33 USC § 2281 - Matters to be addressed in planning

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t33/s2281"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "33 USC § 2281 - Matters to be addressed in planning"
title_number: 33
title_name: "NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS"
section_number: "2281"
section_name: "Matters to be addressed in planning"
chapter_number: 36
chapter_name: "WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT"
subchapter_number: "V"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 99–662, title IX, § 904, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4185; Pub. L. 101–640, title III, § 315, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4641; Pub. L. 104–303, title II, § 231, Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3704; Pub. L. 110–114, title II, § 2033(a), Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1084.)"
---


# § 2281. Matters to be addressed in planning

**(a)** **In general** Enhancing national economic development (including benefits to particular regions of the Nation not involving the transfer of economic activity to such regions from other regions), the quality of the total environment (including preservation and enhancement of the environment), the well-being of the people of the United States, the prevention of loss of life, and the preservation of cultural and historical values shall be addressed in the formulation and evaluation of water resources projects to be carried out by the Secretary, and the associated benefits and costs, both quantifiable and unquantifiable, and information regarding potential loss of human life that may be associated with flooding and coastal storm events, shall be displayed in the benefits and costs of such projects.

**(b)** **Assessments** For all feasibility reports for water resources projects completed after December 31, 2007, the Secretary shall assess whether—

**(1)** the water resources project and each separable element is cost-effective; and

**(2)** the water resources project complies with Federal, State, and local laws (including regulations) and public policies.

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 99–662, title IX, § 904, Nov. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 4185; Pub. L. 101–640, title III, § 315, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4641; Pub. L. 104–303, title II, § 231, Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 3704; Pub. L. 110–114, title II, § 2033(a), Nov. 8, 2007, 121 Stat. 1084.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2007— designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b).

1996— inserted “and information regarding potential loss of human life that may be associated with flooding and coastal storm events,” after “unquantifiable,”.

1990— inserted “(including preservation and enhancement of the environment)” after “environment”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Rural Project Evaluation and Selection Criteria

, , , directed Comptroller General, not later than 18 months after , to report to Congress with specific legislative and other recommendations on improving the equitable distribution of water resources development projects in rural areas, prior to repeal by , , .