Natural Disaster Procedures: Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Activities of the Corps of Engineers

The Corps is promulgating a final rule to revise 33 CFR part 203. Today's final rule completes the rulemaking process initiated on 26 February 2002 with publication of the proposed rule to revise 33 CFR part 203, which implements Public Law 84-99. The revisions are necessary to reflect current policy, add features required by the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (WRDA 96) and streamline certain procedures concerning Corps authority addressing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities. WRDA 96 additions include the option to provide nonstructural alternatives in lieu of structural repairs to levees damaged by flood events, and the provision of a levee owner's manual. Other significant changes include expansion of investigation ability for potential Advance Measures work, and a streamlined approach for requests for assistance from Native American tribes and Alaska Native Corporations.