NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY HARBOR AND TRIBUTARIES, NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

SEC. 1343. NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY HARBOR AND TRIBUTARIES, NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY. (a) In General.—The study for flood and storm damage reduction for the New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries project, authorized by the Act of June 15, 1955 (chapter 140, 69 Stat. 132, 134 Stat. 2676) and being carried out pursuant to the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (Public Law 113-2), is modified to require the Secretary, upon the request of the non-Federal interest for the project, to include within the scope of such study an investigation of, and recommendations relating to, projects and activities to maximize the net public benefits, including ecological benefits and societal benefits, from the reduction of the comprehensive flood risk within the geographic scope of the project from the isolated and compound effects of factors described in section 8106(a) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (33 U.S.C. 2282g). (b) Associated Projects.—The Secretary is authorized to carry out projects and activities recommended pursuant to subsection (a) if such projects and activities otherwise meet the criteria for projects carried out under a continuing authority program (as defined in section 7001(c)) of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2282d(c)). (c) Continuation.—Any study recommended to be carried out in a report that the Chief of Engineers prepares for such study shall be considered a continuation of the study described in subsection (a). (d) Consideration; Consultation.—In developing recommendations pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary shall— (1) consider the use of natural and nature-based features; (2) consult with applicable Federal and State agencies and other stakeholders within the geographic scope of the project; and (3) solicit public comments. (e) Interim Progress; Report to Congress.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit 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 detailing— (1) any recommendations made pursuant to subsection (a); (2) any projects or activities carried out under subsection (b); (3) any additional, site-specific areas within the geographic scope of the project for which additional study is recommended by the Secretary; and (4) any interim actions related to reduction of comprehensive flood risk within the geographic scope of the project undertaken by the Secretary during the study period. (f) Expedited Consideration.—The Secretary shall expedite the completion of the study described in subsection (a) and any further study, project, or activity recommended pursuant to this section. (g) Savings Clause.—Any additional action authorized by this section shall not delay any existing study, engineering, or planning work underway as of the date of enactment of this Act.