EP 1165-2-1
30 Jul 99
(1)
Philosophy and Checklist.
(a) Philosophy. The Federal interest, for the purpose of
Federal investment, is determined from the nature of the benefits
derived from a facility or activity. Recreation at ecosystem
restoration projects should not only be compatible, but also enhance
the visitation experience by taking advantage of the natural values.
The social, cultural, scientific, and educational values should be
considered within the framework of the ecosystem restoration project
purpose. For example, while educational values, through such things
as nature study and interpretive signs, can be an integral part of
ecosystem restoration projects, this does not mean it is appropriate
to build recreation/visitor facilities that overwhelm the natural
values. The recreational experience should build upon the ecosystem
restoration objective and take advantage of the restored resources
rather than distract from them.
-- Formulation. Ecosystem restoration projects should be
formulated to address significant resources and must be justified
through a determination that the combined monetary and non-monetary
value of the last increment of benefits or losses prevented or
replaced exceeds the combined monetary and non-monetary cost of the
last added increment of the ecosystem restoration measure. Recreation
development will not influence that formulation. Ecosystem and
recreation projects proposed for construction at existing Corps
projects should be consistent with the approved Master Plan.
-- Recreation Development. Recreation development at an
ecosystem restoration project should be totally ancillary (see
paragraph 5-8.e). Recreation facilities may be added to take
advantage of the education and recreation potential of the ecosystem
project, but the project cannot be specifically formulated for a
recreation purpose. The recreation potential may be satisfied only to
the extent that recreation does not diminish the ecosystem restoration
purpose. Where an ecosystem restoration project provides critical
habitat for a Federally listed threatened or endangered species,
recreation facilities at that project should be precluded in the
critical habitat and limited to only those facilities needed for
minimum health and safety and/or natural resources interpretation.
Where appropriate, recreation at ecosystem restoration projects should
be designed for day use only, precluding the need of extensive night
lighting. Whenever conflicts occur between the ecosystem restoration
purpose and recreation, ecosystem restoration shall have priority.
Plans should seek to optimize public use in harmony with the
objectives of the restoration project over the period of analysis.
Without a non-Federal sponsor to cost share recreation, ecosystem
restoration projects should not encourage public use.
-- Vendibility. If recreation benefits are vendible (type
usually provided by private enterprise), then the facility should be
provided by others.
-- Stand-alone Principle. Simply stated, if a recreation
feature could be built at the same location without the ecosystem
restoration project and not lose any of its utility or value, it
stands alone. When facilities stand alone, the Corps should not
participate in their development.
-- Access, Health and Safety. While most facilities at
ecosystem restoration projects would "stand-alone" (without Corps
17-6
Previous Page
