1. USACE infrastructure team update
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
October 2018

2. ADMINISTRATION’S Infrastructure Initiative
BACKGROUND
Administration’s goal: seek and secure long-term reforms on how infrastructure projects are regulated, funded, delivered, and maintained.
President has proposed a $200B federal commitment to produce a $1.5T overall investment in infrastructure.
The infrastructure legislative principles were publicly released on 12 February 2018 and can be found here: content/uploads/2018/02/INFRASTRUCTUR E-211.pdf.
The Administration has also asked agencies to improve infrastructure delivery by pursuing changes that do not require legislation.

3. Administration's Infrastructure Initiative
USACE ROLE
Working with the Administration on efforts to streamline permitting and accelerate infrastructure project delivery.
We support innovative approaches to finance our Nation’s infrastructure needs.
The traditional federal funding approach is not sustainable – at current funding levels, it would take over 100 years to complete currently authorized Civil Works projects.
USACE focus areas within the Administration’s Legislative Principles:
Transform Project Financing and Budgeting
Accelerate Project Delivery
Improve Permitting and Regulatory Reform

4. USACE Infrastructure Initiative
Transform Project Financing and Budgeting
Problems Areas:
Insufficient funding for the Nation’s infrastructure needs
Unpredictable funding for federal projects
Actions:
Alternative Financing
Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Loans
Public-Private Partnership (P3) policy
Restructure Civil Works Budgeting – reviewing internal budget policies and processes to provide a more consistent and predictable funding stream
Increase Funding Flexibility – improve the ability to use and move federal and non-federal funds to ensure timely project completion

5. USACE Infrastructure Initiative
ACCELERATE PROJECT DELIVERY
Problems to Address:
Projects take too long
States and local entities want to be more involved
Actions:
Boost enterprise project delivery strategies – set aggressive delivery targets and timelines; drive Project Delivery Business Process standards
Streamline acquisition processes – expedite acquisition in all phases; implement incentives; encourage innovation and risk-based approach
Implement risk-informed decision-making and delegate decision authority – assess and manage risks and uncertainties at all levels of the agency to speed project delivery
Embrace innovation – encourage innovation throughout project acquisition, design and construction to speed delivery

6. USACE Infrastructure Initiative
IMPROVE PERMITTING AND REGULATORY REFORM
Problems to Address:
Permitting process takes too long
Duplicative requirements and oversight
Actions:
Simplify environmental reviews and permits
Implement Executive Order guidance for “One Federal Decision”
Improve efficiency in Section 401/401 permits and Section 408 permissions
Streamline Section 408 permissions – refine and limit activities that require review; establish a multi-phase review option
Pursue regulatory reform – review the 52 regulations identified in Executive Order 13777; determine need for modification, repeal or replacement