EP 1165-2-1
30 Jul 99
CHAPTER 5
PLANNING STUDIES
5-1.
Authorization of Studies.
a. Authorization. The Corps undertakes studies of water and
related land resources problems and opportunities in response to
directives, called authorizations, from the Congress. Congressional
authorizations are contained in public laws, and in resolutions of
either the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee or the
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Study authorizations
are either unique, study-specific authorities; or standing, program
authorities, usually called continuing authorities, under which
specific studies related to the program authority may be done at the
discretion of the Secretary of the Army or the Chief of Engineers.
The focus of the studies is on determining whether a Federal project
responding to the problems and opportunities of concern should be
recommended, within the general bounds of Congressional interest in
authorizing Federal participation in water resources development (see
paragraph 6-1).
b. Naming. Whenever the name of a project is established by
separate legislation, that designation shall be used exactly as stated
in the law. Otherwise, study and project titles will be assigned
during the reconnaissance or feasibility study, based on a nearby
geographic feature; i.e., town, river or mountain. Projects which
impound water are designated as "lakes".
c. Deauthorization. Section 710 of the Water Resources
Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 (PL 99-662) specifies that authorized
studies will be deauthorized if study funds have not been appropriated
for five fiscal years preceding the submission of the annual list, and
if funds are not appropriated within 90 days of submittal of the list.
Section 1001 of that act specifies a similar mechanism for
deauthorization of projects (authorized for construction).
5-2. Types of Planning Studies. There are several types of planning
studies as discussed in the following paragraphs. Most studies are
conducted in two phases and include the reconnaissance phase and the
feasibility phase.
a. Reconnaissance Phase. The reconnaissance phase is fully
funded by the Federal Government and is usually completed in 12
months.
The reconnaissance phase shall accomplish the following four essential
tasks:
(1) Determine that the water and related land resources
problem(s) warrant Federal participation in feasibility studies.
Defer comprehensive review of other problems and opportunities to
feasibility studies;
(2) Define the Federal interest based on a preliminary
appraisal consistent with Army policies, costs, benefits and
environmental impacts of identified potential project alternatives;
(3)
Prepare a Management Plan; and,
(4) Assess the level of interest and support from non-Federal
entities in the identified potential solutions and cost sharing of the
5-1
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