This graphic provides an overview of how current Planning Guidance Notebook chapter and appendices will transition into new Planning Policies & Procedures publications.

Further updates of appendices, including pre-publication updates and appendices now published as Engineer Pamphlets, are located below.

This appendix provides the references for Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100: Planning Guidance Notebook

This appendix addresses the integration of environmental evaluation and compliance requirements, pursuant to national environmental statutes, applicable executive orders, and other Federal planning requirements, into the planning of Civil Works water and related land resources comprehensive plans and implementation projects. This guidance is applicable to all Civil Works water resources planning studies, including Feasibility studies conducted under the General Investigation business line, those studies conducted under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), and studies that require a decision document that are conducted during PED, construction, or operations, such as post authorization change reports. Please note: this is the pre-publication version of the document and will be updated once final approval is received.

This appendix covers economic and social considerations not addressed elsewhere in the Planning Guidance Notebook. Guidance for estimating NED benefits is provided in Appendix E, Civil Works Missions and Evaluation Procedures, where the evaluation procedure for each project type is presented in its mission context. Some aspects of economic evaluation, and of planning generally, are common to every mission; those aspects are covered in this appendix. Please note: this is the pre-publication version of the document and will be updated once final approval is received.

This appendix provides policy and planning guidance for project purposes of navigation, flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction (shore protection), ecosystem restoration, hydroelectric power, recreation, water supply and multiple purpose projects.

This appendix provides guidance and procedures for the management and conduct of planning studies, activities, and programs.

This appendix prescribes policy compliance review and approval procedures for the following decision documents: section 905(b) analyses, feasibility reports, limited and general reevaluation reports, post-authorization change reports, and other reports supporting project authorization or budget decisions.
Note: Exhibit H-11, Model Report Summary has been updated and replaced by the November 2021 Feasibility Report Summary Format and Content Guide. Planners are required to use the format specified in the Feasibility Report Summary Format and Content Guide.

This pamphlet explains the benefits of, and requirements for, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and coordination in Civil Works planning studies. These activities are critical to study success because they may foster trust and credibility between USACE and the communities we serve; increase collective understanding of problems; reduce controversy and litigation risks; and improve the quality and execution of our decisions. Note: This EP replaces the existing Appendix B of the Planning Guidance Notebook.

This appendix provides the policy and procedural guidance for planning, design, and implementation of projects pursued under the legislative and administrative provisions of the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). Note: This EP replaces the existing Appendix F of the Planning Guidance Notebook.

This appendix provides the references for Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100: Planning Guidance Notebook

This appendix addresses the integration of environmental evaluation and compliance requirements, pursuant to national environmental statutes, applicable executive orders, and other Federal planning requirements, into the planning of Civil Works water and related land resources comprehensive plans and implementation projects. This guidance is applicable to all Civil Works water resources planning studies, including Feasibility studies conducted under the General Investigation business line, those studies conducted under the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), and studies that require a decision document that are conducted during PED, construction, or operations, such as post authorization change reports. Please note: this is the pre-publication version of the document and will be updated once final approval is received.

This appendix covers economic and social considerations not addressed elsewhere in the Planning Guidance Notebook. Guidance for estimating NED benefits is provided in Appendix E, Civil Works Missions and Evaluation Procedures, where the evaluation procedure for each project type is presented in its mission context. Some aspects of economic evaluation, and of planning generally, are common to every mission; those aspects are covered in this appendix. Please note: this is the pre-publication version of the document and will be updated once final approval is received.

This appendix provides policy and planning guidance for project purposes of navigation, flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction (shore protection), ecosystem restoration, hydroelectric power, recreation, water supply and multiple purpose projects.

This appendix provides guidance and procedures for the management and conduct of planning studies, activities, and programs.

This appendix prescribes policy compliance review and approval procedures for the following decision documents: section 905(b) analyses, feasibility reports, limited and general reevaluation reports, post-authorization change reports, and other reports supporting project authorization or budget decisions.
Note: Exhibit H-11, Model Report Summary has been updated and replaced by the November 2021 Feasibility Report Summary Format and Content Guide. Planners are required to use the format specified in the Feasibility Report Summary Format and Content Guide.

This pamphlet explains the benefits of, and requirements for, stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and coordination in Civil Works planning studies. These activities are critical to study success because they may foster trust and credibility between USACE and the communities we serve; increase collective understanding of problems; reduce controversy and litigation risks; and improve the quality and execution of our decisions. Note: This EP replaces the existing Appendix B of the Planning Guidance Notebook.

This appendix provides the policy and procedural guidance for planning, design, and implementation of projects pursued under the legislative and administrative provisions of the Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). Note: This EP replaces the existing Appendix F of the Planning Guidance Notebook.

Webinars

2023
• Evolution of USACE Planning Policy and Guidance (20 April)
  
  This webinar provided an overview of the evolution of USACE policy on formulation of water resources projects. Presenter Amy Frantz (HQUSACE Senior Policy Advisor) discussed the evolution of Planning policy along with insights into how policy is developed, updated, and maintained. First presented as a PCoP Webinar in 2022, Ms. Frantz repeated this webinar in May 2023. Planning Guidance Notebook (Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100). Presenter Amy Frantz (HQUSACE Senior Policy Advisor) discussed the evolution of Planning policy along with insights into how policy is developed, updated, and maintained.
• New Policy for Conducting Civil Works Planning Studies EC - Planning Guidance Notebook Update (23 March)
  
  This webinar provided an overview of the pre-publication Policy for Conducting Civil Works Planning Studies Engineer Circular (EC), which will replace the core chapters of the USACE Planning Guidance Notebook (Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100). Presenter Amy Frantz (Headquarters Senior Policy Advisor) shared key updates to the guidance, which incorporates 23 years of legislation, official policy memoranda, Planning Bulletins, and implementation guidance. She also shared the timeframe for publication of the EC and of the business line evaluation procedures (currently Appendix E in the Planning Guidance Notebook), which will be published as separate Engineer Pamphlets.
  
  2022
• 2022 PCoP Virtual Summer Series - Session #1 - Readiness: What’s New on the Planning Horizon? (14 July)
  
  The focus of the kickoff session of the 2022 PCoP Virtual Summer Series was trends in planning policy, Water Resources Development Act implementation guidance and other relevant guidance. The discussion informed planners on what to expect next in the planning and policy world and topics included scoping and the Vertical Team Alignment Memo (VTAM), evaluating and documenting benefits across accounts, conducting mega studies, and policy and guidance updates. Speakers included Mr. Al Lee (Director of Civil Works), Joe Redican (Deputy Chief, Headquarters Planning & Policy), Jason Norris (Headquarters Office of Water Project Review), Brian Harper and Saji Varghese (Southwestern Division/Regional Planning and Environment Center), and Amy Frantz (Headquarters Senior Policy Advisor).
  
  2016
• Social Vulnerability: Overview and Analysis (3 November)
  
  Ms. Susan Durden and Dr. Seth Cohen, both with the Institute for Water Resources, provided a review of the "Other Social Effects" account and described socially vulnerable populations and factors that make them vulnerable during an flood or storm event. Dr. Cohen provided an overview of the IWR primer on social vulnerability entitled "Identification and Engagement of Socially Vulnerable Populations in the USACE Decision Making Process." Ms. Durden shared information on the Social Vulnerability Index Explorer (SOVI-X), a tool that performs social vulnerability analyses of populations at risk under with and without project conditions.