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Reconnaissance Study and Report Certification

This module discusses the goals, purposes, and scope of a reconnaissance study for civil works projects. It covers the establishment of a study team, planning guidance, and the process for identifying water resources problems and potential solutions. The module also emphasizes the importance of professional and technical judgment in making recommendations for further investigation.

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Reconnaissance Study and Report Certification

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

  2. 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: 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

  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. Flood Risk Management Solutions • 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. It means…benefits of project aregreater 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 ShoreProtection 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. 905(b) Analysis • 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. ... and what's not. • 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. 4. Prepare Project Management Plan (PMP) • 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. Recon Timeline • 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 CertificationMeans • Consistent with Administration Policy • Administration would support if economically, environmentally and technically feasible • Meets existing Corps of Engineers criteria and guidelines

  28. 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

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