33 U.S.C. § 2347b: Purpose and need

whether the District Engineer concurs with the assessment of the purpose of and need for the water storage project proposed by the applicant; and in any case in which the District Engineer does not concur as described in subparagraph (A), an assessment by the District Engineer of the purpose of and need for the project. No environmental impact statement or environmental assessment required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 ( 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) shall substantially commence with respect to a water storage project until the date on which the District Engineer provides to the applicant a purpose and need statement as required under paragraph (1). A non-Federal interest may use the administrative appeals process described in part 331 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations (or any succeeding regulation), in relation to a decision of the Secretary related to an application for a water storage project.