U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

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globeglobe

INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING Chapter 1 Module 1 HOs 1 & 1a, 14, 14a

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Planners’ “Core” Curriculum Eight recommended courses/workshops:

– Introduction to Planning– Planner Orientation Workshop (086/404)– Planning Process Workshop (077/405)– Plan Formulation Workshop (406)– Economic Analysis (270/410)– Environmental Considerations (408)– Hydrologic & Hydraulic Considerations

(057/409)– Public Involvement & Teaming (091/407)

Adopted from the 2001 Civil Works Planning Capability Task Force Report

To present the authorities, procedures, policies and methods of environmental analysis as they relate to the Corp’s Civil Works Mission.

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Federal Interest Origins of the Corps Civil Works Scope of Corps Missions Overarching Philosophy and the

Regulatory Compliance Relationships

Environmental Operating Principles and Doctrine

Civil Works Process5

Originates from the Constitution. Federal government may participate in

water and related land conservation, development and management.

Dictates why we are involved at the federal level. *

Congress has the power to tax and spend for the general welfare

* It is not our intent to take over local responsibilities.

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Navigation Flood and Storm Damage

Reduction Ecosystem Restoration Hydropower

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Navigation.• General Survey Act of 1824.

•Authorized the surveys of road and canal routes and set the stage for navigation improvements.

• Rivers and Harbor Act of 1899.•First legislation with an environmental impact.

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USS INTREPID NY Harbor Oct 2007

DEEP DRAFT NAVIGATION 9

Hydropower • Colorado River Compact (1922)

•Addressed allocation of water in the western states and the harnessing of the nation’s rivers to produce hydropower.

• Corps projects represent 25% of the nation’s hydropower capacity

•100 billion KW/hr per year

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Flood and Storm Damage Reduction

•Act of 1936 – “Watershed legislation”•Recognized flood damage reduction as a “proper activity of the Federal government”

•Participation limited to where the benefits exceed the costs•First time use of “BCR”•Set economic policy!

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Hurricane Damage 2005 -

Gulf Coast

Oil rig blown 60 miles from original

location by Hurricane Katrina

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• Water Resources Planning Act (WRPA) 1965• Water Resources Council with mandate

• Principles and Standards (P & S) for planning Federal water projects

•Established two co-equal national objectivesNational Economic Development (NED) Environmental Quality (EQ) (1st formal

recognition in the planning process)Modified as P&G in 1983 with NED as the primary objective

WRDA 2007 will require additional changes in environmental and economic analyses.

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ER 1105-2-100 added the concept of a national ecosystem restoration (NER) objective in 2000.Contributions to NER were to

be made by seeking increases in the quantity and/or quality of desired ecosystem outputs.

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PURPOSE

“…to declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment…”

EOPs # 1, 2 & 3

Swamp Land Acts of 1850s Rivers and Harbor Act 1899 FWCA-equal consideration for wildlife 1934-58 NEPA 1969 R&H Act of 1970 Sections 122 & 216 Marine Protection, Research & Sanctuaries Act 1972 Coastal Zone Management Act 1972 Water Pollution Control Act 1972 ESA-conserve endangered species. 1973 P&S and P&G 1973-1983 Clean Air Act 1977-90 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and

Restoration Act of 1990 WRDA’s 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2000

& 2007 XOs 11990, 11991 Executive office Initiatives 16

What is Ecosystem Restoration ? A return of a natural area or ecosystem to a close approximation of its condition prior to disturbance, or to a less degraded, more natural condition by restoring significant ecosystem functions, structures, and dynamic processes. RAISES a Big QUESTION OF what is and how we address a SHIFTING BASELINE?

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America’s Everglades are in Serious Peril

Historic Flow

Current Flow

The Plan Flow

“The 800-lb Gorilla”

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Pollution AbatementMitigation

Water / Sewer Treatment

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Environmental Operating Principles EC 1105-2-404

Summary Report EC 1105-2-405 Civil Works Review Board EC 1105-2-406 Model Certification EC 1105-2-407 Collaborative Planning EC 1105-2-409 Peer Review (ATR & IEPR) EC 1165-2-209

Dec 2009 & EC 1105-2-410 Aug 2008 Revision of Principles and Guidance-WRDA

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Evolving Environmental Planning Policy EC 1105-2-404 promoted a:

Balance of economic and environmental benefits in a Combined Plan

Concept of environmental sustainability Focus on Implementation of the EOP

Section 2031 WRDA2007 modifies current policy of promoting NED consistent with protecting EQ to: Sustainable Economic Development Avoidance of unwise use of floodplains and flood-

prone areas Protecting and restoring the environment

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On March 26, 2002 LTG Flowers issued the USACE Environmental Operating Principles

that will encompass all USACE activities.

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//www.usace.army.mil/Environment/Pages/eop.aspx

There are Seven Environmental Operation Principles

1. Strive to achieve Environmental Sustainability...

2. Recognize the interdependence of life and the physical environment…

3. Seek balance and synergy among human development and natural systems…

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http://www.usace.army.mil/Environment/Pages/eop.aspx

4. …accept corporate responsibility and accountability under the law…

5. Seek ways and means to assess and mitigate cumulative impacts…

6. Build and share an integrated knowledge base…

7. Respect the views of others...

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Sub-Planning Center of ExpertiseSub-Planning Center of ExpertiseFor Small Boat HarborsFor Small Boat Harbors

https://kme.usace.army.mil/CoPs/CivilWorksPlanning-Policy/pcx/default.aspxWRDA 2007 Section 2033

David A. WeeklyDavid A. WeeklyLRHLRH(304) 399-5635(304) 399-5635

Bernard E. MosebyBernard E. MosebySAMSAM(251) 694-3884(251) 694-3884

Clarke I. HemphillClarke I. HemphillPOAPOA(907)753-5602(907)753-5602 Lawrence J. CocchieriLawrence J. Cocchieri

NADNAD(718) 765-7071(718) 765-7071

Eric W. ThautEric W. ThautSPDSPD(415) 503-6852(415) 503-6852

Jodi StaebellJodi StaebellMVD MVD (309) 794-5448(309) 794-5448

Brad HudgensBrad HudgensSWDSWD(469) 487-7033(469) 487-7033

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NorthwesternDivision

South PacificDivision

SouthwesternDivision

Great Lakes andOhio RiverDivision

NorthAtlanticDivision

SouthAtlanticDivision

Mississippi ValleyDivision

PacificOceanDivisio

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Small Boat Harbors PCXSmall Boat Harbors PCX

Cost Engineering DXCost Engineering DXHydropower Hydropower PCXPCX

Technical services Peer Review Model certification Training

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The Centers enhance the Corps of Engineers’ planning capability and strengthen planner core competencies, by assisting district Project Delivery Teams through:

Research & Development

Lessons Learned Policy Development

Support Process Improvement

What is their mission?

First and foremost, through joint development of a Review Plan (RP) Keep RP up to date: Maintain communication

with the PCX(s) Lead PCX will coordinate with other PCXs and

the Cost Engineering Directory of Expertise (NWW) as appropriate

Lead/Manager will be assigned as primary point of contact

Visit PCX web/sharepoint sites for latest information

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How do I engage the ECO-PCX?

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Follows a Process that delivers a product by way of a number Administrative Milestones

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Step 10Division Engineer'sTransmittal Letter

Step 6Negotiate PMP

and FCSA

Step 1Initial ProblemIdentification

Step 18Congress Appropriates

Construction Funds

Step 19Execute PPA

Step 20Project

Construction

Step 15Execute PEDAgreement

Step 11C W R B

Policy Review

Step 7Execute FCSA & Request

Feasibility Funds

Step 2Congressional Study

Resolution/Authorization

Step 16

Conduct PED

Step 12Chief of Engineers

Report

Step 8Conduct Feasibility

Study

Step 3Initial Study

Funding

Step 21OMRR&R

Step 17Draft PPA

Review/Approval

Step 13Administration

Review

Step 14Project

Authorization

Step 9Complete Final RPT.

for Coord. & Submission

Step 4Conduct Reconnaissance

Study

Step 5Certify Reconnaissance

Phase

Reconnaissance Planning (1 yr)

Feasibility Planning (2-4 years)

(Authorization)

Preconstruction Engineering & Design – PED (2-3 years) (Planning has a role if there are changes)

Construction (3-5 yrs)

Real Estate Acquisition (part of construction)

Operations and Maintenance (continuous)31

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Step 1Initial ProblemIdentification

Step 2Congressional Study

Resolution/Authorization

Step 3Initial Study

Funding

“High Priority” Missions: Flood Damage Reduction Commercial Navigation Ecosystem Restoration

Beach Erosion/Hurricane ProtectionFlooding

Navigation

Environmental Infrastructure Needs

Water Supply

Lock / Dam Replacement - Inland Waterways System

Salmon Mitigation

Ecosystem Restoration

Port / Harbor Deepenings

Waterfront Development

Environmental Infrastructure Needs

Ecosystem Restoration

Wetland Losses

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Letter to Corps DistrictSponsor Contacts Member of Congress

Budget Reviewed & Presented to SecArmy

(Jun - Aug )

OMB Passback( Nov )

Budget Submitted to OMB ( Sep )

President’s Budgetto Congress ( Feb )

All Offices DevelopProgram Requirements

( Feb - May )

Appropriations Bills( Jul - Sep )

Cong. Hearings ( Mar - Apr )

President Signs Approp. Bill ( Sep - Oct )

OMB-ASA GUIDANCE ( FEB-MAR )

Funding Alloc. To Field Offices

( Oct - Dec )

40 Districts / 8 MSC Needs Loaded

KEY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES AUTHORIZATION

SENATECommittee on Environment and Public Works

Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructureand Public Safety

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Committee on Transportation and InfrastructureSubcommittee on Water Resource Development

Authorization Committees establish Legal AuthorityAuthority may be for one or more yearsAuthority may recommend funding levels (Not appropriation at this point)

Authority to construct is not normally included35

KEY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES APPROPRIATION

SENATEAppropriations Committee

Subcommittee on Energy and Water DevelopmentHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Appropriations CommitteeSubcommittee on Energy and Water Development

Appropriation Committees provide Budget AuthorityGrant the Executive Branch authority to spend (obligate) money

Provide All FundsProvide Partial FundsProvide No Funds

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Step 10Division Engineer'sTransmittal Letter

Step 6Negotiate PMP

and FCSA

Step 7Execute FCSA & Request

Feasibility Funds

Step 8Conduct Feasibility

Study

Step 9Complete Final RPT.

for Coord. & Submission

Step 4Conduct Reconnaissance

Study

Step 5Certify Reconnaissance

Phase

1. Define water resources problems and

identify potential solutions 2. Decide whether there is a Federal

interest in continuing intofeasibility studies

3. Identify a local sponsor 4. Most of the effort is to prepare a

Project Management Plan Peer Review Plan Feasibility Cost Share Plan

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Purposes of Reconnaissance Study Step 5&6

The 6 step Process occurs here Prepare a NEPA Document Feasibility Report serves as a

Decision Document to convince the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Authorization Document when submitted to Congress for project authorization

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Feasibility Study Phase Steps 8 & 9

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Step 11

CWRBPolicy Review

Step 12Chief of

EngineersReport

Step 13

AdministrationReview

Step 14

ProjectAuthorization

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Step 15Execute PEDAgreement

Step 16

Conduct PED

Review documentation & update as NecessaryConfirm commitments in ROD/FONSI/BOs etc.

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Step 18

Congress Appropriates

Construction Funds

Step 19Execute PPA

Step 17

Draft PPA

Review/Approval

Step 20Project

Construction Step 21 OMRR&R

Confirm commitments in ROD/FONSI/BOs etcInsure Monitoring and Adaptive Management flexibility is addressed in NEPA Documentation

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ComprehensiveEvergladesRestoration

Upper Miss. R.Side ChannelRestoration

Missouri RiverFish & WildlifeMitigation

Columbia River Fish Mitigation

Environmental

Hamilton Wetlands(Oakland Harbor)

Navigation

CSSC

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Anacostia River, DC & MD

Lower Cape May Meadows, NJ

Sonoma Baylands and

Yolo Bypass, CA

Wolf River, TN

Rio Salado, AZ Lower

Savannah River, GA

Chesapeake Bay Oysters

Source: Doug Lamont, 2007, Bang for the Buck: A Look at Ecosystem Restoration Outputs from Completed Corps Project. Presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, Kansas City, MO

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CTRI

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WRDA Section 204 Projects

WRDA Section 206 Projects

WRDA Section 1135 Projects

#s Number of Project types per State

Source: Data developed by Justin Gardner and Dave Tazik, US Army Engineer R&D Center, Vicksburg, MS, April 2010

Summary The Corps has been in the civil works

business for over 200 years. Current trends point to a “greener Corps of

Engineers.” Corps planning doctrine is undergoing

dramatic change! Environmental Restoration receives a

substantial portion of the annual budget with a significant national footprint.

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QUESTIONS?