Module 11 STEPS 4 & 5 Conduct Reconnaissance Study & Report Certification

1. Module 11STEPS 4 & 5Conduct ReconnaissanceStudy &Report Certification Civil Works Orientation Course - FY 11

2. OBJECTIVES: • The module will discuss the following: • Goals and purposes of the • Reconnaissance (recon) Phase. • What is involved in the recon phase? • Results and products

3. Reconnaissance Study GOAL: Reconnaissance Phase: ? Determine whether the Corps should investigate the problems in more detail during the second phase of the study (the feasibility study) Study is 100% Federally funded!

4. PURPOSES OF RECONNAISSANCE STUDY: 1. Define water resources problems and identify potential solutions 2. Decide whether there is a Federal interest in continuing into feasibility studies 3. Identify a local sponsor 4. Prepare a Project Management Plan (PMP)

5. Reconnaissance Study SCOPE: • Can investigate single problem - navigation, flood risk management, or ecosystem restoration • OR, can investigate multiple problems • Comprehensive watershed studies

6. Establishment of Study Team: • Study Team Leader (Planner) • Local Sponsor • Project Manager • Environmental Specialist • Economist • Real Estate Specialist • Hydraulics/Hydrology Engineer • Geotechnical Engineer • Cost Estimator • And others as needed to prepare PMP…..

7. Reconnaissance Studies: • Planning Guidance Notebook:ER 1105-2-100 Appendix G • Principles and Guidelines (P&G) • Policy Digest (EP 1165-2-1) • ER 1105-2-100 • All Corps civil works guidance is under review per WRDA 2007 and is subject to change

8. Guidance: What it says! • Most effort is devoted to preparation of PMP • Goal is to execute Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement (FCSA) within 12 months • Generally, $150k+ in cost (except for watershed studies) • Recon recommendation shall be based on professional and technical judgment • No detailed tasks (utilize existing readily available data) • A Section 905(b) Analysis is prepared

9. Verify/understand water • resources problem(s). • Use existing, readily available • data. • Coordinate with sponsor(s) and • Federal, State, and local agencies • NGOs, and Local Stakeholders

10. Identify potential solution(s) using professional & technical judgment. • Identify a Federal interest: • Consistent with Army/Corps implementation and budgetary policies. • High likelihood of economic justification • High likelihood of environmental acceptability/sustainability

11. Non-structural measures (Operational) • Various channel depths or widths • Various channel alignments • Jetties/Breakwaters • Locks and Dams

12. Flood Risk Management Solutions • Dams • Levees • Floodwalls • Channelization • Non-structural measures • Look for multi-purpose opportunities

13. Create and/or restore wetlands Restore/create fish passage Restore/create habitat Restore riverine functions Re-establish native vegetation communities Eradicate invasive species

14. It means…benefits of project aregreater than the project cost! • Average annual benefits ($ or ER units) > average annual costs ($). • No calculation during recon study, just judgment.

15. Project Benefits: • Flood Risk Management and ShoreProtection Projects: • Income loss • Reduction in damages to structures and contents • Reductions in emergency costs • National Flood Insurance Program savings • Safety and other non-monetary losses • Navigation Projects: Transportation savings Reduction in vessel damages Additional supplies vessels can carry Reduction in travel time

16. Project Benefits (cont.): • Ecosystem Restoration Projects: • Non-monetary benefits • Must discuss outputs, such as habitat units

17. Local, state, or regional entity • must support the project. • Sponsor must be willing and able to • cost share 50% of the feasibility • phase. • Sponsor must provide letter of intent (LOI) stating • their willingness to cost-share feasibility studies.

18. 905(b) Analysis • Will most likely be accomplished through a site visit, one or two meetings, and close coordination with local sponsor(s). Consider collaboration with stakeholder groups.

19. Study Authority • Study Purpose • Project Location/Congressional District • Prior Studies & Reports/Existing Water Projects • Plan Formulation • Federal Interest • Preliminary Financial Analysis • and….

20. (continued) • Summary of Feasibility Assumptions (the unusual ones!) • Feasibility Milestones • Feasibility Costs • Recommendations • Potential Issues Affecting Feasibility Phase • Views of Other Agencies • Project Area map

21. ... and what's not. • Detailed Cost Estimate (MCACES) • Detailed Engineering/Design Studies/Data Gathering • Detailed Environmental Evaluations • Detailed BCR analyses • Detailed Real Estate • Detailed Report - See 905(b) examples • Formal Coordination w/Federal & State Agencies (i.e. FWCA, SHPO) - No money!!

22. 4. Prepare Project Management Plan (PMP) • Study Team must prepare the PMP (PMP must have a Review Plan) • Includes tasks and corresponding costs for conducting the feasibility study • Most effort during the reconnaissance phase will be spent preparing the PMP (More on this later)

23. 905(b) Report • Letter of Intent • Both of these needed for Certification (Step 5) • PMP & FCSA (Steps 6 & 7)

24. Recon Timeline • RECONNAISSANCE PHASE • Section 905(b) Negotiation, • Analysis • Certification • START 2-4 mos. FCSA Execution 12 mos.

25. Note TEMPLATE

26. STEP 5 - Certification of 905(b) Analysis • Determines that there is a federal (Corps) interest in proceeding to the feasibility phase • Division Approval and Certification of 905(b) Analysis

27. Reconnaissance CertificationMeans • Consistent with Administration Policy • Administration would support if economically, environmentally and technically feasible • Meets existing Corps of Engineers criteria and guidelines

28. SUMMARY: • 4 Purposes of Recon Study: • 1. Identify Problem • 2. Determine Potential Federal Interest • 3. Identify Sponsor • 4. Prepare PMP/FCSA • Cost of Recon = $150,000 + • Most effort spent on PMP/ FCSA Negotiations • Use experienced staff and professional judgment! • Division certification required to proceed to next phase