />million federal (6.7 million total). Project costs are shared 75% federal, 25% non-federal. Costs of lands, easements, and operation and <br />maintenance of the project must be non-federal. Section 1135 allows non-federal sponsors credit for certain work in-kind, including design <br />work, provision of materials, and construction activities. Contributions, such as volunteer labor, can also be accepted to reduce the overall <br />project cost. <br /> <br />The Corps does. environmental restorationinaquiitic habitat areaSsuch as rivers, lakes; and wetlands. We evaluate projects thaf6eIlefit the <br />environment by restoring habitat to its known, historic states. <br /> <br />After an eligible non-federal sponsor requests assistance, the Corps will conduct a preliminary study to determine if the problem may have a <br />federal interest. If the Corps' Division Office approves the effort, a feasibility study begins at federal expense. In the feasibility study the <br />problem is defined, potential solutions are identified, the cost, benefits, and environmental impacts of the alternatives are analyzed, and a <br />plan is chosen, In addition to the study, a project cooperation agreement (PCA) is drawn up by which the federal government and the <br />sponsor agree to share project costs. No more than 2 years should pass between the start of the study and the time the project is ready for <br />construction. Projects with an estimated federal cost of $300,000 or less may be expedited allowing for a project to be completed in 18 months <br />or less. <br /> <br />WHAT ARE THE LOCAL RESPONSmILITIES? Costs for Section 1135 projects are shared between the federal government (75%) and <br />a non-federal sponsor (25%) in accordance with the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, as amended. Sponsors include public <br />agencies such as cities, local improvement districts, and watershed groups, private interests if no future operation and maintenance is required, <br />and large national non-profit organizations if they can commit to future operation and maintenance. The non-federal sponsor must have the <br /> <br />