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• 2017 Hurricanes and Army Corps of Engineers: Background for Flood Response and Recovery [September 27, 2017]

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  "In addition to damage from high winds, hurricanes can produce damaging storm surge and flooding from rainfall. This Insight summarizes flood-management activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, or Corps) related to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. USACE has three roles relevant to hurricanes: emergency responder with flood-fighting and post-disaster recovery, owner and operator of flood-risk-reduction projects, and provider of assistance to repair certain nonfederal flood-control infrastructure. Congress may have interest in these roles as it responds to hurricane-related flooding and recovery."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.

  2017-09-27
• 2017 Hurricanes and Army Corps of Engineers: Background for Flood Response and Recovery [September 15, 2017]

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  In addition to damage from high winds, hurricanes can produce damaging storm surge and flooding from rainfall. This Insight summarizes flood-management activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, or Corps) related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. USACE has three primary roles relevant to hurricanes: emergency responder with flood-fighting and post-disaster recovery, owner and operator of flood-risk-reduction projects, and provider of assistance to repair certain nonfederal flood-control infrastructure. Congress may have interest in each of these roles as it responds to hurricane-related flooding and recovery.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.

  2017-09-15
• Sharing the Colorado River and the Rio Grande: Cooperation and Conflict with Mexico [December 12, 2018]

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  "The United States and Mexico share the waters of the Colorado River and the Rio Grande. A bilateral water treaty from 1944 (the 1944 Water Treaty) and other binational agreements guide how the two governments share the flows of these rivers. The binational International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) administers these agreements. Since 1944, the IBWC has been the principal venue for addressing river-related disputes between the United States and Mexico. The 1944 Water Treaty authorizes the IBWC to develop rules and to issue proposed decisions, called minutes, regarding matters related to the treaty's execution and interpretation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Mulligan, Stephen P.; Stern, Charles V.

  2018-12-12
• Army Corps of Engineers: FY2020 Appropriations [March 15, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in an annual Energy and Water Development appropriations act. These activities include the planning and construction of water resource projects and the operations and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE (e.g., navigation channels). For USACE civil works, President Trump requested $4.8 billion for FY2020. As shown in Figure 1, Congress typically funds USACE above the President's request for the year (e.g., $7.0 billion for FY2019). This In Focus provides a primer on the USACE appropriations process for FY2020."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.

  2019-03-15
• Army Corps of Engineers Annual and Supplemental Appropriations: Issues for Congress [October 1, 2018]

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  "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is an agency within the Department of Defense with both military and civil works responsibilities. Congress directs USACE's civil works activities through authorizations legislation, annual and supplemental appropriations, and oversight activities. This report summarizes USACE's annual discretionary appropriations for civil works activities and its supplemental appropriations, principally following major flood and hurricane disasters. The appropriations described are for those accounts and activities that typically are funded through Title I of annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.

  2018-10-01
• Water Authorization Legislation in Brief: H.R. 8 and S. 2800 [June 1, 2018]

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  "The 115th Congress is deliberating two water authorization bills: H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (WRDA 2018), and S. 2800, America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AIWA 2018). Both bills were introduced and marked up by their respective authorizing committees in May 2018. In the tradition of previous legislation with the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) title, H.R. 8 focuses on authorizing water resource projects and activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). S. 2800 includes not only provisions related to USACE provisions but also provisions related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particularly in Title V of the bill ('EPA-Related Provisions'). In addition, S. 2800 includes a few other provisions that relate primarily to Department of the Interior activities and programs. Issues for the 115th Congress related to these deliberations include the scope of water issues to be addressed, how the legislation would affect federal spending, and how the legislation would affect federal and nonfederal investments in water infrastructure. There is also interest in altering how the USACE is structured and modifying its operations and delivery of water resource projects. This report provides an overview of H.R. 8 and S. 2800, including context related to the bills and the topics shaping deliberations. After a brief background, the report presents a broad overview of the two bills. The next section describes the context for the USACE provisions and discusses how the two bills address selected topics. The final section describes EPA-related provisions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Tiemann, Mary

  2018-06-01
• Redirecting Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Resources During National Emergencies [January 28, 2019]

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  "In January 2019, news outlets reported that the Trump Administration was investigating redirecting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works funds to construct physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. USACE is an agency in the Department of Defense (DOD) that performs both military and civil works activities. Section 923 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (WRDA 1986; 33 U.S.C. §2293) provides the Secretary of the Army authority to redirect civil works resources in the event of a declared war or national emergency that requires or may require use of the Armed Forces. [...] This CRS product provides a primer on the authority to redirect civil works resources, USACE civil works funding, and the legislative history of 33 U.S.C. §2293. It also discusses ways other than 33 U.S.C. §2293 that USACE has been or could be involved in wall or fence construction along the U.S.-Mexico border."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.

  2019-01-28
• Army Corps of Engineers: FY2020 Appropriation [Updated May 16, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include planning and construction of water resource projects and operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE (e.g., navigation channels). For USACE civil works, President Trump requested $5.0 billion for FY2020, inclusive of a May 13, 2019, amendment to the President's request. As shown in Figure 1, Congress typically funds USACE above the President's request for the year (e.g., $7.0 billion for FY2019). This In Focus is a primer on the USACE appropriations process for FY2020."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.

  2019-05-16
• Supplemental Appropriations for Army Corps Flood Response and Recovery [February 20, 2020]

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  From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE, or Army Corps) has a prominent role in responding to natural disasters, especially floods, in U.S. states and territories. Congress has provided USACE with authorities to perform emergency flood fighting (e.g., sandbagging and temporary levee construction) and to repair certain nonfederal flood control works damaged by floods and other events. Congress often pays for these activities through supplemental appropriations. Since 2005, Congress also has provided USACE with supplemental appropriations for construction of flood risk reduction projects in states and territories as part of some post-flood disaster response and recovery efforts. Additionally, for incident and disaster responses performed pursuant to other federal authorities, the agency leading the federal effort may task USACE with assignments. These assignments are not funded through USACE budget accounts and are not discussed herein. The discussion below focuses on USACE's emergency flood response and recovery activities pursuant to USACE authorities and supplemental funds, as well as related issues for Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Normand, Anna E.

  2020-02-20
• Army Corps of Engineers: FY2020 Appropriations [Updated December 23, 2019]

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  From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include planning and construction of water resource projects and operation and maintenance of navigation improvements and certain multipurpose and flood control works (e.g., dams). For USACE civil works in FY2020, President Trump requested $4.96 billion, inclusive of a May 13, 2019, amendment to the original request. [...] Congress typically funds USACE above the President's request. For FY2020, Congress provided $7.65 billion (54% above the FY2020 request and 9% above FY2019 enacted) in Division C, Title I of H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, as signed by the President on December 20, 2019."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Normand, Anna E.

  2019-12-23
• Flood Resilience and Risk Reduction: Federal Assistance and Programs [Updated December 17, 2019]

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  From the Summary: "Recent flood disasters have raised congressional and public interest in reducing flood risks and improving 'flood resilience', which is the ability to adapt to, withstand, and rapidly recover from floods. Federal programs that assist communities in reducing their flood risk and improving their flood resilience include programs funding infrastructure projects (e.g., levees, shore protection) and other flood mitigation activities (e.g., nature-based flood risk reduction) and mitigation incentives for communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Horn, Diane P.; Boyd, Eugene . . .

  2019-12-17
• Army Corps of Engineers: FY2021 Appropriations [March 16, 2020]

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  From the Document: "Congress generally funds the civil works activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in annual Energy and Water Development appropriations acts. These activities include the planning and construction of authorized water resource projects and the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and navigation improvements managed by USACE (e.g., navigation channels). For USACE civil works, President Trump requested $5.97 billion for FY2021. As shown in Figure 1, Congress typically funds USACE above the President's request."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Normand, Anna E.; Carter, Nicole T.

  2020-03-16
• U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments [March 2, 2017]

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  "How to share water has long been a complex issue for the U.S.-Mexican border region, and it has been the cause of both tension and cooperation in the broader U.S.-Mexican relationship. The two countries share a nearly 2,000-mile border. Multiple rivers cross or form the border at various points. The principal shared river basins are the Colorado River and the Rio Grande. This report is a primer on U.S. and Mexican water sharing. It focuses on the sharing of surface waters. After presenting an introduction to U.S.-Mexican water sharing, this report describes the legal obligations and processes under the treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande (hereinafter Treaty or 1944 Water Treaty). It then describes developments in the Colorado River and Rio Grande basins."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Mulligan, Stephen P.; Seelke, Clare Ribando . . .

  2017-03-02
• Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act: Bureau of Reclamation and California Water Provisions [Updated December 14, 2018]

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  "Most of the provisions in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act; P.L. 114-322), enacted on December 16, 2016, relate to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, the WIIN Act also includes a subtitle (Title II, Subtitle J, §§4001-4013) with the potential to affect western water infrastructure owned by the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation; part of the Department of the Interior). Three sections in Subtitle J (§4007, §4009, and §4011) made alterations that would apply throughout Reclamation's service area, the 17 states to the west of the Mississippi River. Most of the remaining sections of this subtitle include provisions specific to the Central Valley Project (CVP), a multipurpose water-conveyance system in California operated by Reclamation. Most of Subtitle J's provisions were derived from bills that received consideration in the 112th, 113th, and 114th Congresses."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Stern, Charles V.; Sheikh, Pervaze A.; Carter, Nicole T.

  2018-12-14
• U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments [November 19, 2013]

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  "How to share water has long been a complex issue for the U.S.-Mexico border region and in the broader U.S.-Mexico relationship. The two countries share a nearly 2,000-mile border. Multiple rivers cross the border or form the border at various points. The principal shared river basins are: [1] the Colorado River, which is predominantly in the United States, and crosses the Mexican border on its way to the Gulf of California (Figure 1), and [2] the Rio Grande, with major tributaries in the United States and Mexico and whose riverbed is the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas (Figure 2). […] This report is a primer on U.S. and Mexican water-sharing topics. It focuses on surface water quantity sharing and recent developments, including drought conditions. Due to Mexico's recent below-target deliveries of Rio Grande water to the United States, particular attention is given to the status, underlying causes, and responses to the Rio Grande water debt. This report describes: [1] legal obligations and processes under the 1944 Water Treaty; [2] drought conditions from 2010 to 2013; [3] water sharing and developments in the Colorado River Basin; [4] water sharing in the Rio Grande Basin and Mexico's water debt; and [5] stakeholder, diplomatic, and legislative responses to Mexico's Rio Grande water debt."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Shedd, Daniel T. . . .

  2013-11-19
• U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments [November 10, 2015]

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  "The United States and Mexico share the Colorado River and Rio Grande pursuant to binational agreements. Increasing water demands and reduced supplies deriving from drought and high heat increase the challenges and significance of treaty compliance. The International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC), a binational entity with a U.S. Section that operates under the foreign policy guidance from the U.S. Department of State, is charged with addressing issues that arise during application of these treaties."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Shedd, Daniel T. . . .

  2015-11-10
• U.S.-Mexico Water Sharing: Background and Recent Developments [January 23, 2015]

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  "The United States and Mexico share the Colorado River and Rio Grande pursuant to binational agreements. Compliance with these agreements becomes more complicated and controversial as water demands near or exceed available supplies and when drought and high heat further reduce availability and increase demand. […] Some Members of Congress have expressed concerns about the adequacy of Mexico's 1944 Water Treaty compliance, U.S. efforts to hold Mexico to its treaty obligations, and the resulting economic impacts, especially in Texas border counties. On December 16, 2014, P.L. 113-235, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, became law, and a provision in this omnibus legislation required that the U.S. Section of the IBWC report to the Committees on Appropriations on various water delivery and accounting issues within 45 days of enactment."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Seelke, Clare Ribando; Shedd, Daniel T. . . .

  2015-01-23
• Water Resource Issues in the 113th Congress [January 29, 2013]

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  "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
• Water Resource Issues in the 114th Congress [February 11, 2015]

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  "The 114th Congress faces many water resource development, management, and protection issues. Congressional actions shape reinvestment in aging federal infrastructure (e.g., dams, locks, and levees) and federal and nonfederal investment in new infrastructure, such as water supply augmentation, hydropower projects, navigation improvements, and efforts to restore aquatic ecosystems. These issues often arise at the regional or local levels but frequently have a federal connection. Ongoing issues include competition over water, drought and flood responses and policies, competitiveness and efficiency of U.S. harbors and waterways, and innovative and alternative financing approaches. The 114th Congress also may continue oversight of operations of federal infrastructure during drought and low-flow conditions, past large-scale flooding issues (e.g., Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Katrina, Missouri and Mississippi River floods), and balancing hydropower generation, recreational use, and protection of threatened and endangered species. In addition to oversight, each Congress also provides appropriations for major federal water resource agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). […] This report discusses recent congressional activity and possible topics for the 114th Congress. It provides an overview of the federal role in water resources development, management, and protection, with a focus on projects of the two major federal water resources agencies-- Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps--and related legislation. It also discusses overarching policy issues, such as drought and flood 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. . . .

  2015-02-11
• Water Resource Issues in the 114th Congress [January 23, 2015]

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  "The 114th Congress faces many water resource development, management, and protection issues. Congressional actions shape reinvestment in aging federal infrastructure (e.g., dams, locks, and levees) and federal and nonfederal investment in new infrastructure, such as water supply augmentation, hydropower projects, navigation improvements, and efforts to restore aquatic ecosystems. These issues often arise at the regional or local levels, but often have a federal connection. Ongoing issues include competition over water, drought and flood responses and policies, competitiveness and efficiency of U.S. harbors and waterways, and innovative and alternative financing approaches. The 114th Congress also may continue oversight of operations of federal infrastructure during drought and low-flow conditions, past large-scale flooding issues (e.g., Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Katrina, Missouri and Mississippi River floods), and balancing hydropower generation, recreational use, and protection of threatened and endangered species. In addition to oversight, each Congress also provides appropriations for major federal water resource agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). The issues before the 114th Congress are in part shaped by what earlier Congresses chose to enact and consider. Measures considered but not enacted by the 113th Congress include California drought legislation, various drought policy and water efficiency and conservation measures, regional restoration legislation (e.g., Klamath Basin, Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay), actions to expedite water storage projects and permits, settlement of Indian water rights claims, and a lifting of restrictions on firearms at Army Corps projects."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cody, Betsy A.; Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T. . . .

  2015-01-23
• Water Resource Issues in the 113th Congress [January 31, 2013]

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  "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
• Water Resources Development Act (WRDA): Army Corps of Engineers Authorization Issues in the 109th Congress [April 24, 2006]

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  "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
• Water Resource Issues in the 116th Congress [Updated February 7, 2019]

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  "The 116th Congress may conduct oversight and deliberate on authorization and funding of water resource development, management, and protection. Congress engages in authorization and appropriations for water resource projects and activities of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). USACE constructs projects nationwide, primarily to improve navigation, reduce flood damage, and restore aquatic ecosystems. Reclamation constructs projects in the 17 arid states west of the Mississippi River; these projects primarily provide water supply benefits, often to agricultural irrigation users. The 116th Congress, like earlier Congresses, also may consider Indian water rights settlements and may evaluate the focus of and funding for the water resource science activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.; Sheikh, Pervaze A. . . .

  2019-02-07
• Redirecting Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Resources During National Emergencies [Updated February 26, 2019]

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  From the Document, "In January 2019, news outlets reported that the Trump Administration was investigating redirecting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) civil works funds to construct physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. USACE is an agency in the Department of Defense (DOD) that performs both military and civil works activities. Section 923 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (WRDA 1986; 33 U.S.C. §2293) provides the Secretary of the Army authority to redirect civil works resources in the event of a declared war or national emergency that requires or may require use of the Armed Forces. On February 15, 2019, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border; 33 U.S.C. §2293 was not among the authorities invoked in the President's proclamation."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.

  2019-02-26
• Army Corps of Engineers: Water Resource Authorization and Project Delivery Processes [September 25, 2018]

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  From the Document: "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is an agency within the Department of Defense with both military and civil works responsibilities. For USACE's civil works mission, Congress directs the agency's water resource activities through authorizations legislation and appropriations. The agency's central civil works responsibilities are to support navigation, reduce riverine flood and coastal storm damage, and protect and restore aquatic ecosystems. USACE attracts congressional attention because its projects can have significant local and regional economic benefits and environmental effects. Unlike with federal funding for highways and municipal water infrastructure, the majority of federal funds provided to USACE are not distributed by formula to states or through competitive grant programs. Instead, USACE is directly engaged in the planning and construction of projects; the majority of its appropriations are used performing work on specific studies and projects authorized by Congress. USACE operates more than 700 dams; has built 14,500 miles of levees; and improves and maintains more than 900 coastal, Great Lakes, and inland harbors,as well as 12,000 miles of inland waterways."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.

  2018-09-25
• Federal Role in Groundwater Supply: Overview and Legislation in the 115th Congress [July 18, 2018]

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  "Groundwater, the water in aquifers accessible by wells, is a critical component of the U.S. water supply. It is important for both domestic and agricultural water needs, among other uses. Nearly half of the nation's population uses groundwater to meet daily needs; in 2015, about 149 million people (46% of the nation's population) relied on groundwater for their domestic indoor and outdoor water supply. The greatest volume of groundwater used every day is for agriculture, specifically for irrigation. In 2015, irrigation accounted for 69% of the total fresh groundwater withdrawals in the United States. For that year, California pumped the most groundwater for irrigation, followed by Arkansas, Nebraska, Idaho, Texas, and Kansas, in that order. Groundwater also is used as a supply for mining, oil and gas development, industrial processes, livestock, and thermoelectric power, among other uses."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin); Stern, Charles V.; Carter, Nicole T. . . .

  2018-07-18
• Keystone XL Pipeline: Recent Developments [November 21, 2017]

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  "TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL Pipeline would transport oil sands crude from Canada and shale oil produced in the Bakken region of North Dakota and Montana to a market hub in Nebraska [...]. On November 20, 2017, the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the 'alternative mainline' route for the Nebraska segment of Keystone XL which would co-locate some of the new pipeline with the company's existing Keystone (Mainline) Pipeline. This route differs from the siting that TransCanada originally proposed [...]. Due to the PSC's decision, Keystone XL may require additional federal authorizations and revision of existing ones, among other consequences, increasing the regulatory and economic uncertainty around the pipeline's construction."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Parfomak, Paul W.; Carter, Nicole T.

  2017-11-21
• Flood-Risk Reduction and Resilience: Federal Assistance and Programs [November 13, 2017]

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  "Recent flood disasters have raised congressional and public interest in not only reducing flood risks, but also improving flood resilience, which is the ability to adapt to, withstand, and rapidly recover from floods. Congress has established various federal programs that may be available to assist U.S. state, local, and territorial entities and tribes in reducing flood risks. Among the most significant current federal programs assisting communities with improvements to reduce their flood risks and improve their flood resilience are (1) programs that assist with flood-risk reduction infrastructure and other flood mitigation activities, and (2) programs of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that provide incentives to reduce flood risks."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Horn, Diane P.; Brown, Jared T. . . .

  2017-11-13
• Federally Supported Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Programs [November 28, 2017]

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  "This report provides background information on the types of water supply and wastewater treatment projects traditionally funded by the federal government and the several existing programs to assist communities with water supply and wastewater treatment. For more than four decades, Congress has authorized and refined several programs to help communities address water supply and wastewater problems. The agencies that administer these programs differ in multiple ways. For example, in terms of funding mechanisms, projects developed by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers typically require direct, individual project authorizations from Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Boyd, Eugene; Carter, Nicole T. . . .

  2017-11-28
• Army Corps Supplemental Appropriations: History, Trends, and Policy Issues [December 21, 2017]

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  "Congress directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to plan and build water resource facilities through the agency's civil works program. The Corps also has a prominent role in responding to natural disasters, especially floods, in U.S. states and territories. In recent years through supplemental appropriations, Congress also has funded the agency to study and construct projects that reduce flood risks in areas recently affected by some hurricanes and floods. [...] A common issue for Congress after a flood-related disaster is whether to provide supplemental funds directly to the Corps and, if so, how much and for which Corps activities. During its deliberations on recent supplemental appropriations bills, Congress also has considered whether to maintain requirements for nonfederal cost sharing, what requirements to include regarding reporting to Congress and public transparency associated with supplemental funds, and what type of flood damage-reduction efforts to support (e.g., repair of existing infrastructure, construction of new infrastructure). [...] From 2005 to 2016, Congress appropriated $31.4 billion in supplemental funding to the Corps; these funds amounted to more than half of the agency's annual discretionary appropriations over that same period. Of the $31.4 billion, $27.2 billion (87%) was for responding to flooding and other natural disasters."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Carter, Nicole T.; Stern, Charles V.

  2017-12-21