The Army Corps of Engineers is inviting non-federal groups to submit proposals for new feasibility studies. These studies should focus on changes to water development projects or environmental infrastructure programs. Selected proposals may be included in the Corps' 2026 Annual Report to Congress on future water resource needs.

Authorized by the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, the Annual Report provides local communities with an opportunity to inform Congress about water resources development projects, specifically in having lawmakers approve research for new projects, or to modify existing projects, with the goal of producing studies of civil-works water-resources projects, and environmental-infrastructure programs, says a Federal Register notice announcing the request for proposals.

Posted on April 17, 2025, the notice—“Proposals by Non-Federal Interests for Inclusion in the Annual Report to Congress on Future Water Resources Development”—says the annual report provides Congress with a list of potential studies and projects seeking authorization, as well as a list of existing studies, projects, and environmental infrastructure programs currently authorized that communities want modified.

Congress generally authorizes new ACE studies, projects, and environmental infrastructure programs in an omnibus authorization bill that is typically designated the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), the notice says.

The notice says if a proposal for a new study is submitted by a non-federal interest (which is a legally constituted public body including an Indian tribe and a tribal organization, or 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), and the proposal is included in the Annual Report and results in Congress authorizing that study, it is not likely the lawmakers would immediately authorize construction of such a project.

However, if ACE is authorized to undertake a water-resources feasibility study, the agency also needs the funds for the federal cost share of the study, the goal of which is to produce a document that includes Congressional support for construction of a water-resources project, the notice says.

Non-federal entities wanting to submit a proposal for a feasibility study need to complete a fillable PDF form that can be found at the HQ Annual Report website. Completed forms can be submitted by email to WRRDA7001Proposl@usace.army.mil, according to the notice. If a different method of submission is needed, use the contact information in the “For Further Information Contact” section of the Federal Register notice to arrange an alternative submission process, the notice says.

The PDF proposal form requests the following information:

1. Contact information for the individual/agency submitting the proposal: name, phone number, and email.
2. The proposal’s name.
3. The project’s location (state(s)/territory).
4. A study or project area map (with the preferred map format being a PDF that is 8.5 inches x 11 inches).
5. Specific project purpose(s) of the proposed study or modification.
6. Include a description of the project that demonstrates the proposal is related to ACE missions and authorities, and why additional or new authorization is needed.
7. Proclaim if the proposal is for a new feasibility study, a modification to an existing ACE water resources development feasibility study authority, a modification to an ACE water resources project authority, or a modification to an ACE 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, and, if possible, cite the authority (specifically, the appropriate section of the WRDA).
9. If the proposal is for a modification to an existing environmental infrastructure program authority, provide a brief description of the assistance provided to date and the total federal cost of each assistance.
10. Provide an estimate, to the extent practicable, of the total cost of the proposed study, and of the federal and non-federal share of those costs, 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, with a focus on benefits to the protection of human life and property; how it improves transportation; as well as how it improves the national, regional, or local economy, the environment, or the national security interests of the U.S.
12. The names of non-federal interest that will act as sponsors, 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. Include a statement of support from each associated non-federal entity (such statements can be provided in the form of a letter, with each letter generically addressed to ACE; the local ACE district office; or to the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army of Civil Works).
14. Proclaim if the non-federal interest has the financial ability to provide for the required cost share.
15. Proclaim if there is local support for the proposal, and describe that local support.

The deadline to submit proposals is Aug. 15, 2025.

Click here to read the Federal Register notice.