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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers environmental program has two major
focus areas: restoration and stewardship. Efforts in both areas are
guided by the Corps environmental operating
principles, which help us balance economic and environmental concerns.
Restoration
The Corps restoration program reflects the lessons we've learned as
a society in recent years about the importance of re-establishing the
natural functions of our nation's rivers,
lakes, wetlands
and coasts. Restoration projects range in
size from very small to very large. An example of the latter is the
key role the Corps is playing in implementing the Comprehensive Everglades
Restoration Plan, which is the largest environmental restoration project
ever undertaken. The plan focuses on recovering critical ecological
features of the original Everglades, including removing more than 240
miles of levees and canals to restore natural water flows. Over time
implementation of the plan is expected to help restore habitats that
house many rare, endangered and threatened species; improve the water
quality of several related lakes and estuaries; and ultimately create
a healthy, sustainable ecosystem in south Florida. The project also
will improve water supplies and provide flood protection for area residents.
Stewardship
The Corps stewardship program focuses on the ongoing care and protection
of the 12 million acres of rivers, lakes and wetlands for which we are
directly responsible. The twin goals of our stewardship efforts are
to help maintain healthy ecosystems and to ensure the availability of
these natural resources for future generations. Stewardship also increases
the benefits that the American people derive from these natural resources.
Wisely managed lands and waters contribute to the purity of our air
and water, to the fertility of our soil, and to the natural control
of flooding along our rivers and streams. Stewardship reduces siltation
in our reservoirs, maintaining their water storage for hydropower, navigation,
and water supply. It also contributes to the variety and abundance of
our fish and wildlife, and to the attractiveness of our lands and waters.
In recent years the Corps has adopted a watershed
approach to environmental concerns that emphasizes integrated, collaborative,
regional approaches to problems. This approach is reflected in both
the restoration and stewardship programs.
Learn more about recent Corps
environmental activities. Read the Corps Environment
Brochure (pdf 897KB) or the Lands
and Waters Brochure (pdf 1.47MB). Discover how the Corps applies
its environmental operating principles to its coastal
protection, flood
control, emergency
management, hydropower,
navigation, recreation,
regulatory and water
supply activities. You can also visit the USACE Environmental Community of Practice web site.
Making a Difference for
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reviewed 9 Jan 2009
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