Timely Response to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Notice Critical for Stakeholders Interested in Securing Congressional Authorization for Future Water Resources Development Projects

Entities interested in pursuing potential Congressional authorization for future water resources development activities should act now to submit proposals to the USACE. Congress uses the information provided by the USACE to determine authorization priorities in future WRDA legislation, and only those proposals that are submitted by the USACE to Congress are eligible for authorization.

The USACE will review proposed submissions from stakeholders, and the Secretary of the Army is required to submit to Congress an annual report of those activities that meet the criteria established by Congress.

According to the USACE notice, proposals must meet the following criteria:

• Are related to the missions and authorities of the USACE. USACE primary missions are navigation, flood risk management, and aquatic ecosystem restoration. Recreation, hydropower, and/or water supply will be considered “related” when they are performed in conjunction with one or more of the primary mission(s).
• Require specific congressional authorization.
• Have not been congressionally authorized.
• Have not been included in the main table of a previous annual report.
• If authorized could be carried out by the USACE.