Steven L. Stockton Remarks

April 12,2010

Summary of Remarks

Steve Stockton, Director of Civil Works

Steve Stockton, Director of Civil Works opened his remarks by clarifying expectations with respect to what he was going to talk about – the truth. He recognized the important role IWR has played in the success of the Civil Works program over the years and how essential it will continue to be in the future.

Mr. Stockton discussed the value of IWR by recognizing its quality work, support of Headquarters, advancements made, transformative work, track record, and groundbreaking work on international water resources. He also said the true measure of the Institute’s work has been that its influence has reached far outside “the walls” of IWR itself. He said with today’s fast-paced world, he could not envision the Corps Civil Works program succeeding without the contributions of IWR.

Looking ahead to the future, Mr. Stockton planted some “seeds” for consideration during the upcoming panel discussion by expanding on how he sees the future of Civil Works, and within this context, the Corps role in water resources in the 21st century and why IWR will continue to be so very important.

He talked about the Home Depot slogan that says, “You can do it, and we can help”, describing it as relevant to water resources and consistent with how the American Society of Civil Engineers sees the future of the profession – as one where civil engineers will need to become “master integrators.”

He identified the key mission responsibilities that will continue to be seen as inherent Federal responsibilities. In addition to supporting the preparedness, response and recovery from both natural and man-made disasters, he said he also expects the Corps Civil Works mission will continue to:

• Protect the Nation and environment, to manage water resources efficiently and effectively not only for today, but to ensure the sustainability of both the natural and constructed environment for future generations;
• Sponsor future-oriented research and development (R&D);
• Develop, integrate and share national data and information, and keep issues of national water resources significance in the public’s mind and on policy- and decision-makers’ radar screen; and,
• In doing the above, the Corps will operate:
  • Using an IWRM perspective , and to look at water resources planning, design, and management as a system of interdependent projects all developed and managed as a system ; and,
  • In greater collaboration, fully considering the input of all major water resources stakeholders.

Mr. Stockton concluded by thanking IWR team members for their past work in recognizing some of the key weak signals that have revealed many of the trends that are shaping the future, and said he is confident that working together, we can succeed.