Improved Project Authorizations and Agency Practices Can Increase Congressional Control of Water Resources Projects

Congress used two separate authorization methods to control the development of funding of water resources projects--the two-phase authorization for the Corps of Engineers and an authorization ceiling for the Bureau of Reclamation. The two-phase authorization was begun in 1974 to give Congress increased control over the design of water resources projects and the changes which occur during project planning by providing Congress with a second look during the planning phase before authorization of construction.