The Water Resources Development Acts and other "WRDAs" (including 2014s Water Resources Reform and Development Act, WRRDA) are omnibus water bills which provide congressional authorization for Corps of Engineers projects across the nation. The first WRDA was passed in 1974. Prior to 1974, Congress authorized the Corps' flood damage reduction and navigation enhancement projects in the same bill but under different titles including "River and Harbor Acts" and "Flood Control Acts."

Water Resource Development Acts Implementation Guidance Implementation Guidance provides specific guidance to the field on the implementation of key provisions of law.

Water Resource Development Acts

River and Harbor Acts, and Flood Control Acts

Water Resources Planning Act of 1965

Water Resources Planning Act of 1965

Laws of the United States Relating to the Improvement of Rivers and Harbors In response to WRDA 2007, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has prepared a set of products to update the "Compilation of Laws" of the United States relating to the improvement of rivers and harbors and other water resources development purposes as specified in the Act. Several volumes cover water resources development laws passed from 1790 through 2010.

Executive Orders and Federal Policies

Presidential Executive Orders The President of the United States manages the operations of the Executive branch of Government through Executive orders. After the President signs an Executive order, the White House sends it to the Office of the Federal Register (OFR). The OFR numbers each order consecutively and publishes it in the daily Federal Register, and this website, shortly after receipt. Presidential Executive Orders, Historic The National Archives maintains Executive Orders beginning with those signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, arranged according to Presidential administration and year of signature. Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management The Executive Order, signed by President Carter, outlines procedures to be followed for multiple aspects of floodplain management. Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands This Executive Order, signed by Jimmy Carter, outlines procedures to be followed for the protection of wetlands. Executive Order 12322, Water Resources Projects This Executive Order, signed by President Reagan, directs efficient and coordinated planning and review of water resources programs and projects by ensuring that any reports, proposals or plans relating to a Federal or Federally assisted water and related land resources project or program is submitted to the Office of Management and Budget before being submitted to Congress. Executive Order 13112, Invasive Species This executive order, signed by President Clinton, requires federal agencies including USACE to meet the National Invasive Species Management Plan goals and established the National Invasive Species Council to oversee implementation of the order, encourage proactive planning and action, develop recommendations for international cooperation, and take other steps to improve the Federal response to invasive species. Executive Order 13751, Safeguarding the Nation from the Impacts of Invasive Species This executive order, signed by President Obama, amends Executive Order 13112 and directs actions to continue coordinated Federal prevention and control efforts related to invasive species. Executive Order 14058, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery To Rebuild Trust in Government This Executive Order, signed by President Biden, tasks agencies to work with Congress, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, all levels of government, and other partners to design experiences with the Federal Government that effectively reduce administrative burdens, simplify public-facing and internal processes to improve efficiency, and empower the Federal workforce. Executive Order 14072, Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies This Executive Order, signed by President Biden, directs the federal government to leverage funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to restore and conserve the nation's forests, including mature and old-growth forests; combat international deforestation; and deploy nature-based solutions to tackle climate change and enhance resilience. Executive Order 14112, Reforming Federal Funding and Support for Tribal Nations To Better Embrace Our Trust Responsibilities and Promote the Next Era of Tribal Self-Determination This Executive Order, signed by President Biden, underscores the Administration's commitment to advancing Tribal sovereignty, in keeping with our trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations. The Executive Order establishes the policy of the United States to design and administer Federal funding and support programs for Tribal Nations, consistent with applicable law and to the extent practicable, in a manner that better recognizes and supports Tribal sovereignty and self-determination. Executive Order 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity This Executive Order, signed by President Trump, order all executive departments and agencies to terminate all discriminatory and illegal preferences, mandates, policies, programs, activities, guidance, regulations, enforcement actions, consent orders, and requirements. Executive Order 15154, Unleashing American Energy This Executive Order, signed by President Trump, outlines the Administration's energy policy and directs federal agencies to review all actions that potentially burden the development of domestic energy resources. It also revokes several previous Executive Orders, including Executive Orders 13990 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis), 13992 (Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Federal Regulation), 14008 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad), 14057 (Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability), and 14096 (Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All). Federal Register The Federal Register (the daily newspaper of the Federal government) is a legal newspaper published every business day by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Federal Register contains: Federal Agency Regulations; Proposed Rules and Public Notices; Executive Orders; Proclamations; and Other Presidential Documents.

Other Key Laws

Civil Works Environmental Desk Reference A desk-top reference on environmental statutes and environmental executive policy for Corps of Engineers Civil Works personnel. Digest of Federal Resource Laws, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The Digest of Federal Resource Laws of Interest to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides a comprehensive list and description of all federal laws under which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service functions; including Administrative Laws, Treaties, Executive Orders, Interstate Compacts and Memoranda of Agreement. Engineer Pamphlet 1165-2-01: Digest of Water Resources Policies and Authorities A summary of Corps administrative and legislative water resources policies and authorities. National Environmental Policy Act The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions. From Scoping to documenting the consideration of environmental impacts and decision-making process in an Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment, the NEPA process goes hand-in-hand with the Corps project planning and development processes. Public Law 100-241, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act Amendments of 1987 This Public Law amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide Alaska Natives with certain options for the continued ownership of lands and corporate shares received pursuant to the Act, and for other purposes. Public Law 103-454, Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 This Public Law formally establishes that Indian tribes may be recognized in three ways: by an Act of Congress; by the administrative procedures outlined in 25 C.F.R. Part 83 ("Procedures for Establishing that an American Indian Group Exists as an Indian Tribe"); or by a decision of a United States court.