Senator JOHNSTON. Will any new work be initiated in FY 89? There Mr. PAGE. The Dredging Research Program focuses on a broad horizon of 5 basic Problem Areas related to the physical aspects of the Corps dredging mission. The respective Problem Areas of the Dredging Research Program are comprised of generically similar and, in some cases, interdependent major research undertakings referred to as work units. are in total 23 work units in the present formulation, each of which is subdivided into many activities. We have launched the program this year by beginning work in each of the 23 work units. In so doing, we will be able to start providing useful, cost-saving products to the Corps' field operating offices as early as end of the first year of the program. We believe that starting the entire program this year is the best strategy to quickly realize economies of scale in the recurrent cost-intensive business of dredging. that regard, the Corps expends about $400 million each year in maintenance dredging of the Nation's waterways and harbors. Added to that cost, we expect to perform approximately $200 million a year of new work dredging, over the next 10-year period, to deepen navigation projects authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. In Senator JOHNSTON. Provide for the record a detailed comparison of how the funds for 1988 and 1989 will be used. Mr. PAGE. A detailed comparison is provided in the following comparative matrix format. PROBLEM AREA 2 MATERIAL PROPERTIES RELATED TO NAVIGATION AND DREDGING Fluid Mud tation. Senator JOHNSTON. Also provide for the record an impact statement for each $1,000,000 reduction below the budget request down to the current $3,000,000 level. Mr. PAGE. This information is provided in matrix format as follows which shows the work to be eliminated and its impact. DREDGING RESEARCH PROGRAM IMPACT STATEMENT FOR REDUCING FY 89 BUDGET REQUEST OF $7.4 MILLION In summary reductions to the budget request of $7.0 million for the Dredging Research Program will eliminate or delay development and implementation of products of research that would provide efficiencies and cost savings far greater than the cost of research. GENERAL EXPENSES Senator JOHNSTON. The Congress reduced the funding request for General Expenses in FY 1988 resulting in a reduced allocation for the Office, Chief of Engineers from $46,700,000 requested to $43,950,000. What impact has this reduction has on your ability to oversee and manage the Civil Works program of the Corps? General HEIBERG. The General Expenses appropriation took what I consider an unfortunate cut of $13,000,000 from the budget request in FY 1988, which we are asking be partially restored in FY 1989. After passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986, the major task facing the Corps fell to the headquarters and the divisions. That was to develop the definitive policy guidance to enable our field elements to do it right the first time in negotiating with local sponsors for new projects and developing rules for implementation of the 640 provisions of the Act. The cut in the Office, Chief of Engineers is being applied to non-labor accounts to the maximum extent possible in order to reduce the adverse impact on executive direction and management of the Civil Works program. The result is a delay in the upgrade and procurement of ADP and office automation equipment. Senator JOHNSTON. What is the justification for the proposed increases in the Office, Chief of Engineers for automation and time sharing support, and supplies and equipment replacement costs? General HEIBERG. As I previously mentioned, because of the $13,000,000 reduction in our budget in FY 1988, many non-labor expenses were deferred to FY 1989, including such items as ADP equipment and software, supplies, and the replacement of office equipment. The proposed increases in FY 1989 will cover the costs of these deferrals. Senator JOHNSTON. Similarly, the request for 1988 for the Division Offices was reduced from $65,000,000 to $58,760,000. Has there been an adverse impact because of the reduced allocation for 1988? General HEIBERG. The adverse impact in the Division Offices is similar to that in the Office, Chief of Engineers. In order to preclude a reduction-in-force of our executive direction and management staff, non-labor expenses were deferred in the Division Offices to the maximum extent possible. Senator JOHNSTON. Specifically, what makes up the increases requested for supplies, equipment and printing; other services; and automation and time sharing? |