GOALS
The primary goal of the Center is to improve the quality and timeliness of Corps deep draft navigation planning studies and products. Improve quality and timeliness of the Corps’ deep draft navigation planning studies and products.
Support the Corps’ deep draft navigation planning needs at both the national and international levels.
Maintain expertise in deep draft navigation plan formulation, hydrology, channel design, geotechnical investigations, cost estimating, economics, environmental, operations, real estate and other related disciplines.
The DDNPCX is organized and operated in a manner that is consistent with other national centers and thus, will be adjusted based on experience and further direction. The center’s structure and functions will evolve over time as experience is gained and the organization matures.
A Core planning team made up primarily of personnel from the South Atlantic Division, located in Atlanta, Georgia, and the Corps laboratories at various locations around the country, manages the DDNPCX. The Center also includes a concentration of deep draft navigation planning expertise located at Mobile District in Mobile, Alabama.
Finally, the Center has a “virtual” component that includes Corps deep draft navigation experts from around the country. The DDNPCX is established to support the Corp’s deep draft navigation planning needs at both the national and international levels.
Basically, the DDNPCX will facilitate the development of technically sufficient, legal, defensible deep draft navigation planning products by interacting with project delivery teams and matching-up needs with resources.
The DDNPCX will improve quality and timeliness of deep draft navigation studies by providing services that supplement the needs of customers. The purpose is to develop, maintain and apply the best and most appropriate national and regional expertise, and science and engineering technology to the planning of deep draft navigation projects.
Roles and Responsibilities
•Provide deep draft navigation planning consulting services to Corps districts and major subordinate commands, non-Federal interests and international customers;
•Conduct key analytical components of deep draft navigation planning studies, or entire studies, as determined by higher authority;
•Provide independent technical reviews of deep draft navigation planning products as requested;
•Provide advice to HQUSACE, the Corps laboratories and other stakeholders on significant regional and nation-wide deep draft navigation planning issues;
•Play a major role in establishing research and development priorities for Corps deep draft navigation planning;
•Coordinate and have oversight of the certification, validation and peer review of planning models used in Corps deep draft navigation studies;
•Coordinate the development of and participate in training related to deep draft navigation planning;
•Develop and manage a program of ‘lessons learned’ through coordination with the MSC planning expertise centers by sponsoring workshops, technology transfer, and web-based support.
•Supplement the HQUSACE staff in policy compliance review for deep draft navigation planning on projects as requested.
•Enhance basic planning expertise throughout the Corps by providing or creating developmental opportunities for individuals having specialized planning expertise in deep draft navigation planning.
DDNPCX@usace.army.mil