EP 1165-2-502
30 Sep 99
allows large incremental costs for environmentally beneficial disposal to be implemented at existing
Federal navigation projects without the need for specific authorization.
6. Additional Restoration Opportunities. Opportunities to contribute to ecosystem restoration
objectives exist in other areas of the Civil Works program. A number of these opportunities may
be addressed through management at existing operating projects. Additionally, dredging of
contaminated sediments may be possible through Section 312 of WRDA 1990.
a. Existing Operating Projects. Consideration should be given to ecosystem restoration needs
and opportunities at projects that the Corps operates and maintains. Where environmental
restoration opportunities involve Corps project lands, input from the project's Operations Manager
(OM) and natural resources management staff shall be sought. Early coordination with Corps real
estate staff is necessary to determine whether actions being considered are compatible with existing
real estate interests or rights held by the government or third parties, e.g. fee, easement, license to
other Federal agencies or lease to non-Federal party. Restoration measures that utilize only
operational and management changes which can be accomplished without additional cost may be
undertaken under existing discretionary operating authority, as opposed to using Section 1135
authority. Other restoration needs and opportunities as part of stewardship efforts may be
considered for implementation through the budgetary process.
(1) Ecosystem restoration needs and opportunities shall be incorporated in Master Plans and
Operational Management Plans (OMP) (see ER 1130-2-540) and included, as appropriate, in
budget requests (see current Civil Works budget circular). In both of these instances, the
restoration measure must be compatible with the purposes of the project. If there is a significant
restoration opportunity that is not compatible with existing project purposes, it may be appropriate
to examine this potential through Section 216 authority.
(2) Challenge Partnerships Program. The Challenge Partnerships Program, as authorized by
Section 225 of the WRDA 1992, provides opportunities for non-Federal public and private groups
and individuals to contribute to and participate in the operation and/or management of recreation
facilities and natural resources at Corps water resources projects. Challenge partnership
agreements at water resource development projects may be used to provide for the operation
and/or management and development of natural resources or recreation facilities where such
resources and facilities are being maintained at complete Federal expense. These agreements may
be used for the identification, protection, improvement, rehabilitation, preservation, management,
or interpretation of natural resources, environmental features, recreation areas and facilities, or
cultural resources. The participating partner may contribute funds, including cash, materials,
personal property, equipment, or services as their portion of the challenge cost-sharing agreement.
In addition, the Corps may contribute to work accomplished by the partner. These contributed
resources will be combined with regular project resources as a supplement to accomplish the work
designated in the agreement. Real estate cannot be accepted as a partner's contribution under
these agreements. Work selected for challenge partnership agreements shall be within current
authorities and contained in the annual or five-year plan in the approved OMP, and will generally
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