Accession Number:

AD1028521

Title:

Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorizations, Appropriations, and Activities

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Congressional Research Service Washington United States

Personal Author(s):

• Carter,Nicole T.
• Stern,Charles V.

Report Date:

2017-02-27

Pagination or Media Count:

27.0

Abstract:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Corps undertakes activities to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. The Corps attracts congressional attention because its water resource projects can have significant local and regional economic benefits and environmental effects. Congress directs the Corps through authorizations appropriations and oversight of its studies, construction projects, and the ongoing operations of Corps infrastructure. This report summarizes congressional authorization and appropriations processes for the Corps. Authorizations. Congress generally authorizes Corps activities prior to funding them. The authorization can be project specific, programmatic, or general. The agencys ability to act on an authorization is often determined by funding. Congress typically authorizes numerous new Corps site-specific activities and provides policy direction in an omnibus Corps authorization bill, often titled a Water Resources Development Act WRDA. WRDAs generally do not provide funds to conduct activities, nor are they reauthorization bills. Congress often considers a WRDA biennially.

Descriptors:

• water resources
• environmental protection
• environmental restoration and remediation
• waste management
• congress
• army corps of engineers

Subject Categories:

• Civil Engineering

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE