Improvements Needed in the Corps of Engineers' Regulatory Program for Protecting the Nation's Waters

The Army Corps of Engineers has a broad mandate to protect and conserve the nation's waters by approving only those activities such as dredging, filling, and construction that are in the public interest. While some elements of local discretion are necessary in a program of this nature, inconsistencies and variances between the operations of the Corps' districts have been of such magnitude as to hamper the establishment of an effective nationwide program.