Section 14 of the 1946 Flood Control Act, as amended, permits construction of bank protection works to protect endangered highways, highway bridge approaches and other essential, important public works, such as municipal water supply systems and sewage disposal plants; churches, hospitals, schools and other nonprofit public services; and known cultural sites that are endangered by flood-caused bank or shoreline erosion. Repair, restoration, and/or modification of the eroding streambank is allowed.

Procedures followed for Section 14 projects are designed to expedite implementation. The time required from initiation of a study to award of a construction contract should not exceed 12 months.

Section 14 covers only protection of important and essential public facilities which serve the general public. In addition to major highway systems of national importance, eligible highways may also include principal highways, streets and roads of special and significant importance to the local community. Examples are arterial streets, important access routes to other communities and adjacent settlements as well as roads designated as primary farm to market roads.

Privately owned riverfront and privately owned facilities are not eligible for protection under the Section 14 authority. Erosion protection is not eligible under Section 14, if the problem is caused by the design or operation of the facility itself or by inadequate drainage or lack of reasonable maintenance. Repair of the facility itself is also excluded under Section 14.

A bank protection project must be designed to be an effective and successful operation. Each project constructed must be economically justified and the maximum federal expenditure per project is limited to $1 million. If the project cost exceeds the $1 million federal cost limit, the difference must be provided by local cash contribution. Studies are accomplished at full federal expense up to $100,000, and the remainder is cost shared. Projects are cost shared. Non-federal interests are required to contribute a minimum of 35 percent of the project costs, of which at least 5 percent of the total cost must be contributed in cash.

Local sponsorship for a Section 14 project must be provided by a state, local agency or Indian Tribe empowered with sufficient legal and financial authority to comply fully with all required local cooperation and participation. The local sponsoring agency must agree to:

• Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements and rights-of-way necessary for construction of the project.
• Accomplish without cost to the United States all required alterations and relocations in sewer, water supply, drainage and other utility facilities.
• Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction works, not including damages during construction, operation and maintenance that are due to the fault or negligence of the United States or its contractors.
• Maintain the project after completion.
• Assume full responsibility for all project costs in excess of the federal cost limit of $1 million or to satisfy local cost sharing requirements.
• Provide a cash contributions for project costs in proportion to any special benefits to non-public property.
• Contribute a minimum of 35 percent up-front financing for construction. At least 5 percent of the total cost must be a cash contribution.

An investigation under Section 14 may be initiated after receipt of a formal request from the prospective sponsoring agency. An example of an acceptable resolution is given above. This request and any further inquiries concerning an emergency bank protection project should be made directly to:

St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers
Project Management Branch
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1638

Contact Phone:
________