33 U.S.C. § 2211a — Preserving United States harbors

(a) In general Upon a request from a non-Federal interest, the Secretary must review a report developed by the non-Federal interest that provides an economic justification for Federal investment in the operation and maintenance of a federally authorized harbor or inland harbor (referred to in this section as a “federally authorized harbor”).

(b) Justification of investment A report submitted under subsection

(a) can provide for an economic justification of Federal investment in the operation and maintenance of a federally authorized harbor based on—
(1) the projected economic benefits, including transportation savings and job creation; and
(2) other factors, including navigation safety, national security, and sustainability of subsistence harbors.

(c) Written response by 180 days after the date on which the Secretary receives a report under subsection (a), the Secretary must provide to the non-Federal interest a written response to the report, including an assessment of the information provided by the non-Federal interest.

(d) Prioritization As the Secretary determines to be appropriate, the Secretary can use the information provided in the report under subsection

(a) to justify additional operation and maintenance funding for a federally authorized harbor under section 2211(b) of this title .

(e) Limitation on statutory construction Nothing in this section can be construed to preclude the operation and maintenance of a federally authorized harbor under section 2211(b) of this title .