Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program: Issues for the 109th Congress

Publication Date: June 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

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Abstract:

The 109th Congress is considering authorization, appropriations, and oversight issues related to the civil works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps plans, constructs, and operates water resources facilities primarily for flood control, navigation, and environmental purposes.

Appropriations. Once Corps activities are authorized, the appropriations process plays a significant role in their realization. The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill for FY2006 approved by the House, H.R. 2419, includes $4.746 billion for the Corps’ FY2006 civil works budget, which is $414 million more than requested and $294 million less than the $5.040 billion enacted for FY2005. Concerns over Corps financial management (e.g., the frequency of reprogramming across projects, and the use of multi-year continuing contacts) are shaping the consideration of the agency’s budget.

Authorizations and WRDA. Congress typically authorizes Corps projects and policy changes in a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA); introduction of a WRDA bill has loosely followed a biennial schedule. The last enacted WRDA was in 2000. Authorization of a few controversial projects and possible changes to Corps regulations and practices are shaping the consideration of WRDA 2005, S. 728. The bill has been placed on the Senate Calendar.

Project Development Reform. WRDA bills and other proposed legislation in recent Congresses contained provisions to change how the Corps formulates, reviews, and implements projects, but no significant changes have been enacted. S. 728 contains some changes. These provisions are fueling disagreement about the appropriate direction of any changes to Corps practices.

Agency Management. In 2004, the Corps released a civil works strategic plan for FY2004 through FY2009. The Corps currently is developing a comprehensive five-year budget plan for future spending.

Ecosystem Restoration. During the last decade, Congress has expanded Corps involvement in environmental and ecosystem restoration, but concerns persist about its role. Authorization of more restoration efforts, such as efforts in coastal Louisiana and the Upper Mississippi River System, are included in S. 728. Authorization of additional features of the Florida Everglades restoration effort and oversight over the Corps’ implementation of the effort are also possible.

River Management. Drought, concerns over threatened and endangered species, and interest in non-structural flood control have raised questions about river management practices. Questions include whether some uses should take precedence over others and how uncertainty is addressed in decisionmaking. One of the more contentious river management issues for the Corps has been balancing the multiple uses — navigation, recreation, species habitat, water supply, power generation, and more — of the Missouri River.

Another active river issue is S. 728’s authorization of navigation improvements on the Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway (UMR-IWW). Whether to link the authorization and funding for navigation improvements to ecosystem restoration investments is part of the ongoing UMR-IWW debate.