The Planning Branch studies potential water resource development projects in Oregon and parts of southwestern Washington.  These studies analyze and solve water resource issues of concern to local communities.  These issues may involve navigational improvements, flood damage reduction, or ecosystem restoration.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is authorized to carry out Civil Works water resources projects for navigation, flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration, as well as for storm damage prevention, hydroelectric power, recreation and water supply.

The Corps planning process and authorities

  The Corps planning process follows a structured approach to problem-solving, providing a rational framework for sound decision-making.  The six-step process is used for all planning studies conducted by the Corps of Engineers.  The process is also applicable for many other types of studies, and its wide use is encouraged.  The six steps are:

1. Identifying problems and opportunities
2. Inventorying and forecasting conditions
3. Formulating alternative plans
4. Evaluating alternative plans
5. Comparing alternative plans
6. Selecting a plan

  Planning Branch staff are engaged in projects under a number of Corps authorities, as both planners and managers.  Several important categories of projects that are worked on include: Individually Authorized studies and projects, Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) projects, Planning Assistance to States (PAS) projects, Flood Plain Management Services (FPMS) projects, and Lower Columbia River Estuary Projects.

General Investigation (GI) Studies and Projects

  General Investigation (GI) studies and projects, also referred to as Individually Authorized studies and projects, are the traditional and most common way for us to help a community solve a water resource problem.  They involve jointly conducting a study with a sponsor and, if shown by the study to be feasible, the construction and implementation of the project.  This approach requires that Congress provide us first with authorization to accomplish a feasibility study and second, a separate authorization to construct or implement the project.
  The project studies and construction are cost-shared between the federal government and the sponsor, who usually pays all operations and maintenance costs.  This approach may be used to address a variety of water resources problems.  Unlike the Continuing Authorities Program (see below), there are no project specific federal cost limitations for individually authorized studies or projects.  For more information about Individually Authorized studies and projects, and those currently being pursued in the Portland District, see below.

Project partnership kit

The Project Partnership Kit serves as an introduction to allow the potential sponsor to better understand: 1) our organization and authorities, 2) the scope of the Corps' civil works missions and programs, 3) the project development process by which projects are planned, designed, constructed and maintained, and 4) the Project Delivery Team (PDT). To view the Project Partnership Kit, please click here.

Portland District peer review plans

• Amazon Creek (Eugene-Springfield Metro Waterways), Ore., multi-purpose feasibility study Jan. 9, 2008
• Quality control plan for Willamette River Floodplain Restoration, Ore., Ecosystem Restoration feasibility study Jan. 16, 2008
• Lower Columbia River Ecosystem Restoration, Oregon and Washington, general investigation feasibility study Jan. 23, 2008
• Lower Willamette River, Ore., Ecosystem Restoration feasibility study Jan. 25, 2008

Comments and Questions:  For comments or questions on Review Plans listed here, contact us at dll-cenwp-webmaster@usace.army.mil.

Planning assistance to states

  The Planning Assistance to States program, also known as the Section 22 Program, is authorized by Section 22 of the Water Resource Development Act of 1974. This program authorizes the Corps to use its technical expertise in management of water and related land resources to help States deal with their water resource problems.
  Upon request, the Corps of Engineers will cooperate with states in the preparation of plans for the development, utilization and conservation of water and related land resources located within the boundaries of the state. Assistance is given within the limits of available appropriations, but $500,000 is the maximum Federal funds available annually to any State. Cost sharing of this program is required by the non-Federal sponsor at 50 percent.The state's annual requests for assistance in addressing these resource problems are used to develop the Corps study program for that year.
A state's eligibility for planning assistance is determined by comparing the requested work items to the state's water and related land resource plan. Almost any non-federal entity can be a sponsor of a PAS study, including, but not limited to, a city, county, state agency, tribe, diking district, watershed council, etc. Another federal agency, private company or individual cannot be a sponsor.

Types of activities

  Typical activities studied under this program are flood damage reduction, water conservation, water quality, hydropower, erosion, methodology to evaluate a wetland or other resource and navigation. Studies vary in scope from environmental investigations for an individual reservoir to a comprehensive study to establish a State Water Budget. The number of studies is limited by the 500,000 in Federal funds available annually for each State.  For more information regarding types of studies by category, please click here.
Click here for a sample of the letter agreement. A sample of a letter of interest is available here.

Supporting references

Review Plans for Portland District planning studies are posted in accordance with Engineering Circular 1105-2-410 (published 22 August 2008).
The purpose of this circular is to provide "procedures for ensuring the quality and credibility of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) decision documents through an independent review process." It complies with Section 515 of Public Law 106-554 (referred to as the "Information Quality Act"); and the Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review by the Office of Management and Budget (referred to as the "OMB Peer Review Bulletin"). It also provides guidance for the implementation of Section 2034 of WRDA 2007 (P.L. 110-114).
This circular presents a framework for establishing the appropriate level and independence of review and detailed requirements for review documentation and dissemination.