Notice2025-06578
Proposals by Non-Federal Interests for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
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Published
April 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentEngineers Corps
Abstract
The Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)) is soliciting proposals for inclusion in the 2026 Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development (Annual Report). The Annual Report includes proposals submitted by non-federal interests for new feasibility studies, proposed modifications to authorized water resources development projects or feasibility studies, and proposed modifications to environmental infrastructure program authorities. The Annual Report is authorized under Section 7001 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014, as amended.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 73 (Thursday, April 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 73 (Thursday, April 17, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16114-16116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06578]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
Proposals by Non-Federal Interests for Inclusion in the Annual
Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Army, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works
(ASA(CW)) is soliciting proposals for inclusion in the 2026 Annual
Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development (Annual
Report). The Annual Report includes proposals submitted by non-federal
interests for new feasibility studies, proposed modifications to
authorized water resources development projects or feasibility studies,
and proposed modifications to environmental infrastructure program
authorities. The Annual Report is authorized under Section 7001 of the
Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014, as amended.
DATES: Proposals must be submitted by August 15, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Submit proposals by emailing the completed proposal form to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3562676771740205050465475a455a4654597540465456501b5447584c1b585c59"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ccbceced8ddabacacadcceef3ecf3effdf0dce9effdfff9b2fdeef1e5b2f1f5f0">[email protected]</span></a>. If a different method of submission
is required, use the further information below to arrange an
alternative submission process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about the
Annual Report, visit the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Headquarters website (<a href="https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/">https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/</a>), email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2e797c7c6a6f191e1e1f7e5c415e415d4f426e5b5d4f4d4b004f5c435700434742"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c69194948287f1f6f6f796b4a9b6a9b5a7aa86b3b5a7a5a3e8a7b4abbfe8abafaa">[email protected]</span></a>, or call Jerica Richardson, Planning
and Policy Division, Headquarters, USACE, Washington, DC at 213-259-
5661.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background on the Annual Report
The Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
(33 U.S.C. 2282d) provides an opportunity for communities to inform
Congress about their interest in a new congressional authorization--or
modifying an existing authorization--for specifically authorized Civil
Works water resources studies, projects, and environmental
infrastructure programs. The Annual Report provides Congress with a
list of potential studies and projects to newly authorize and a list of
existing study, project, and environmental infrastructure program
authorities to modify. Congress generally authorizes new USACE studies,
projects, and environmental infrastructure programs in an omnibus
authorization bill, typically called the Water Resources Development
Act (WRDA).
If a proposal from a non-federal interest for a new study
authorization is included in the Annual Report, it is anticipated that
authorization would be for the study, not for construction. To begin a
water resources feasibility study, USACE must have sufficient study
authority, and funds must be appropriated and made available for the
federal cost share of the feasibility study. A primary outcome of a
USACE water resources feasibility study is a recommendation for
Congressional authorization to construct a water resources project. For
USACE to proceed to construction, the project must be authorized for
construction by Congress, and funds must be appropriated and made
available for project construction. An overview of USACE Civil Works
water resources study and project processes is found in the document
entitled ``Partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: A Guide
for Communities, Local Governments, States, Tribes, and Non-
[[Page 16115]]
Governmental Organizations,'' which is available online at <a href="https://planning.erdc.dren.mil/toolbox/library/IWRServer/2019-R-02.pdf">https://planning.erdc.dren.mil/toolbox/library/IWRServer/2019-R-02.pdf</a>.
B. Definition of Non-Federal Interest
Proposals for the Annual Report are submitted by non-federal
interests, and each feasibility study or project is conducted in
partnership with a non-federal interest. For the purposes of the Annual
Report, the term ``non-federal interest'' is defined in Section 221(b)
of the Flood Control Act of 1970 (Pub. L. 91-611), as amended (42
U.S.C. 1962-5b(b)). The term ``non-federal interest'' means (1) a
legally constituted public body (including an Indian tribe and a Tribal
organization (as those terms are defined in section 5304 of title 25))
and an inter-tribal consortium (as defined in section 3202 of title
25); or (2) a nonprofit entity with the consent of the affected local
government, that has full authority and capability to perform the terms
of its agreement and to pay damages, if necessary, in the event of
failure to perform.
C. Proposal Form
The information for proposals from a non-federal interest is
normally entered into a fillable PDF form which can be found at the HQ
Annual Report website and submitted by email to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ec9ccccdadfa9aeaeafceecf1eef1edfff2deebedfffdfbb0ffecf3e7b0f3f7f2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b3e4e1e1f7f284838382e3c1dcc3dcc0d2dff3c6c0d2d0d69dd2c1deca9ddedadf">[email protected]</span></a>. If a different method of submission
is needed, use the contact information in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this Notice to arrange an alternative submission
process. Proposals must be submitted by August 15, 2025.
The fillable PDF proposal form requests the following information:
1. Contact information for the individual/agency submitting the
proposal: name, phone number, email.
2. Proposal Name.
3. Project Location (State(s)/Territory).
4. Study or project area map; you'll have the option to upload a
map of the study/project area (preferred format is an 8.5'' x 11''
PDF).
5. Specific project purpose(s) of the proposed study or
modification (USACE mission areas).
6. Project description: demonstrate the proposal is related to
USACE missions and authorities and why additional or new authorization
is needed.
7. State if this proposal is for a new feasibility study, a
modification to a USACE water resources development feasibility study
authority, a modification to a USACE water resources project authority,
or a modification to a USACE environmental infrastructure program
authority.
8. If the proposal is for a modification to an existing authority,
provide the name of the authorized study, project, or environmental
infrastructure program. Cite the authority (e.g., section of WRDA) if
possible.
9. If the proposal is for a modification to an environmental
infrastructure program authority, provide a brief description of the
assistance provided to date and total federal cost of assistance
provided to date.
10. Provide an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the total
cost, and the federal and non-federal share of those costs, of the
proposed study and, separately, an estimate of the cost of construction
or modification.
11. Describe, to the extent applicable and practicable, an estimate
of the anticipated monetary and non-monetary benefits of the proposal
regarding benefits to the protection of human life and property and
improvement to transportation, the national, regional, or local
economy, the environment, or the national security interests of the
United States.
12. The name of the non-federal interest planning to act as the
sponsor, or all non-federal interests in the case of a modification to
an environmental infrastructure program authority, including any non-
federal interest that has contributed to or is expected to contribute
toward the non-federal share of the proposed feasibility study or
modification.
13. A statement of support from each associated non-federal
interest. Optional: attach letter(s) of support by others. Letters may
be addressed generically to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the local
Corps District office, or the Assistant Secretary of the Army of Civil
Works office.
14. State if the non-federal interest has the financial ability to
provide for the required cost share.
15. State if there is local support for the proposal, and
(optional) describe the local support.
A complete list of information requested on the proposal form is
available on the USACE Headquarters Annual Report web page: <a href="https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/">https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/</a>.
The information provided in a proposal will be included in the
Annual Report or posted to the Headquarters public website for the
Annual Report. Therefore, any information that is Confidential Business
Information, information that should not be disclosed because of
statutory restrictions, or any other information that a non-federal
interest would not want to appear publicly should not be included in
the proposal.
D. Evaluation Criteria
All proposals submitted within the time frame set forth in this
notice will be considered for inclusion in the 2026 Annual Report to
Congress on Future Water Resources Development. To be included in the
Annual Report table, the proposals must meet all the following five
criteria established by Congress:
1. The proposal is related to USACE missions and authorities. The
proposal must involve a proposed or existing USACE water resources
project or effort where the primary purpose is flood and/or coastal
storm damage reduction, commercial navigation, aquatic ecosystem
restoration, or municipal or agricultural water supply. Proposals for
recreation or hydropower are eligible for inclusion if undertaken in
conjunction with one of the primary purposes described in this
paragraph. For the purposes of this criterion, environmental
infrastructure proposals will also be considered ``related to USACE
missions and authorities.''
2. The proposal requires specific Congressional authorization,
including by an Act of Congress.
3. The proposal has not been previously authorized by Congress.
4. The proposal has not been included in the Annual Report table of
any previous Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources
Development.
5. The proposal, if authorized, could be carried out by USACE.
The purpose of the five criteria is, primarily, to determine if a
proposal will require Congressional authorization for USACE to
undertake the proposed water resources study or project with the non-
federal interest.
Environmental infrastructure proposals are an exception to the
criteria. To be included in the table within the Annual Report, a
proposal must identify a programmatic modification to an environmental
infrastructure assistance program that was not included in any previous
Annual Report. Additional information and frequently asked questions on
the five criteria are available on the USACE Headquarters Annual Report
web page: <a href="https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/">https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/</a>.
E. Contents of the Annual Report
The Annual Report will be transmitted to Congress by the ASA(CW)
and posted to the USACE Headquarters website at https://
[[Page 16116]]
www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-
Proposals/.
1. The Annual Report will include a certification by the ASA(CW)
stating that each proposal included in the Annual Report meets the five
criteria established by Congress or the requirements for proposed
modifications to environmental infrastructure program authorities.
2. Signed Chief's Reports recommending authorization of a water
resources project will be included in the Annual Report table by the
ASA(CW); these proposals should not be submitted in response to this
notice.
3. Section 902 of WRDA 1986, as amended, (33 U.S.C. 2280)
establishes a maximum authorized cost for water resources projects
(also known as the 902 limit). A post authorization change report is
required to be completed to support potential modifications to the
project authority, including updates to authorized project costs.
Completed post authorization change reports recommending modifications
to the authorization of a water resources project will be included in
the Annual Report table by the ASA(CW); these proposals should not be
submitted in response to this notice.
4. Proposals that do not meet all five criteria established by
Congress or the requirements for proposed modifications to
environmental infrastructure program authorities will be included in an
appendix table included in the Annual Report to Congress on Future
Water Resources Development. Proposals in the appendix table will
include a description of why those proposals did not meet the criteria
established by Congress.
F. Sources of More Information
The following are sources of more information for the Annual Report
and the proposal submittal and evaluation process:
1. USACE will host two public virtual information sessions about
the Annual Report and the proposal submission and evaluation process
for the 2026 Annual Report on June 26, 2025, and August 7, 2025. The
Headquarters website (<a href="https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/">https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Project-Planning/WRRDA-7001-Proposals/</a>) contains additional information
and frequently asked questions about the Annual Report.
2. The local USACE district office will assist in researching and
identifying existing Congressional authorities for Civil Works water
resources feasibility studies, projects, and environmental
infrastructure programs. Websites for all USACE district offices are
available online at: <a href="https://www.usace.army.mil/Contact/Unit-websites/">https://www.usace.army.mil/Contact/Unit-websites/</a>.
D. Lee Forsgren,
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works).
[FR Doc. 2025-06578 Filed 4-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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