Environmental Restoration
The US Army Corps of Engineers has a long history of building and operating civil works projects to control floods, protect shorelines, and improve navigation. In recent years, that role has expanded to include a strong commitment to restoring and protecting the natural world.
In 1986, Congress passed the first in a series of bills authorizing the Corps of Engineers to undertake environmental restoration projects in partnership with local sponsors. This first step towards a true environmental authority led the way for the expansion of the Corps' missions in 1990 to include environmental restoration. As a priority mission, environmental restoration competes equally with flood damage reduction and navigation for increasingly limited Federal dollars.
The Corps' environmental mission is becoming even more important as the list of threatened and endangered species grows. In the Pacific Northwest, there is particular concern over diminishing runs of salmon and steelhead. These fish spend much of their adult lives in the ocean, but spawning and rearing takes place in freshwater rivers and streams. Restoring healthy conditions in these waterways is an essential part of rebuilding the runs. Waterfowl, songbirds, wading birds, and other species also benefit from improved streamside habitat.
There are several ways to access the Corps' environmental programs. One way is through the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). Continuing authority refers to a group of "standing" or existing authorities where the approval to construct certain sized projects is passed from Congress directly to the Corps. The CAP has a limited amount of federal dollars that can be expended, but these CAP projects can often be completed in several years. The three continuing authorities for environmental restoration are:
Section 1135: Project Modifications for Improvements to the Environment
Section 1135 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, as amended, provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to restore degraded ecosystems. If the construction or operation of a Corps of Engineers project has contributed to the degradation of the quality of the environment, measures for restoration through modifications of the structure or operation of the structure may be undertaken at the project site. Measures at other locations that have been affected by the construction or operation of the structure can be undertaken, if such measures do not conflict with the authorized project purposes. To learn more about the Section 1135 authority, please click here.
Section 206: Aquatic Ecoystem Restoration
Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1996, as amended, provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to construct aquatic ecosystem restoration and protection projects. Such projects will usually include manipulation of the hydrology in and along bodies of water, including wetland and riparian areas. A project is adopted for construction only after a detailed investigation determines that the project will improve the quality of the environment, is in the best interest of the public, and clearly shows the engineering feasibility and economic justification of the improvement. Each project is limited to a Federal cost share of not more than $5 million. The Federal limitation includes all project-related costs for feasibility studies, planning, engineering, construction, and supervision and administration. To learn more about the Section 206 authority, please click here.
Section 204: Beneficial Uses of Dredged Materials
Section 204 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1992, as amended, provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to restore, protect and create aquatic and wetland habitats in connection with construction or maintenance dredging of an authorized project. To learn more about the section 204 authority, please click here.
Environmental restoration may also be pursued under the following authorities:
General Investigation Studies
General Investigation Studies for Environmental Restoration were authorized under Section 306 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1990. Larger projects are authorized under the General Investigations program, which allows the Corps to pursue ecosystem restoration as a single purpose or in conjunction with navigation or flood damage reduction. Environmental restoration may be included as a specific line item in an Act of Congress authorizing a major project. All of these authorities are enabling the Corps to restore healthy habitat throughout the region. To learn more about the General Investigation authority, please click here.
Section 22: Planning Assistance to States and Tribes
Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 authorized the Corps to use its technical expertise in water and related land resources to help state and tribal governments with their water resources problems. Upon request by a sponsor, Portland District will request matching funds to cooperate with a sponsor to prepare plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and land resources in Oregon. Assistance of $500,000 federal funds per State and per Tribe is allowed each year and must be cost-shared with the non-federal sponsor. Typical activities studied under this program include studies for flood damage reduction, water conservation, water quality, wetland evaluations, port and harbor development, coastal zone management, environmental planning, economic, social and cultural studies, and hydrology, hydraulics and engineering studies. To learn more about the Section 22 authority, please click here.
Section 536: Lower Columbia River and Tillamook Bay Ecosystem Restoration
Section 536 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 authorized the Corps to carry out ecosystem restoration projects in the Lower Columbia River and Tillamook Bay. Currently, only projects within the Lower Columbia River and its estuary have been funded. The purpose of carrying out ecosystem restoration projects under this section is to undertake activities necessary to protect, monitor, and restore fish and wildlife habitat. Section 536 projects area cost-shared between the Federal government and a non-Federal interest, with the non-Federal interest paying 35 percent of the total project cost. To learn more about the Section 536 authority, please click here.