Jo-Ellen Darcy Remarks

April 12, 2010

Summary of Remarks

Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works

The Honorable Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, welcomed the attendees and started with the history of IWR. Ms. Darcy called IWR an “under-recognized gem within the Nation’s water resources organizations” and highlighted IWR’s many achievements over the past 40 years.

Ms. Darcy thanked those who have supported the initiatives in her office then turned her attention to the future. She said for USACE to remain relevant in this new “flat world”, we must adapt. She sees change as state, interstate and private organizations take over many traditional USACE missions. The Corps must invent in the future to remain “capable, competent and relevant.”

She cited her recently published guidance on Civil Works areas and challenged the organization to four key action items:

1. Develop approaches and implementation of planning guidance that will effectively, and in a timely way, integrate water resources activities within a watershed.
2. Revise the business model (planning, design, construction and maintenance) to provide high quality results at a reasonable cost and schedule that is consistent with 21st Century standards and expectations.
3. Provide strategic direction and operational goals for interagency and stakeholder collaboration in integrated water resources management.
4. Develop and implement goals, expectations and rewards for continuing professional development by Corps employees.

Ms. Darcy concluded by thanking the audience and their families for their contributions to IWR, the Corps, and the Nation.