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DOCUBENT RESCIRE
07'375 - [C2827912]
Corps of Engineers Flood Control Projects Could Be Completed
Faster through Legislative and 4anagerial Changes. CPD-78-179;
B-178737. September 22, 1978. 2eleased September 29, 1978. 27
pp. + 3 appendices (8 pp.).
Report to Rep. William H. Harsha, Ranking Minority Member, Houre
Committee on Public Works and Transportation; Pep. Matthew J.
Rknaldo; by rlper B. Staats, Comptroller General.
Isjue Area: Wate- and Water Related Programs: Water Resources
Progra2s to -jet the competing demands for Water Uses
(2503).
Contact: Community and Economic Devslopment Div.
Budget Function: Natural Resources# Lvironsent, and Energy:
Water Resourcep and Power (301).
Organization Cozacqrnad: Department of the Army: Corps of
En gineers.
Congressional Relevance: House Committee on Public Works and
Transportation. Rep. William H. Harsha; Rep. Matthew J.
Rinaldu.
Authority: Flood Control Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 19625); H Sept.
91-i665. Navigation Development Act; H.R. 8309 (95th Cong.).
As part of its responsibility for prevention of flood
damage, the Corps of Engineers studies, designs, and constructs
flood-cantrol projects. Concerns have been expressed about the
length of time being taken to complete theie projects.
Fridingn/Conclusions: The survey investigation and advanced
engineering and design phases accounted for 60% to 80% of the
'ime spent to complete the projects. Survey-phase studies ranged
from 4.5 years to 40 years, and design phase projecLs ranged
from 2.2 to 25 years. only about half the time was used for
actual survel and design work, with most of the remaining time
beinq used in waiting for authorization or appropriation of
fonds. An average of about 3 years was used for review of survey
reports. Delays in preconstruction %ork have been attributed to
procedures followed to obtain authorizations and appropriations
and to a legiolative requirement fe a written cooperative
agreement between the Federal government and non-Federal
participating interests. This requirement causes delays in
States with constitutions which prohibit the future obligation
of State appropriations. In four projects reviewed by GAO,
factors cited by the corps (personnel shortages, new evQluation
criteria, and local opposition) did not cause significant
delays. The Corps did not use its management information system
effectiveiy to identify project delays. Alternatives to the
current authorization and appropriation process were presented
which vould redwe the time between authorization and contract
award. Recommendations: The Secretary of the krmy should direct
the Corps to use its ranagesent information system to identify
unnecessary delays and control the progress of projects and](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.gao/gaobaaycg0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)