EP 1165-2-502
30 Sep 99
Stakeholder and public involvement can improve the understanding of problems and the
implications of alternatives being considered. Collaborative decision making aides in the
evaluation of alternatives where benefits are not monetized. Guidance on public involvement in
Civil Works planning studies is provided in ER 1105-2-100.
8. Federal Objectives. The general guidance in the Economic and Environmental Principles and
Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies (P&G), applies to
ecosystem restoration activities and will be used in formulating and evaluating ecosystem
restoration projects. The Federal objective in water resources planning is to contribute to National
Economic Development (NED) in order to alleviate problems and/or realize opportunities related
to water and related land resources, consistent with protecting the Nation's environment, pursuant
to national environmental statutes, applicable executive orders, and other Federal planning
requirements. The Principles and Guidelines allow for the formulation of alternative plans which
reduce net NED benefits in order to address other Federal, state, tribal, local and international
concerns not fully addressed by the NED plan. The P&G state that the NED plan is to be selected
unless an exception is granted, by the Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) in the case of the
Corps, to selecting the NED plan when there are overriding reasons for selecting another plan.
Such overriding reasons include Federal, state, tribal, local and international concerns, as well as
the provision of significant environmental outputs such as ecosystem restoration.
a. Plans to address ecosystem restoration should be formulated, and measures for restoring
ecological resources may be recommended, consistent with cost effectiveness principles and the
analytical framework established by the P&G. Recommended ecosystem restoration measures do
not need to exhibit net NED benefits, but will be based on a combination of monetary and non-
monetary benefits. Restoration measures and should be viewed on the basis of non-monetary
outputs compatible with the P&G selection criteria and be offered for consideration. These criteria
are discussed in paragraph 16 of this pamphlet. Multipurpose plans, with both economic and
environmental tradeoffs and outputs, can also be developed and recommended. These plans are
developed and formulated so that the recommended plan contains positive net contributions to
both economic and environmental benefits.
b. When formulating plans for ecosystem restoration, opportunities to contribute to NED may
also be considered. Quantifiable economic benefits of these restoration projects stem from changes
in economic values associated with ecosystem improvement. Restoration projects which
accomplish water quality improvement, habitat restoration, recreation, flood damage reduction,
etc., are most likely to possess both NED and environmental quality (EQ) benefits.
9. Environmental Compliance/Consistency. As with other Civil Works studies and projects,
ecosystem restoration studies and projects must be in compliance with all applicable Federal
environmental statutes and regulations and with applicable state statutes. Guidance on plan
formulation and evaluation, including Section 404 (Clean Water Act) and other environmental
compliance considerations and requirements, is provided in the Principles and Guidelines and ER
1105-2-100. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance will be accomplished in
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