26 Apr 2016

U.S. and Republic of Maldives Governments Collaborate to Protect Unique Ecosystem

On behalf of the U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) collaborated with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Maldives Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prepare an Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) atlas for Laamu Atoll in the Republic of Maldives. ESI maps provide a concise summary of coastal resources that are at risk if an oil spill occurs. Examples of at-risk resources include biological resources, such as birds and fish; sensitive shorelines, such as marshes and tidal flats; and human-use resources, such as subsistence gathering or fish processing. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ESI maps can help responders meet one of the main response objectives: reducing the environmental consequences of the spill and the cleanup efforts. Additionally, ESI maps can be used by planners—before a spill happens—to identify vulnerable locations, establish protection priorities, and identify cleanup strategies.

21 Apr 2016

USACE Doubles Its Use of Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution Measures

Alexandria, Va. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) increased its use of third-party Environmental Collaboration and Conflict Resolution (ECCR) in 2015, reporting 29 specific uses as well as a significant number of non-third-party collaborative efforts across all USACE divisions and mission areas. This was a significant increase from the 15 uses reported in 2013 and 2014. The volume and breadth of non-third-party collaborative efforts were also significant with many efforts noted in both the Navigation and Regulatory business lines. Interesting to note were the six priority, or emerging, areas of conflict and cross-cutting challenges in USACE: Water Security, Statutory Requirements and Federal Law, Native American Cultural Sites, Climate Change, National Historic Preservation Act, and In-stream Flows.

19 Apr 2016

Portneuf River: Painting a Picture through Community Visioning Workshops

In South East Idaho, community members are working hard with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Walla Walla District (NWW) and the City of Pocatello to develop a guiding vision for the Portneuf River, a river channelized by USACE after a devastating 1962 flood that damaged much of Pocatello and the surrounding valley. The visioning effort will help the community integrate existing policies, plans, and new ideas into a document that will outline goals and objectives for improved river corridor management and identify environmental improvement opportunities. USACE’s Collaboration and Public Participation Center of Expertise (CPCX) is leading the way in this collaborative effort which brings together a diverse stakeholder working group in developing a plan to revitalize four distinct reaches of the river from an area south of town called “the gap” through Pocatello and northward towards Fort Hall Indian Reservation. In the process Pocatello residents are being challenged to reimagine their river and their community.