April 9, 2012
Contributed Funds Implementation Guidance
Please see attached memo: "Implementation Guidance for Section 111 of the FY12 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, Contributed Funds"

1. PLEASE NOTE: This new guidance DOES NOT CHANGE HOW WE ACCEPT OR PROCESS CONTRIBUTIONS within the NRM program pursuant to sections 203 (33 USC 2325) and 225 (33 USC 2328) of WRDA 1992 for environmental, recreation and natural resource management. This is clearly stated in paragraph 3.b of the memo. It only pertains to contributed funds for other project purposes such as navigation, hydropower, flood risk management, planning studies, or the Continuing Authorities (CAP) Program.

2. This memo outlines amendments to the contributed funds authority from 33 U.S.C. 701h which expands the authority to accept voluntary contributed funds from States and political subdivisions to include all water resource development project purposes and covers all phases of a project from study and design through construction and O&M. The previous authority only allowed contributions for flood control or environmental restoration work that would provide additional storage capacity for water supply or conservation storage.

3. Section 111 also adds a new requirement of notification to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Subcommittees on Energy and Water Development prior to the initiation of negotiations for the acceptance of contributed funds.

NOTE: There is not a similar Congressional notification requirement for the acceptance of funds under section 203 or section 225 of WRDA 1992. We will continue to accept contributions for recreation and environmental stewardship programs without requiring Congressional notification.

Respectfully,
Heather Burke

Back to E-mails and Memos