This page provides a description of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), its mission to reduce risk in coastal areas, and how its work relates to FEMA’s mission. This page is intended for community members and stakeholders who are interested in understanding how the USACE’s work complements FEMA’s work.
The USACE works with Federal, State, and local partners to address water resources challenges which include reducing risk to lives, property, and the environment and strengthening coastal community resilience.
USACE coastal projects provide multiple benefits to communities including reducing vulnerability to storm surge and protecting against coastal erosion impacts. USACE projects and activities also preserve and restore coastal ecosystems, provide recreational opportunities, regulate impacts to aquatic resources and navigable waterways, and facilitate navigation for commerce.
USACE provides coastal floodplain technical services and planning guidance to State, regional, and local governments, Tribes, and other non-Federal entities to foster public understanding of the impacts of flood hazards and the actions the public can take to manage those hazards. USACE promotes informed management of floodplains to encourage the resilience of coastal communities.
USACE assists during times of disaster. USACE emergency response teams around the country can mobilize to respond quickly and effectively when disasters strike. The efforts of these teams help save lives, protect communities, and safeguard against economic losses. In addition to these immediate measures, USACE responds to emergencies by developing long-term solutions to emergency management issues. Shore protection projects are frequently implemented following storm events to prevent future damages.
USACE projects integrate environmental considerations designed to reduce impacts to the natural environment and, in some cases, restore coastal ecosystems. USACE works with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems through restoration projects and its regulatory program.
USACE strives to provide safe, reliable, efficient, effective, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems for movement of commerce, national security needs, and recreation. Federal coastal navigation projects allow commercial and recreational vessels to transit confined near-shore areas and use ports and harbors along the coast.
Resources from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Coastal Systems Portfolio Initiative Project Database
USACE Coastal Storm Damage Reduction Planning Center of Expertise
National Shoreline Management Study (NSMS)
Institute for Water Resources Website