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<br />., <br /> <br />When a local government or agency believes a need exists for improved navigation, flood protection, <br />or other water resources development, it may petition its representatives in Congress or request assistance <br />directly from a CoIps office. A Congressional C(lmmiuee resolution or an Act of Congress may then authorize <br />the CoIps ofFJ1giIW'~ to inveStigate the problems and submit a report. Water resources studies, except those <br />concernin& the inland waterway navigation system, are conducted in partnership with a non-Federal sponsor, <br />with the Corps and the sponsor jointly funding and managing the study. <br /> <br />A":~; <br />"">>' <br />~;~, <br />{:.-.-'.."s. <br /> <br />For inland navigation and waterway projects, which are by their nature not "local," Congress <br />eslablisbed, in the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, an In1and Waterway Users aoard comprised , <br />of waterway 1I'lI1Ispor1ation companies and shippers of major commodities. This aoard advises the Secretary <br />of the Army and makes reccommp.nd.tions on priorities for new navigation projects (e.g., locks and dams, <br />..nan...1 improvements, etc.). Such projects are funded in part from the In1and Waterway Trust Fund, which <br />in turn is fed by waterway fuellaxes. <br /> <br />Normally, the study process for a water resource problem will include public meetings to determine <br />the viewa of local interests on the extent and type of improvements believed necessary. The desires of local ' <br />interests and 1he views of Federal, State, Tribal, and other agencies receive full consideration during the <br />pl.nning process.' , <br /> <br />Considerations that enter into recommendations to Congress for project authorization include <br />determinations that benefits will exceed costa, and that the engineering design or the project is sound, best <br />serves ,the needs of the people concerned and makes the wisest possible use of the naturaI resources involved. <br />A report, aloog with a final environmental impact statement, is then submitted to higher authority for review <br />and recomm...ndotions. After review and coordination with all interested Federal agencies and Governors of <br />affected States and Tribes, the Chief of F.ngi.....ers forwards the report and environmental statement,to the <br />.~,K"~ <br />Secretary of the Army, who obtains the viewa of the Office of Management and Budget before transmitting ~X;""I <br />these documents to Congress. 'i1~" <br /> <br />If Congress includes the project in an authorization bill, enactm,ent of the bill constitutes authorization <br />of the project. Before construction can get underway, however, both the Federal government and the local ' <br />project sponsor must provide funds and meet other requirements of local cooperation. Budget <br />recommendaliollS are ~ on evidence of supl'Ort by the State and by the ability and willingness of non- . <br />Federal.sponsorsto,provide,the4' share of thePr9ject cost. AppropriationofJnoney to, buildapartiCQlar , <br />' project is usually incIudedln the annual Energy aDd Water Development Appropriation Bill which must be <br />approved by both Houses of the Congress and the President. <br /> <br />For information on Congressionally authorized projects conlact the Tribal Coordinator or the pI.nning , <br />office in your Corps District.' See the numberS on pages 7 and 8. <br /> <br />14 <br /> <br />i' <br />