Army Corps of Engineers Delays and the Role of Public-Private Water Partnerships

Army Corps of Engineers Internal Governance

• 🏛️ The Army Corps of Engineers' internal governance structure, with its multiple layers of committees and subcommittees, contributes to significant delays in water resource projects.
• 🔄 This complex structure requires extensive consultation across various levels, leading to challenges in aligning project requirements with non-federal sponsors' capabilities.
• ⏳ The back-and-forth between federal and local entities regarding project feasibility within partnership agreements is a primary cause of these delays.

Impact of Internal Delays

• 📉 Internal delays have a substantial impact on project costs, often extending timelines from months to several years for approvals.
• ⚠️ Even authorities designed for quick turnaround, like Section 203 and 204, can take years to get approved due to the complexity of the process.
• 👥 These delays ultimately affect the people who need these water resources, hindering timely project delivery.

Role of Public-Private Partnerships (P3s)

• 🤝 Public-private partnerships (P3s) are essential for addressing the nation's growing water resource challenges.
• 💰 The private sector's capital can potentially accelerate the delivery of these projects.
• 📈 While not a universal solution, P3s have proven successful in numerous water resource projects, and their utilization should be further encouraged.
• ✅ The Army Corps has piloted P3s in water resources with notable success.

Importance of Water Resources for the Economy

• 🚢 Waterways play a critical role in strengthening the US economy and maintaining robust supply chains.
• 🌾 By deepening and widening channels, more goods like soybeans can be exported, boosting jobs and economies at local, state (e.g., Missouri), and national levels.
• 🌍 This directly contributes to economic growth and strengthens the nation's position in global markets.