From the Summary: "Congress authorizes and appropriates funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to conduct water resources studies and projects for navigation, flood and storm protection, ecosystem restoration, and an array of other purposes. Congress authorizes Corps studies generally as part of the consideration of a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) or in a survey resolution by an authorizing committee. Authorization to construct projects and changes to the policies guiding the Corps civil works program, such as cost-share requirements for projects, are also included in WRDAs. WRDAs are often considered biennially. Federal funding is provided for the civil works activities of the Corps primarily through the annual Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act; although not encouraged in some instances, these acts also have authorized Corps studies and construction. Due in part to competition for limited funding; many authorized activities do not receive appropriations, resulting in a backlog of authorized construction and maintenance activities. Few new studies and new construction activities have been included in the President's budget request in recent years. This report explains how the congressional authorization and appropriations process overlays the Corps' project development process."