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1 1 (March 15, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govyfk0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service ~ Informing the legislative debate since 1914 March 15, 2019 Army Corps of Engineers: FY2020 Appropriations Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in an annual Energy and Water Development appropriations act. These activities include the planning and construction of water resource projects and the operations and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE (e.g., navigation channels). For USACE civil works, President Trump requested $4.8 billion for FY2020. As shown in Figure 1, Congress typically funds USACE above the President's request for the year (e.g., $7.0 billion for FY2019). This In Focus provides a primer on the USACE appropriations process for FY2020. For more information on USACE funding, see CRS Report R45326, Army Corps of Engineers Annual and Supplemental Appropriations: Issues for Congress. Figure I. Annual USACE Funding, FY2006-FY2020 (nominal $ in billions) Source: Congressional Research Service (CRS). USACE Funding and FY2020 Request Unlike federal agencies that distribute funds by formula or through competitive grant programs, USACE directly engages in project planning and construction. It uses most of its appropriations to work on specific studies and projects authorized by Congress. These activities are often cost shared with nonfederal project sponsors or users. The FY2020 request prioritizes maintaining performance of existing infrastructure, as reflected by the share of funds requested for operations and maintenance (O&M; see Figure 2). It would initiate no new studies or construction projects (referred to as new starts). In response to similar requests in recent years, Congress has required USACE to start a specified number of new construction projects and new studies (e.g., five new construction projects and six new studies in FY2019). The FY2020 request also seeks to limit funding to ongoing navigation and flood risk reduction construction projects with benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) greater than 2.5 to 1 (i.e., project benefits are at least two and a half times project costs) or projects that address safety concerns. Many congressionally authorized USACE projects do not have BCRs that meet the Administration's 2.5 BCR budget development threshold. Figure 2. USACE Account Funding, FY2013-FY2020 (nominal $ in billions) Source: CRS. Notes: Req = Budget request. ASA = Assistant Secretary of the Army. Regulatory = Permit program for nonfederal activities affecting regulated waters and wetlands. FUSRAP = Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. FY2020 request proposes to transfer FUSRAP to Department of Energy. FY2020 request renews an FY20 19 proposal to create two new navigation-related accounts; the figure shows funding for FY2020 in traditional USACE accounts. Since the 112th Congress, earmark moratorium policies have limited congressional funding for site-specific projects (i.e., congressionally directed spending or earmarks). In lieu of adding or increasing funding for specific USACE projects, Congress has provided additional funding for categories of USACE work. For example, in FY2019, Congress provided $2.0 billion in additional funding for 25 categories of USACE activities. After Congress enacts the agency's appropriations, the Administration develops a USACE work plan for the fiscal year. In the work plan, the Administration identifies the authorized USACE activities and projects receiving the additional funding. Selected FY2020 Topics of Deliberation Navigation Funding Receipts from federal taxes on navigation interests are deposited into two trust funds-the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) and the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF). The trust funds are used in the discretionary appropriations process to pay for some USACE navigation activities. In FY2019, USACE funding for its navigation- related activities is expected to reach $3.3 billion; the https://crsreports.congress.go) $7.0 * Expenses & ASA $6.0 - Regulatory $2.0 Tribs. $1.0 Mainte [lance $0.0 * Construction $7.0 $6.0 $5.0 $4.0 $3.0 $2.o N Expenses & ASA MRegulatory E Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies FUSRAP Mississippi River& Tribs. Operations & Maintenance $7.0 $6.0 $5-0 $4.0 $3.0 $2.0 $1.0 Sto _ A u .. Lpit . . m B . R us Annual Appropriation a Budget Request

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