Home   About EBA   Technical Documents   Tools   Case Studies   Contact Us
   EBA Resources
  • EBA Framework
  • Conceptual Models
  • Objectives and Metrics
  • Modeling & Forecasting
  • Types of Models
  • Use of Existing Models
  • Model Adaption
  • Model Development
  • Certification of Planning Models
  • Decision Making
  • Uncertainty & Risk Management
  • Adaptive Management

    Certification of Planning Models

      The USACE requires the use of certified or approved models for all planning studies to ensure the models are technically and theoretically sound, compliant with policy, computationally accurate, and based on reasonable assumptions. Planning models are defined as any models and analytical tools that are used to define water resources problems and opportunities, to formulate potential alternatives to address the problems and take advantage of the opportunities, to evaluate potential effects of alternatives and to support decision making.

      The National Ecosystem Restoration Planning Center of Expertise is responsible for implementing the certification and approval process and for assuring the overall quality of ecosystem restoration planning models.

      Certification Quick Facts:

      • The use of a certified or approved planning model does not constitute technical review of the planning product. The selection, application, and the input and output data are still the responsibility of the users and are subject to internal District Quality Control, Agency Technical Review or Independent External Peer Review.
      • The USACE guidance on the certification or approval of models does not cover engineering models used in planning.
      • Only those models developed by the USACE require certification. The ECO-PCX would initiate the model certification process if the model is anticipated to be applied on a regular basis.
      • Planning models are considered for approval (rather than certification) if they have been developed outside the USACE or are a single-use, study-specific model that was developed by the USACE.
      • For models developed by USACE that are intended for single use, the ECO-PCX will implement a model approval process through the agency technical review rather than through a separate model certification process.
      • HQUSACE recommends that CEMS should be developed for all ecosystem restoration projects, they do not require certification, and that they be reviewed as part of the normal agency review process.
      • The ECO-PCX has approved the use of a long and specific list of US Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Suitability Index Models, and any quality models that have been documented and tested to the level required by USACE policy.

      Specific certification guidance can be found in:

    • EC 1105-2-412, Planning : Assuring the Quality of Planning Models

      Webinar

    • Model Certification


    Privacy and Security Notice
    Updated: March 2024