![handle is hein.crs/govehgl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service
Informring Ih legisIlive debate since 1914
Water Resources Development Acts: Primer
Congress often considers on a biennial schedule omnibus
legislation that authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(USACE) civil works activities. Congress regularly refers
to this legislation as a Water Resources Development Act
(WRDA). WRDAs are distinguished from each other by the
year of enactment (e.g., WRDA 1986). WRDA provisions
generally add to or amend existing USACE authorizations
and provide congressional policy direction to the agency.
Drivers for enactment of a new WRDA typically include
nonfederal and congressional interest in new studies and
projects as well as adjustments to existing projects,
programmatic authorities, and policies. Events, such as
droughts and floods, along with congressional deliberations
on infrastructure investments and other policy initiatives
may shape deliberations of USACE authorization
legislation in the 117th Congress.
WRDA Consideration and Scope
Congress typically consolidates its USACE authorizations
into a WRDA, rather than deliberating on multiple bills of
smaller scope. Congress has enacted WRDAs as stand-
alone bills and as part of broader bills. Congress enacted the
most recent stand-alone WRDAs in 2000, 2007, and 2014.
Although most titles of the Water Resources Reform and
Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA 2014; P.L. 113-121)
were USACE-focused, some titles addressed other
agencies. WRDA 2016 (Title I of P.L. 114-322, Water
Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act [WIIN
Act]) and WRDA 2018 (Title I of P.L. 115-270, America's
Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 [AWIA 2018]) were
enacted as USACE-focused titles in broader water bills with
titles and provisions authorizing water programs and
activities of multiple agencies and departments. Congress
passed WRDA 2020 as Division AA of P.L. 116-260, an
omnibus appropriations and authorization act, in December
2020. For more on WRDAs, see CRS Report R45185, Army
Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorization and
Project Delivery Processes.
Historically, most WRDA provisions have focused on
USACE's water resource activities; however, some
provisions have addressed the agency's regulatory
responsibilities, such as issuing permits under Section 404
of the Clean Water Act.
Congress and USACE Activities
USACE's civil works activities historically have focused on
three primary purposes: improving navigation, reducing
flood risk, and restoring aquatic ecosystems. Many USACE
projects are multipurpose-for example, they might provide
water supply storage, recreation, and hydropower, among
other benefits, in addition to one or more of the three
primary purposes. USACE is directly engaged in the
planning and construction of water resource projects. The
Updated September 21, 2021
majority of USACE appropriations (e.g., roughly 85% of
annual FY2021 appropriations for USACE civil works) is
directed toward performing work on USACE studies and
projects authorized by Congress.
In WRDAs, Congress generally establishes a framework
and guidelines for implementing USACE water resources
projects and activities (e.g., setting standard federal and
nonfederal cost shares). WRDAs also authorize USACE to
perform specific studies and projects. Most USACE water
resource projects require two types of congressional
authorization: (1) authority to study the feasibility of a
project and (2) authority to construct flood risk reduction
and ecosystem restoration projects or authority to construct,
operate, and maintain navigation projects. Authorizations
for most USACE studies and projects are geographically
specific (e.g., a flood risk reduction project for a specific
community along a river or coast).
In WRDAs since 1992, Congress has authorized USACE to
assist with environmental infrastructure (e.g., design and
construction assistance for municipal drinking water and
wastewater infrastructure) in designated communities,
counties, and states. For more on this assistance, see CRS
In Focus IF 11184, Army Corps of Engineers:
Environmental Infrastructure Assistance.
Once Congress has authorized the study or construction of a
project in a WRDA, USACE can proceed when it receives
funding for that project phase. Congress provides
appropriations for USACE through the annual Energy and
Water Development appropriations process and, at times,
through supplemental appropriations. For more on USACE
funding, see CRS Report R46320, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers: Annual Appropriations Process and Issues for
Congress.
Most USACE authorizations do not expire. For some
provisions, Congress has limited the authorization's
duration (e.g., authorizing a pilot program for 10 years).
WRDA provisions may extend or remove the time
limitation on these authorities. WRDA provisions also may
rescind authority for (i.e., deauthorize) unconstructed
projects or projects no longer serving their authorized
purposes.
WRDA Development and Process to Propose
Activities for Authorization
To develop WRDAs, the authorizing committees for
USACE-the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Environment
and Public Works-typically hold hearings to receive
testimony from stakeholders, review reports transmitted by
the Administration, and solicit input from Members.](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/govehgl0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
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