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              Congressional                                                      ____
           ~   Research Service






U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works:

Primer and Resources



Updated February 16, 2024

Congress plays a role in the nation's water resource development through authorization and
appropriations of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and activities. USACE is a
Department of Defense (DOD) agency that develops civil works projects principally to improve navigable
channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Congress also may authorize
and fund USACE  to assist certain nonfederal, publicly owned water-related facilities.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASACW) provides policy direction and supervision
of USACE  civil works. A military Chief of Engineers manages USACE's civil and military missions.
USACE's  38 district offices work with nonfederal project sponsors.
Standard USACE  project delivery consists of USACE leading the study, design, and construction of
authorized projects. Nonfederal project sponsors typically share in study and construction costs, including
providing real estate. Nonfederal sponsors generally perform operation and maintenance for flood risk
reduction and ecosystem restoration projects. USACE typically performs operations and maintenance for
navigation and some multipurpose projects, such as dams.
USACE   projects typically require two separate congressional authorizations-one for studying feasibility
and one for construction-and appropriations for both. This Insight summarizes the USACE authorization
and funding processes and provides links to related resources.

Project   and  Programmatic Authorization

Most USACE   projects start with congressional authorization to conduct a feasibility study of a water
resource issue (see Figure 1). If a feasibility study is funded, USACE evaluates alternatives to address the
issue and recommends one alternative for construction. The Chief of Engineers then signs a
recommendation for project construction (i.e., the Chief's report) and transmits the completed study and
the Chief's report to congressional authorizing committees, which consider whether to authorize project
construction. If project features or estimated costs change significantly after authorization, additional
congressional authorization may be necessary to modify the project authorization.



                                                                Congressional Research Service
                                                                  https://crsreports.congress.gov
                                                                                      IN11810

CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Members and
Committees of Congress

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