Planning Models

Guidance Model Review SOP EC 1105-2-412: Assuring Quality of Planning Models. 31 March 2010. Protocols for Certification of Planning Models HQ Memorandum: Policy Guidance on Certification of Ecosystem Output Models (Aug 2007) Standard Operating Procedures for Model Review - Coming Soon! Model Approval Plan Template - Model Approval or Certification Plan Outline for Model Documentation System-Wide Fish Passage Index Model Approval Plan Model Review A ssessment of Procedures and Results from USACE Quality Assurance Review of Environmental Planning Models Level of review needed for ecosystem models - Flow chart for use in identifying the level of model review required. Review Process - Flow chart showing the steps to initiate and conduct model review. Presentations Model Review

Data Warehousing

CESAM Navigation Online Maps CESAM Navigation Survey Data eCoastal Online Maps National Coastal Mapping Program Data USACE Sea Turtle Data Warehouse

Applications

eCoastal GIS Tools and Applications Inland Chart Books Inland Electronic Navigation Charts Lock Operations Management Application (LOMA)

Agreements

URL

Adaptive Management Resources

Everglades Technical Guide on implementing adaptive management Louisiana Coastal Area, White Ditch Restoration Project Middle Rio Grande Bosque restoration project Monitoring and Adaptive Management Resources Napa River Salt Marsh Restoration Project Draft Final Feasibility Report This is an authorized plan for Napa River Salt Marsh Restoration, 2004. It is pre-WRDA 2007 and an example of how you can justify the need and can get more than 10 years of monitoring and exceed the cost. Monitoring And Adaptive Management Plan Neuse River Basin integrated feasibility report, environmental assessment and Monitoring and Adaptive Management Plan

Scientific Journals

Access to Scientific Journals Provides on-line access to a large number of environmental/ecosystem-related journals and journal articles. Access includes current and past volumes and is centrally funded as part of the USACE Electronic Library. Requires CAC login. See the site for a complete list of journals available. Following is a sample of journal titles available: Arid Ecosystems; Aquatic Botany; Biological Conservation; Ecological Indicators; Ecological Modeling; Environmental Impact Assessment Review; Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science; Fisheries Research; Forest Ecology and Management; Geomorphology; Journal of Hydrology; Ocean & Coastal Management; National Wetlands Newsletter; Fisheries; Transactions of the American Fisheries Society; Ecological Restoration; Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems; Conservation Biology; Fisheries Management and Ecology; Freshwater Biology, Journal of Applied Ecology; Journal of Fish Biology; Journal of the American Water Resources; Restoration Ecology; River Research and Applications; Urban Ecosystems; and Water Resources Planning and Management.

Ecosystem Output Evaluation Basics

Habitat as a Basis for Environmental Assessment, USFWS Ecological Service Unit Manual 101 Habitat Evaluation Procedures (HEP), USFWS Ecological Service Unit Manual 102 Standards for the Development of Habitat Suitability Index Models, USFWS Ecological Service Unit Manual 103

Resources

Environmental Residue-Effects Database (ERED) Ocean Disposal Database (ODD) Operational Condition Assessment Tool Robotic Inspection at Corps Navigation Structures: Demonstration Opportunities Upland Dredged Material Environmental Effects Database (UDMEED)

Civil Works Budget

URL

Delegations

1 Establishment of Policy and Legal Compliance Review Teams and Conduct of Policy and Legal Compliance Review LibraryId=3729,3753,3631 2 Certification and Approval of Planning Models LibraryId=3648,3601,1849 3 Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) LibraryId=3930,3931,3932 3 Need for Type I Independent External Peer Review LibraryId=3781 4 Need for Safety Assurance Review/Type II Independent External Peer Review LibraryId=3631 4 Review Plan Approval LibraryId=3631 5 Feasibility Study Milestone Decision Making LibraryId=3715 6 Feasibility Report Approval LibraryId=3715

Certified Planning Models for Ecosystem Restoration

Potential Planning Methodologies for Ecosystem Restoration

Ecological Asessment Methods Database - National Biological Information Infrastructure Includes a tool to search the methods database. Hydrogeomorphic Approach for Assessing Wetlands Functions (HGM) National and Regional Guidebooks for applying this method.

Ecosystem Services

Valuing Ecosystem Services Guidelines/Checklist For Valuation Of Ecosystem Services

Planning Considerations

Technical Note DOER-C36: Managing Dredged Material Placement and Disposal Operations in Relation to Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazards (BASH)

Risk-Informed Decision Making and Planning Support Tools

Corps Risk Analysis Gateway Displaying the Results of Alternatives Evaluation and Comparison: "Table of Effects" Displaying the Results of Alternatives Evaluation and Comparison: "Table of Effects" - Working Example Diagrams Displaying the Results of Alternatives Evaluation and Comparison: "Table of Effects" - Working Example Tables Implementing Risk Informed Decision Making in Planning Webinar This webinar aims to ensure participants understand how Risk Informed Planning enables USACE to deliver on its commitments. The deck provides additional detail on how the recent Director's Policy Memorandum (2018-05) supports implementation of risk informed decision making in the planning phase. Together with the presentations "Risk 101 - Common Understanding of Enterprise Risk Management and Risk Informed Decision Making in Planning" and "Risk Informed Planning Tools for Project Delivery Teams", this series describes how the Corps of Engineers is operationalizing risk-informed decision making in planning project delivery. IWR-APT (Assistance to Planning Teams) Planning Manual Part II: Risk-Informed Planning Planning Mentor Handbook: A Tool for Mentors Assisting USACE Project Delivery Teams, Version 1.0 Principles of Risk Analysis for Water Resources Risk 101 - Common Understanding of Enterprise Risk Management and Risk Informed Decision Making in Planning Webinar This webinar aims to develop a high-level common understanding of the goals of implementing an Enterprise Risk Management System at the Corps of Engineers, and specifically about applying to risk management to planning activities to improve project delivery. The presentation covers how the Planning Community of Practice is applying recent direction from the Director of Civil Works to operationalize risk in delivering an effective and efficient Civil Works Planning Program. The presentation reinforces that the tenets of enterprise risk management have are a cornerstone of SMART Planning (the "R" in SMART is "Risk-Informed"). Together with the presentations "Risk Informed Planning Tools for Project Delivery Teams" and "Implementing Risk Informed Decision Making in Planning", this series describes how the Corps of Engineers is operationalizing risk- informed decision making in planning project delivery. Risk Informed Planning Tools for Project Delivery Teams Webinar This webinar aims to orient planning project delivery teams to risk informed planning tools, including rapid iteration and the risk register. The deck provides links for more information about these tools that teams will find useful. Together with the presentations "Risk 101 - Common Understanding of Enterprise Risk Management and Risk Informed Decision Making in Planning" and "Implementing Risk Informed Decision Making in Planning", this series describes how the Corps of Engineers is operationalizing risk- informed decision making in planning project delivery. Scoping Guide for Civil Works Planning Studies

Other Agency/University Tools

Coastal Change Analysis Program Regional Land Cover NOAA, through it's Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) provides the coastal expression of this national land cover and maps slightly more detailed wetland categories and additional dates of change information for the coastal areas of the U.S. This data set adds an additional 1996 date (1992 in select locations), and has data of a higher spatial resolution in the Pacific and Caribbean island territories. Digital Representations of Tree Species Range Maps from "Atlas of United States Trees" Maps of the ranges of tree species in North America compiled by Elbert Little, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and others (see references below) were digitized for use in USGS' vegetation-climate modeling studies. These digital map files are available for download. National Land Cover Database (NLCD) The USGS, on behalf of the interagency Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) Consortium, recently announced the release of a 2006 update to the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) for the conterminous U.S. The completion of this update provides a more modernized national land cover, and also quantifies land cover and urban imperviousness change between 2001-2006. This represents the first time this type of 30-meter cell land cover and imperviousness change has been produced for the conterminous U.S. NLCD has been used in thousands of applications in the private, public, and academic sectors. National Wildlife Refuge Inventory and Monitoring Program SLAMM analysis for all coastal refuges Stream and River GIS Utility This link is to a stream and river GIS utility developed under the umbrella of the National Map by the USGS. The utility is named "Streamer" and provides access to river and stream real-time and historic data via a GIS interface. In addition to stage, flow, and discharge data, the utility provides users with the capacity to identify stream and river reaches that are upstream or downstream of a point along with information about those areas (such as the which states, counties, and congressional districts coincide with the identified areas). The utility includes a reporting tool that summarizes geopolitical characteristics of the selected/identified area and allows users to print report-ready charts and maps. University of Florida - Tree Fact Sheets

Model Documentation

URL

Planning Models

URL

Collaboration and Virtual Information Sharing

Automated Packet/Document Routing and Tracking LibraryId=3472 DoD SAFE (Secure Access File Exchange) LibraryId=3475 USACE Planning Community Outlook Distribution Lists LibraryId=3474 Virtual Collaboration Tools LibraryId=3473,3471 Web Meetings & Teleconferences LibraryId=3468,3878

Report Writing and Communication

This 2013 webinar included tips from the field on technical story telling: How are those in the field writing integrated feasibility study and environmental compliance documents that are both technically complete and readable? Jacksonville and Little Rock Districts shared experiences and lessons learned as they prepared and released draft reports for public - and concurrent internal - review. Displaying the Results of Alternatives Evaluation and Comparison: "Table of Effects" Feasibility Report and Content Guide Feasibility Report Summary Format and Content Guide Federal Plain Language Guidelines PlainLanguage.gov provides information about the Plain Writing Act and examples for how to write government products using plain language. GPO Style Manual Integrated Report Format and Content Outline (PDF) Approach taken by Jacksonville District to develop integrated feasibility study and reports, with details on the content of the 100-page main feasibility study report and the appendices. Plain Language for Civil Works Guidance and Correspondence Planning Bulletin 2019-02: Incorporation of External Reports in to Studies and Decision Documents USGS Public Domain Climate Illustrations

USACE Tools

ACE-IT (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Information Technology) AKO - Army Knowledge OnLine - the Army Portal Employee/personnel information. Password Protected CEFMS - Corps of Engineers Financial Management System Password Protected, Issued by: District Information Management Office Corps SignPro It is the Management System for signs on Corps facilities. Password Protected CP Track Central location to document findings of environmental or safety noncompliance and the actions taken to correct noncompliance. CWBI-OPS Provides access to business-function specific tools for tracking outputs related to Operations and Maintenance project and program areas, along with results- oriented management information and technical support for business needs. Data input password protected, information access is not password protected DENIX - Defense Environmental Network and Information Exchange Central platform for the dissemination of environmental, safety and occupational health news, policy, and guidance within DOD activities ENGLink - Account Request Standardizes and integrates methods of collecting, analyzing, forecasting, and presenting real-time information to decision makers for civil and military emergency operations Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) FEM - Facility and Equipment Maintenance System PBMP/P2 Portal (must be registered in UPASS) Recreation.gov HUB - (formerly NRRS - National Recreation Reservation Service) Data input password protected, information access is not password protected REMIS - Real Estate Management Information System Password Protected Repliweb replaces AMRDEC See FAQs for more information SPS/PD2 - Standard Procurement System Password Protected USGS Real- Time Water Data for the Nation Webmail

Templates and Checklists

2 Study Tools and Milestone Read Aheads Vertical Team Alignment Memorandum (VTAM) Template Template to be used to develop the Vertical Team Alignment Memorandum (VTAM) for MSC Commander signature, as required by the 29 July 2022 Memorandum "Vertical Team Alignment Memorandum Guidance." Mega Study Quarterly Update Template Quarterly update template for use by project delivery teams working on mega studies, as defined in the 15 October 2021 Interim Guidance for Civil Works Mega Studies Memo. Study Issue Checklists Overview This document provides an overview of the available Study Issue Checklists, which include issues that may require vertical team coordination – preferably, early in the study process and prior to the milestone for which the checklist is required. It is recommended that the PDT review these checklists at the start of the study and periodically revisit them during the study, versus reviewing and filling them out just prior to the milestone. Pre-AMM Checklist This document provides a Pre-Alternatives Milestone Meeting (AMM) Checklist for a particular study. The checklist covers General Issues, Economics, Real Estate, Environmental, and cultural Resources. There are a total of 66 checklist items across these categories, and the checklist must be signed by the District Planning Chief and the DQC Lead. Pre-TSP and Final Report Checklist This document provides a Pre- Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) Milestone Meeting and Pre-Final Feasibility Report Package Checklist for a particular study. The checklist covers General Issues, Economics, Cost Engineering, Real Estate, Environmental, and Cultural Resources. There are a total of 93 checklist items across these categories, and the checklist must be signed by the District Planning Chief and the DQC Lead. Navigation Pre-TSP Checklist This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for Navigation studies (inland or harbor). FRM Pre- TSP Checklist This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for FRM studies. CSRM Pre-TSP Checklist This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for CSRM studies. AER Pre- TSP Checklist This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for AER studies. Separable Recreation Pre-TSP Checklist This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for studies with a separable Recreation component. Feasibility Study Vertical Team Coordination: Key HQ and MSC Tasks This document summarizes the key Vertical Team and Headquarters tasks associated with feasibility study coordination, review, milestone meetings, report approval, and processing the final report package in preparation for a signed Chief’s Report or Director’s Report. It includes tasks delegated to the MSCs from Headquarters associated with policy and legal review and milestone decision making. It does not include tasks/activities such as District Quality Control, Quality Assurance, technical reviews, etc. Climate Preparedness and Resilience Community of Practice (CPR CoP) Climate Assessment Agency Technical Review (ATR) and Policy and Legal Compliance Review (P&LCR) Standards of Practice This document summarizes review requirements and best practices for both Climate Preparedness and Resilience (CPR) Agency Technical Review and Policy and Legal Compliance Review. Template for Record of Environmental Consideration, Documentation for Categorical Exclusion (CE) under NEPA This template is for use in development of the Memorandum for Record (MFR) of environmental consideration and documentation for Categorical Exclusion under NEPA Design Maturity Determination for Costs Certification Form The District Chief of Engineering is responsible for the technical content and engineering sufficiency for all engineering products produced by the command. As such, they are expected to complete and sign this form, after having performed the Management Control Evaluation per Engineer Regulation (ER) 1110-2-1150, Engineering and Design for Civil Works Projects, Appendix H, Internal Management Control Review Checklist. 4 OMB Approved Surveys LibraryId=915 Communication Planning Tool The Communication and Public Affairs Strategic Steering (COMPASS) Committee, in coordination with other Communities of Practice, updated the ES-28000 Communication Planning Process into an Integrated Communication Process to be used by all USACE Communities of Practice, projects, and programs. Director's and Chief's Report Templates Instructions for Chief's Report Templates, May 2024 This document provides an overview of the available Chief's Report Templates which cover the following project purposes: Ecosystem Restoration, Commercial Navigation, Flood Risk Management, and Coastal Storm Risk Management. The purpose of these templates is to aid in drafting these documents; however, Headquarters retains all final review and approval of both the language and substance used in the final document. CSRM with Periodic Nourishment Chief's Report Template Chief's Report template with instructions for costal storm risk management recommendations for projects that include beach nourishment. The 2023 template update includes a new required section regarding uncertainty and risks related to the cost estimate. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing. Commercial Navigation Chief's Report Template Chief's Report template with instructions for deep draft navigation recommendations for projects. The 2023 template update includes a new required section regarding uncertainty and risks related to the cost estimate. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing. FRM Chief's Report Template Chief's Report template with instructions for flood risk management recommendations for projects. These recommendations include outlining the recommended plan, naming the authority under which the recommendations can be carried out, and outlining the project costs and benefits. The 2023 template update includes a new required section regarding uncertainty and risks related to the cost estimate. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing. AER Chief's Report Template Chief's Report template with instructions for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration recommendations for projects. The 2023 template update includes a new required section regarding uncertainty and risks related to the cost estimate. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing. CSRM without Periodic Nourishment Chief's Report Template a. Chief's Report template with instructions for coastal storm risk management projects recommendations for projects that do not include beach nourishment. The 2023 template update includes a new required section regarding uncertainty and risks related to the cost estimate. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing. Instructions for Director's Memos/Reports General Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a report (other than for Water Reallocation) to the ASA(CW) for review, concurrence, and budget support that does not require additional Congressional authorization. This is generally required projects authorized by Congress without a previously approved decision document and/or implementation of the project first requires a determination by the Secretary. Director's Memo/Report Template - General General Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a report (other than for Water Reallocation) to the ASA(CW) for review, concurrence, and budget support that does not require additional Congressional authorization. This is generally required projects authorized by Congress without a previously approved decision document and/or implementation of the project first requires a determination by the Secretary. Director's Memo/Report Template - Water Reallocation/Impacts to FRM Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a Water Reallocation Report to the ASA(CW) for approval. Approval is needed if the reallocation will negatively impact flood risk management benefits. This template is not appropriate for use if the reallocation will require Congressional authorization. Director's Memo/Report Template - Water Reallocation/No Impacts to FRM Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a Water Reallocation Report to the ASA(CW) for situational awareness. This memo is used for reallocation reports where the reallocation does not impact flood risk management benefits, and thus approval from the ASA(CW) is not required. This template is not appropriate for use if the reallocation will require Congressional authorization. Director's Memo/Report Template - 902 Increase Director's Memo/Report template for use when an increase to a project's Section 902 limit is required. Document of Review Findings (DORF) & Policy Guidance Memorandum (PGM) Templates DORF Template Template for a Documentation of Review Findings (DORF). It covers policy compliance review findings, as well as the review history for a project and policy review comments. Example DORF Transmittal Memo Template for a brief memo that transmits the documentation of policy compliance review finings for the subject study and provides point(s) of contact. PGM Template Template for a Policy Guidance Memorandum (PGM). It covers the final review and draft review comments on the draft and final report. Example PGM Transmittal Memo for DRAFT Report Template for a brief memo that transmits the policy and legal compliance review findings for a PGM on a particular study. It briefly identifies concerns and a general timeline for discussing a path forward to resolve the named issues, and provides point(s) of contact. Example PGM Transmittal Memo for FINAL Report Template for a brief memo that transmits the policy and legal compliance review findings for a PGM on a particular study. It indicates if there are unresolved comments from the draft report, identifies new comments, states if a team needs to meet to discuss resolving any outstanding concerns before the final report is approved, and provides point(s) of contact. Policy and Legal Compliance Review Manager Roles and Responsibilities Project Reports LibraryId=1105,1106,3233,4050 Review Tools and Templates This Toolbox page provides resources for project delivery teams related to study reviews, including review guidance, review plans, District Quality Control, Agency Technical Review, Independent External Peer Review, Policy and Legal Compliance Review, review tools and processes, and review training and best practices. USACE NEPA Decision Document Templates LibraryId=3772,3774,3773

Apps, Tools, and Software

2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index CEQ Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool Coastal Resilience Evaluation and Siting Tool (CREST) Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation Scoping Tool MSTeams Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation Scoping Tool User Guide Comprehensive Benefit Evaluation Scoping Tool Workbook Corps Water Management System (CWMS) CorpsMap Applications Data.Gov Dry Floodproofing Cost Estimate Template Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) Tools Network EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool Electronic Inland Chart Books for Navigations Engineering with Nature Tools e-Risk Register Tool Example Scope of Work for Surveys of Amphibians and Reptiles Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Floodplain Determination Job Aid, Version 1.0 FEMA’s National Risk Index for Natural Hazards FEMA's HAZUS Software Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input HEC-GeoFDA: Geospatial Preprocessor for Flood Damage Reduction Analysis Life Safety Risk Indicator 2 (LSRI2) National Structure Inventory (NSI) National Structure Inventory (NSI) Documentation National Wetlands Inventory NOAA Digital Coast NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer NOAA's now COAST Sea Level Analysis Tool (SLAT) U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit USACE Climate Hydrology Assessment Tool USACE Coastal Storm Damages Prevented The Coastal Storm Damages Prevented tool allows USACE project managers, planners, coastal engineers, and economists the capability to develop regional and national assessments of damages reduced by USACE coastal projects. The tool has two parts: Annual CSDP Reporting and What-if Scenario Analysis. USACE Geospatial Platform USACE Library of Climate Preparedness and Resilience Assessments USACE Time Series Toolbox USGS National Climate Change Viewer USGS National Map Datasets and Tools

Social Sciences Portal

1 Policy and Guidance LibraryId=3986,4135,3969,4107,4113,4053,3962,4133,4132 2 Tools and Techniques LibraryId=4131,4115,4126,4114,4130,4127,4129,4128,2716,4142,4279 3 Federal Resources (non-USACE) LibraryId=4104