S. 2753: Urban Canal Modernization Act

This bill, known as the Urban Canal Modernization Act, aims to amend existing legislation concerning the maintenance of urban canals. The primary focus is on those urban canals identified as being of significant concern, where the failure of these canals could potentially endanger a population of over 100 individuals. Here are the main components of the bill:

Definitions

The bill introduces the term "urban canal of concern," which refers to specific canal segments that meet two criteria:

• They must be classified as a transferred work or segment of a transferred work.
• They must pose a risk to an estimated at-risk population of more than 100 individuals in the event of failure.

Authorization for Maintenance Work

The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to perform extraordinary operation and maintenance work on these urban canals of concern. This can include significant repairs or improvements deemed necessary based on criteria established by the Secretary.

Funding Provisions

Under the bill, funding for operation and maintenance work is structured as follows:

• The Secretary is responsible for providing 35% of the costs related to the extraordinary work on urban canals, and this portion will not need to be repaid.
• The remaining costs will be advanced by the Secretary but will need to be reimbursed by the entity responsible for managing the transferred works.

Emergency Provisions

There are provisions for immediate action during emergencies, allowing the Secretary to conduct necessary work to ensure safety without the usual procedures that would apply under this legislation.

Cost-sharing for Federal Grants

Reimbursable funds provided under this Act will qualify as non-Federal funds, which means they can be counted towards the matching fund requirements for any federal grants related to waterway management or infrastructure improvement.

Implications of the Bill

If passed, this legislation will provide a structured approach for maintaining critical urban waterways, potentially reducing the risk of flooding and other hazards associated with canal failures in urban areas.

Relevant Companies

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