The Corps' authority to use river training structures in the Mississippi River comes from several Rivers and Harbors Acts, which collectively require the Corps to maintain a 9-foot navigation channel in the river, and several Water Resources Development Acts, which also authorize projects in the Corps' civil works program. In using these structures, the Corps must comply with federal environmenta

GAO found that state-of-the-art finite element computer programs are currently used by large consulting firms and Federal agencies for thermal analysis of mass concrete structures. In acknowledgment of their lack of experience with such thermal analysis programs, the Corps consulted with the Bureau of Reclamation and initiated a research and development program to study concrete cracking. The Cor

At the start of FY 1982, the Corps had 86 water construction projects with unfunded recreation construction components with estimated unfunded future Corps costs totaling $755 million. The Corps is attempting to have local interests cost-share $251 million of this amount; however, the Army expects that a large portion of this amount will not be budgeted due to a lack of local support. In addition

GAO found that, although VE has reduced the Corps' water resource construction costs by about $565.7 million, greater savings could be achieved by applying VE to more project designs and by applying it earlier. The Corps needs to give increased attention to its water project VE program if maximum savings are to be realized. Further, the selection of designs to be reviewed for VE savings is vital

The water project construction backlog consists of 934 authorized projects which need about $60 billion to complete construction. In recent years, construction backlog costs have grown because construction funding has not been sufficient to offset inflation and other project cost increases. Unless future funding can sufficiently cover inflation and other cost increases, some Army Corps of Enginee

Until recently, GSA had placed little emphasis on reducing the severity of or avoiding foundation problems. A geotechnical expert had been hired in 1967, but the position was abolished in 1968 despite a 1967 report recommending hiring such an expert. A March 1976 report cited recurring deficiencies and recommended revisions to GSA's foundation construction criteria, specifications, and guidelines

Congress has generally authorized studies of water resources problems identified by the public. As a result of these studies, Congress generally authorizes projects by two means: individually or as part of a general plan for the comprehensive development of a large geographic area or river basin. Authorizing studies and projects individually provides certain advantages over authorizing general wa