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" 1ti;[I~~l . .i:i~lI;J BECOMING A SPONSOR OF A CIVIL WORKS PROJECT The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 made numerous changes in the way potential Corps projects are developed. It established a framework for partnerships ,between the Federal govermnent, represented by the Corps, and non-Federal interests, represented by local project sponsors. The Act gives spDlISDfS a key role in project planning and design, balanced by requirements for greater non-Federal financial shares in the ~ of studies and projects, ' WHO CAN BE A SPONSOR: A Spomor can be a Tribe, State, county, city, town, or any other political subpart of a State or group of States. A sponsor can also be an interstate agency or port authority that: {l) is established under a compact entered into between two or more Stales with consent of Congress under Section 15 of Article 1 of the Constitution, and (2) has the legal and financial authority and capability to provide the cash and real property requiremeols needed for a project. Section 221 of the 1970 Flood Control Act defines a local sponsor for a Corps water resources project as a non-Federal interest that is . ...a legally constituted public body with full authority and capability to perform the terms of its agreements and to pay damages, if necessary, in the event of failure to perform. . FIRST STEPS , TOWARDS A PROJECT: All Corps projects originate with a request from a,local community for l\SSis1ance. 1bis initial request is the beginning of a process which may eventua1ly result in construction of a water resources project. I. A local COm"1llllity, or some elel11ent Clfa community, perceives or experiences a water resources problem that is beyond their ability to solve. Examples of such problems include major floods, and hazardous or inadequate Dlvigation conditions in a harbor or waterway. 2. ,Community representatives, which often may be members of the possible sponsoring agency, meet with their local Corps District staff to discuss aVenues of Bssistance, including Federal programs. Before the Corps becomes involved in providing assistance, two types of Congressional authority are required: study authority and budget authority. A study authority approves the conduct of an investigation into the identified problems. Once a study authority is available, a budget authority to spend Federal, funds for the study can be provided " ' ,in an annual Apprqniations Act. In certain cases, the Corps can provide technical assistance or relief through some smaller Studies or projects withClut furth,erCongressional authorization. " 3. 'If there is 110 available authority for:the Corps to investigate die problem; the community ~pre$6nllitives, ' may contact their Congressional delegation to request a study authority. ' 4. Ame'llbe~ of Congress may then ask: the Senate or House of Representatives Public Works Committee for an authority for the Corps to study the problem. If previous investigations and reports concerning water resource problems exist for the area, the Committee may adopt a study resolution to provide the neceSsary authority to lake another look at the area and review the earlier study. If 110 previous studies exist, legislation oonlllining a study authorization is usually required. The local Corps District staff has examples of previous study authorities and may, upon request, help draft language that will provide the desired authority. 5; Once a Congressional study authority is available, the study will be assigned to the local Corps District. The District may then, through the normal Federal budget process, ask for money to conduct the first phase of the study, called the reconnai<....nce. 6. When Federal funds to conduct the reconnoi<."l'nce study are included in an annual Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, the local District may begin the Corps study of the community's water resource problems. 31