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Sharing the Cost of Making Federal Water Project Feasibility Studies

RCED-83-18 Published: Dec 06, 1982. Publicly Released: Dec 06, 1982.
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Highlights

GAO discussed feasibility studies undertaken by the Federal government to resolve water resources problems and the factors affecting the study outcome. The purpose of the review was to determine how frequently studies did not identify acceptable solutions and why.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
Congress should assure that cost sharing is applied uniformly by all Federal water resources agencies and include all direct and indirect costs related to performing the study.
Closed – Not Implemented
Although GAO continues to believe that project beneficiaries should assume a greater share of the costs and that recipients should be treated equally, Congress and the administration have determined that the beneficiaries share should be determined on a project-by-project basis.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Agriculture The Secretaries of the Departments of the Army, Agriculture, and the Interior should direct the Chiefs of the Corps of Engineers and the Soil Conservation Service and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to: (1) meet with the local sponsor to gain an understanding of the type, size, and cost of the project they envision; (2) evaluate the sponsor's legal authority and financial capability to contract for and fund a project; and (3) determine whether study sponsors have adequately assessed the depth and likely commitment of support.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of the Army The Secretaries of the Departments of the Army, Agriculture, and the Interior should direct the Chiefs of the Corps of Engineers and the Soil Conservation Service and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to: (1) meet with the local sponsor to gain an understanding of the type, size, and cost of the project they envision; (2) evaluate the sponsor's legal authority and financial capability to contract for and fund a project; and (3) determine whether study sponsors have adequately assessed the depth and likely commitment of support.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of the Interior The Secretaries of the Departments of the Army, Agriculture, and the Interior should direct the Chiefs of the Corps of Engineers and the Soil Conservation Service and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation to: (1) meet with the local sponsor to gain an understanding of the type, size, and cost of the project they envision; (2) evaluate the sponsor's legal authority and financial capability to contract for and fund a project; and (3) determine whether study sponsors have adequately assessed the depth and likely commitment of support.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.

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Topics

Community development programsCost sharing (finance)state relationsWater resources developmentWater supply managementWater supplyMilitary forcesEngineersFlood controlBeneficiaries