33 U.S.C. § 541 : US Code - Section 541: Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors; establishment; duties and powers generally

Search 33 U.S.C. § 541 : US Code - Section 541: Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors; establishment; duties and powers generally

There shall be organized in the office of the Chief of Engineers,
United States Army, by detail from time to time from the Corps of
Engineers, a board of seven engineer officers, a majority of whom
shall be of rank not less than lieutenant colonel, whose duties
shall be fixed by the Chief of Engineers, and to whom shall be
referred for consideration and recommendation, in addition to any
other duties assigned, so far as in the opinion of the Chief of
Engineers may be necessary, all reports upon examinations and
surveys provided for by Congress, and all projects or changes in
projects for works of river and harbor improvement prior to June
13, 1902, or thereafter provided for. And the board shall submit to
the Chief of Engineers recommendations as to the desirability of
commencing or continuing any and all improvements upon which
reports are required. And in the consideration of such works and
projects the board shall have in view the amount and character of
commerce existing or reasonably prospective which will be benefited
by the improvement, and the relation of the ultimate cost of such
work, both as to cost of construction and maintenance, to the
public commercial interests involved, and the public necessity for
the work and propriety of its construction, continuance, or
maintenance at the expense of the United States. And such
consideration shall be given as time permits to such works as have,
prior to June 13, 1902, been provided for by Congress, the same as
in the case of new works proposed. The board shall, when it
considers the same necessary, and with the sanction and under
orders from the Chief of Engineers, make, as a board or through its
members, personal examinations of localities. And all facts,
information, and arguments which are presented to the board for its
consideration in connection with any matter referred to it by the
Chief of Engineers shall be reduced to and submitted in writing,
and made a part of the records of the office of the Chief of
Engineers. It shall further be the duty of said board, upon a
request transmitted to the Chief of Engineers by the Committee on
Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives, or
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, in the
same manner to examine and report through the Chief of Engineers
upon any projects adopted, prior to June 13, 1902, by the
Government or upon which appropriations have been made, and report
upon the desirability of continuing the same or upon any
modifications thereof which may be deemed desirable. As used in
this section the term "commerce" shall include the use of waterways
by seasonal passenger craft, yachts, house boats, fishing boats,
motor boats, and other similar water craft, whether or not operated
for hire.
The board shall have authority, with the approval of the Chief of
Engineers, to rent quarters, if necessary, for the proper
transaction of its business, and to employ such civil employees as
may, in the opinion of the Chief of Engineers, be required for
properly transacting the business assigned to it, and the necessary
expenses of the board shall be paid from allotments made by the
Chief of Engineers from any appropriations made by Congress for the
work or works to which the duties of the board pertain.