ASSESSMENT OF REGIONAL CONFINED AQUATIC DISPOSAL FACILITIES.

SEC. 8128. ASSESSMENT OF REGIONAL CONFINED AQUATIC DISPOSAL FACILITIES. (a) Authority.—The Secretary is authorized to conduct assessments of the availability of confined aquatic disposal facilities for the disposal of contaminated dredged material. (b) Information and Comment.—In conducting an assessment under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) solicit information from stakeholders on potential projects that may require disposal of contaminated sediments in a confined aquatic disposal facility; (2) solicit information from the applicable division of the Corps of Engineers on the need for confined aquatic disposal facilities; and (3) provide an opportunity for public comment. (c) New England District Region Assessment.—In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall prioritize conducting an assessment of the availability of confined aquatic disposal facilities in the New England District region for the disposal of contaminated dredged material in such region. (d) Report to Congress.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on the results of any assessments conducted under this section, including any recommendations of the Secretary for the construction of new confined aquatic disposal facilities or expanded capacity for confined aquatic disposal facilities. (e) Definition.—In this section, the term “New England District region” means the area located within the boundaries of the New England District in the North Atlantic Division of the Corps of Engineers.