33 U.S.C. § 426p — Corps of Engineers

(a) Technical and other assistance. The Secretary of the Army may: (1) give emergency help to prevent or reduce damage from high Great Lakes water levels, including sandbags, sheeting, stones, and other armoring — accounting for any flooding or erosion that help might cause to other property — but not including building permanent structures; (2) give technical assistance to individuals and local governments on ways to prevent or reduce such damage; and (3) collect and share information on Great Lakes water levels, damage-prevention techniques, and emergency relief available to people economically hurt by high water levels. (b) Issuance of permits. When issuing a permit under section 403 or section 1344 for any activity supported under this title, the Secretary of the Army must take into account flooding and erosion that activity might cause to other property. When issuing such permits for a project that dredges any part of the Great Lakes, the Secretary must, when feasible, encourage using the nonhazardous, compatible sand from that dredging to stabilize eroding shorelines nearby, consulting with affected state and local governments in doing so.