Purpose
The Section 219 program authorizes aid from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assist non-federal interests in carrying out water-related environmental infrastructure and resource protection and development projects. Assistance may be in the form of technical, planning, design assistance and/or construction for wastewater treatment and related facilities and water supply, storage, treatment and distribution facilities.
Restrictions
Projects must be specifically named by Congress in the authorizing language for this program. Congress specifies the geographic location, amount of authorized dollars, and purpose or scope of the project. Procurement of design services shall be obtained from private sources, unless – the services provided require the use of new technologies unavailable from the private sector, or Solicitation or Request for Proposal fails to attract two or more bids. Federal cost share is limited to $5 million.
Cost Sharing
The non-federal sponsor’s share is 25% of total design costs or total project costs. The non-federal sponsor is responsible for providing all lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations and disposal areas (LERRD) required for the project and for obtaining any necessary permits. The non-federal sponsor will receive credit for the value of such LERRDs and the cost of obtaining permits toward its share of total project costs, but not to exceed 25% of total project costs. In addition, the non-federal sponsor will receive credit toward its share of total design costs or total project costs, as applicable, for the reasonable costs of design work it completes prior to entering into an agreement with the government. The Corps will be responsible for all contracting and construction oversight. The non-federal sponsor will be responsible for 100% of the operation, maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and replacement costs associated with a completed construction project.
Responsibility of Non-Federal Sponsor
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Provide without cost to the United States all Lands, Easements, Rights-of-way, Relocations, and Disposal areas (LERRDs) necessary for the construction and subsequent maintenance of the project.
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Maintain and operate the project after completion without cost to the United States.
Authority
Section 219 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992 authorizes the program. Congress authorizes assistance for defined projects and locations with specific amounts in each location and can authorize additional projects in subsequent fiscal years.
Funding
In fiscal year 2024, the St. Paul District received $3.9 million for the city of Northfield environmental infrastructure project.