The Army Times reported today that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) failed to mitigate environmental damage in plans for around 50 projects submitted for congressional approval between 2020-25 — and did not tell Congress why.
Measures to prevent environmental damage were proposed in only 22 of 74 civil works projects as required by law, the General Accounting Office (GAO) said in a report issued Thursday, Oct. 8.
The Corps manages water infrastructure projects, such as levees, to control flooding. But some projects can harm the environment, including fish and wildlife.
“Specifically, the Corps is required to plan for environmental mitigation — that is, to take actions to avoid, minimize or compensate for expected losses to fish and wildlife and damage to ecological resources resulting from its projects,” GAO said.
If USACE determines no mitigation is necessary, it is required to report that determination.
USACE owns and operates Canyon Lake. The GAO report did not include the names of any projects.
The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 includes provisions for GAO to review Corps/USACE plans to mitigate fish and wildlife losses resulting from civil works projects.
To review the GAO report, click here.
GAO recommends the development of guidance for USACE on documenting and justifying findings that no mitigation is needed for civil works pprojects in reports submitted to Congress for authorization.