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ASA (CW)

Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works

Archived News

  • Biden-Harris Administration announces $454 million in Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works investments Army signs rule to implement credit assistance for dam safety projects Army Civil Works seeking Tribal Nations input on consultation policy Guidance published on Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program Statement by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works on the President's Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Army Corps of Engineers Releases Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2023 Civil Works Appropriations Water Resources Development Act of 2022 Implementation Guidance Update Ms. Robyn Colosimo, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Project Planning and Review) Tribal Partnership Program guidance issued Army Civil Works announces programs covered under the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative Army Corps of Engineers support of drought-resilient communities Army Civil Works announces publication of policy initiatives to modernize the Corps’ Civil Works program Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works issues environmental justice guidance to the Army Corps of Engineers Army Civil Works announces publication of a proposed rule for establishment of a federal credit program for non-federal dam safety The Department of the Army and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army) announce a formal review of Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12 for Oil or Natural Gas Pipeline Activities Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Visits Projects to Support Puerto Rico Resiliency

Priority Areas

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works has designated five priority areas to focus the office’s current efforts. Upgrade the nation’s waterways and ports to strengthen supply chains and economic growth Build innovative, climate-resilient infrastructure to protect communities and ecosystems  Modernize Civil Works programs to better serve the needs of disadvantaged communities Invest in science, research and development to deliver enduring water-resource solutions Strengthen communications and relationships to solve water resource challenges

Actions

  • Summary: The policy initiatives to modernize the Corps’ Civil Works program include: An update to the Tribal Consultation Policy - Completed. The guidance is available here. Development of comprehensive guidance on the Tribal Partnership Program - Completed. The guidance is available here. Potential rulemaking on the Regulatory Program’s implementation procedures for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act found at 33 CFR 325, Appendix C - Proposed rule available for review and comment. Information on the draft rule and upcoming webinars can be found here. Potential rulemaking to develop implementing procedures for the principles, requirements and guidelines - Proposed rule available for review and comment. Information on the rulemaking action is available here. Finalization of an environmental justice policy, including a definition for purposes of Section 160 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 for the “economically disadvantaged community.” - Environmental justice guidance issued, guidance on WRDA Sections 117 and 160 also issued. Summaries of the written and oral comments received on the modernize Civil Works initiative are below. Additional information can be found in the Federal Notice and news release. Tribal Consultation Policy Tribal Partnership Program 33 CFR 325 Appendix C Principles, Requirements and Guidelines Environmental Justice Policy
  • Summary: Army Civil Works is modernizing how we do business with Tribal Nations, including strengthening our Nation-to-Nation relations. Actions being undertaken to improve consultation and relationships include an update to the Tribal Consultation Policy and development of comprehensive guidance on the Tribal Partnership Program. On December 5, 2023, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works signed the Tribal Consultation Policy which reaffirms and strengthens the Army’s commitment to Tribal relationships by solidifying the definition of consultation, clarifying the Tribal Policy Principles, and establishing guidelines to USACE division and district commanders on execution of the policy and education regarding Tribal concerns. On November 29, 2022, the ASA(CW) signed guidance for the USACE Tribal Partnership Program. This new guidance directs that the TPP shall be implemented more broadly to include projects that are not typically considered water resources development projects. The guidance can be found here. Next Steps: USACE is developing best practice guides to accompany the Tribal Consultation Policy, and developing a consensus model for USACE activities. Other initiatives that will request Government-to-Government consultation in 2024 include a policy statement on Indigenous Knowledge, as well as co-management and co-stewardship of USACE managed lands with Tribal Nations. An overview of our Tribal engagement efforts can be found here.
  • Summary: On July 28, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works released a memorandum directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance drought resilience actions across the nation. Examples of recent Corps drought resilience actions were also highlighted in the memorandum. Next Steps: The ASA(CW) and Corps will work to continue current efforts and develop robust near- and long-term actions to support drought resilience in states and local communities.
  • Summary: The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works issued interim Environmental Justice implementation guidance to the Corps in March 2022. This memorandum outlined the need to modernize the Civil Works program to better serve the needs of underserved communities. By incorporating environmental justice initiatives into the Civil Works program, the Corps will build innovative, climate-resilient infrastructure that protects communities and ecosystems throughout the country from the impacts of climate change. Army Civil Works is also supporting the Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Next Steps: On August 18, 2022, the Corps released a list of the programs included as part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits of climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. There are 11 covered programs within the Corps, each of which will help to advance the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to environmental justice. Additional information on the Corps' approach to environmental justice can be found here.
  • The Federal Register Notice for Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12 Engagement and Review is available at the following link. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/03/28/2022-06458/notice-of-virtual-public-and-tribal-meetings-regarding-the-review-of-nationwide-permit-12 Public virtual meetings were held in May 2022.
  • Summary: The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 provided authorization for the Corps to stand up a federal credit program for eligible water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Through WIFIA, the Corps can provide long-term, low-cost loans to creditworthy borrowers for non-federal investments in water resources infrastructure. More information on this program, called the Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program can be found here. Next Steps: The first notice of funding availability for CWIFP has closed. The program will announce application selections soon.
  • Summary: On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of the Army (the agencies) issued a final rule to amend the final “Revised Definition of ‘Waters of the United States’” rule, published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023. This final rule conforms the definition of “waters of the United States” to the U.S. Supreme Court’s May 25, 2023, decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. Parts of the January 2023 Rule are invalid under the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Clean Water Act in the Sackett decision. Therefore, the agencies have amended key aspects of the regulatory text to conform it to the Court’s decision. The conforming rule, "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'; Conforming," published in the Federal Register and became effective on September 8, 2023. Next Steps: Please see EPA's Rule Status and Litigation Update page for information about the status of the January 2023 Rule, as amended by this conforming rule, and litigation. The agencies are hosting public webinars to provide updates on the definition of “waters of the United States” in September. The webinars have reached registration capacity, but the agencies will post a recording of the webinar to EPA's website.

Notices

Mission

The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works establishes policy direction and provides supervision of the Department of the Army functions relating to all aspects of the Civil Works program of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Leaders

Contact us

Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) 108 Army Pentagon Washington, DC 20310-0108 (703)697-4672

RESOURCES

  • Civil Works History
  • Hon. Rickey "R.D." James (Feb 2018 - Jan 2021) Hon. Jo-Ellen Darcy (Aug 2009-Jan 2017) Hon. John Paul Woodley, Jr. (Aug 2003-Apr 2009) Hon. Mike Parker (Oct 2000-Mar 2002) Hon. Joseph Westphal (Jun 1998-Mar 2001) Hon. H. Martin Lancaster (Jan 1996-Jun 1997) Hon. Nancy Dorn (Aug 1991-Jan 1993) Hon. Robert Page (Dec 1985-May 1987) Hon. Robert Dawson (Dec. 1985-May 1987) Hon. Willliam Gianelli (Apr 1981-May 1984) Hon. Michael Blumenfeld (Apr 1979-Jan 1981) Hon. Victor Veysey (Mar 1975 - Jan 1977)
  • Navigation Flood Risk Management Ecosystem Restoration & Environmental Protection Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program Hydropower Recreation Water Supply
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers OSC
  • Water Resources Development Act of 2022 Implementation Guidance Update Ms. Robyn Colosimo, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Project Planning and Review) Army Civil Works announces programs covered under the Biden-Harris Administration's Justice40 Initiative Army Corps of Engineers support of drought-resilient communities Army Civil Works announces publication of policy initiatives to modernize the Corps’ Civil Works program Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works issues environmental justice guidance to the Army Corps of Engineers Army Civil Works announces publication of a proposed rule for establishment of a federal credit program for non-federal dam safety The Department of the Army and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army) announce a formal review of Nationwide Permit (NWP) 12 for Oil or Natural Gas Pipeline Activities Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Visits Projects to Support Puerto Rico Resiliency