The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, through its civil works program, can take pride in its contributions throughout our nation's history to the development of waterways infrastructure, navigation, flood damage reduction, water resources development and protection, and environmental restoration. Many projects that have been pioneering in their concept and bold in their execution were made possible by the creativity and dedication of outstanding scientists, engineers, and builders.


The Corps has always had review processes for evaluation of its planning studies and projects, with the focus often being largely on the technical aspects. In recent years, however, increased consideration of such factors as environmental impacts, economic evaluations, political pressures, and new paradigms about flood control and management has engendered increased criticism and concern that some of the Corps' studies may have led to conclusions, recommendations, and project decisions that are not adequately supported by the assumptions and analyses that were used. The focus of the report is on review of Corps of Engineers studies, with careful attention given to the need for independent, external reviews by panels of well-qualified and impartial experts for large, complex, and sensitive projects.


Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
1 Report Purpose and Scope
2 History of Review of Corps of Engineers Water Resources Project Planning Studies
3 Corps of Engineers Water Resources Project Planning Procedures
4 Independent Review Principles and Considerations
5 Alternative Approaches to Review
6 An Administrative Group for Project Review
7 Recommendations
References
Acronyms
Appendix A WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 Public Law No. 106-541, of the 106th Congress
Appendix B Section 3 of the 1902 Rivers and Harbors Act
Appendix C
Appendix D Review Processes in Other Federal Agencies
Appendix E
Appendix F Biographical Information