WASHINGTON (May 12, 2008) – The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will host a public meeting on June 5 to solicit public and organization suggestions on revising the Principles and Standards of the “Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies,” dated March 10, 1983.  Standards are Chapter I of the Guidelines.

The public meeting will be conducted in the Washington Court Hotel’s Atrium Ballroom; 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW; Washington, D.C., from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
"We must manage and care for our water resources to meet the nation's needs,” said John Paul Woodley, Jr., Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.  “Congress has given us a critical task to establish planning principles that recognize public safety, economic development and sustaining aquatic ecologies for the benefit of current and future generations.”

“I take this responsibility seriously.  We're expecting tremendous assistance from the public," Woodley added.

The Honorable John Paul Woodley, Jr., will host the meeting.  USACE Civil Works program staff will also be present to address public comments.

Congress directed the Secretary of the Army to revise the March 10, 1983, guidelines in Section 2031 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-114).  The revision is to be “consistent with a number of considerations enumerated in the statute.  Upon completion the revision will apply to water resources projects, project reevaluations, or project modifications and project feasibility studies carried out by the Secretary except those commenced prior to the completion of the revised guidance.“

Revising the Principles and Standards is the first of two phases planned by the Secretary of the Army to update the 1983 Principles and Guidelines.  The second phase will address revisions to chapters II through IV, Procedures.  No date has been set for the phase 2 public comment opportunity.

The Secretary of the Army intends to release the initial draft of the revised guidelines for Chapter I by July for public review and comment. 

Written suggestions by mail, fax, or email are preferred and will be accepted from now through the end of the public meeting at 5:00 p.m., June 5.  Written suggestions should be submitted to:

• Mail: HQUSACE, Attn: P&G Revision, CECW-ZA, 441 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.
• E-mail: larry.j.prather@usace.army.mil
• FAX: 202-761-5649

Individuals who submit suggested revisions to the guidelines should also include a statement that explains the intent of the revision.  Public comments and responses may be posted to the USACE website at a later date.  

Anyone who wants to make oral suggestions or ask questions concerning the guidelines is encouraged to attend the public meeting, and to also submit those comments in writing. 

Times to make oral comments at the public meeting will be determined by random drawings among those who want to speak.  Drawings for speaking times will be held at 8:30 a.m. for the start of the morning meeting and again at approximately 1:00 p.m. for the afternoon time slots to accommodate those who may be able to participate for part of the day.

For further information on the June 5 public meeting, contact Mr. Larry J. Prather, Assistant Director of Civil Works.