Water Resources Development Act

(Measure passed Senate, amended)

Water Resources Development Act - Authorizes additional appropriations for the comprehensive plans of development of the following river basins under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Army: Alabama-Coosa, Arkansas, Brazos, Central and Southern Florida, Columbia, Mississippi and tributaries, Missouri, North Branch of the Susquehanna, Ohio, Quachita, Red River Waterway, San Joaquin, Santa Ana, South Platte, Tampa Harbor, Upper Mississippi. Specifies the amount of such funds to be used for local flood protection projects for the Columbia River Basin. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct bank protection works along the reach of the Sacramento River and its tributaries from Red Bluff to Shasta Dam, subject to the same requirements of non-federal cooperation applicable to other similar elements of the project for flood protection on the Sacramento River, California, and to include mitigation of fish and wildlife losses induced by such project. Authorizes additional sums for such purposes.

Adopts and authorizes the following works of improvement for navigation, flood control, and other purposes, to be carried out by the Secretary of the Army through the Chief of the Corps of Engineers: (1) Coney Island, New York (beach erosion control); (2) Kodiak Harbor, Alaska (navigation improvements); (3) Blair and Sitcum Waterways, Tacoma Harbor, Washington (project for navigation); (4) Agana River, Territory of Guam (flood control); (5) Chetco River, Oregon (construction of navigation improvements; (6) Root River Basin, Minnesota (flood control); (7) Panama City Beaches, Florida (beach erosion control and hurricane flood protection); (8) Des Moines River Basin, Iowa and Minnesota (flood control); (9) Cazenovia Creek, Buffalo, New York (flood control); (10) Little Wood River, Idaho (flood control); (11) Greenville Harbor, Mississippi (navigation); (12) Gulfport Harbor, Mississippi (navigation); (13) the project for extension of the navigation season on the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway; (14) Robinson's Branch at Clark, Scotch Plains, and Rahway, New Jersey (flood control); (15) Rahway River and Van Winkles Brook, New Jersey (flood control); (16) Chehalis River, Washington (flood control); (17) Bushley Bayou area of Red River, Louisiana (flood control and other purposes after a plan for mitigation of damages to fish and wildlife has been approved by Congress); (18) McNary Lock and Dam, Columbia River, Oregon and Washington (construction of second powerhouse); (19) Wears Creek, Missouri (flood protection); (20) Libby Regulating Dam, Kootenai River, Montana (installation of power generating facilities); (21) San Francisco Harbor, California (navigation); (22) Hocking River, Ohio (flood control); (23) Halstead, Kansas (flood protection); (24) Cabin Creek, West Virginia (erosion control and other purposes); (25) Parker Lake, Muddy Boggy Creek, Oklahoma (flood control); (26) Savannah Harbor (navigation); (27) Brazos Island Harbor, Texas (navigation); and (28) Oakland Outer Harbor, California (navigation).

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake the phase I design memorandum stage of advanced engineering and design of: (1) the project for navigation at Grays Harbor, Washington; (2) the project for beach erosion at Jekyll Island, Georgia; (3) the project for improvements on Red Bank and Fancher Creeks, California; (4) the project for flood control of the Mamaroneck and Sheldrake River Basins, New York and Byram River, Connecticut; (5) the project for flood control in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; (6) the project for navigation on the Sacramento River, California, from San Francisco Bay to the port of Sacramento; (7) the project for harbor improvement at Crescent City, Del Norte County, California; (8) the project for enlargement of the turning basin of Ashtaboula Harbor, Ohio; (9) the project for treatment facilities for Tenkiller Ferry Lake, Arkansas River, Oklahoma; and (10) the project for water quality control in the Arkansas-Red River Basin, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Requires a finding by the Chief of Engineers that the project is without substantial controversy before advanced engineering and design may be undertaken.

Authorizes: (1) the construction of the three floodwater control structures on the Johns Creek Tributary and (2) a program of land treatment for erosion control in the Nonconnah Creek Basin, Tennessee and Mississippi.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake the phase I design memorandum stage of advanced engineering and design of a project for water supply within the New York Metropolitan area. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to begin construction of Stage I, New York City Water Tunnel No. 3. Authorizes up to $15,000,000 to be appropriated for the project. Provides for a non-federal contribution of 25 percent of the costs, unless the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determines that the appropriate interests are participating in an approved plan for waste treatment facilities, and applicable water quality standards are not being violated. Stipulates that the Secretary shall enter into agreements with the appropriate interests providing for: (1) repayment of costs of construction; (2) lands necessary for the project; and (3) non-federal operation and maintenance in return for title to the project.

Repeals the authorizations for: (1) the Trexler Dam and Lake project, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania; (2) the Beargrass Creek Basin, Kentucky; and (3) a specified portion of the project for the Nansemond River, Virginia.

Authorizes the construction of a public water supply system as part of the project for the Caesar Creek, Ohio River Basin, Ohio.

Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to construct, as part of the project for flood protection on the Sacramento River, California, bank protection works along specified portions of the River.

Stipulates that, in the project for navigation improvements in Mobile Harbor, Theodore Ship Channel, Alabama, non-federal interests shall contribute 25 percent of the costs of areas required for disposal of spoil and of necessary retaining dikes, bulkheads, embankments, and movement of materials therefor. Waives the requirement for such non-federal contribution upon the determination by the EPA Administrator that, for the area to which such construction applies, the State of Alabama, units of local government, and industrial concerns are participating in an approved plan for the construction, modification, expansion, or rehabilitation of waste treatment facilities, and that applicable water quality standards are not being violated.

Authorizes and directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to implement a nonstructural project for the purposes of flood damage reduction and recreation on the Tittabawassee River at Midland, Michigan. Provides for non-federal participation in such project.

Modifies the project for the East Fork Lake, Ohio River Basin, Ohio, to authorize and direct the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a public water supply system in accordance with an existing plan.

Stipulates that, in the project for harbor improvements at Noyo, Mendocino County, California, the non-federal interests shall contribute 25 percent of the cost of areas required for initial and subsequent disposal of spoil and of necessary retaining dikes, bulkheads, and embankments therefor. Waives the requirement for such non-federal contribution upon the determination by the Administrator of the EPA that, for the area to which such construction applies, the State of California, units of local government, and industrial concerns are participating in an approved plan for the construction, modification, expansion, or rehabilitation of waste treatment facilities, and that applicable water quality standards are not being violated. Stipulates that the Federal Government will bear the entire cost of disposal should ocean disposal be used.

Modifies the navigation project for Lynnhaven Inlet Bay, and connecting waters, Virginia. Provides for the United States to pay for remedial work to Long Creek Canal instead of the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Modifies the general comprehensive plan for flood control and other purposes in the Ohio River Basin. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to repair two bridges in Massillon, Ohio. Provides for non-federal ownership, operation and maintenance of the bridge.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to integrate the Fort Randall Dam-Lake Francis Case, South Dakota hydroelectric facility with the existing Missouri River Basin Federal Power System.

Allows non-federal interests to furnish without cost an area satisfactory to the Secretary through the Chief of Engineers for the disposal of dredged material from the Stamford Harbor, Connecticut navigation project. Stipulates that the Secretary through the Chief of Engineers shall construct a dike to retain the dredged material with non-federal interests contributing 25 percent of the costs of the dike.

Authorizes and directs the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to reimburse a certain corporation for the specified cost of relocating a waterline in the flood control project for Lavon Dam, East Fork Trinity River, Texas.

Modifies the Galveston Channel, Texas, navigation project to require non-federal interests to contribute 25 percent of the costs. Waives such requirement if the EPA Administrator finds that the appropriate interests are participating in an approved plan for waste treatment facilities and applicable water quality standards are not being violated.

Modifies the Houston Ship Channel (Greens Bayou), Texas, navigation project. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to perform such dredging operations as are necessary.

Modifies the navigation project at Mamaroneck Harbor, New York. Provides for the Federal share of the additional costs of disposing dredged materials in ocean waters to be 80 percent.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to acquire lands, easements, rights-of-way, and to carry out relocations for the Wenatchee, Washington flood control project. Requires local interests to reimburse the United States for the total costs of such acquisitions and relocations.

Stipulates that non-federal interests shall contribute 25 percent of the costs of areas required for the disposal of spoil from the Intracoastal Waterway from Jacksonville to Miami, Florida.

Modifies the project for flood protection and other purposes for Sandridge Dam and Reservoir, Ellicott Creek, New York. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a combination of channel enlargement work and diversion channels along Ellicott Creek mostly in the Town of Amherst.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct those features necessary for unimpaired hurricane-flood protection for Jefferson Parish and Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, in pumping stations originally constructed by local interests. Provides for non-federal cooperation for the additional work.

Modifies the flood control project in the St. Francis Basin, Mississippi River and tributaries. Provides for improvement of the Fifteen-Mile Bayou and tributaries and Eight-Mile Creek, Paragould, Arkansas.

Stipulates that the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, is to raise the south jetty of the Yaquina Bay and Harbor project, Oregon. Requires local interests to provide the necessary lands easements and rights-of-way for such modification.

Provides for the entire cost of the alteration of the Shepardstown Bridge to be borne by the United States under the Yazoo River, Mississippi, navigation project.

Modifies the flood control project for the Skagit River Basin, Washington. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to: (1) construct such additional flood control measures as are deemed justified by the Chief of Engineers to extend flood protection to Sedro Woolley, Washington, and (2) incorporate recreation facilities in such project. Describes requirements for local cooperation.

Modifies the Willow Creek, Oregon, flood protection project as recommended by the report of the Chief of Engineers.

Allows the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to reassign a portion of the storage space in the Chatfield Lake project, South Platte River Basin, Colorado, to joint flood control-conservation purposes.

Requires a non-federal cash contribution of 4.4 percent of actual Federal construction costs plus 50 percent of any excess revenue from the non-federal sale of coral dredge material from the Barbers Point Harbor project, Hawaii.

Deletes a requirement that local interests contribute in cash 2.6 percent of the estimated first cost of the general navigation facilities for the Honolulu Harbor improvement, Oahu, Hawaii.

Stipulates that non-federal interests shall contribute 25 percent of the costs for areas needed for disposal of spoil from the Brunswick Harbor project, Georgia.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct a two-mile extension of the harbor navigation channel in the Wando River to the State Port Authority's Wando River terminal as part of the Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, navigation project. Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 to provide funds for such extension.

Provides for 100 percent financing by the United States for operating and maintaining the sand bypassing facility as part of the navigation project for Santa Cruz Harbor, Santa Cruz, California. Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct an impermeable core within the existing jetties and to do such maintenance dredging as necessary.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers to provide drainage channels in conjunction with the pumping plant as part of the project for flood control in East St. Louis and vicinity, Illinois.

Sets forth the procedure which the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, is to use for the purpose of computing the economic justification for the project for Trinity River and tributaries, Texas.

Stipulates that the part of the project to divert Colorado River flows into Mategorda Bay, Texas, shall be constructed and maintained entirely at Federal expense and for the purpose of fish and wildlife enhancement.

Modifies the flood protection project at Winona, Minnesota, to provide that changes to two bridges made necessary by the project be done entirely at Federal expense.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to acquire at least 6,000 acres of woodlands in the flood plain of the Obion Creek Basin, Kentucky.

Allows the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to credit against the requirements for non-federal interest certain costs paid by the city of New London, Connecticut, in the project for hurricane protection and flood control.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct works to prevent shoreline erosion damage at and near Buhne Point as part of the navigation project for Humboldt Harbor and Bay, California.

Modifies the navigation project for Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway bridges in accordance with the recommendations of the Chief of Engineers with respect to the Hobucken Core Creek and Fairfield bridges.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to replace, renovate, and upgrade existing Federal facilities of the water resources development project for Harlan County Lake, Nebraska.

Modifies the project for Burlington Dam and Reservoir on the Souris River, North Dakota, in accordance with the recommendations of the district engineer.

Modifies the flood control project on Conte Madera Creek, Marvin County, California.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers to: (1) construct the project from the vicinity of Lagunitas Road Bridge to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in accordance with the plan on file with the district engineer; (2) construct such flood proofing measures as needed in the vicinity of the Lagunites Road Bridge to insure proper functioning of the project; and (3) eliminate any channel modifications upstream of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.

Relocates existing Nebraska Highway 12 through the relocated town of Niobrara, Nebraska.

Permits the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to do such work as may be required to remove natural shoals as they occur on the Yazoo River in Mississippi, from Greenwood South.

Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to design and construct, at full Federal expense, such flood control measures as the Chief determines are necessary and advisable at or in the vicinity of Pikeville, Kentucky and Grundy, Virginia, on the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River; Pineville, Kentucky, on the Cumberland River; and Williamson and Matewan, West Virginia, on the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to undertake measures including but not limited to dredging, clearing, and snagging, in the main streams and tributaries of the Tug and Levisa Forks of the Big Sandy River, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky; and the Cumberland River, upstream of Cumberland Falls, Kentucky.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake the advanced engineering and design for a flood control project at Milton, Pennsylvania.

Declares the Port of Houston Authority Bridge over Greens Bayou to be a lawful bridge for specified purposes.

Relocates the water supply intake facility on the Missouri River at Springfield, South Dakota.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to take the necessary action to correct slope failures and erosion problems along the banks of the Coosa River to protect the Fort Toulouse National Historic Landmark and Taskigi Indian Mound in the county of Elmore, Alabama.

Requires the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to include the costs and benefits of local improvements in the report on the enlargement of the Galveston Harbor and Channel, Texas, navigation project.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to carry out a project to improve water quality and for other purposes along the Martin Pena Canal between San Juan Bay and Pinones Lagoon, Puerto Rico.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to proceed with the plan for Trimble Wildlife Area replacement.

Requires the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to take such emergency measures as needed to correct slope failures and erosion problems along the banks of the Black Warrior River to protect Mound State Monument near Moundville, Alabama.

Requires the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to carry out a demonstration project to prevent and abate the deposit of sediment in Lake George and that part of Deep River upstream of such Lake through Lake Station, Indiana.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to construct such facilities as necessary to prevent bank erosion to protect Cox's Park, Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to provide a channel connecting Umbrella Creek, Georgia, with the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway alternate route by way of Dover Creek. Prohibits the United States share of costs for such construction from exceeding 50 percent. Requires non-federal interests to provide a public wharf.

Declares certain portions of the Trent River in the city of New Bern, County of Craven, State of North Carolina, to be nonnavigable waters of the United States.

Authorizes the construction of a project for flood protection and other purposes for Saint Johns Bayou and the Madrid Floodway, Missouri.

Directs the Secretary through the Chief of Engineers, to amend the contract between the State of Illinois and the United States for use of storage space for water supply in Rend Lake on the Big Muddy River in Illinois to relieve the State of Illinois of the requirement to make annual payment until the storage is used for water supply purposes.

Authorizes the construction of the project for flood control and other purposes on the Zumbro River at Rochester, Minnesota.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to insure that the road crossing Cottonwood Branch of Lewisville Lake, Texas, be at least 532 feet above mean sea level. Replaces, if necessary, the bridge across Cane Creek, Logan County, Arkansas.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake a demonstration project for the removal of silt and aquatic growth from Albert Lea Lake, Freeborn County, Minnesota, together with recommendations.

Authorizes the Corps of Engineers Museum Foundation to erect a memorial in honor of the Army Corps of Engineers in the vicinity of the District of Columbia, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior the Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia. Prohibits the United States and the District of Columbia from incurring any expenses from this project.

Authorizes an additional appropriation for the Alabama-Coosa River Basin plan of development.

Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to renovate and improve Federal quarters at Dalecarlia Place, Washington Aqueduct, District of Columbia.

Terminates the authorization of the Kickapoo River, Wisconsin, flood control project. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers to: (1) immediately undertake such modification and landscaping of such uncompleted project for necessary safety, aesthetic, and ecological purposes; (2) take no action to dispose of works and interests in lands under the Secretary's jurisdiction related to such project for 18 months; (3) dispose of such lands pursuant to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, if Congress has not otherwise provided for such disposal within 18 months.

Transfers authority over the Trilby Wash Detention Basin (McMicken Dam) and outlet Channel, Maricopa County, Gila River Basin, Arizona, from the Secretary of the Air Force to the Secretary of the Army. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, to take the necessary remedial measures to assure the structural integrity and flood control capacity of such Basin.

Authorizes the construction of a water distribution system for the Island of Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to proceed expeditiously with the study and implementation of feasible flood control measures for Little Pigeon Creek, Indiana.

Modifies the lower Mississippi River project for flood control and improvement. Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to take necessary measures to insure the stability, dependability, and safety of the Old River Control Complex, Louisiana.

Requires the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to: (1) inspect the Buckeye Lake Dam and Levee, Ohio and the Lake-in-the-Hills Dam, Illinois; (2) submit a report to Congress concerning the structural stability of the dams and levee; (3) furnish a copy to the appropriate State Departments of Natural Resources; and (4) recommend necessary measures to assure the safety of the dams, levee, and surrounding areas.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, and in cooperation with others, to determine the extent of shoreline erosion damage in the United States causally related to the regulation of the Lake Superior water by the International Joint Commission United States and Canada. Requires a report to Congress with the result of the survey and recommendations for indemnifying shoreline property owners.

Authorizes a project for flood control and other purposes for Pottstown and vicinity Schuylkill River Basin, Pennsylvania.

Directs the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to undertake a program of research to increase the capability of the Corps of Engineers to control river and harbor ice and to assist communities in breaking up such ice.

Declares that each resolution adopted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, or the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives, or their predecessors, during the Eighty-ninth Congress or any earlier Congress for review of any flood control, river and harbor, or other water resource report shall not be in effect after the date of enactment of this section unless funds were expended for carrying out such resolution during the Ninetieth Congress or any subsequent Congress prior to the Ninety-sixth Congress.

Directs the Secretary and the Chief of Engineers to compile and print the laws of the United States relating to water resource development enacted between November 8, 1966, and January 1, 1979, for the use of the Department of the Army.

Specifies the procedure by which Congress shall approve or disapprove the promulgation or repromulgation of any rule or regulation relating to rivers and harbors, flood control, beach erosion and other water resource development projects under the Secretary of the Army. Requires the Secretary to transmit a copy of such rule or regulation to the Senate and the House of Representatives. Provides for such rule or regulation to become effective if, at the end of specified numbers of calendar days of continuous session after promulgation, Congress has not disapproved the rule or regulation.

Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prepare and transmit to Congress a list of all bridges constructed, reconstructed, or removed over navigable waters between January 1, 1948, and January 1, 1979.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to acquire real property as part of any water resource development project for park and recreation purposes.

Permits the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to modify any water resources development project for mitigation of damages to fish and wildlife within certain limits. Requires the approval of the Committees on Environment and Public Works (Senate) and Public Works and Transportation (House) after receiving a report from the Secretary concerning such modification.

Authorizes the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to preserve, restore, interpret, and maintain any properties entered into the National Register of Historic Places that are located on water resource development projects under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army.

Allows the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to compensate any owner or authorized user of any water well, spring, or artesian well damaged as a proximate cause of the construction of a major waterway. Requires such claim to be presented to an authorized agent of the Army Corps of Engineers within one year of the completion of the identifiable segment of the waterway project.

Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to control streambank erosion.

Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 to extend the appropriation for flood protection at Grafton, North Dakota, through 1982.

Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 to repeal the consent of Congress to the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission to construct a water diversion structure.

Authorizes the use of the water storage capacity of the Belton Reservoir on Leon River, Texas, for water supply as well as irrigation purposes.

Increases the amount of appropriations authorized for certain construction projects in the program for Federal participation in the cost of protecting the shores of publicly owned property.

Authorizes the replacement and expansion of the existing industrial canal lock, or the construction of an additional lock in the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet at Meraux, Louisiana. Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to make a maximum effort to assure the full participation of minority group members living in affected areas, in such construction. Directs the Chief of Engineers to report annually to Congress on the implementation of such directive, with recommendations for legislation to assure fuller and more equitable participation of minority groups in such project or others under the direction of the Secretary.

Extends from 15 years to 50 years the period during which the Secretary shall be authorized, under the Water Resources Development Act of 1976, to provide periodic beach nourishment for a water resources development project.

Directs that the national shoreline erosion control development and demonstration program established by the Water Resources Development Act of 1974, be completed by the end of fiscal year 1982.

Extends from fiscal year 1979 through fiscal year 1984 the authorization of appropriations for projects established under the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 for the collection and removal of drift and debris from publicly maintained commercial boat harbors.

Extends through fiscal year 1982 the authorization of appropriations for the purpose of obtaining increased law enforcement services at projects established under the Water Resources Development Act of 1976.

Terminates the authorization of the project for Helm Reservoir as part of the Wabash River Basin Comprehensive Plan.

Extends by one year the deadline for the Secretary of the Army's report to Congress on the results of a program to demonstrate the practicability of extending the navigation season on the low reach below Lake Erie.

Increases the amount authorized for the construction of bank protection works under the Water Resources Development Act.

Directs the Secretary to modify the agreement with Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana, upon the request of such Parish, so that each installment to be paid as part of the non-federal cost of the hurricane-flood protection project on Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, shall be one-fiftieth of the remaining unpaid balance and that full payment be achieved within 50 years of the initiation of project construction.

Amends the Act authorizing the Secretary to inspect dams to authorize the Secretary to restore those dams found to be in a hazardous condition if the State agrees to: (1) repay the costs with interest within 50 years and (2) maintain the dam. Authorizes appropriations of $15,000,000 annually through fiscal year 1981. Exempts dams located in States with approved dam safety programs from inspection. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to any State that establishes a dam safety program. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of the Treasury to report jointly to Congress within one year with recommendations for a comprehensive dam safety program to assure the availability of insurance to owners of dams inspected under such State programs, to lessen or eliminate the need for disaster assistance in the event of the failure of such a dam. Authorizes the establishment of a Federal Dam Safety Review Panel in the Water Resources Council to: (1) review procedures and standards used in the design and safety analysis of federally constructed and operated dams; (2) monitor State implementation of the national program of dam inspection; and (3) review specifications on all dams specifically authorized by Congress prior to initiation of construction and file advisory safety reports with appropriate agencies, States, and the Congress. Details the membership selection process for such Panel. Requires the heads of Federal agencies that own or operate or propose to construct a dam in any State to consult fully with such State, at its request, on the design and safety of such dam and requires that State officials be allowed to participate in all safety inspections. Requires the Secretary to provide training for State dam safety inspectors at the request of States that have or intend to develop such programs. Authorizes appropriations for such training for fiscal years 1979 through 1981. Directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the National Bureau of Standards, to develop improved techniques and equipment for dam inspection, and devices for continued monitoring of dam safety. Provides for State participation in such research. Authorizes appropriations for such research for fiscal years 1979 through 1981. Authorizes the Secretary or the Secretary's representatives to enter and inspect any damsite or area connected with the operation of a dam, to carry out purposes of the Act to authorize the Secretary to undertake a national program of inspection of dams. Stipulates that nothing contained in such Act and no action or failure to act under such Act shall be construed to create any liability for agents or contractors for damages caused by such action or failure to act beyond the amount of any contract entered into pursuant to such Act.

Extends through fiscal year 1981 the authorization of appropriations in the Water Resources Development Act of 1976 for feasibility studies of specific hydroelectric power installations with high potential for meeting regional power needs.

Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Secretary to maintain the main channel of the Little Calumet River, Illinois, free of trees, roots, silt, debris, and objects and to require non-federal interests to pay 25 percent of the cost of such maintenance.

Amends the River and Harbor Act of 1970 to require the Secretary, before beginning any operation to maintain the channel of the North Branch of the Chicago River, Illinois, to enter into a separate agreement with the appropriate non-federal interests applicable only to that operation and requires such interests to pay 25 percent of the maintenance costs.

Increases the amount of appropriations authorized for the repair and conversion to a fixed-type structure of a certain dam on the Big Sandy River, Kentucky and West Viginia.

Increases the amount of appropriations authorized for specified purposes in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Authorizes and directs the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to cause surveys for flood control and allied purposes to be made at specified locations in Mississippi, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Alaska, and Wisconsin.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers to study: (1) siltation problems on the Mississippi River; and (2) the feasibility of redeveloping the hydroelectric capacity of the Jackson Mills Dam and the Mines Falls Dam at Nashua, New Hampshire.

Authorizes and directs the Secretary, in cooperation with the governments of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, to make studies for the purposes of providing plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related land resources of such territory and Commonwealth.

Directs the Secretary, through the Chief of Engineers, to study: (1) the feasibility of measures to prevent and abate streambank erosion along the Tensaw River in order to protect Blakeley, Alabama; (2) the need for water storage in various projects in North East Texas; (3) the feasibility of navigation improvements to Buffalo Harbor, New York; and (4) the possibility of rehabilitating the hydroelectric potential at former industrial sites, millraces, and similar types of facilities already constructed. Requires reports on the result of such studies be given to Congress.

Directs Federal agencies to simplify application procedures and expedite consideration of licenses and permits for the construction or operation of, or the sale of hydroelectric power from, existing dams or former industrial sites. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress within one year on: (1) such implementation; (2) any continuing institutional problems involved in hydroelectric development at such facilities; and (3) the need for additional congressional action to facilitate such development.

Prohibits the Secretary, without the agreement of the Governor of New Mexico and prior to 1996, from: (1) determining a certain cabin site in the South Recreation Area at Conchas Lake to be in excess of project needs; and (2) requiring the removal or sale and purchase of existing cabins, cottages, or other privately owned improvements located on such site.

Requires the Secretary to provide technical assistance to retard streambank erosion to any requesting person or agency experiencing, or expected to experience, erosion-threatened dwellings or loss of property. Authorizes the Secretary to assist applicants likely to be affected by flooding downstream from erosion-threatened property if the owner of such property allows such applicants to perform erosion-retarding work.

Modifies the flood control project for Los Esteros Lake, Pecos River, New Mexico, to authorize additional appropriations up to $200,000 for the recovery of cultural resource data.

Modifies the project on Galveston Bay at Baytown, Texas, to provide that: (1) the price to be paid for property rendered uninhabitable due to flooding caused by land subsidence in the project area will be based on fair market value disregarding flood and vandal damage; and (2) owners occupying their property at the time that flooding rendered it uninhabitable are: (a) eligible for benefits under specified provisions of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act and (b) to be considered displaced persons for purposes of obtaining other benefits of such Act.

Exempts certain contracts with non-federal interests for recreational development under the Federal Water Project Recreation Act or the Flood Control Act from the requirement of a written agreement with the Secretary mandated by the Flood Control Act. Permits agreements to hold and save the United States free from damages due to the construction, operation, or maintenance of water resources projects to be made contingent upon State legislative appropriations processes. Allows the source of funds for the repayment of the costs of water supply storage under the Water Supply Act to be limited to revenues received by States from the sale of water from such storage, where the State constitutions do not permit such States to commit themselves to future repayments in accordance with such Act.

Amends the Alaska Hydroelectric Power Development Act by renaming it the Hydroelectric Power Development Act.

Extends the Fund established and the authorizations of the Secretary for the expeditious development of hydroelectric power facilities in the entire nation (formerly limited to Alaska).

Adds uniformed civilian officials and employees of the Corps of Engineers of the Department of the Army assigned to perform investigations, inspections, or law or regulatory enforcement functions in connection with civil activities of the Department of the Army to the list of Federal officials and employees whose deaths in the performance of official duties are covered by Federal homicide law.

Increases the ceiling on amounts authorized to be appropriated for control and progressive eradication of obnoxious aquatic plant growths from the navigable waters, tributary streams, connecting channels, and other waters of the United States.

Modifies the flood control project for Lucky Peak Lake, Idaho, to provide: (1) for an increase in the diameter of a certain dam outlet; and (2) that the Secretary follow specified procedures concerning the construction of and property rights to such outlet.

Modifies the authorization for the Heise-Roberts local protection project, Idaho, to provide that: (1) the operation and maintenance of the project shall be the responsibility of the Secretary; and (2) local interests shall pay the first $25,000 in cash or materials of any such costs expended in any one year.

Directs the Secretary, in any report submitted to the Congress recommending construction of a project for flood control, to identify those nonpublic corporations and individuals whose property will receive five percent or more of the anticipated increase in land value attributable to the project.

Requires that any report submitted to the Committee on Public Works of the Senate or the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives by the Secretary which includes any recommendations for construction of a water storage facility shall include information on the analytic procedures followed in assessing the safety of such facility with relation to geologic or design factors, potential impact of the failure of such facility, and information on the design features that will prevent, lessen, or mitigate the possibility or the impact of failure.

Changes, from December 31, 1977, to December 31, 1985, the termination date of the procedure enabling the engineer officer in charge of each district under the direction of the Chief of Engineers to certify, at the request of local interests, that particular local improvements for flood control can reasonably be expected to be compatible with a specific, potential project then under study or other form of consideration.

Establishes in the Office, Chief of Engineers, Department of the Army, a Water Resources Advisory Panel authorized to: (1) evaluate complaints of any existing or potential adverse impact of any proposed or existing water resources project undertaken by the Secretary; and (2) make recommendations on any requested mitigation. Details membership composition and selection procedures for such Panel. Requires copies of Panel recommendations and reports to the Secretary to be forwarded to the appropriate Congressional committees.

Declares that there is a national interest in the development of new water supplies, on an economic basis, for domestic, municipal, industrial, and other public purposes through Federal construction of single and multiple purpose water supply projects.

Directs the Secretary to survey, plan, and recommend to Congress for construction, such projects needed to meet existing and anticipated future demand, including threatment and conveyance facilities. Requires prior approval of such survey and study by Resolution of the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate or the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives. Stipulates that the costs allocated to water supply, treatment, and conveyance in any such project shall be repaid by the water users of the United States within 50 years, with interest at the rate specified in the Water Supply Act of 1958. Authorizes the Secretary to recommend modified cost-sharing and repayment schedules for that portion of the water supplied under such projects to municipal systems serving populations of less than 15,000 which are not part of larger population centers.

Requires the Secretary, in any report to Congress recommending a water resources development project involving recreation benefits, to include information on recreational opportunities and usage, and the value and benefits of similar recreation facilities, within the general area of the project.

Amends the Flood Control Act of 1954 to authorize the Secretary, upon request of the Governor of a State or appropriate official of local government, to provide designs and technical assistance, at Federal expense, to States or political subdivisions for use in projects for removing accumulated snags and other debris, and clearing and straightening channels in navigable streams and tributaries.

Amends existing law authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to make compensation for damages arising out of the failure of the Teton Dam, Idaho, to require the Secretary of the Interior, beginning on December 31, 1978, to make an annual report to Congress of all claims submitted under such Act. Requires that such reports and information from or about claimants under such Act acquired by such Secretary: (1) be maintained so as to protect the privacy of the claimants and the confidentiality of the information; and (2) not be required to be disclosed as public information, but be deemed a record which is contained in a system of records.

Modifies the project for Jackson Hole Snake River local protection and levees, Wyoming, to provide that the operation and maintenance of such project shall be the responsibility of the Secretary.

Amends the Flood Control Act of 1941 to authorize the Chief of Engineers to accomplish advance measures using amounts in the emergency fund for flood preparation when local and State efforts are unable to complete emergency work for control of lava flow, in order to provide the minimum necessary protection to prevent loss of life and serious damages to improved property when such volcanic activity is reasonably imminent.

Authorizes the Secretary to undertake the phase I design memorandum stage of advanced engineering and design of the project for raising the height of levees and other associated works, as part of the project for the Rio Grande River and Tributaries, New Mexico and Colorado, in the area of Albuquerque, New Mexico, at an estimated cost of $1,000,000.

Requires the Secretary to establish, by March 1, 1979, the Tennessee-Tombigee Human Resource Center, with Board of Directors' offices located in the vicinity of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway project. Sets forth the membership composition and selection process for such Board and its staff. Declares the purposes of such Center to be: (1) to monitor employment, contracting, and planning and policies on the project to determine whether minorities are appropriately represented in all areas and whether project facilities and benefits are equitably distributed among communities affected by the project; (2) to inform and assist minorities and minority-owned firms regarding opportunities for employment and construction; and (3) to help coordinate programs affecting the utilization of minority resources. Authorizes and directs the Center to: (1) maintain a central office and staff and branch offices all in the vicinity of the project; (2) report, with specified inclusions, annually to the Secretary, who shall submit such report, with comments, to Congress; (3) consult with appropriate Federal and State agencies, and with specified private organizations to determine that adequate training is available to minorities and to assist in coordination of programs for recruitment and training; and (4) to enter into necessary contracts and agreements. Authorizes up to $1,500,000 per fiscal year through 1981 to be appropriated to carry out the purposes of such Center. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for training and facilities to increase skilled personnel in the crafts required for the construction of such project. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 for such training and facilities. Repeals that provision of the Waterway Development Act of 1976 which directed: (1) the Secretary to make a maximum effort to assure full participation by minority groups in such project; and (2) the Chief of Engineers to report, with recommendations, annually to Congress on the implementation of such effort.

Directs the Secretary to construct at Federal expense a public recreation area on the north shore of the Ohio River at or in the vicinity of Rockport or Grandview in Spencer County, Indiana. Requires that appropriate non-federal interests agree, prior to such construction, to operate and maintain such structures and facilities for public park and recreation purposes.

Stipulates that appropriations for any project which is authorized for initial construction by this Act are authorized for those fiscal years which begin on or after October 1, 1979.