# Plain Language Summary: Army Corps of Engineers Study on Nationwide Permit 14

The Army Corps of Engineers currently issues something called Nationwide Permit 14, which allows certain water-related construction projects to move forward without going through lengthy individual permit reviews. These projects typically involve things like dredging, filling wetlands, or building structures in waterways. This bill asks the Secretary of the Army to study how much it would cost the Corps to add new public safety conditions to these projects and make sure companies actually follow those safety rules.

Right now, when a company gets approval under Nationwide Permit 14, there's limited oversight to ensure the work doesn't create safety hazards for the public. The bill wants to understand what it would take to beef up safety requirements—things like preventing erosion that could damage nearby properties, ensuring proper maintenance of structures, or protecting people from dangerous conditions created by the construction. The study would calculate the actual dollar amount needed to monitor and enforce these safety standards across all the projects happening under this permit.

This matters mainly to construction companies, property owners near waterways, and taxpayers. Construction companies might face new requirements or costs if the study leads to stricter rules. Property owners could benefit from better safety oversight of nearby projects. And taxpayers would ultimately pay for whatever enforcement system the government decides to implement. The bill doesn't automatically create new rules—it's just asking for information about what stronger safety protections would actually cost, which Congress could then use to decide whether to require them.

To require the Secretary of the Army to conduct a study to determine the costs for the Corps of Engineers to ensure that certain project activities authorized under Nationwide Permit 14 comply with public safety conditions, and for other purposes.

Long, Billy

 <p>This bill requires the Department of the Army to report to Congress on the costs for the Army Corps of Engineers to (1) include public safety conditions on certain permits for water-related projects, and (2) conduct safety inspections to ensure that authorized projects comply with such public safety conditions.</p>