Civil Works Program |
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Army involvement in works "of a civil nature" goes back
almost to the origins of the U.S. Over the years, as the Nation's needs
have changed, so have the Army's Civil Works missions. Those missions
today fall in four broad areas: water infrastructure, environmental management
and restoration, response to natural and manmade disasters, and engineering
and technical services to the Army, DoD and other Federal agencies.
At Corps of Engineers Headquarters in Washington, DC,
the Directorate of Civil Works oversees the program. Civil Works projects
are located throughout the United States.
Funds for the Civil Works program come from the annual Energy and Water
Development Appropriation, not the Defense budget. Add to that the cost-sharing
funds supplied directly by non-Federal sponsors for specific projects
and the total civil program is about $5 billion a year.
The process for developing Civil Works projects begins when
citizens see a need for flood protection, navigation, or other water-related
infrastructure and ask Congress for help. Congress will direct the Corps
to do a study to see if a project is warranted. Corps studies are usually
done in 2 phases: an initial reconnaissance to determine if a feasible
solution is likely, then a feasibility study to examine alternatives and
select the project that best meets national and local needs. Most feasibility
studies are cost-shared with a local sponsor. If the conclusion is positive,
before any construction, Congress must first authorize the project and
then appropriate funds. Most projects are built with a combination of
Federal funds and contributions by non-federal sponsors. Depending on
project purpose, the Corps then either operates and maintains the completed
project, or turns it over to local authorities. |
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Directorate of
Civil Works
A Brief
History of the Corps |
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Navigation
Supporting navigation by maintaining and improving channels was the
Corps of Engineers' earliest Civil Works mission, dating to Federal laws
in 1824 authorizing the Corps to improve safety on the Ohio and Mississippi
Rivers and several ports. Maintaining channels means keeping them at specified
depths and widths by dredging and other means. Maintaining also means
removing impediments, like logjams. Improving means making them deeper
or wider. Today, the Corps maintains more than 12,000 miles (19,200
km) of inland waterways and operates 235 locks. These waterways -a system
of rivers, lakes and coastal bays improved for commercial and recreational
transportation - carry about 1/6 of the Nation's inter-city freight, at
a cost per ton-mile about 1/2 that of rail or 1/10 that of trucks. The
Corps also maintain 300 commercial harbors, through which pass 2 billion
tons of cargo a year, and more than 600 smaller harbors. With more than
13 million American jobs dependent on our import and export trade, these
ports are vital to our economic security. Detailed information on the
commerce handled by the Nation's ports and waterways is available from
the Corps' Navigation Data Center.
Ports and waterways also play a role in national defense. Practically
all the heavy equipment and supplies bound for Operations Desert Shield,
Desert Storm and other overseas military deployments moved by ship through
ports maintained by the civil works program. The major harbors we maintain
include power major military ports such as Sunny Point, NC; Savannah,
GA; and Beaumont, TX.
For more information, contact the Navigation Information Connection.
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Navigation Data
Center
Navigation
Information Connection
Navigation Education and Outreach
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Flood Damage Reduction
The Corps was first called upon to address flood problems
along the Mississippi river in the mid- 1800's. We began work on the Mississippi
River and Tributaries Flood Control Project in 1928, and the Flood Control
Act of 1936 gave the Corps the mission to provide flood protection to
the entire country.
Corps flood control efforts range from small, local protection
projects (levees or non-structural flood control measures) to major dams.
Today, most Corps constructed flood protection projects are owned by sponsoring
cities, towns, and agricultural districts, but the Corps continues to
maintain and operate 383 dams and reservoirs for flood control.
Neither the Corps nor any other agency can prevent all flood damages,
but we have an impressive record. . During the 10 years from 1991 through
2000 the United States suffered $45 billion in property damage from floods.
During that same period, however, Corps flood damage reduction measures
prevented more than $208 billion in damage - 82% of the damage that would
have occurred if the protection were removed.
In addition to building projects, the Corps of Engineers, through its
Flood Plain Management Services, advises communities, industries, and
property owners on protection measures they can take themselves, such
as zoning regulations, warning systems and flood proofing. Last year this
service responded to more than 44,000 requests for information. The value
of property protected by this program is an estimated $6.2 billion.
To find current information on water levels in your area, visit the websites
of the 38 Corps districts with a Civil Works mission.
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Division/District map
List
of Districts
Glossary of Terms
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The purpose of ecosystem restoration is to re-establish the attributes
of a natural, functioning and self- regulating system. Since passage of
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, environmental protection
has been an important component of the civil works planning process. Legislation
passed in 1990 established environmental protection as one of the primary
missions of water resources projects-- along with navigation and flood
control. Over the last ten years, small ecosystem restoration projects
have grown increasingly popular throughout the country. In one of the
largest restoration projects ever attempted, the Corps and the National
Park Service are cooperating on restoring the hydrologic regime for the
Everglades in Florida, with funds provided by both agencies. This new
direction has allowed us to expand our traditional environmental activities
and enhance or restore natural resources at our projects.
The Corps is responsible for the stewardship of nearly 12 million acres of land and water located at 500 operating water resources projects in 43
states. As steward of the natural and cultural resources occurring at those projects, the Corps stewardship goal is to manage, conserve and/or
protect those resources, consistent with project authorities and ecosystem sustainability approaches, to meet environmental standards and serve
the needs of present and future generations.
The Corps is accountable for the management of diverse natural resources occurring on Corps project lands including fish and wildlife,
federally listed threatened or endangered species, forests, wetlands, grasslands, soils, water and cultural resources. Corps managers integrate
the management of these resources with the provision of other authorized project purposes, such as recreation, navigation, hydropower and flood
damage reduction. Our goal is to sustain healthy lands and water, and manage for long-term public access to, and the use of, the natural resources
in cooperation with other federal, state and local agencies, as well as the private sector.
In 1997, Congress transferred the Formerly Used Sites Remedial Action
Program (FUSRAP) to the Corps from the Department of Energy. Under this
program the Corps cleans up former Manhattan Project and Atomic Energy
Commission sites, making use of expertise gained in cleaning up former
military sites, and civilian hazardous waste sites under the Environmental
Protection Agency "Superfund" program.
Currently work is under way at FUSRAP sites in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio,
Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
For more information on this program, visit the FUSRAP Home Page.
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Environmental
Compliance
Environmental
Stewardship
Estuary Restoration Act
Everglades in Florida
Formerly
Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP)
Environmental and Munitions
Center of Expertise
Services for
the Military - Environmental Programs
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Wetlands and Waterways Regulation and Permitting
The Corps has been involved in regulating activities by
others in navigable waterways through the granting of permits since passage
of the Rivers & Harbors Act of 1899. At first, this program was meant
to prevent obstructions to navigation, although an early 20th century
law gave us regulatory authority over the dumping of trash and sewage.
Passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972 greatly broadened this role by
giving the Corps authority over dredging and filling in the "waters of
the United States," including many wetlands.
A major aspect of the Regulatory program is determining which areas qualify
for protection as wetlands. In reaching these decisions, the Corps uses
its 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual (available here in PDF format).
In making decisions on whether to grant, deny or set conditions on permits,
District commanders are required to consider "all factors in the public
interest," including economic development and environmental protection.
Numerous relatively minor activities in wetlands are covered by regional
or nationwide general permits, allowing the regulatory staff to concentrate
on more complex cases. Of the approximately 1,100 people who carry out
this mission, about 70% have academic backgrounds in biology and environmental
sciences. |
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Civil
Works Regulatory Program
Regulatory/
Permitting Offices
USACE
Regulatory/ Permitting Links
Wetland
Delineation Manual
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Recreation
The Corps of Engineers is the Nation's
largest provider of outdoor recreation, operating more than 2,500
recreation areas at 463 projects (mostly lakes) and leasing an additional
1,800 sites to state or local park and recreation authorities or
private interests. The Corps hosts about 360 million visits a year
at its lakes, beaches and other areas, and estimates that 25 million
Americans (one in ten) visit a Corps project at least once a year.
Supporting visitors to these recreation areas generates 600,000
jobs.
The Army Corps of Engineers is the steward of the lands and waters
at Corps water resources projects. Its Natural Resources Management Mission is to manage
and conserve those natural resources, consistent with ecosystem management
principles, while providing quality public outdoor recreation experiences
to serve the needs of present and future generations. Our Rangers
and park staff are our stewards and serve and support our visitors
and the nation.Since the vast majority of our recreation areas are located
next to water, the Corps, in partnership with other agencies, is active
in the National Water Safety Program. Visit this program's site for materials
to teach and promote water safety at home or in the classroom, and for
links to other water safety sites.
In managing recreation and natural resources, it is necessary for the Corps to work together with neighbors and local communities -
in everything from wildlife protection and habitat improvement to recreational facility enhancements and customer service.
The Corps welcomes the myriad of present and future partners who share common goals and interests in our resources. Many of our most
valuable resources, such as endangered species, do not recognize human or property boundaries. Additionally, funding and labor resource
shortages affect all levels of government and society. Partnering can avoid unnecessary duplication of effort, pool scarce resources,
and promote coordinated, focused, and consistent mutual efforts to resolve common problems and missions.
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Corps
Lakes Gateway
Volunteer Clearinghouse
National Recreation Reservation
Service
Golden Age/Access and Annual Pass
Recreation.gov |
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Emergency response
Throughout the Nation's history, citizens have relied on
the Army to respond to their needs in disasters. In a typical year, the
Corps of Engineers responds to more than 30 Presidential disaster declarations,
plus numerous state and local emergencies. Emergency responses usually
involve cooperation with other military elements and Federal agencies
in support of State and local efforts. The Corps of Engineers conducts
its emergency response activities under two basic authorities: the Flood
Control and Coastal Emergency Act (P.L. 84-99, as amended) and the Stafford
Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288, as amended). Under
the Stafford Act, the Corps supports the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) in carrying out the Federal Response Plan, which calls on
26 Federal departments and agencies to provide coordinated disaster relief
and recovery operations. Under this plan, the Army has the lead responsibility
for public works and engineering missions.
It is difficult to know, more than a few days in advance, when or where
the next hurricane or other natural disaster will strike, or whether any
given year will be heavy or light, but we know that natural disasters
will come. Click to our map to see the location of our emergency responses
of the past few years.
The frequency and severity of damages created by natural and other
disasters require an ever- ready rapid and effective emergency management
response. This challenge will always remain an area of national need.
Disaster damages more typically run in the billions of dollars. In addition,
population shifts to at-risk areas and climatic changes are increasing
the risk to people and property. For information on current Corps emergency
response activities, click on our Emergency Response Links. |
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Homeland Security and Emergency Response |
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Research and Development
The Directorate of Research and Development coordinates USACE's research
efforts and acts as an advocate for the USACE Engineer Research and Development
Center (ERDC). They represent ERDC in the Pentagon and Congress, provide
program guidance and program approval for, develop management procedures
for, and exercise staff supervision of ERDC.
ERDC is the US Army Corps of Engineers' Research
and Development Command. ERDC consists of eight unique laboratories.
Research support includes:
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Topographic Engineering Center - Mapping
and terrain analysis
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Construction Engineering Research Laboratory - Infrastructure design,
construction, operations and maintenance
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Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory - Geotechnical and structural
engineering
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Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory - Cold regions and
ice engineering
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Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory - Coastal and hydraulic engineering
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Environmental Laboratory - Environmental quality
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Information Technology Laboratory - High performance computing and information technology
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Directorate of
Research and Development
Engineer Research and Development
Center (ERDC)
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Other Missions
Many of our projects built for navigation or flood control have
additional uses, such as hydroelectric power. The Corps was first authorized
to build hydroelectric plants in the 1920s, and today operates 75 power
plants, producing one fourth of the nation's hydro-electric power--or
three percent of its total electric energy. This makes us the Nation's
fifth largest electric supplier.
With a large proportion of the U.S. population living near our sea
and lake shores, and an estimated 75% of U.S. vacations being spent at
the beach, there has been Federal interest ? and a Corps of Engineers
mission - in protecting these areas from hurricane and coastal storm damage.
The Corps of Engineers looks for the most economical, environmentally
sound and socially acceptable solutions to shore protection. In some cases,
this will involve hard structures ? jetties, seawalls, etc. In many other
cases, a preferable approach is beach nourishment, the placement of sand
along the beach. During storms the sand acts as a buffer and protects
the structures behind the beach. Storm waves move the sand offshore, causing
the waves to also break further offshore and provide less threat to property.
Much of the sand that moves offshore during storms remains in the system
and returns to the beaches, carried by the smaller waves prevalent during
summer. Some sand will be lost from the system; yet this is often a wise
investment, as the cost of replacing sand is many times less than the
cost of repairing property damaged by a storm.
Corps shore protection projects are usually cost-shared
with the State, the local jurisdiction where the project is located, or
both. In cases where the project involves beach nourishment, the cost
sharing agreement usually calls for periodic re-nourishment, often over
a period of 50 years. The Federal Government has honored all such commitments.
A 1996 study commissioned by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget
concluded that Corps beach nourishment projects have performed generally
as designed. Actual renourishment volumes, averaged over all projects,
have been within 5% of predicted volumes. Actual costs have been 1% less
than predicted costs for the initial beach restoration and 10% less than
predicted costs for periodic nourishment.
Requests for shore protection projects nearly always come from communities
where intense development has already taken place. Federal policy that
the local project sponsor provide 100% of the cost to protect undeveloped
shorefront lands within an area where a Federal project has been recommended.
In evaluating project performance, the Corps has found that Federal shore
protection projects have had no measurable effect on encouraging more
development. The Federal Government plays no role in decisions regarding
land use along the shore. States and local authorities make these decisions
and manage their shores.
The Corps of Engineers carries out shore protection projects at the request
of local sponsors, as authorized and funded by Congress. Projects are
performed only on publicly accessible beaches, and only after thorough
studies have determined a positive cost to benefit ratio exists. Although
Corps projects provide benefits such as shoreline protection, habitat
protection and renewal, and the generation of tax dollars associated with
that recreation, the primary purpose is always the protection of life
and property.
The Corps of Engineers is a leader in developing engineering criteria
for safe dams, and conducts an active inspection program of its own dams.
The Corps has also carried out inspections at most of the dams built by
others ? Federal, State and local agencies and private interests. Information
on these dams can be accessed through the National Inventory of Dams website.
The data can be viewed as text, downloaded, or mapped using a free downloadable
Geographic Information System (GIS) interface.
The Corps first got involved in water supply in the 1850s, when
we built the aqueduct that still serves Washington, DC, and some of its
suburbs in Northern Virginia. We continue to operate the aqueduct and
the two water purification plants it feeds; the water then flows into
local systems. Elsewhere in the Nation, a 1958 law allowed cities and
industries to tap into Corps reservoirs to meet municipal and industrial
water supply needs; and today our reservoirs supply water to nearly 10
million people in 115 cities. In the drier parts of the Nation, water
from Corps reservoirs is also used for agriculture. |
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Institute for Water
Resources
National
Inventory of Dams
Marine Design Center
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Support to other agencies
In addition to military and civil works programs, the Corps of Engineers
provides engineering support to 60 non-D.O.D. Federal agencies, States and
local governments under the Interagency and International Support program.
The types of support we provide include toxic waste cleanup for the Environmental
Protection Agency's "Superfund" program, construction support for the nation's
space program, and facilities for the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Immigration
and Naturalization Service.
The Corps also provides support to other nations. These
have included water resource advice and training in South America, bridges
in Bulgaria, joint earthquake research with Japan, and channel surveys
for Bangladesh. |
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Interagency
and International Services Program |
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Real Estate
This office manages the full range of real estate services (appraisal, planning
and control, acquisition, management, and disposal of land) for the military
and civil works activities of the Army and Air Force, and for other federal
agencies as requested.
They also manage the Contingency Real Estate Support Team (CREST), which
includes real estate personnel who have received modified military training
so they can deploy to provide real estate services during contingency
operations. CREST members also assist during national emergencies when
needed.
Real Estate is also the DoD executive agent for the Recruiting Facilities
Program, the Homeowners Assistance Program, and the Defense National Relocation
Program. |
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Real Estate
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Looking
for Help and Points of Contact?
Page Last Updated: 14 August 2006 |
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