Army reasserts civilian control of Corps of Engineers

The Army Corps of Engineers announced organizational changes Thursday in response to recent accusations that the agency's military leaders are usurping civilian control over its operations.

Last month, The Washington Post reported that unbeknownst to Joseph Westphal, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, the Corps of Engineers' military commanders had developed a plan to grow the agency's civil works budget by 50 percent.

The reforms announced Thursday reaffirm that Westphal "is the final decision maker for the Army on all civil works matters, as well as the lead Army official responsible for communications with other federal agencies and Congress on civil works matters," according to a statement released by the Corps.

Under the reforms, Westphal is required to be informed of all Corps decisions and will have final say on Corps military leaders' performance evaluations. Westphal will also make final rulings on Army policy positions involving the civil works program.

"We believe these reforms will improve the management of the Corps' existing organizational structure by clarifying lines of authority and improving communications," said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric K. Shinseki.