About Retrospective Evaluation

Background
Despite substantial investments in aquatic ecosystem restoration nationally, there is little or no quantitative monitoring of ecological response, and little or no basis upon which to assess project and program success (Bernhardt et al. 2005; Ruiz-Jaen and Aide 2005). Furthermore, few national databases have been developed for ecosystem restoration projects (Jenkinson, 2006; Palmer et al. 2007; Roni, 2008). Monitoring and assessment efforts within the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE or Corps) largely reflect this pattern (Fischenich, 2011). Better data and information are needed by the Corps and others to ensure that restoration investments maximize environmental benefits to the Nation. This retrospective analysis was undertaken to 1) characterize the nature, scope and distribution of ecosystem restoration projects implemented by the Corps, 2) evaluate project success and the factors contributing to that success, and 3) identify lessons learned and innovative practices.

Number of Projects Entered by Funding Authority
Congressional Authority Number of Projects
Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) - Section 113584
Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMMR)-EMP47
Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) - Section 20643
Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)14
Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP)13
Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) - Section 20410
Specific Authorization5
Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 - Section 1041

Cited:

  • Bernhardt, E.S. et al. 2005. "Synthesizing U.S. river restoration efforts," Science. 308:637-638.
  • Fischenich, C. 2011. Stream Restoration Benefits. In Stream Restoration in Dynamic Fluvial Systems: Scientific Approaches, Analyses, and Tools, Simon, A., S. J. Bennett, and J. M. Castro (Eds.) Geophys. Monogr. Ser., vol. 194, 544 pp., AGU, Washington, D. C., doi:10.1029/GM194.
  • Jenkinson R.G. et al. 2006. "Stream Restoration Databases & Case Studies: A Guide to Information Resources and Their Utility in Advancing the Science and Practice of Restoration, Restoration." Ecology 14(2): 177-186
  • Palmer, M, J.D. Allan, J. Meyer, and E.S. Bernhardt, 2007. River Restoration in the Twenty-First Century: Data and Experimental Knowledge to Inform Future Efforts. Restoration Ecology. 15(3):472-481
  • Roni, P., Hanson, K, and Beechie, T. 2008. Global Review of the Physical and Biological Effectiveness of Stream Habitat Rehabilitation Techniques. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 28:856-890, 2008
  • Ruiz-Jaen, M.C. and T.M. Aide. 2005. Restoration Success: How is It Being Measured? Restoration Ecology. 13(3) Pages 569-577
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