Institute for Water Resources

On October 17, 2008, the Collaboration and Public Participation Center (CPCX) was named a Corps Center of Expertise (CX) and Directory of Expertise (DX). The CPCX was a response to the growing need for alternative methods of dispute resolution in the management of our nation’s waters. The Corps recognition of the need for collaboration, partnering, and public participation in water resources decision making has been documented in:

• Civil Works Plan, Policy Guidance Letter 61
• Engineering Circular 1105-2-409 on Planning in a Collaborative Environment
• 2011-2015 Civil Works Strategic Plan campaign goal relating to water resources: Develop collaborative, effective, and efficient approaches to water resources problem solving that integrate with Sponsor, Stakeholder, Federal, and State Agency efforts

CPCX provides technical assistance to Districts and Divisions on collaborative processes, builds USACE collaborative capacity, publishes reports on environmental conflict resolution and collaborative processes, and manages the Corps’ Public Participation and Risk Communication Community of Practice (CoP). CPCX’s work is focused on its four goals of consultation services, capacity building, policy support, and research.

Support to the Field

CPCX is the hub for the USACE field offices to find best practices and liaise with world leaders in their respective disciplines. In addition to creating a directory of internal Corps and external collaboration experts, the CPCX is the lead for USACE’s Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict and their National Roster of Environmental Dispute Resolution and Consensus Building Professionals. A Corporate Oversight Panel and Field Review Group guide the Center’s work.

CPCX further provides technical assistance to Districts and Divisions by assisting field offices in specific cases through advice, guidance and support. Training and outreach by the Center includes:

• Assisting field offices to manage conflicts and productively engage the public
• Offering training related to collaborative problem solving and effectively involving the public in Corps projects
• Sponsoring world class expertsl who write and lecture and write during their residence at the Center 
• Ensuring that new tools such as interactive modeling and software for negotiations are effectively integrated into field applications

Support to Headquarters

CPCX provides support to USACE Headquarters in policy development, evaluation and reporting. Examples include:

• The annual environmental conflict resolution report to Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
• Creation of Corps-wide indices to measure environmental conflict resolution and collaboration use and effectiveness
• Assistance to Headquarters in review and revision of relevant policy and doctrine

Advantages to the Corps that CPCX provides include:

• Promoting integrated solutions through increased participation of citizens and stakeholders in the problem/solution process
• Implementing more Integrated Water Resource Management solutions at Corps projects, with broader public acceptance
• Improving the Corps public image through more openness, improved problem solving capabilities, and national recognition of the Corps commitment to participation

Read on Rationale for CPCX