).
Project or activity objectives are more discrete statements of intent and are
developed on a regional and local basis, based on resource need and public desires.
Ecosystem restoration is one of the primary missions of the Corps of Engineers Civil Works program. The purpose of ecosystem restoration is to restore degraded ecosystem structure, function, and dynamic processes to a less degraded, more natural condition. Engineer Regulation 1165-2-501 contains the Civil Works ecosystem policy and Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100 contains guidance for planning ecosystem restoration projects.
Engineer Regulation 1130-2-540, in Chapter 2, Natural Resources Stewardship, calls for managing "natural resources on Corps of Engineers administered land and water in accordance with ecosystem management principles, to ensure their continued availability." A companion statement related to the human component of ecosystem management is "to provide a safe and healthful environment for project visitors."
Although regulated activities under the Regulatory Program involve discrete locations, a wetland site "will be evaluated with the recognition that it is part of a complete and interrelated wetland area" (EP 1165-2-1 chapter 21). In addition, the Public Interest Review process (33 CFR 325) includes many factors that reflect concerns outside the specific location of the permit application. Watershed planning, as currently being developed at the Federal level, is encouraged in the regulatory program to the extent it can be used to support and direct future regulatory decisions in a manner that benefits the environment and the public.
These
broad statements may be viewed as goals of the Corps Civil Works in the area
of ecosystem restoration and management (see the planning primer
).
Project or activity objectives are more discrete statements of intent and are
developed on a regional and local basis, based on resource need and public desires.
See Authorities for Internet access to the documents mentioned above.