Project Background and Funding

The USACE undertakes large-scale, complex water and related land resources problems in response to directives (often called authorizations) from Congress. The Bogue Banks Shore Protection Project is one of these authorizations and plans for a 50-year beach restoration strategy that will incorporate the entire Bogue Banks shoreline. There are six major steps that the County is undertaking in consort with the USACE to successfully construct and maintain a wide and healthy beach.

(1) Problem Perception - Local citizens or local government perceive or experience a water resources problem, such as shore erosion, that is beyond the ability of local government to remedy.

(2) Request for Federal Action - Local government officials contact Congressman or Senator requesting a study authorization.

(3) Study Program and Report Preparation - In addition to authorizing the study, Congress must also appropriate funds for the study. This is often included in the President's Budget. Once funded, the USACE conducts a feasibility study using a two-phased planning process.

(a) Reconnaissance Phase (12 months) - This initial phase determines whether planning should continue into the feasibility phase, the potential of the County's interest and support for the project, and to estimate time and cost for completing the feasibility phase. This phase is 100% Federally funded but the funds must be appropriated by Congress. The reconnaissance phase for the County was completed in 2000.

(b) Feasibility Phase (24 - 48 months) - In this phase, alternative options are developed and evaluated in order to determine the most logical approach for a 50-year beach restoration program. The final plan will be recommended to Congress for authorization. The funding for feasibility investigations is a 50/50 Federal/non-Federal cost share scheme with up to one-half of the non-Federal share in the form of in-kind services. The non-Federal portion is cost- hared between the state and County. A Feasibility Cost-Sharing Agreement that details the responsibilities of both parties must be signed. The feasibility phase for Bogue Banks was initiated in February 2001 and is scheduled for completion in September 2006.

(4) Report Review and Approval - The final feasibility study is submitted to USACE headquarters in Washington for review of internal polices, and once approved, detailed design and construction specifications can be formulated. The latter phase is commonly referred to as the Preconstruction, Engineering, and Design (PED) phase. The PED phase normally takes 24 to 36 months to complete and is scheduled to be initiated in 2006-07 at a 75/25, Federal/non-Federal cost share.

(5) Congressional Authorization - Congress must authorize the project in a Water Resources Development Act. The Assistant Secretary of the Army Civil Works transmits the report to Congress subsequent to a successful review by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

(6) Project Implementation - Congress authorizes the Bogue Banks Shore Protection Project and a Project Cooperation Agreement is signed that describes the responsibilities of the Federal government and County. The initial construction phase is anticipated to take 24 months to complete and is cost shared at a 65/35, Federal/non-Federal ratio. Periodic re-nourishment that is conducted throughout the 50-year duration of the project is cost shared at a 50/50 ratio.

Based on the time frames mentioned above, winter 2009-11 is the earliest time that the construction phase would be initiated and completed for Bogue Banks beaches. A study commissioned by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget concluded that USACE Shore Protection Projects have performed generally as designed. Average re-nourishment volumes have been within 5% of predicted volumes and actual costs have been 1% less than predicted costs for the initial beach restoration construction and 10% less than predicted costs for periodic re-nourishment!

The following table presents the yearly proposed and actual funding ratio for the Feasibility Phase of the project.

View Table: Cumulative Funding Summary.

As you may note, in many instances the proposed funding levels are reduced. The cause and effect for this results from a complex interaction between the County, State, USACE, the President, Senate, and Congress. Please refer to The Funding webpage link for more details regarding the funding mechanism for this and other federal/non-federal joint projects.