(a) As provided by Pub. L. 87-639, joint investigations and reports by USDA and the Department of the Army may be authorized by resolutions adopted by the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the U.S. Senate or the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the U.S. House of Representatives for any watershed area in the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands if the nature of the watershed area problems dictates need for a joint effort by the two Departments.

(b) Authorized joint investigations and reports are made to determine works of improvement needed in the study area for flood prevention; for the conservation, development, use, and disposal of water; for flood control; for the conservation and proper use of land; and for allied purposes. The joint report to Congress may include a water and related land resources plan recommended for implementation. Such an implementation plan must be accompanied by an environmental impact statement (EIS) and must be in sufficient detail to permit its implementation.

(c) As mutually agreed by USDA and the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers, the report and EIS are forwarded to Congress through appropriate channels after technical, public, and interagency reviews in accordance with NRCS policy as described in § 622.34, or in accordance with the Corps of Engineers' policy concerning technical and public review. Implementation of these plans is contingent on congressional action.

Any organization, group, or State or local government may request assistance.

Applicants for a joint investigation and report should request their congressional representative(s) to initiate appropriate action under Pub. L. 87-639.

A joint investigation and report is authorized by a resolution of the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the U.S. Senate or the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the U.S. House of Representatives. Studies are initiated when funds for them are appropriated by the Congress.

Participating local and State governments work with USDA and the Department of the Army representatives in developing objectives, collecting data, analyzing problems, planning and formulating proposals, and considering financial plans. Active public participation is solicited in the planning process through means such as questionnaires, public meetings, citizen advisory boards, and technical committees.