U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works:
Primer and Resources
Updated March 2, 2023
Congress plays a role in the nation’s water resource development through authorization and
appropriations of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) projects and activities. USACE is a
Department of Defense agency that develops civil works projects principally to improve navigable
channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASACW) provides policy direction and supervision
of USACE civil works. A military Chief of Engineers manages USACE’s civil and military missions.
USACE’s 38 district offices work with nonfederal project sponsors to develop water resource projects.
Standard USACE project delivery consists of USACE leading the study, design, and construction of
authorized projects. Nonfederal project sponsors typically share in study and construction costs, including
providing real estate and generally performing operation and maintenance (O&M) for flood risk reduction
and ecosystem restoration projects. USACE typically performs O&M for navigation and some
multipurpose projects, such as dams. USACE operates more than 700 dams and maintains more than 900
coastal, Great Lakes, and inland harbors, as well as 12,000 miles of inland waterways.
USACE projects typically require two separate congressional authorizations—one for studying feasibility
and one for construction—and appropriations for both. This Insight summarizes the USACE authorization
and funding processes and provides links to related resources.
Project and Programmatic Authorization
Most USACE projects start with congressional authorization to conduct a feasibility study of a water
resource issue. If funded, the feasibility study evaluates alternatives to address the issue and recommends
one alternative for construction. The Chief of Engineers then signs a recommendation for project
construction (i.e., the Chief’s report) and transmits the completed feasibility study and the Chief’s report
to congressional authorizing committees, which consider whether to authorize project construction.
Some projects experience cost or design changes after authorization. If project features or estimated costs
change significantly, additional congressional authorization may be necessary to modify the project
authorization.
