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<br /> <br />., <br /> <br />~;,g~l <br />':::;S;:~1 <br /> <br />CORPS CIVIL WORKS InSTORY <br /> <br />The U.s. Army Corps of F"lginPP-lS is die Federal government's largest water resources development <br />and management agency. The Corps' water resources (civil works) program began in 1824, when Congress <br />first appropriated funds for navigation. Since dlen, die Corps has been involved in improving navigation in <br />riven and harbors, re<lurnng flood damages, and controlling beach erosion. Many projects designed for these <br />missions also generate hydroelectric power; supply water for cities, industries and agriculture; and provide <br />0U1d00r recrea1iol1. Evolving missions in die envirolllIlel1t and infrastructure complement 1he' Corps' traditional <br />focus as we enter a new century. As a major commond of 1he U.S. Army in 1he executive branch of 1he <br />Federal government, 1he Corps has both a military mission to provide engillP.ering services to 1he Army Iind <br />a civil mission to develop and manage 1he Nation's water resources. ' <br /> <br />THE CORPS CIVIL WORKS ORGANIZATION AND <br />RESPONSlBWTIES <br /> <br />The Corps' work force represents over 100, different professional engineering, scientific, <br />environmenlll1, and managerlalspecialty areas. The Civil Works chain of commond has five basic levels of <br />authority from die AssislaDt Secretary of 1he Army for Civil Works in Washington, D.C. to project and <br />program offices across die Nation. ' <br /> <br />The five 1eve1s in 1be Army Civil Works organization are 1be Assis1ant Secretary of 1he, Army for, Civil <br />Works; 1be Corps national headquarters in Washington, D.C.; 1he regional Corps Divisions; the local Corps <br />Districts; and individual project and field offices. <br /> <br />The AssIstant Seo:etary of the Anny (avll WOl'ks) (ASA) is appointed by die President. TheASA <br />leads, directs, and supervises 1he Corps Civil Works Program. The ASA is also responsible for all Corps <br />foreign activities not exclusively in suppon of die U.S. military forces overseas. ~ respoDSlDilitieS are <br />, exercised in accord with 1he program of the President. <br /> <br />The ASA manages 1he Civil Works program through 1he annuaI legislative program, which usually <br />includes l't''''''''.....fVlNl ~tiODS to conduct studies and comlrUct projects; 1he annuaI Civil Works budget, <br />which includes requests for funding for se1ected studies and projects; 1heannuaI apportionment process, which <br />designates Congressionally appropriated funds for studies and projects; and providing Policy to 1he Corps, and <br />interpreting policy guidance on specific studies, projects, and programs. ' , <br /> <br />The Headquarters of lbe Corps is ~mmotvfNl by 1be 0Iief ofRnginP.e1'S who reporis to 1he Assistant <br />Secretary. The Chief of Rngi......"S is a Lieutenant General in 1he U.S. Army. For Civil Works, he has <br />delegated most responsibilities for managing 1he Program to 1he Corps' Director of Civil Works. <br /> <br />The Headquarters is responsible for organizational leadership and management of 1he program and <br />resources of lbe Corps. It ensures that policy es1ablished by die ASA, including interpretive policy guidance <br />on specific projects and programs, is applied to all phases of project development. The Headquarters also <br />monitors and provides guidance to die Divisions; provides progress reports to 1he ASA; supports and helps <br />die ASA in workin& wilh other agencies and organizatiOllS; and, wilh 1he ASA, testifies to Congress in support <br />of Civil Works Program. <br /> <br />3 <br />