For its civil works mission, Congress directs the agency through authorizations, appropriations, and oversight of the agency's study, construction, and ongoing operations of water resource projects. The agency's civil works responsibilities are principally to support navigation, reduce flood and storm damage, and protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. The Corps attracts congressional attention because its projects can have significant local and regional economic benefits and environmental effects. This report provides an overview of the Corps water resource activities, including congressional authorization and appropriations. The report also covers the standard project development process for Corps projects and other Corps activities and authorities. Corps Authorizations

Congress generally authorizes Corps activities prior to funding those activities. The authorization can be project-specific, programmatic, or general. Water Resources Development Acts

In recent decades, Congress has legislated on most Corps authorizations in Water Resources Development Acts (WRDAs). A WRDA is not a reauthorization bill; rather, it is an authorization bill. WRDA 2016, which was enacted as Title I of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN; P.L. Congress with WRDA 2016 returned enactment of Corps authorization legislation to a biennial timeframe. For a discussion of water resource issues in the 115 th Congress including issues that may shape congressional oversight of WRRDA 2014 and WRDA 2016 and consideration of a WRDA bill in the 115 th Congress, see CRS Report R44738, Water Resource Issues in the 115th Congress , by [author name scrubbed] et al. This situation results in competition for funds among authorized activities during the budget and appropriations processes. Over the last decade, enacted annual Corps civil works appropriations (excluding supplemental appropriations) have remained steady or increased slightly, ranging from $4.5 billion to nearly $6.0 billion, whereas the President's request consistently has been less than the final enacted amount. However, numerous authorized projects have yet to be initiated. For most activities, the Corps also needs a nonfederal sponsor to share the study and construction costs. WRRDA 2014 expanded and consolidated the authorities for nonfederal entities to both perform studies and construct projects (or elements of projects) that typically would be undertaken by the Corps and for the cost of these nonfederal-led studies and construction to be shared by the federal government largely as if the Corps had performed them. Feasibility Study

Once a study is authorized, appropriations are sought from monies provided in the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. Preconstruction Engineering and Design

Corps preconstruction engineering and design (PED) of a project may begin after the Chief's Report while awaiting congressional authorization for project construction (33 U.S.C. Construction and Operation and Maintenance

Once the project receives congressional construction authorization, federal funds for construction are sought in the annual appropriations process. The Corps has some general authorities to undertake small projects, technical assistance, and emergency actions. Flood-Fighting and Emergency Response

In addition to work performed as part of the National Response Framework, Congress has given the Corps its own emergency response authority. Repair of Damaged Levees and Other Flood and Storm Projects

In P.L. The nature of the involvement of the Corps (i.e., a grant from the Corps to the project owner or the Corps acting as the construction project manager) and nonfederal cost-share varies according to the specifics of the authorization.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) undertakes activities to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. The agency's 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 project authorization and annual 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 agency's 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). Congress often considers a WRDA biennially. WRDAs generally do not provide funds to conduct activities, nor are they reauthorization bills.
During the 114th Congress, Congress enacted the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN; P.L. 114-322). Title I of the bill had the short title of Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA 2016). WIIN Title I contained many provisions similar to two WRDA 2016 bills considered earlier in the 114th Congress—S. 2848 and H.R. 5303. For a discussion of water resource issues in the 115th Congress, including issues that may shape congressional oversight of WRDA 2016 and consideration of a WRDA bill in the 115th Congress, see CRS Report R44738, Water Resource Issues in the 115th Congress, by [author name scrubbed] et al.
Appropriations. Federal funding for authorized Corps activities is provided in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts or supplemental appropriations acts. Annual Corps appropriations for its water resource activities have ranged from $4.5 billion to nearly $6.0 billion during the last decade. An increasing share of the agency's appropriations has been used for operation and maintenance. In recent years, some new studies, new construction projects, and new programs have been funded using enacted appropriations. However, many of the projects authorized for construction by previous Congresses have yet to be initiated, in part because of competition for funds and because Corps authorizations have outpaced appropriations.
Standard Project Development. The standard process for a Corps project requires two separate congressional authorizations—one for studying feasibility and a subsequent one for construction—as well as appropriations for both. Congressional authorization for project construction in recent years has been based on a favorable report by the Chief of Engineers (known as a Chief's Report) and an accompanying feasibility report. For most activities, Congress requires a nonfederal sponsor to share some portion of study and construction costs. Cost-sharing requirements vary by type of project. For some project types (e.g., levees), nonfederal sponsors own the completed works after construction and are responsible for operation and maintenance.
Other Corps Activities and Authorities. Although most Corps projects are developed under the standard project-development process, exceptions exist. Congress has granted the Corps some general authorities to undertake some studies, small projects, technical assistance, and emergency actions (e.g., flood fighting, repair of damaged levees, and limited drought assistance). Additionally, under the National Response Framework, the Corps may be tasked with performing activities in response to an emergency or disaster, such as emergency power restoration.