1.  Problem Perception- 
Local citizens or local government perceive or experience a water resources problem such as flooding, shore erosion, navigation restrictions, etc., that is beyond the ability of local government to solve.

2.  Request for Federal Action- Local government officials contact Congressman or Senator to request a study authorization.

3.  Study Program and Report Preparation- 
In addition to authorizing the study, Congress must also appropriate funds for the study. This is normally done as a result of the study being included in the President’s Budget. This process can require 18-36 months. Once funded, the Corps conducts a feasibility study, also called a pre-authorization study, using a two-phased planning process discussed later in this brochure.

4.  Report Review and Approval- Feasibility studies are documented in a report which is submitted to Corps Headquarters in Washington for review to determine if the report recommendations are in accord with current Administration policies.  After completion of the feasibility phase detailed design of the recommended project begins. This phase is called Preconstruction Engineering and Design and is cost shared in the same proportion as the project. This phase concludes with the preparation of detailed construction drawings and specifications often called “plans and specs.”

5.  Congressional Authorization-
Following a successful review and coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, the Assistant Secretary for the Army for Civil Works transmits the report to Congress who must authorize the recommended project in a Water Resources Development Act.

6.  Project Implementation- Once the project has been authorized by Congress and “plans and specs” are complete, construction of the project may begin.  For most water resources project purposes, construction costs are shared between the Federal government and a non-Federal sponsor. Prior to construction, a Project Partnership Agreement must be signed which describes the responsibilities of both parties. Following completion of the project, the non-Federal sponsor in some cases will be responsible for maintaining the project.

Studies of water resources problems are conducted in two phases, the reconnaissance phase, generally completed in 9-12 months, and the feasibility phase, generally completed in 24-36 months depending on the complexity of the problem.  

The purpose of the  reconnaissance phase is to decide whether planning should continue into the feasibility phase, determine the potential non-Federal sponsor’s interest and support for the potential solutions, and to estimate the time and cost for completing the feasibility phase.  

The purpose of the feasibility phase is to describe and evaluate alternative plans and to fully describe a plan to be recommended to Congress for authorization. Feasibility phase investigations must be cost-shared equally between the Corps and a non-Federal sponsor such as a City, County, or a State agency. Up to 100% of the non-Federal share may consist of in-kind services instead of cash. The Federal and non-Federal sponsor sign a Feasibility Cost-Sharing Agreement which details the responsibilities of both parties.