The local sponsor has responsibility for operating and maintaining flood risk reduction projects including levees, floodwalls, channels and other flood risk reduction measures.
The responsible local sponsor should plan and prepare for high water, and understand the steps to take during emergencies to help keep the public safe, reduce flood damage and promote public awareness of local flood risks and issues.
Public Law 84-99 gives USACE discretionary authority by Congress to act and react to emergencies caused by floods, contaminated water sources, drought, or dam failures. This authority also allows USACE to repair and/or rehabilitate qualified flood control projects, whether it is federally constructed or privately owned.