EP 1165-2-1
30 Jul 99
CHAPTER 20
AQUATIC PLANT CONTROL
20-1. Aquatic Plant Control Program. Section 104 of the River and
Harbor Act of 1958 (Public Law 85-500), as amended, and Sections 103,
105, and 712 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (Public
Law 99-662) authorize the Corps of Engineers to cooperate with other
Federal and non-Federal (usually state) agencies in comprehensive
programs for the control of obnoxious aquatic plants. (ER 1130-2-500
and EP 1130-2-500 are applicable to this Corps program.) Funds
appropriated for this program are applied to three general categories
of activities, as follows:
a. Planning. The planning part of the program is necessary to
determine whether there is justification for Federal (Corps)
involvement in an aquatic plant problem and to establish a specific
plan of action for dealing with plant infestations. There are three
planning studies: (1) Initial Appraisal; (2) Reconnaissance Report,
and; (3) Detailed Project Report (DPR). The Initial Appraisal and
Reconnaissance Report are accomplished with Federal funds. Subsequent
development of the DPR must be cost shared 50 percent Federal and 50
percent non-Federal.
b. Management Operations. Where Federal involvement is
determined to be appropriate, aquatic plant control operations are
cost shared 50 percent Federal and 50 percent non-Federal in
accordance with the DPR, Project Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and
Annual Work Plan.
c. Research. The thrust of the research effort is to identify
new and more efficient tools for aquatic plant control. The cost of
research dealing with problems and outputs that have regional or
nationwide importance is 100 percent Federal. The cost of research
conducted to provide local or site specific information is cost shared
50 percent Federal and 50 percent non-Federal. The Waterways
Experiment Station is the lead laboratory for the Corps Aquatic Plant
Control Research Program.
20-2.
Program Controls.
a. Through the use of an initial appraisal, the district will
determine the need for further study. If justified, a request for
authorization and funding for a reconnaissance report is forwarded
through the division and HQUSACE (CECW-ON) to the OASA(CW) in a letter
report. The initiation of aquatic plant control reconnaissance
reports must be approved by the ASA(CW). New studies will not be
initiated unless the proposed project outputs are consistent with
current budget criteria for new start construction projects. A
reconnaissance report must be completed and submitted through the
division and HQUSACE (CECW-ON) to the OASA(CW) for review and
approval. A negotiated detailed study cost sharing agreement and a
letter from the local sponsor indicating a willingness and intent to
sign the agreement must be included. If approved, the ASA(CW) will
authorize the district to conduct a DPR addressing details of the
aquatic plant problem and the proposed plan of action.
b. An Environmental Assessment and, where appropriate, an
Environmental Impact Statement must be completed for any proposed
control operations.
20-1
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