EP 1165-2-502
30 Sep 99
a. The authorities through which the Corps can participate in ecosystem restoration and
protection studies and project implementation are summarized in Table 2 and discussed below.
Table 2. Authorities through which the Corps can participate in ecosystem restoration and
protection.
Study authorities for examining ecosystem restoration needs and opportunities:
1) Congressionally authorized studies, pursued under General Investigations (i.e., new start
reconnaissance and feasibility studies for single-purpose ecosystem restoration or multiple purpose
projects which include ecosystem restoration as a purpose); 2) General Reevaluation Reports, and
reformulation opportunities in conjunction with significant Post-Authorization Change Reports; 3)
Section 216, Review of Completed Projects (River and Harbor and Flood Control Act of 1970); 4)
major rehabilitation of existing projects; and 5) Section 22, Planning Assistance to States (WRDA
1974, as amended).
Programmatic authorities for study, design and implementation of ecosystem restoration and
protection projects: 1) Section 1135, Project Modifications for Improvement of the Environment
(Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, as amended); 2) Section 206, Aquatic
Ecosystem Restoration (WRDA 1996 ); 3) Section 204 Beneficial Uses of Dredged Material
(WRDA 1992, as amended); and, 4) dredging of contaminated sediments under Section 312 of
WRDA 1990, as amended.
Additional opportunities for ecosystem restoration and protection may also be pursued through
existing project authorities for the management of operating projects; e.g., through water control
changes, or as part of natural resources management.
(1) Individually Authorized Studies and Projects. Studies and projects to address objectives
related to the restoration of ecological resources may be undertaken in response to either a study-
specific authority or a standing authority in the same manner that flood damage reduction and
navigation studies and projects are authorized. Study-specific authorizations may be provided in
resolutions from the House Committee on Infrastructure and Transportation, or the Senate
Committee on Environment and Public Works, or included in a public law. A standing authority
to review completed projects is contained in Section 216 of the 1970 River and Harbor and Flood
Control Act.
(a) Restoration as Single or Multiple Purpose. Individually authorized studies and projects
may be either single purpose or multiple purpose, depending upon the authorization. As such,
some projects may be formulated to address only ecosystem restoration objectives, while others
may address both ecosystem restoration objectives plus some other purpose, e.g., flood damage
reduction, or a suite of purposes. Multipurpose plans, with both economic and environmental
tradeoffs and outputs, can be developed and recommended. During a feasibility study,
consideration can be given to the integration of environmental features in the project, in
accordance with the guidance contained in ER 1105-2-100, rather than proposing separate
projects. Ecosystem restoration opportunities may also be considered in conjunction with General
3
Previous Page
