Budget Hearing – Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works) and the Bureau of Reclamation

House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies

2025-05-21

Loading video...

Summary

The House Appropriations Subcommittee met to discuss the President's fiscal year 2026 budget blueprint requests for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Bureau of Reclamation, with an emphasis on water resource development programs, infrastructure, and budget challenges. Witnesses included Robin Colosimo, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Lieutenant General Butch Graham, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and Scott Cameron, Senior Advisor to the Secretary for the Bureau of Reclamation, addressing various critical projects and policy concerns nationwide. While detailed budget information was not fully available, discussions focused on top-line figures and key priorities for both agencies [ 00:09:35 ] .

Themes

Proposed Budget Reductions and Their Impact

The proposed budget for the Army Corps of Engineers totals $6.7 billion, representing a reduction of $2 billion, or approximately 23% from the prior year [ 00:10:20 ] . The Bureau of Reclamation and Central Utah Project face a proposed budget of $1.2 billion, a reduction of $609 million, or about 35% below enacted levels [ 00:11:11 ]

. Committee members expressed significant concern that these cuts would prevent addressing pressing water resource needs, particularly for Indian water rights settlements in the West [ 00:11:26 ] . Ranking Member Kaptur described the proposed cuts as "misguided" and "dangerous," warning they could endanger lives, undermine economic growth, and weaken national welfare in the face of climate change .

Project Delivery and Efficiency Improvements

Lieutenant General Graham affirmed the USACE's commitment to safely delivering quality projects on schedule and within budget, noting an 81% on-schedule rate across the Civil Works portfolio . He outlined three imperative areas for procedural improvements: getting engineering right (requiring 35% design completion before project authorization), ensuring effective project management with logical and resourced schedules, and assembling the right teams, leveraging both internal talent and the private sector . The Corps is implementing lessons learned from past challenges, such as using targeted marketing and site visits to attract contractors for projects like Chickamauga Lock, and consolidating design and construction responsibilities for inland waterway projects to improve efficiency and expertise .

Critical Infrastructure and Water Projects

Discussions highlighted several vital projects, including the Chickamauga Lock, which received $32 million in the fiscal year 2025 work plan, and the Soo Locks, allocated $264.13 million . The Brandon Road project, crucial for preventing the invasion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes, saw the solicitation for its first contract released . Members also raised concerns about the Matagorda Ship Channel deepening project, which faced delays and a revoked record of decision due to initial engineering errors regarding material placement . Other projects mentioned included the South Jetty rehabilitation and gate replacements at Bonneville and McNary Locks on the Columbia Snake River system, and ongoing work on Prado Dam and Marietta Creek in California .

Western Water Resources and Conservation

The Bureau of Reclamation plays a critical role in the Western United States, managing water for over 31 million Americans, irrigating 10 million acres, and generating hydropower [ 00:27:14-00:27:32 ]

. The Colorado River negotiations are a major focus, driven by unprecedented drought conditions and the expiration of agreements in 2026 . Mr. Cameron confirmed the Bureau's commitment to a state-driven solution, working intensely with the seven basin states [ 00:50:34 ] . Concerns were voiced about potential cuts to the Water Smart program, which supports water conservation and efficiency initiatives . Water reuse and recycling were identified as essential solutions, with Nevada highlighted for its leading role in water recycling efforts [ 01:46:18-01:46:46 ] .

Allegations of Funding Politicization

Mr. Levin expressed shock and concern over the USACE's fiscal year 2025 work plan, alleging that it shifted over $250 million in construction funding from "blue states" like California and Washington to "red states" . He argued that critical projects in California, despite bipartisan support in House and Senate bills, received no construction funding, suggesting a "distasteful" and partisan precedent . Ms. Colosimo maintained that the Corps aims to be non-political and that project prioritization was based on criteria such as life safety, flooding, and American prosperity, with final decisions on tradeoffs made by the Office of Management and Budget .

Environmental Threats and Remediation

The ongoing threat of Asian carp was a significant concern, with calls for improved program implementation to prevent their spread into waterways like the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers . The issue of quagga mussels in the Snake River and Columbia Basin was also discussed, with the Corps partnering with Idaho on eradication efforts . Remediation of contaminated sites, such as the FUSRAP program site in Lucky, Ohio, generated questions about potential off-site contamination and the need for comprehensive water and soil testing . Challenges in finding disposal sites for contaminated dredged sediment from harbors, like Michigan City Harbor, were highlighted, balancing the need for commercial navigation with public safety concerns .

Workforce and Recruitment Challenges

Concerns about staffing levels and workforce optimization within the Corps were raised, particularly regarding the impact of voluntary departures on the ability to operate recreational sites, leading to closures . Lieutenant General Graham acknowledged the ongoing challenge of recruiting STEM graduates to fill critical civilian positions, emphasizing the importance of encouraging young people to pursue science, technology, and engineering careers . Staffing cuts in other federal agencies, such as NOAA Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, were noted as potential obstacles to timely permitting processes for Corps projects [ 01:51:47-01:51:59 ]

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting's tone was predominantly serious and concerned, particularly regarding the proposed budget cuts and their potential impact on critical infrastructure and environmental programs . While there was a cooperative spirit among many members and witnesses on issues such as improving project efficiency and addressing shared water challenges [ 00:11:54 ]

, the discussion became contentious when allegations of politically motivated funding shifts were raised by Mr. Levin, leading to a tense exchange with Ms. Colosimo . Throughout, members displayed strong advocacy for their constituents' specific projects and water resource needs .