President’s Budget for USACE Civil Works Released

The President’s Budget for fiscal year 2016 (FY 2016) includes $4.732 billion in gross discretionary funding for the Civil Works program of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“The 2016 Civil Works budget for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reflects the Administration’s priorities to support and improve the Nation’s economy, protect the American people, and restore our environment,” said the Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “This Budget supports the core mission areas of coastal and inland navigation, reducing flood and storm risks, and restoring aquatic ecosystems. It also advances other priorities through targeted investments to make our communities more resilient to climate change and result in project-related benefits such as hydropower, recreation, water supply, and the clean-up of federally-contaminated lands.”

“The Budget enables the Corps to responsibly carry out its important missions, while advancing key Administration initiatives to increase renewable energy production, reduce greenhouse gas impacts, combat invasive species, and increase community resilience in the wake of natural disasters.” said Darcy. “The Budget continues to reflect the tough choices necessary to put the country on a fiscally sustainable path.”

New Federal funding in the Civil Works budget consists of $3.72 billion from the general fund, $915 million from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, $53 million from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, and $44 million from Special Recreation User Fees.

The FY 2016 funding will be distributed among the appropriations accounts as follows:

• $2.710 billion for Operation and Maintenance;
• $1.172 billion for Construction;
• $225 million for Mississippi River and Tributaries;
• $205 million for the Regulatory Program;
• $180 million for Expenses;
• $104 million for the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP);
• $97 million for Investigations;
• $34 million for Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies;
• $5 million for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

The FY 2016 Budget includes $1.947 billion for the study, design, construction, operation and maintenance of inland and coastal navigation projects. It funds capital investments on the inland waterways based on the estimated revenues to the Inland Waterways Trust Fund. The Budget gives priority to coastal harbors and inland waterways with the most commercial traffic. It also funds harbors that support significant commercial fishing, subsistence, or public transportation benefits.

For more detailed info about the FY 2016 Budget please visit the USACE web page.