Corps of Engineers Reform Act of 2001

The Corps of Engineers Reform Act of 2001 (S. 646) proposed significant changes to how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans and executes water infrastructure projects, such as dams, levees, and navigation channels. The bill would have required the Corps to treat environmental protection as a goal equal to economic development, ensuring that projects minimize damage to natural ecosystems and water patterns.

For citizens, this legislation aimed to increase transparency and accountability by requiring the Corps to post project data online and establish independent panels of experts to review expensive or controversial projects. It also sought to ensure that any environmental damage caused by a project is fully addressed and corrected at the same time the project is being built, rather than delayed. Although the bill was the subject of committee hearings, it did not move forward to become law.