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

2. 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

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

15. Project Benefits: — Flood Risk Management and Shore Protection 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. 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. — 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. — 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. 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 Certification Means  Consistent with Administration Policy  Administration would support if economically, environmentally and technically feasible  Meets existing Corps of Engineers criteria and guidelines

28. 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