Program Plan
US Army Corps of Engineers - Corps of Engineers: Coastal Ports and Harbors Recovery Plan
Updated 05/14/2009
Objectives
Program Purpose
The Navigation mission is to provide safe, reliable, efficient, effective, and environmentally sustainable waterborne transportation systems (i.e. channels, harbors, and waterways) for movement of commerce, national security needs and recreation. Responsibilities include planning and constructing new navigation channels, ports, and harbors, and maintaining channel depths along coastal channels, ports, and harbors.
Public Benefits
The Navigation program supports the overall purpose of the Recovery Act to preserve and create jobs and promote economic recovery; to assist those most impacted by the recession; to provide investments needed to increase economic efficiency; and invest in transportation and infrastructure to provide long-term economic benefits.
The navigation program is vital to the nation’s economy. Our nation’s coastal transportation system encompasses a network of navigable channels, ports, harbors, and infrastructure maintained by the Corps, as well as publicly and privately owned vessels, terminals, inter-modal connections, shipyards, and repair facilities. Coastal navigation is a key element of State and local government economic development and job-creation efforts, and is essential in maintaining economic competitiveness and national security.
The Navigation Program enhances the quality of American life by providing ports, harbors, and waterways for transporting needed commerce; saving taxpayers money and improving the national economy by reducing transportation costs; and providing a transportation network that is safer, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly than other forms of transportation. More than 95 percent of overseas trade moves in and out of the United States by ship. Our nation’s ports and harbors serve as an entry point—for everything from the gas that runs our cars, to the food on our tables, to the computers in our offices—
and as an exit point for imports to other countries. Our nation’s ports and harbors are a crucial component of our shipping system and a linchpin of our economy, allowing America to remain one of the world’s largest trading nations. The U.S. marine transportation industry supports nearly $1 trillion in commerce and creates employment for more than 13 million people. U.S. ports and harbors handle more than 2.3 billion short tons of domestic and foreign commerce.
Measures
No Data Available
Schedule and Milestones
Milestones
No Data Available
Projects and Activities
Recovery Act funds will be used to accelerate or complete actions within the full range of Civil Works activities leading to the development, construction, and maintenance of projects and activities that will improve navigation safety, reliability and efficiency across the country. These activities include accelerating the completion of: Feasibility studies and preconstruction engineering and design activities, which will lead to implementation of new or improved navigation infrastructure; construction of new navigation infrastructure and rehabilitation of existing navigation infrastructure; and funding additional operation and maintenance of existing Corps navigation projects to increase safety, reliability, and efficiency. Funds will also be used to further research and development activities, including surveying and mapping, data collection, and model development to improve our ability to forecast navigation transportation savings.
Review Process
The Corps created a Headquarters Management Oversight Team to assist in Recovery Act planning and execution and provides balance in managing regular Corps work and Recovery Act work. The team’s responsibility includes the tracking of Recovery Act obligations, contract awards, and financial execution. The team also provides expertise and support in the areas of information management systems, legal review, internal management and small business. The team oversees the Recovery Act reporting process to ensure the Corps’ program is transparent and maintains its accountability to the American Public.
The Management Oversight Team is facilitated by a Stimulus Project Delivery Team (PDT) that meets weekly to discuss and resolve Recovery Act matters. The Stimulus PDT includes employees assigned to the Directorate of Civil and Emergency Operations, Directorate of Military and International Operations, Office of the Chief Counsel, Office of Internal Review, Office of the Engineer Inspector General, Directorate of Resource Management, Directorate of Contracting, Directorate of Corporate Information, Directorate of Human Resources, and the Offices of Small Business and Public Affairs. Additional information may be found at the Corps’ Recovery Act web-site: http://www.usace.army.mil/RECOVERY.
Cost and Performance Plan
The Corps will utilize the fundamental principles of Composite Risk Management found in the Army Field Manual 5-19 to assist in identifying and assessing risks; and developing and implementing controls that lead to making the best and most appropriate decisions. Leaders at all levels are responsible for the supervision and evaluation of the Civil Works Recovery Act Program and to ensure appropriate corrective action is applied, as needed.
Throughout the Corps, numerous in-place assessment tools exist that include managing risks in all of our programs. The Corps supplemental guidance developed specifically for monitoring the use of Recovery Act funds provides additional controls to ensure the program’s efficiency, execution and overall success. USACE Recovery Act Management Control Checklists are designed to capture progress and/or deficiencies in the areas of program performance, reporting, human capital, acquisition processes, financial controls and functionality of operational systems that monitor and report Recovery Act data.
Agency plans and public reporting are accomplished through a number of venues with various reporting frequencies that are aimed at providing assistance and transparent information to the public related to the Corp's Civil Works Recovery Act Program. These include all mandatory Recovery Act reports; internal Agency reporting and evaluations; and monthly Project, Directorate, and Command-level Review Boards that specifically address Recovery Act program progress and issues. The Corps' Recovery Act web-site will provide program updates at: http://www.usace.army.mil/RECOVERY.
Energy Efficiency Spending Plans
Program Plan Award Types
No Data Available