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or may be a rehabi litation of an existing project. The maxImum cost of projects under this Act can be no more than $10,000,000 with the federal government providing a loan and/or grant com- bination totaling no more than $6,500,000. DEVELOPMENT OF A CORPS OF ENGINEERS PROJECT . Flood control project studies originate with a request from Individuals or groups to their Senator or Congressman for assistance in handling a flood threat or problem. The member of Congress to whom the petition is submitted may recommend it to the Public Works Committee, and this Committee's authorization is necessary before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may Investigate the problem. A very brief Investigation of the problem area to look at project possibilities and needs may be made, but Congressional provision of funds 15 necessary for a project study. The Corps' District office, In response to the Chief of Engineers through the Division Engineer, makes a study which Is Initiated by a public hearing to determine the extent of the problem and possible solutions. An engineering survey Is then made to determine the general plan, and an estimate Is made of the cost and the expected public and private benefits of the project. If the project required Is for local protection or Is a multi-purpose project including provision for water supply, the local cooperation and acceptance of payment and operation and maintenance responsibilities must be determined. Toward the end of a study, public meetings are held to formally present the studies for the comment and views of concerned parties. Upon completion of the District Engineer's report on the findings of his survey, copies are submitted to federal and state agencies for review and comment. After al I comments are received, the Secretary of the Army may recommend to the Public Works Committee that the Congress adopt the project for construction. The report is prl nted as a pub Ii c document, I ncl uded I n a departmenta I f load contra I bi I I and submitted to Congress. If the bill is passed by Congress, It Is sent to the President for signature and the project becomes authorized for construction. Congressional funding Is necessary for detal led project design and construction. After appropriation of funds for construction, the District Engineer prepares plans, specifications, cost estimates and secures evidence of local will ingness to accept right-of-way and maintenance provisions. Awarding of the construction contracts Is made through bidding. Upon completion of construction, local protection projects are turned over to the local sponsor for operation and maintenance. Under special authority given to the Chief of Engineers, the Corps, without Congressional approval, can construct small localized projects if they meet certain limitations. These projects Include sma I I flood control projects, protection works, clearing of channels, smal I boat harbors, flood plain delineations and the repair of existing flood control works which were not constructed by the federal government. DEVELOPMENT OF A SMALL WATERSHED PROJECT UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE Public Law 566 watershed projects provide assistance In solving flood, drainage, erosion, sediment and Irrigation problems which are beyond the scope of an individual effort and In development of facilities for recreation, fish and wi Idl Ife and municipal or rural water supplies. A request may be made to the local Sol I and Water Conservation District, the Sol I Conservation Service, Extension Service or the State Soi I and Water Conservation Commission to arrange for a preliminary field study of a problem area to ascertain the nature of the local problem and determine the applicability of Public Law 566. At the time of these meetl"gs, a local steering committee is usually formed to col feet flood damage data and/or other pertinent Information concerning the problem area and to make formal application to the Nebraska Sol I and Water Conservation Commission for Public Law 566 planning assistance. A field review is held with members of the Soil Conservation Service, Nebraska Soi I and Water Conservation Commission, Fish and Wi Idl Ife Service, state Game and Parks Commission, other Interested agency personnel, the local steering commit"tee and the Soli and Water Conser- vation District board to examine watershed problems in the field and determine If the proposed project is potentially feasible. The application and recommendations are forwarded to the Watershed and Flood Control Subcommittee of the Nebraska Sol I and Water Conservation Canmlsslon. If the application presents a need for watershed development and appears potentially feasible, the Subcommittee may recommend approval of the application by the ful I Commission, and forwarding of the application to the Secretary of Agriculture. viII .