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The Corps The development of new Civil Works projects is beset by a funding crisis - there are simply insufficient federal funds to start, finish and operate all needed projects. , Major General John F. Wall Director of Civil Works US. Army Corps of Engineers and Kyle E. Schilling Chief, Policy Studies Division Institute for Water Resources US. Army Corps of Engineers As' state and local governments are asked to assume increased responsibility for funding water projects, they are also beginning to seek an increased role in planning and determiningpriorities for such projects. The effectiveness of these closer "working partnerships" will require modification of procedures and institutions both within and among federal and nonfederal agencies. The COlps of Engineers exemplifies growing awareness by a federal agency of the need to adapt to changing times. In this official, unedited COlps paper, General Wall formally charts a course of significant change for the us. Army COlpS of Engineers. The Civil Works program of the us. Army Corps of Engineers makes a unique contribution to the development of our nation through water resources planning, development and management. Investments in flood control projects have prevented $146 billion in property damages at a cost of only $19 billion. Each year, 25,000 miles of waterways handle two billion tons of cargo, resulting in savings to consumers of about $1 billion over the next best transportation alternative. Corps reservoirs provide 7.8 million acre-feet of municipal and industrial water storage, serving millions of people; associated hydroelectric plants provide over one-quarter of the nation's hydroelectric capacity and generate about one-half of the energy provided by all federal power plants (fossil, nuclear and hydropower). Nearly 4,000 recreation areas at over 600 Corps reservoirs provide recreation opportunities to citizens who make nearly 500 million visits to them each year. Despite these notable contributions and the potential for additional productive investment, the development of new Civil Works projects is beset by a funding crisis - there are Simply insufficient federal funds to start, finish and operate all needed projects. In the future, those who benefit must pay a greater share of the costs. Therefore, state and local governments are being asked to bear a higher proportion of the costs of project planning and construction and to provide these funds early-during the planning and construction periods. Local governments and other non-federal participants will consequently demand a larger say in project planning and priority setting. Although this greater participation may result in more locally acceptable projects, it will require changes in the Corps of Engineers' planning, design and construction processes. FederaI/Non-Federal Partnership for Water Development Initially, federal water development in the United States concentrated on navigation - to facilitate commerce and to "open the West." Over time, the federal role has broadened and now encompasses virtually all aspects of comprehensive water resource development. Federal water development provides widespread benefits, minimizes risks to human life, and achieves social and regional development goals. 21