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Army Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects: Authorization and Appropriations [December 5, 2011]
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertakes activities to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Congress directs the Corps through authorizations, appropriations, and oversight of its studies, construction projects, and other activities. Historically, the agency's authorizations and appropriations have been largely project[-]based, with the projects being in specific locations. There is some uncertainty about legislation related to the Corps during the 112th Congress, in light of the House Republican Conference standing order in its conference rule and the Senate Republican Conference resolution supporting a moratorium on Member earmark requests. This report summarizes congressional authorization and appropriations processes for the Corps and explains the standard Corps project development process. It also discusses agency activities under general authorities. […] Congress generally authorizes Corps activities and provides policy direction in Water Resources Development Acts (WRDAs). Beginning in 1986, a biennial WRDA consideration was loosely followed; enactment has been less regular. The most recent WRDA was enacted in 2007 (P.L. 110-114). Pressure to authorize new projects, increase authorized funding levels, and modify existing projects promotes fairly regular WRDA consideration. WRDAs historically have been omnibus bills including many provisions for site[-]specific activities. Authorizations of many Corps activities were included under the House Republican Conference 2010 moratorium on Members requesting earmarks. Congress also authorizes some studies through resolutions passed by an authorizing committee. […] Congress has granted the Corps some general authorities to undertake some studies, small projects, technical assistance, and emergency actions such as flood-fighting and repair of damaged levees. Additionally, the Corps conducts emergency response actions directed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.
2011-12-05
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Army Corps Fiscal Challenges: Frequently Asked Questions [August 18, 2011]
"The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for much of the federal water resources infrastructure in the United States. The Corps is faced with more demands for building and maintaining its projects than available federal funding allows. This situation is raising basic questions about how the Corps functions, including the efficacy, efficiency, and equity of Corps planning and implementation. Corps fiscal challenges have multiple underlying causes. The Corps and its infrastructure is expected to help meet the nation's increasing demands on water resources and the services they provide; however, what the agency can accomplish given the level of federal funding provided is declining. At the same time, Corps asset management costs are increasing as facilities age. Nonfederal projects sponsors that pay a portion of the cost for most Corps projects can become frustrated as Corps studies and projects are authorized, but remain unfunded or are slowed by lower levels of funding than anticipated. The Administration and appropriators have to choose what to fund out of an increasing pool of authorized activities. The agency now faces a construction backlog of more than $62 billion, while receiving roughly $2 billion a year in construction funding. […] Congressional action on managing Corps fiscal challenges is complicated by the wide range of stakeholders engaged and affected by the agency's activities. Past efforts at fundamentally altering the trajectory of the agency in recent decades largely have not been enacted; instead, since 1986, Congress has proceeded with incremental changes that have overall broadened the missions and activities of the agency."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.
2011-08-18
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Desalination and Membrane Technologies: Federal Research and Adoption Issues [June 12, 2012]
From the Document: "In the United States, desalination and membrane technologies are increasingly used to augment municipal water supply in water-constrained and drought-prone locations, to produce high quality industrial water supplies, and to reclaim contaminated supplies. As of 2005, approximately 2,000 desalination facilities larger than 0.3 million gallons per day (MGD) were operating in the United States, with a total capacity of 1,600 MGD which represents more than 2.4% of total U.S. municipal and industrial freshwater use. At issue for Congress is what should be the federal role in supporting desalination and membrane technology research and facilities. […] To date, the federal government has been involved primarily in desalination research and development (including for military applications), some demonstration projects, and select fullscale facilities. For the most part, local governments, sometimes with state-level involvement, are responsible for planning, testing, building, and operating desalination facilities. Some states, universities, and private entities also undertake and support desalination research. While interest in desalination persists among some Members, especially as drought concerns rise, efforts to maintain or expand federal activities and investment are challenged by the domestic fiscal climate and differing views on federal roles and priorities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2012-06-12
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Proposed Legislation and Issues for Congress [July 12, 2012]
From the Document: "As part of its civil works mission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages water resource projects. Reservoirs lying behind Corps dams, and Corps navigation locks and their pools, are popular recreation sites, attracting 370 million visits annually. Corps projects include some of the most densely used federal recreation lands. Currently, 36 C.F.R. Section 327 sets out the regulations for public use of Corps projects. Section 327.13 generally prohibits possession of loaded firearms by private (i.e., non-law enforcement) individuals at Corps-administered projects unless they are being used for hunting at designated sites (with devices required to be unloaded while transported to and from the sites) or at authorized shooting ranges. The regulation applies at projects regardless of their location in states allowing open or concealed carry of loaded firearms. Proposed legislation--the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act (H.R. [House Resolution]1865, S. 1588) and Section 111 of H.R. 5325, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of FY2013 (which are all substantively similar)--would bar the Secretary of the Army from promulgating or enforcing regulations that prohibit individuals from possessing firearms (including assembled or functional firearms) at Corps projects. [...] The issue for Congress is not only possession of loaded firearms by private individuals but also how to maintain public safety and infrastructure security at Corps projects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2012-07-12
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Civil Works Program of the Army Corps of Engineers: A Primer [December 9, 2005]
"At the direction of Congress primarily through Water Resources Development Acts (WRDAs), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (an agency within the Department of Defense) undertakes water resources projects. The agency's civil works mission has expanded beyond its original responsibility of improving and maintaining navigable channels; the mission now includes flood control, emergency and disaster response, environmental restoration, municipal water infrastructure, and other activities. The nonfederal sponsors and the federal government (primarily through the annual Energy and Water Development Appropriations Acts) share the cost of most Corps projects and activities. This report outlines the agency's organization, project development process, civil works appropriations, and evolution of its responsibilities. There are no plans to update this overview report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Cody, Betsy A.
2005-12-09
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Reallocation of Water Storage at Federal Water Projects for Municipal and Industrial Water Supply [October 31, 2012]
"Pursuant to congressional authorization, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), the agencies with primary responsibility for federal water resources management, operate water projects for specified purposes. In the case of Corps dams and their related reservoirs, Congress generally has limited the use of such projects for municipal and industrial (M&I) water supply, but growing M&I demands have raised interest in--and concern about--changing current law and reservoir operations to give Corps facilities a greater role in M&I water storage. Reallocation of storage from a currently authorized purpose to M&I use would change the types of benefits produced by a facility and the stakeholders served, which has led to controversy over project operations at some federal projects."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brougher, Cynthia M.; Carter, Nicole T.
2012-10-31
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Federal Involvement in Flood Response and Flood Infrastructure Repair: Hurricane Sandy Recovery [November 5, 2012]
"Hurricane Sandy was a reminder that the United States is vulnerable to significant weather hazards, and that infrequent but intense flood events can cause significant damage and disruption. In addition to wind damages and electricity disruptions, the storm's surge damaged property and infrastructure in coastal and inlet areas, while the storm's rains and snowmelt swelled rivers and creeks. These impacts contributed to public safety concerns and private and public property loss. Although the storm was not notable for its wind intensity, Sandy's significant size, its unusually low atmospheric pressure, and the astronomic high tide combined with other weather systems to amplify flooding consequences and economic and transportation disruptions. With events like Hurricane Sandy, common questions for Congress include: Which federal programs can assist with flood-fighting? Which federal programs can assist with repairing damaged dunes, levees, and other flood protection? What are the policy and funding issues that may arise during recovery? While state and local entities have significant flood-related responsibilities, federal resources are called in as these entities are overwhelmed and as presidential disasters are declared. Several agencies, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have authorities to respond to flood emergencies and to assist with recovery efforts. FEMA has primary responsibilities for federal flood insurance, disaster assistance, and hazard mitigation programs. In addition to its floodfighting authorities, the Corps has a program to repair damaged levees, dams, berms, and other flood control works. Post-Sandy demand for such repairs is likely to be extensive."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2012-11-05
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Army Corps Supplemental Appropriations: Recent History, Trends, and Policy Issues [November 29, 2012]
"Under its civil works program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans, builds, operates, and maintains a wide range of water resources facilities. The Corps also plays a prominent role in responding to domestic natural disasters, in particular riverine and coastal flooding events. The Corps can assist in flood fighting at the discretion of its Chief of Engineers in order to protect life and property, principally when state resources are overwhelmed. The Corps is also authorized to protect and repair its own facilities in the event of flooding, and to operate a program, the Rehabilitation and Inspection Program (RIP), that funds the repair of participating nonfederal flood control works (e.g., levees, dams, dunes) damaged by flooding events. Repairs under this program are funded by the Corps' Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) account. The Corps also undertakes a variety of other activities at the request of FEMA under the National Response Framework, which are outside the scope of this report. In recent years a number of natural disasters have required Corps response and repair activities with costs running into the billions. Congress provided most of these funds through supplemental appropriations. […] This report summarizes recent trends in supplemental funding for the Corps, particularly related to natural disasters. It provides summary data and analysis on Corps funding over the last 10 years and includes a general discussion of how the Corps funds emergency actions at its own facilities and elsewhere."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T.
2012-11-29
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Desalination and Membrane Technologies: Federal Research and Adoption Issues [January 8, 2013]
From the Document: "In the United States, desalination and membrane technologies are increasingly used to augment municipal water supply, to produce high quality industrial water supplies, and to reclaim contaminated supplies (including from oil and gas development). As of 2005, approximately 2,000 desalination facilities larger than 0.3 million gallons per day (MGD) were operating in the United States, with a total capacity of 1,600 MGD which represents more than 2.4% of total U.S. municipal and industrial freshwater use. At issue for Congress is what should be the federal role in supporting desalination and membrane technology research and facilities. Desalination issues before the 113th Congress include how to focus federal research, at what level to support desalination research and projects, and how to provide a regulatory context that protects the environment and public health without disadvantaging the technology."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2013-01-08
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Water Resource Issues in the 113th Congress [January 31, 2013]
"The 113th Congress may face many issues related to water resource development, management, and protection. Such issues include how to make investment decisions in the context of federal fiscal constraints; how to distribute investments between activities to meet new demands for water supplies and aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection; how to maintain and reinvest in an aging portfolio of federal infrastructure (e.g., locks, dams, and levees); and how to effectively respond to and prepare for flood and drought emergencies. These issues often arise at the regional level, but have a federal nexus. For example, Congress may continue to be faced with issues associated with flooding (e.g., Hurricane Sandy response and recovery), navigation and water supply challenges due to drought-induced low river flows, and balancing water supply needs of farm and urban communities with protection of threatened and endangered species. […] This report discusses recent congressional activity and possible topics for the 113th Congress. It provides an overview of the federal role in water resources development, management, and protection, including a discussion of the two major federal water resources agencies and related legislation. It also discusses overarching policy issues, such as flood and drought management and response; project funding and authorization priorities; and aquatic ecosystem restoration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cody, Betsy A.; Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T. . . .
2013-01-31
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Army Corps Supplemental Appropriations: Recent History, Trends, and Policy Issues [January 17, 2013]
"Under its civil works program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans, builds, operates, and maintains a wide range of water resources facilities. The Corps also plays a prominent role in responding to domestic natural disasters, in particular riverine and coastal flooding events. The Corps can assist in flood fighting at the discretion of its Chief of Engineers in order to protect life and property, principally when state resources are overwhelmed. The Corps is also authorized to protect and repair its own facilities in the event of flooding, and to operate a program, the Rehabilitation and Inspection Program (RIP), that funds the repair of participating nonfederal flood control works (e.g., levees, dams, dunes) damaged by flooding events. The Corps also undertakes a variety of other activities at the request of FEMA under the National Response Framework, which are outside the scope of this report. In recent years several natural disasters have required Corps response and repair activities with costs running into the billions. Congress provided most of these funds through supplemental appropriations. Over the 25-year period from 1987-2012, Congress appropriated $26.9 billion in supplemental funding to the Corps. Of this funding, $25.5 billion came through supplemental appropriations acts passed between 2003 and 2012. This funding was approximately half of the amount provided to the Corps for regular appropriations over this same period ($50 billion)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T.
2013-01-17
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Army Corps Fiscal Challenges: Frequently Asked Questions [December 15, 2011]
"The Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for much of the federal water resources infrastructure in the United States. The Corps is faced with more demands for building and maintaining its projects than available federal funding allows. This situation is raising basic questions about how the Corps functions, including the efficacy, efficiency, and equity of Corps planning and implementation. Corps fiscal challenges have multiple underlying causes. The Corps and its infrastructure is expected to help meet the nation's increasing demands on water resources and the services they provide; however, what the agency can accomplish given the level of federal funding provided is declining. At the same time, Corps asset management costs are increasing as facilities age. Nonfederal project sponsors that pay a portion of the cost for most Corps projects can become frustrated as Corps studies and projects are authorized, but remain unfunded or are slowed by lower levels of appropriated funding than anticipated. The Administration and appropriators make choices about what to fund out of an increasing pool of authorized activities. For example, the agency now faces a construction backlog of more than $62 billion, while receiving roughly $2 billion a year in construction funding. As Corps fiscal challenges become more apparent, frequently asked questions about the Corps fall into four broad categories."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.
2011-12-15
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Army Corps of Engineers Water Resource Projects: Authorization and Appropriations [August, 19, 2011]
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertakes activities to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Congress directs the Corps through authorizations, appropriations, and oversight of its studies, construction projects, and other activities. Historically, the agency's authorizations and appropriations have been largely projectbased, with the projects being in specific locations. There is some uncertainty about legislation related to the Corps during the 112th Congress, in light of the House Republican Conference standing order in its conference rule and the Senate Republican Conference resolution supporting a moratorium on member earmark requests. This report summarizes congressional authorization and appropriations processes for the Corps and explains the standard Corps project development process. It also discusses agency activities under general authorities."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2011-08-19
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Desalination: Technologies, Use, and Congressional Issues [August 15, 2011]
"Desalination processes generally treat seawater or brackish water to produce a stream of freshwater, and a separate, saltier stream of water that has to be disposed (often called waste concentrate). Its attractions include creation of a new freshwater source from otherwise unusable waters, and its independence from precipitation, runoff, storage, and recharge. [...] Desalination and its applications, however, come with risks and concerns. Although the costs of desalination dropped steadily in recent decades, making desalinated water more competitive with other supply augmentation options, the declining trend may not continue if energy costs rise. This creates a cost uncertainty for those contemplating desalination investments. Electricity expenses vary from one-third to one-half of the operating cost of many desalination facilities, and the energy intensity of desalination raises concerns about the greenhouse gas emissions emitted. Current desalination processes are already operating close to the theoretical minimum energy required. Therefore, significant improvements in facility-level energy efficiency are more likely to come from more energy efficient pretreatment of water before entering the desalination process and co-location with other facilities, such as power plants. Substantial uncertainty also remains about the technology's environmental impacts, in particular management of the saline waste concentrate and the effect of surface water intake facilities on aquatic organisms. Moreover, there are few federal health and environmental guidelines, regulations, and policies specific to desalination as a municipal water supply source. This creates uncertainty regarding the cost and time required for regulatory compliance. Research and public education may help to resolve some uncertainties, mitigate impacts, reduce the costs, and improve public understanding."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2011-08-15
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Rio+20: The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, June 2012 [June 18, 2012]
"This report summarizes the objectives and major issues of Rio+20 and gives a sampling of the wide diversity of views to be discussed by government officials; non-governmental organizations (NGOs); business leaders and trade associations; and representatives of youth, women, landlocked countries, cities, researchers, artisans, farmers, and many, many others who will be present at Rio+20. It also outlines United States policy toward the conference and possible issues for congressional consideration, including possible action on conference outcomes, the role of Agenda 21, and, more broadly, the possible role of sustainable development in the United States and U.S. foreign policy."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Leggett, Jane A.; Carter, Nicole T.
2012-06-18
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Water Resources Development Act (WRDA): Army Corps of Engineers Authorization Issues in the 109th Congress [April 24, 2006]
"Congress generally authorizes Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) water resources projects before considering them in the annual appropriations process. The 109th Congress is considering authorizing Corps projects through two Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) bills -- S. 728 and H.R. 2864. The House passed H.R. 2864 in July 2005; S. 728 was placed on the Senate calendar in April 2005. Previous WRDAs followed a loosely biennial schedule; however, the last WRDA was enacted in 2000. […] Upper Mississippi River-Illinois Waterway (UMR-IWW). S. 728 and H.R. 2864 include authorization of UMR-IWW navigation and ecosystem restoration investments. In contrast to the Corps' Chief of Engineers, who has signed off on the proposed project, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) supports proceeding with design of navigation locks, but recommends waiting until additional economic data and analysis are available before initiating construction. Everglades Restoration. Authorization in S. 728 and H.R. 2864 of two Florida Everglades projects -- Indian River Lagoon- South and Picayune Strand -- are bringing attention to implementation issues of the larger Everglades restoration effort."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2006-04-24
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New Orleans Levees and Floodwalls: Hurricane Damage Protection [September 6, 2005]
"Hurricane Katrina's storm surge breached floodwalls and levees surrounding New Orleans, causing widespread inundation and significant damage and hampering rescue and recovery efforts. Flooding from precipitation and storm surges flowing over levees was anticipated because of the hurricane's intensity; however, structural failure of the floodwalls and consequent flooding were uncertain. The immediate engineering and the underlying causes of the breaches are the subject of speculation, and likely will be the subject of investigations and congressional oversight. The breaches occurred at the 'Lake Pontchartrain and Vicinity Project' being constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and maintained by local levee districts. Those observers questioning why infrastructure providing a greater level of hurricane protection was not available are countered by those arguing that structural protections carry their own risks. This report will be updated as needed to track significant developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2005-09-05
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Energy and Water Development: FY2008 Appropriations [Updated July 13, 2007]
"The Energy and Water Development appropriations bill includes funding for civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the Department of Energy (DOE), and a number of independent agencies. Key budgetary issues involving these programs include [1] the distribution of Army Corps of Engineers appropriations across the agency's authorized construction and maintenance activities (Title I); [2] support of major ecosystem restoration initiatives, such as Florida Everglades (Title I) and California 'Bay-Delta' (CALFED) (Title II); [3] funding for the proposed national nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, and proposals to store nuclear spent fuel temporarily (Title III: Nuclear Waste Disposal); and [4] the Administration's proposed Global Nuclear Energy Partnership to supply plutonium-based fuel to other nations (Title III: Nuclear Energy). The House Appropriations Committee reported out its FY2008 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, H.R. 2641 (H.Rept. 110-185), on June 6, 2007. The bill as reported did not contain indications of funding for specific projects. On June 20 the bill was debated on the House floor, but was not voted on pending submission by the Appropriations Committee of a supplement specifying funding for individual projects. That supplement was voted by the committee July 12, and the floor vote on the bill was expected the week of July 16. The Senate Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Appropriations approved its version of the bill on June 26, and the full Senate Appropriations Committee approved it June 28 (S. 1751, S.Rept. 110-127)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Behrens, Carl E.; Andrews, Anthony; Bearden, David M. . . .
2007-07-13
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Role of Public Works Infrastructure in Economic Stimulus [January 6, 2009]
"Interest in using federal government spending to stimulate U.S. economic recovery has intensified recently in response to indicators showing significant deterioration of the economy. Policymakers at all levels of government are debating a range of options to address these problems. Some favor using traditional monetary and fiscal policies. Others, however, favor making accelerated investments in the nation's public infrastructure in order to create jobs while also meeting infrastructure needs. This report is an overview of policy issues associated with the approach of using infrastructure as a mechanism for economic stimulus. When most people think about infrastructure, they probably have in mind systems that are publicly provided and are important to the productive capacity of the nation's economy. Today, policymakers define the term more broadly to include both publicly and privately owned systems and facilities and categories that vary considerably in the degree of historic federal investment in building or rebuilding physical structures. A relatively new dimension in today's context is the notion of coupling public works with investments in environmentally friendly systems that incorporate renewable technologies or energy efficiency--called 'green infrastructure.' Academics, economists, and policymakers debate two issues concerning the contribution of infrastructure investment to the economy. One is the effects of infrastructure investment on productivity and growth, including job creation. The second related issue is the role of infrastructure spending, which is typically a long-term activity, as a short-term mechanism to stimulate a faltering economy. Research conducted over time has resulted in a general consensus that there can be positive returns on productivity of investing in infrastructure."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Copeland, Claudia; Levine, Linda (Linda H.); Mallett, William . . .
2009-01-06
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Analysis of S. 2198: Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014 [April 7, 2014]
From the Summary: "Because of the extent of the drought in California, drought impacts are varied and widespread. Most of the San Joaquin Valley is in exceptional drought, and federal and state water supply allotments are at historic lows. Many farmers are fallowing lands and some are removing permanent tree crops. Cities and towns have also been affected, and the governor has requested voluntary water use cutbacks of 20%. The effects of the drought are also likely to be felt on fish and wildlife species and the recreational and commercial activities they support, potentially including North Coast salmon fisheries. The intensity of the drought in California has generated congressional interest. Several bills have been introduced to address drought conditions in California. This report discusses S. 2198, which would address drought impacts in California and other states, and assist with drought response. This bill has two titles. Title I contains provisions ranging from mandating maximization of California water supplies through specific project development, management, and operations directives and addressing project environmental reviews--as long as actions are consistent with applicable law and regulations and not highly inefficient--to reauthorizing several water resources management laws. In addressing drought effects, Title I also would address project operations that relate to long-standing and controversial issues associated with management of the federal Bureau of Reclamation's Central Valley Project (CVP) and the California Department of Water Resources' State Water Project (SWP). Title II would address application of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to emergency drought situations."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cody, Betsy A.; Carter, Nicole T.; Sheikh, Pervaze A.
2014-04-07
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Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014: Comparison of Select Provisions [July 14, 2014]
"The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA 2014, P.L. 113-121) became law on June 10, 2014. The conference report, H.Rept. 113-449, resolved differences between H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA 2013), and S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA 2013). Both bills represented omnibus authorization legislation for water resource activities, principally associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)." This Congressional Research Service Report contains the following contents: 1) WRRDA Conference Report Developments; 2) Comparison of H.R. 3080, S. 601, and Conference Report; 3) Expediting Studies, Environmental Reviews, and Permits; 4) Expanding Project Delivery and Finance Opportunities; 5) Authorizing Projects and Managing Subsequent Authorizations; 6) Investing in Navigation; 7) Reducing Flood Risks; 8) Restoring and Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems; 9) Deauthorizing Projects and Managing the Backlog; and 10) Addressing Other Issues.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.; Frittelli, John . . .
2014-07-14
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Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorizations, Appropriations, and Activities [July 1, 2014]
From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertakes activities to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Congress directs the Corps through authorizations, appropriations, and oversight of its studies, construction projects, and other activities. This report summarizes congressional authorization and appropriations processes for the Corps. It also discusses agency activities under general authorities. […] Congress generally authorizes numerous Corps activities and provides policy direction in an omnibus Corps authorization bill, typically called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). A WRRDA 2014 (P.L. 113-121) was enacted on June 10, 2014. WRDAs historically are omnibus bills including many provisions for site-specific activities. How to construct a WRDA bill that complied with House rules related to a moratorium on earmarks complicated WRDA consideration in the 112th Congress, but these issues were resolved in the 113th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T.
2014-07-01
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Shale Energy Technology Assessment: Current and Emerging Water Practices [July 14, 2014]
"Shale oil and gas (collectively referred to as shale energy), long considered 'unconventional' hydrocarbon resources, are now being developed rapidly. Economic extraction of shale energy resources typically relies on the use of hydraulic fracturing. This technique often requires significant amounts of freshwater, and fracturing flowback and related wastewaters must be recycled or disposed of after a well is completed. While shale energy presents a significant energy resource, its development has the potential to pose risks to water availability and water quality. This report provides a technological assessment of existing and emerging water procurement and management practices in shale energy-producing regions of the United States. The intersection of evolving technology, growing environmental concerns, demand for new sources of hydrocarbon energy, and the potential national interests in developing shale oil and gas resources provides the context for this study. Congressional attention has been focused on two key aspects of the issue: shale energy as a growing U.S. energy source, and environmental concerns associated with the development of these resources."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Tiemann, Mary; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin); Carter, Nicole T.
2014-07-14
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H.R. 3080 and S. 601: Comparison of Select Provisions and Conference Developments [May 19, 2014]
"Conference report H.Rept. 113-449 would resolve differences between H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA 2013), and S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (WRDA 2013). Both bills represented omnibus authorization legislation for water resource activities, principally associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.; Frittelli, John . . .
2014-05-19
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Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorizations, Appropriations, and Activities [October 18, 2013]
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertakes activities to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Congress directs the Corps through authorizations, appropriations, and oversight of its studies, construction projects, and other activities. This report summarizes congressional authorization and appropriations processes for the Corps. It also discusses agency activities under general authorities. […] Congress generally authorizes numerous Corps activities and provides policy direction in an omnibus Corps authorization bill, typically called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The most recent WRDA was enacted in 2007 (P.L. 110- 114). WRDAs historically are omnibus bills including many provisions for site-specific activities. How to construct a WRDA bill that complied with House rules related to a moratorium on earmarks complicated WRDA consideration in the 112th Congress. The House is set to consider the omnibus Corps authorization and policy bill, H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). […] Federal funding for Corps civil works activities is provided in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts or supplemental appropriations acts. Annual Corps civil works appropriations have ranged from $4.5 billion to $5.5 billion in the last decade. An increasing share of the agency's appropriations is used for operations and maintenance. […] The standard process for a Corps project requires two separate congressional authorizations--one for investigation and one for construction--as well as appropriations. The investigation phase starts with Congress authorizing a study; if it is funded, the Corps conducts an initial reconnaissance study followed by a more detailed feasibility study. Congressional authorization for construction is based on the feasibility study."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T.
2013-10-18
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Energy-Water Nexus: The Energy Sector's Water Use [August 30, 2013]
"Water and energy are critical resources that are reciprocally linked; this interdependence is often described as the water-energy nexus. Meeting energy-sector water needs, which are often large, depends upon the local availability of water for fuel production, hydropower generation, and thermoelectric power plant cooling. The U.S. energy sector's use of water is significant in terms of water withdrawals and water consumption. In 2005, thermoelectric cooling represented 41% of water withdrawn nationally, and 6% of water consumed nationally. The majority of the anticipated increase in water consumption by 2030 is attributed to domestic biofuel and oil and gas production. Policy makers at the federal, state, and local levels are faced with deciding whether to respond to the growing water needs of the energy sector, and if so, which policy levers to use (e.g., tax incentives, loan guarantees, permits, regulations, planning, or education). Many U.S. energy sector water decisions are made by private entities, and state entities have the majority of the authority over water use and allocation policies and decisions. [...] Energy choices represent complex tradeoffs; water use and wastewater byproducts are two of many factors to consider when making energy choices. For many policymakers, concerns other than water--low-cost reliable energy, energy independence and security, climate change mitigation, public health, and job creation--are more significant drivers of their positions on energy policies."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2013-08-30
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Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorizations, Appropriations, and Activities [January 29, 2014]
"The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers undertakes activities to maintain navigable channels, reduce flood and storm damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Congress directs the Corps through authorizations, appropriations, and oversight of its studies, construction projects, and other activities. This report summarizes congressional authorization and appropriations processes for the Corps. It also discusses agency activities under general authorities. […] Congress generally authorizes numerous Corps activities and provides policy direction in an omnibus Corps authorization bill, typically called the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The most recent WRDA was enacted in 2007 (P.L. 110- 114). WRDAs historically are omnibus bills including many provisions for site-specific activities. How to construct a WRDA bill that complied with House rules related to a moratorium on earmarks complicated WRDA consideration in the 112th Congress. The House is set to consider the omnibus Corps authorization and policy bill, H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA). […] Federal funding for Corps civil works activities is provided in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts or supplemental appropriations acts. Annual Corps civil works appropriations have ranged from $4.5 billion to $5.5 billion in the last decade. An increasing share of the agency's appropriations is used for operations and maintenance. […] The standard process for a Corps project requires two separate congressional authorizations--one for investigation and one for construction--as well as appropriations. The investigation phase starts with Congress authorizing a study; if it is funded, the Corps conducts an initial reconnaissance study followed by a more detailed feasibility study. Congressional authorization for construction is based on the feasibility study."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.
2014-01-29
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Water Resource Issues in the 113th Congress [January 29, 2013]
"The 113th Congress may face many issues related to water resource development, management, and protection. Such issues include how to make investment decisions in the context of federal fiscal constraints; how to distribute investments between activities to meet new demands for water supplies and aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection; how to maintain and reinvest in an aging portfolio of federal infrastructure (e.g., locks, dams, and levees); and how to effectively respond to and prepare for flood and drought emergencies. These issues often arise at the regional level, but have a federal nexus. For example, Congress may continue to be faced with issues associated with flooding (e.g., Hurricane Sandy response and recovery), navigation and water supply challenges due to drought-induced low river flows, and balancing water supply needs of farm and urban communities with protection of threatened and endangered species. […] This report discusses recent congressional activity and possible topics for the 113th Congress. It provides an overview of the federal role in water resources development, management, and protection, including a discussion of the two major federal water resources agencies and related legislation. It also discusses overarching policy issues, such as flood and drought management and response; project funding and authorization priorities; and aquatic ecosystem restoration."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Cody, Betsy A.; Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T. . . .
2013-01-29
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resources Projects: Proposed Legislation and Issues for Congress [October 22, 2013]
"'As part of its civil works mission, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages water resource projects. Areas behind and below Corps dams, and Corps navigation locks and their pools, are popular recreation sites, attracting 370 million visits annually. Corps projects include some of the most densely used federal recreation sites. Currently, 36 C.F.R. [Code of Federal Regulations] Section 327 sets out the regulations for public use of Corps projects. Section 327.13 generally prohibits possession of loaded firearms by private (i.e., non-law enforcement) individuals at Corps-administered projects unless they are being used for hunting at designated sites (with devices required to be unloaded while transported to and from the sites) or at authorized shooting ranges. The regulation applies at projects regardless of their location in states allowing open or concealed carry of loaded firearms. Proposed legislation--H.R. 2046, the Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act; Section 113 of H.R. 2609, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of FY2014 (which are all substantively similar); Section 103 of S. 1335, the Sportsmen's Act; and an amendment proposed, but not adopted, during Senate floor consideration of S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act--would bar the Secretary of the Army from promulgating or enforcing regulations that prohibit individuals from possessing firearms (including assembled or functional firearms) at Corps projects.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2013-10-22
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Firearms at Army Corps Water Resource Projects: Proposed Legislation and Issues for Congress [February 4, 2014]
From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages numerous water resource projects, such as dams and locks, across the United States. Many of these projects include facilities critical to managing floodwaters, supporting navigation, and producing hydropower. Many of these projects also are popular recreation sites. Current Corps regulations prohibit loaded firearms by private individuals at Corps projects unless they will be used for hunting or at designated shooting ranges. The regulation applies at Corps projects regardless of their location in states allowing open or concealed carry of loaded firearms. Legislation has been introduced to ban promulgation and enforcement of regulations that prohibit private individuals from possessing firearms (including assembled or functional firearms) at a Corps project. Congress has enacted similar language to end firearms restrictions on other federal lands. This report examines the potential extension of these policies to Corps projects. It discusses the current regulations, proposed legislation, and firearms-related safety and security issues at Corps projects. The report also compares the Corps' regulations with regulations and practices of the Department of the Interior's (DOI's) Bureau of Reclamation, which also operates water resources projects with significant recreation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Carter, Nicole T.
2014-02-04
