((a)) ** General rule** The Secretary shall include environmental protection as one of the primary missions of the Corps of Engineers in planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining water resources projects.
((b)) ** Limitation** Nothing in this section affects—
((1)) existing Corps of Engineers’ authorities, including its authorities with respect to navigation and flood control;
((2)) pending Corps of Engineers permit applications or pending lawsuits involving permits or water resources projects; or
((3)) the application of public interest review procedures for Corps of Engineers permits.