General Investigations
The traditional and most common way for us to help a community solve a water resource problem is through individually authorized studies and projects. These types of studies are undertaken in response to a Congressional Resolution from the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation, The Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works, or a Public Law. In this program, the Corps jointly conducts a study with a non-federal sponsor and, if shown by the study to be feasible, constructs the project.This approach requires that Congress provide the Corps with authority and funds to first accomplish a feasibility study and secondly, to construct the project. Local sponsors share the study and construction costs with the Corps, and usually pay for all operation and maintenance costs.
This approach may be used to address any one of a variety of water resource problems, including navigation, flood damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration.
Major phases of a project for Civil Works are as follows
- Reconnaissance Phase
- Feasibility Phase
- Pre Construction Engineering & Design (PED)
- Construction
- Operations/Maintenance, repair replacement and rehabilitation
Two-Phase Study Process
The federal government first conducts a reconnaissance to determine whether a federal project can solve local and regional water resources problems. The reconnaissance phase is 100 percent federally funded.Based upon the reconnaissance, the federal government and the non-federal sponsor jointly decide whether a full feasibility study is warranted. Initiation of the feasibility phase depends on execution of a study/construction cost sharing agreement with the sponsor.
Cost sharing is not required for a study for a navigation improvement to the inland waterway system.
Reconnaissance Phase
- Definition of problems and opportunities related to water resources; identification and potential solutions.
- Estimation of benefits and costs of solutions to determine prospects for an implemental project. Appraisal of federal interest in potential solutions.
- Determination as to whether or not future studies are appropriate.
- Estimation of feasibility phase costs.
- Corps and non-federal sponsor must agree to share equally in the cost of the feasibility phase.
Feasibility Phase
- Further planning and evaluation of alternative solutions to water resources problems.
- Detailed estimation of benefits and costs of alternatives to determine what plans merit Federal participation.
- Preparation of a feasibility report recommending solutions to water resources problems and congressional authorization.
- Preparation of a letter of intent by State or local entity to financially participate in recommended plan implementation, as demonstrated by mutual concurrence in a draft Local Cooperative ‘agreement (LCA) for implementation of the project.
- Coordination of feasibility report with Federal, State and local agencies.
Pre Construction Engineering & Design (PED)
- Pre-construction Engineering and Design is the planning and design effort necessary to award the first construction contract, and begins after the feasibility report is complete.
For more information, see Six Steps to a Civil Works Project
Projects:
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, SC, GI
Charleston Harbor, SC 45+
Cooperation with Other Water Resources Agencies
Edisto Island, SC GI
FERC License Review
Flood Plain Management Services Unit
Folly Beach Shore Protection, SC
General Hydrologic Studies
Interagency Water Resources Development
Lakes Marion & Moultrie, SC CG
National Flood Proofing Committee
North American Waterfowl Management
Pawley's Island, SC, GI
Reedy River, SC GI
Santee Delta, SC GI
Special Investigations
SS - Mullins Drainage Study
Technical Services
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