Module 11Module 11

STEPS 4STEPS 4 & 5 & 5ConductConduct

ReconnaissanceReconnaissanceStudy &Study &

Report CertificationReport Certification

Module 11Module 11

STEPS 4STEPS 4 & 5 & 5ConductConduct

ReconnaissanceReconnaissanceStudy &Study &

Report CertificationReport Certification

Civil Works Orientation Course - FY 11

OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVES: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

Reconnaissance Study GOAL:Reconnaissance Study GOAL: Reconnaissance Study GOAL: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!

PURPOSES OFPURPOSES OFRECONNAISSANCE STUDY:RECONNAISSANCE STUDY:PURPOSES OFPURPOSES OFRECONNAISSANCE STUDY: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)

Reconnaissance Study SCOPE:Reconnaissance Study SCOPE:Reconnaissance Study SCOPE:Reconnaissance Study SCOPE: Can investigate single problem -

navigation, flood risk management, or ecosystem restoration

OR, can investigate multiple problemsComprehensive watershed studies

Establishment of Study Team:Establishment of Study Team:Establishment of Study Team: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…..

Reconnaissance Studies:Reconnaissance Studies:Reconnaissance Studies: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

—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

Guidance: What it says!Guidance: What it says!Guidance: What it says!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

— 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

— 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

Non-structural measures (Operational)

Various channel depths or widths

Various channel alignments

Jetties/Breakwaters

Locks and Dams

Dams

Levees

Floodwalls

Channelization

Non-structural measures

Look for multi-purpose opportunities

Create and/or restore wetlands

Restore/create fish passage

Restore/create habitat

Restore riverine functions

Re-establish native vegetation

communities

Eradicate invasive species

It means…benefits of project arebenefits of project aregreater than the project cost!greater than the project cost!

— Average annual benefits ($ or ER units) > average annual costs ($).

— No calculation during recon study, just judgment.

It means…benefits of project arebenefits of project aregreater than the project cost!greater than the project cost!

— Average annual benefits ($ or ER units) > average annual costs ($).

— No calculation during recon study, just judgment.

Project Benefits:Project Benefits:Project Benefits:Project Benefits:

— Flood Risk Management and Shore Protection Projects:

Income lossReduction in damages to structures and contentsReductions in emergency costs National Flood Insurance Program savingsSafety and other non-monetary losses

— Navigation Projects: Transportation savings Reduction in vessel damages Additional supplies vessels can carry Reduction in travel time

Project Benefits Project Benefits (cont.)(cont.)::Project Benefits Project Benefits (cont.)(cont.)::

— Ecosystem Restoration Projects:

Non-monetary benefits

Must discuss outputs, such as habitat units

– 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.

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.

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.

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

(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

— 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!!

— 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)

— 905(b) Report

— Letter of Intent

— Both of these needed for Certification (Step 5)

— PMP & FCSA (Steps 6 & 7)

RECONNAISSANCE PHASE

Section 905(b) Negotiation, Analysis Certification

START 2-4 mos. FCSA Execution 12 mos.

Note TEMPLATE

STEP 5STEP 5 - Certification of - Certification of 905(b) Analysis905(b) Analysis

Determines that there is a federal (Corps) interest in proceeding to the feasibility phase

Division Approval and Certification of 905(b) Analysis

Reconnaissance CertificationReconnaissance CertificationMeansMeans

Consistent with Administration Policy Administration would support if economically,

environmentally and technically feasible Meets existing Corps of Engineers criteria

and guidelines

SUMMARY:SUMMARY:SUMMARY: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