Urban Canal Modernization Act
Summary
The Urban Canal Modernization Act amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. It authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to perform extraordinary operation and maintenance work on urban canals of concern. These are defined as canals where failure would impact over 100 people and are classified as urban.
Expected Effects
The Act will allow for federal funding (35% non-reimbursable) for maintenance of critical urban canals. The remaining costs will be advanced by the Secretary and repaid by the operating entity. Reimbursable funds are considered non-Federal for cost-sharing in federal grants.
Potential Benefits
- Improved infrastructure and reduced risk of canal failure in urban areas.
- Potential for increased public safety by mitigating risks associated with failing canals.
- Economic benefits from infrastructure projects and job creation in construction and maintenance.
- Supports local communities by ensuring the reliability of water resources.
- Leverages federal funding to encourage local investment in critical infrastructure.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased federal spending and debt.
- Risk of inefficient project management or misuse of funds.
- Possible delays or bureaucratic hurdles in project implementation.
- Uncertainty in the long-term effectiveness of the maintenance work.
- Potential for disproportionate allocation of resources to specific urban areas.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8) by aiming to improve infrastructure and public safety. It does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights. The bill delegates authority to the Secretary of the Interior, which is a common practice in implementing legislation.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).