Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration

Environmental Data Studies Program (EDS)

The Environmental Data Studies Program supports the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration (AER) business line by delivering critical data infrastructure and reporting tools. These systems enable USACE to track mitigation compliance and prioritize ecosystem restoration investments across Civil Works projects.

Environmental Data Studies include:

1. Holistic Ecosystem Restoration Online Network (HERON): a data and decision-support platform that provides integrated information about USACE’s environmental project initiatives. HERON organizes and connects environmental data sets to make them more accessible for analysis and reporting across Civil Works activities. HERON contains two databases:
   1. Civil Works Mitigation Database
      Learn and share information about required ecological mitigation for Civil Works projects.
   2. Ecosystem Restoration Business Line Database
      Learn and share information about Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration projects.

USACE employees can access HERON here.

2. Mitigation Status – Annual Report to Congress: USACE is required to identify mitigation for damages to ecological resources that result from the construction of Civil Works projects. USACE submits annual reports to Congress on the status of its mitigation efforts. EDS compiles these annual reports, which are published by USACE Headquarters here.