Budget Constraints and Decision Making: Development of Policy Guidelines forPlanning of Civil Works Programs and Projects

摘要

The purpose of this policy study is to determine how the Corps of Engineers'various planning processes and criteria might adjust to severe Federal budget constraints. A corollary purpose is to investigate whether budget driven changes in Corps procedures appear imminent. The first conclusion of this study is that, if Federal budget constraints become truly binding, then selection of plan alternatives for all projects will have to be done at the national level. The decision rule of recommending a project alternative which maximizes net benefits will not lead to national optimality. Plan elements and alternatives will have to be referred to a central authority for evaluation and selection based on criteria developed from data on budgets and funding availability. The second conclusion is that there is little evidence of imminently binding Federal budget constraints on the Corps' Civil Works program, the policies which guide it, or the water resources projects selected for construction. Although action to change planning policies does not appear necessary in the near future, the effects of current efforts to balance the Federal budget should be closely monitored to ensure appropriate changes can be put in place effectively, if and when required.