Module 19 STEP 9 Completion of the Feasibility Study Module 19 STEP 9 Completion of the Feasibility Study Civil Works Orientation Course - FY 11

Objective: — Writing the report — The basic components of a report — The key parts of a report — Who reads your report — Understand the key decision meetings: – Alternative Formulation Briefing (AFB) – Feasibility Review Conference (FRC)(if (when necessary) – Other In Progress Reviews (IPR) and/or Issue Resolution Conferences (IRC)

REFERENCES Principles & Guidelines –Section VII - Displays General Content and Format ER Chapter 4, Appendix G Planning Manual - Chapter 14

ER EXHIBIT G-5 FEASIBILITY REPORT CONTENT 1. Study Authority. 2. Study Purpose and Scope. 3. Concise Discussion of Prior Studies, Reports and Existing Water Projects. 4. Plan Formulation. 5. Description of the Selected Plan. 6. Plan Implementation. 7. Summary of Coordination, Public Views and Comments. 8. Recommendations.

Sponsor(s) Public Stakeholders (For and Against) Congress HQ USACE ASA(CW) OMB WHO’S YOUR AUDIENCE?

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GREAT REPORT? Easy to read –Plain language –Map and graphics TELL A GOOD STORY –Beginning, middle, end –Chronology Complete and concise-not verbose

HOW LONG SHOULD THE FEASIBILITY REPORT BE? _____ 0-25 pages. _____ pages. _____ pages _____ more than 100 pages?

THE REPORT AS A DIARY Document your process as it occurs, not after the fact. Prepare the report as you go.

Key Decision Meetings — FSM – Feasibility Scoping Meeting (Previously Discussed – Module 14 ) — AFB – Alternative Formulation Briefing — IRC – Issue Resolution Conference — IPR – In Progress Reviews — FRC – Feasibility Review Conference

Alternative Formulation Briefing (AFB) — Earlier Washington involvement than FRC — Permit early release of draft report — AFB is mandatory — AFB after alternatives are evaluated and tentatively selected plan identified — ER Appendix G describes required pre-conference documentation

AFB Participants — OASA(CW) (occasionally) — HQUSACE — Division ( Facilitates AFB) — District Study Team and ATR Team — Non-Federal Sponsor — Independent External Peer Review Team (when applicable) — Federal and/or State Resource Agencies — Stakeholders — Congressional Representatives (occasionally)

When to hold an AFB — District has identified the recommended alternative — Costs and benefits estimated — Mitigation plans and costs developed — Real Estate requirements estimated — Technical review - up to date documentation — Bottom line --- District is seeking Vertical Team review & buy-in — District can request approval to release the draft feasibility report to the public concurrent with HQ review of draft report

Benefits of AFB — Ensure project is formulated consistent with policy — Major issues are addressed prior to release of draft feasibility report — AFB Guidance (PGM) issued by RIT (within 15 days of AFB) — Full vertical team concurrence on selected plan — Advance approval for release of the draft feasibility report for public review

Meeting Results — Project Guidance Memorandum: – Identify technical requirements to produce a successful feasibility report – Clarifies policy issues and provides guidance on the way forward for resolution – Agreement on project cost sharing – Agreement on project specific terms of local cooperation

Feasibility Review Conference — Few and far between — Needed only for unresolved issues arising from review of the draft feasibility report after the AFB

In Progress Review (IPR) Issue Resolution Conference (IRC) — Can be held whenever appropriate: – Progress briefings on large studies – For critical or controversial decisions – Other circumstances as needed

Project Management Plan (PMP) - Phase II (PED/Construction) — Understanding among Customer, District, Division and HQUSACE — Internal District Contract — Reduces Uncertainties — Provides a basis for managing delivery of the project during PED, P&S, RE Acquisition, & Construction

Project Management Plan — Establish scope, schedule, and budget — Identifies Interface with Customer — Technical Performance Required — Quality and Management Controls — Approved by District or Division — Not Required to be submitted to HQUSACE

Completion of the Feasibility Report Key Actions Completed Prior to Submittal of the Final Feasibility Report - ATR Documentation - Alternative Formulation Briefing and/or Feasibility Review Conference - Project Guidance Memorandum Compliance Documentation - Project Management Plan for PED & Construction - NEPA and Public Review Conducted

— Final Feasibility Report — NEPA Documentation — Mitigation Plan (if needed) — M-CACES for Recommended Plan — PGM Compliance Memorandum — ATR Certification and Documentation — Non-Federal Sponsor’s Self-Certification of Financial and Real Estate Acquisition Capability — Feasibility Report Summary — Legal Review Certification Final Feasibility Report Submission to Division