Urban Canal Modernization Act

The proposed legislation, known as the Urban Canal Modernization Act, aims to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to address critical infrastructure needs. It introduces a new definition for an "urban canal of concern," identifying it as a canal segment whose failure would pose a risk to more than 100 individuals, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. This classification is crucial for identifying high-priority canal systems requiring specialized attention. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior or the relevant operating entity to conduct extraordinary operation and maintenance work on these newly defined urban canals of concern. For such work, the Secretary will provide 35 percent of the total costs on a nonreimbursable basis, significantly reducing the financial burden on local entities. The remaining costs will be advanced by the Secretary and subsequently repaid by the transferred works operating entity, with these reimbursable funds counting as a non-Federal source for other grant cost-sharing requirements.