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The Six Steps to a Civil Works Project

Step 1 - Problem Perception

Local community (i.e., people, businesses) and/or local government perceive or experience water and related land resource problems (i.e., flooding, shore erosion, navigation restrictions, etc.). Problems are beyond local community's / government's capabilities (e.g., jurisdictional boundaries, financial resources, technical expertise, etc.) to alleviate or solve.

Step 2 - Request For Federal Action

1. Local officials talk to Corps about available federal programs. Technical assistance and some small projects can be accomplished without congressional authorization (see Continuing Authorities Program).
2. Local officials contact congressional delegation if study authorization required.
3. Member of Congress requests study authorization through Public Works Committees.
4. Committee resolution adopted if report was previously prepared on water problems in area.
5. Legislation, which may be proposed by the President, is normally required if no corps report exists.

Step 3 - Study Problem and Report Preparation

1. Study is assigned to Corps district office.
2. Funds to complete a 12-18 month reconnaissance study are included in President's budget (see Two-Phase Study Process).
3. Appropriations for reconnaissance provided in annual Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act.
4. District conducts reconnaissance study, leading to a reconnaissance report.
5. Because most Corps projects involve cost sharing and environmental issues, local proponents should seek an early consensus for or against a Corps project among the public and private sectors and among diverse interest groups.
6. If study continues beyond reconnaissance phase, local sponsor must agree to share cost of feasibility phase.
7. A life cycle project manager (LCPM) or management team is appointed to coordinate the project through the feasibility study, design and eventual construction. The LCPM serves as the point of contact with the project sponsor and other concerned parties, tracks all the commitments made during the process, and develops a Project Management Plan.
8. Public involvement is an integral part of planning process, including review of draft report and draft environmental impact statement (EIS).
9. Study is conducted under the U.S. Water Resources Council's Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines (see Principles and Guidelines) for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies, dated March 10, 1983.
10. Funds are included annually in President's budget; annual appropriations and non-federal monies are needed to continue study.
11. Study results in Feasibility Report and EIS, which are submitted to Corps division (regional office).

Step 4 - Report Review and Approval

1. Division office, which reviews district work during planning process, completes technical review of final district Feasibility Report and EIS.
2. Division engineer submits report to Washington Level Review Center (WLRC) and issues public notice inviting comments. WLRC conducts Washington review.
3. Final EIS is filed with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and made available to public.
4. Proposed report of chief of engineers and final EIS are sent to heads of federal agencies and governors of affected states for comment.
5. Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors (BERH) or Mississippi River Commission (MRC) submits views and recommendations to Chief of Engineers.
6. Comments from public are fully considered in BERH or MRC action.
7. Chief of Engineers considers comments on proposed report and EIS, prepares final report, and submits it to Secretary of the Army.
8. Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) reviews the Chief of Engineers' report.
9. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) comments on report as it relates to President's programs.
10. Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) transmits Chief of Engineers' report to Congress.

Step 5 - Congressional Authorization

1. In most cases, Corps continues pre-construction engineering and design following issuance of Division Engineer's Notice. Funds are included in President's budget and Congress acts on each item in appropriations bill.
2. Chief of Engineers reports (see Step 4) are referred to committee on public works and transportation in House and Committee on Environment and Public Works in Senate.
3. Civil works projects are normally authorized by the Water Resources Development Act (Omnibus Bill) following committee hearings.
4. Occasionally, Corps proposal is authorized by separate legislation or as part of another bill.

Step 6 - Project Implementation

1. New projects are included in President's budget based on national priorities and anticipated completion of design and plans and specifications so that construction contract can be awarded.
2. Budget recommendations are based on evidence of support by state and ability and willingness of non-federal sponsors to provide their share of project cost.
3. Congress appropriates federal share of funds for new starts.
4. Secretary of the Army and appropriate Non-federal sponsors sign formal Local Cooperation Agreement (LCA) once Congress has appropriated funds for project implementation to begin.
5. The LCA obligates non-federal sponsors and the Corps to participate in implementing, operating and maintaining project according to requirements established by Congress and administration.
6. District completes enough engineering and design for developing plans and specifications for initial project implementation.
7. Engineering and design continue during implementation process.
8. Funds are included in President's annual budget for the federal share of the project.
9. Construction is managed by Corps, but done by private contractors.
10. Corps periodically inspects projects, including those for which non-federal sponsors have assumed an operation and maintenance responsibility.

Questions concerning Programs & Projects?

Call the Charleston District Office
(1) 866.329.8187 (Toll Free)
843.329.8044 (Local)
843.329.2332 (Fax)

Email point of contact for Charleston's Programs & Projects Division

Mailing Address:
US Army Corps of Engineers
Programs & Projects Division
69A Hagood Ave.
Charleston, South Carolina 29403-5107