Section 205 - Small Flood Risk Management Projects
Section 205 of the Flood Control Act of 1948, as amended
What the Corps of Engineers Can Do:
The Small Flood Risk Management Project program provides local flood risk management by the construction or improvement of flood control works or non-structural measures. The types of studies and/or projects are tailored to be site specific. Typical flood risk management projects may include levees, floodwalls, impoundments, pumping stations, and channel modifications as well as non-structural measures. Non-structural measures reduce flood damages by changing the use of floodplains or by accommodating existing uses to the flood hazard. Examples include flood proofing, relocation of structures, and flood warning and preparedness systems. The Corps of Engineers oversees planning, design, and construction of flood risk management projects in close coordination with the project sponsor.
Study Process:
Before the Federal Government can participate in implementing a flood risk management project, a planning study must be conducted to determine if the project is economically justified (benefits exceed the costs), technically feasible, and environmentally acceptable. Planning studies are typically conducted in two phases - reconnaissance and feasibility.
Charges for Assistance:
Initial study is 100% federally funded up to $100,000. The remainder of the project is cost shared 65% Federal and 35% non-Federal. The sponsor must contribute 35 percent (minimum 5 percent cash) of the total project implementation cost as cash or Lands, Easements, Rights-of-way, Relocations, and Disposal areas (LERRDs). If the value of the LERRDs plus the cash contribution does not equal or exceed 35 percent of the project cost, the sponsor must pay the additional amount necessary so that the sponsor’s total contribution equals 35 percent of the project cost.
Responsibility of Project Sponsor:
Formal assurance in the form of a Project Partnership Agreement must be executed with the project sponsor. The Corps of Engineers would oversee project construction; however, once constructed, the operation and maintenance of the project would be the responsibility of the project sponsor.
How to Request Assistance:
An investigation of a prospective small project under Section 205 can be initiated upon receipt of a request from a sponsoring agency empowered under State law to provide local partnership.
Project requests should be directed to (309) 794-5690.