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Explore the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' role in supporting the Administration's infrastructure goals, including streamlining permitting, accelerating project delivery, and implementing regulatory reforms.
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USACE infrastructure team update • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • October 2018
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: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/INFRASTRUCTURE-211.pdf. • The Administration has also asked agencies to improve infrastructure delivery by pursuing changes that do not require legislation.
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
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
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
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 13807 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