Notice2026-08591
Proposals by Non-Federal Interests for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development
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Published
May 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentEngineers Corps
Abstract
The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)) is soliciting proposals for inclusion in the 2027 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 (33 U.S.C. 2282d).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 85 (Monday, May 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 85 (Monday, May 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23980-23981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08591]
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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, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW))
is soliciting proposals for inclusion in the 2027 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 (33 U.S.C.
2282d).
DATES: Proposals must be submitted by September 1, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Submit proposals by emailing the completed proposal form to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5106030315106661616001233e213e22303d1124223032347f30233c287f3c383d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4116131305007671717011332e312e32202d0134322022246f20332c386f2c282d">[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#3c6b6e6e787d0b0c0c0d6c4e534c534f5d507c494f5d5f59125d4e514512515550"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8efeaeafcf98f888889e8cad7c8d7cbd9d4f8cdcbd9dbdd96d9cad5c196d5d1d4">[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
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 in an
decision document 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-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, 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; 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#67303535232650575756371508170814060b2712140604024906150a1e490a0e0b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1146434355502621212041637e617e62707d5164627072743f70637c683f7c787d">[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 September 1, 2026.
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
[[Page 23981]]
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 2027 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 listed 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 for a modification to a program authority 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 <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>.
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 2027 Annual Report on June 29, 2026, and August 10, 2026. 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,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works).
[FR Doc. 2026-08591 Filed 5-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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