§ 2325b — Materials, Services, And Funds For Repair, Restoration, Or Rehabilitation Of Projects

(a) In this section: (1) The term “covered area” means an area— (A) for which the Governor of a State has requested a determination that an emergency exists; or (B) covered by an emergency or major disaster declaration declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). (2) The term “emergency period” means— (A) with respect to a covered area described in paragraph (1)(A), the period during which the Secretary determines an emergency exists; and (B) with respect to a covered area described in paragraph (1)(B), the period during which the applicable declaration is in effect. (b) In any covered area, the Secretary is authorized to accept and use materials, services, and funds, during the emergency period, from a non-Federal interest or private entity to repair, restore, or rehabilitate a federally authorized water resources development project, and to provide reimbursement to such non-Federal interest or private entity for such materials, services, and funds, in the Secretary’s sole discretion, and subject to the availability of appropriations, if the Secretary determines that reimbursement is in the public interest. (c) The Secretary may only reimburse for the use of materials or services accepted under this section if such materials or services meet the Secretary’s specifications and comply with all applicable laws and regulations that would apply if such materials and services were acquired by the Secretary, including sections 3141 through 3148 and 3701 through 3708 of title 40, section 8302 of title 41, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. (1) Prior to the acceptance of materials, services, or funds under this section, the Secretary and the non-Federal interest or private entity shall enter into an agreement that specifies— (A) the non-Federal interest or private entity shall hold and save the United States free from any and all damages that arise from use of materials or services of the non-Federal interest or private entity, except for damages due to the fault or negligence of the United States or its contractors; (B) the non-Federal interest or private entity shall certify that the materials or services comply with all applicable laws and regulations under subsection (c); and (C) any other term or condition required by the Secretary. (2) If an agreement under paragraph (1) was not entered prior to materials or services being contributed, a non-Federal interest or private entity shall enter into an agreement with the Secretary that— (A) specifies the value, as determined by the Secretary, of those materials or services contributed and eligible for reimbursement; and (B) ensures that the materials or services comply with subsection (c) and paragraph (1).