Review Procedures for Water Resources Project Planning

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through its civil works program, can take pride in its contributions throughout our nation's history to the development of waterways infrastructure, navigation, flood damage reduction, water resources development and protection, and environmental restoration.

Many projects that have been pioneering in their concept and bold in their execution were made possible by the creativity and dedication of outstanding scientists, engineers, and builders. The Corps has always had review processes for evaluation of its planning studies and projects, with the focus often being largely on the technical aspects.

In recent years, however, increased consideration of such factors as environmental impacts, economic evaluations, political pressures, and new paradigms about flood control and management has engendered increased criticism and concern that some of the Corps' studies may have led to conclusions, recommendations, and project decisions that are not adequately supported by the assumptions and analyses that were used.

The focus of the report is on review of Corps of Engineers studies, with careful attention given to the need for independent, external reviews by panels of well-qualified and impartial experts for large, complex, and sensitive projects. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Report Purpose and Scope2 History of Review of Corps of Engineers Water Resources ProjectPlanning Studies3 Corps of Engineers Water Resources Project Planning Procedures4 Independent Review Principles and Considerations5 Alternative Approaches to Review6 An Administrative Group for Project Review7 RecommendationsReferencesAcronymsAppendix A WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 Public Law No. 106-541, of the 106th CongressAppendix B Section 3 of the 1902 Rivers and Harbors ActAppendix CAppendix D Review Processes in Other Federal AgenciesAppendix EAppendix F Biographical Information