The Administration’s fiscal year 2020 budget for the Civil Works program would slash 30% from current year appropriations, a move not necessarily unexpected but frustrating for water resources stakeholders nonetheless.
At the press conference outlining details of the proposal, USACE senior leaders were faced with the tough task of defending the Administration’s proposed $4.827 billion budget, a cut of 30% from the current year’s appropriation of nearly $7 billion. On hand were the Honorable R.D. James, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works); LTG Todd Semonite, Commanding General and Chief of Engineers; MG Scott Spellmon, Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations; and Joseph Bentz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Budget.
The budget includes $2.3 billion for commercial navigation, $1 billion for flood and storm damage reduction, and $187 million for aquatic ecosystem restoration. The Construction account would receive $1.3 billion, for 9 navigation projects, 5 ecosystem restoration and 4 flood control. Of that amount, $150 million is reserved for projects under Section 1043 of WRRDA 14 wherein local sponsors take responsibility for construction. Implementing guidance for that section is forthcoming, although the statutory authority expires on June 10, 2019. An additional $150 million would be designated for the “Innovative Funding Partnership,” where nonfederal interests pay more than the statutory cost share to jump the line and accelerate completion of projects.
Operation and Maintenance would receive $3.025 billion, including $15 million for inspection of completed Federal flood control projects, $4.5 million for the national levee inventory, and $8.5 million for the review of Section 408 requests.
Investigations would receive $82 million. That includes 14 flood control, 13 navigation and 3 ecosystem restoration projects. The Mississippi River and Tributaries program would receive $215 million. The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund would receive $965 million, while the Inland Waterways Trust Fund would receive only $55 million, funding one project, Locks 2, 3, and 4 on the Monongahela River, to completion.
Details on the Budget can be found at the Corps’ website: