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US Army Corps of Engineers: Continuing Authorities Program (CAP)

The CAP can be used to fund relatively small projects dealing with flood plain management, flood control, ecosystem restoration, erosion control and stream bank protection. This program is funded by Congress.

What are the Program Objectives? Several authorities come under the CAP program. Some of the most relevant ones are listed below.

1) Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, (Section 206): Improves and restores aquatic ecosystems in a cost-effective manner to improve the environment and add value to the public. The Reconnaissance phase is at 100% Federal expense. The Feasibility phase is cost shared 50/50. Construction is cost shared 65% Federal and 35% Non-Federal. It has been used extensively by Tribes to restore the Bosque along the Rio Grande.
Click here for an information sheet about Section 206, including a sample request for assistance.

2) Emergency Stream bank and Shoreline Erosion Protection (Section 14): Provides emergency stream bank and shoreline protection to prevent damage to public facilities such as roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and water treatment plants.
Click here for an information sheet about Section 14, including a sample request for assistance.

3) Flood Risk Management (Section 205): Modifications to existing infrastructure to provide protection from frequent or recurring flooding; planning and construction of flood control works such as levees, channels and dams.
Click here for an information sheet about Section 205, including a sample request for assistance.

4) Section 204: This authority is used to provide comprehensive State or regional sediment management planning assistance.
Click here for an information sheet about Section 204, including a sample request for assistance.
5) Project Modification for Improvement to the Environment (Section 1135): Projects modify existing structures and operations of Corps facilities with the primary goal of improving the environment or addressing project impacts to environmental quality.
Click here for an information sheet about Section 1135, including a sample request for assistance.

Who Can Apply? USACE resources can only be requested by a State Emergency Management Agency or by Tribal governments, and can only occur once State, Tribal and local governments have committed all available resources (i.e., workforce, supplies, equipment, funds, National Guard assets, etc.). However, assistance can be requested at anytime.

Are Matching Funds Required? Yes, projects are cost shared and require no further congressional authorization to proceed to construction.

When can assistance be requested? Assistance can be requested at anytime.

When Can I Expect To Receive My Funds? Funds are allocated based on the available national budget and allocated based on assigned rank at USACE Headquarters.

Contact Name: CrystalLin Medrano

Contact Phone Number: (505) 342-3686

Contact Email: