Planning Community Toolbox: Planning Guidance

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Categories

	Project Delivery
	6-Step Planning Process
	Plan Formulation
	Review
	Civil Works Budget
	Public Outreach and Engagement
	Continuing Authorities Program (CAP)
	Post-Authorization Change
	National Environmental Policy Act
	Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA)
	Fish and Wildlife Coordination
	National Historic Preservation Act
	Clean Water Act
	Partnering with the Corps
	Beneficial Use of Dredged Material
	Nonstructural Flood Risk Management

6-Step Planning Process

About Corps Planning
Additional Resources
- Planning Primer
  The Planning Primer is a condensed version of the Planning Manual. It is an introduction to planning and how it is done using the six-step planning process for those who have no formal training in planning.
- Planning Manual
  The Planning Manual describes what planning is and how it is best practiced by the Corps of Engineers. It focuses on water resources planning, though the principles, tools and methodologies discussed are equally applicable to other planning functions as well. The Manual walks planners through the six-step planning process used by the Corps and applicable to all the Corps' water resources and other planning functions.
- Planning Manual Part II: Risk-Informed Planning
  The Planning Manual Part II: Risk Informed Planning documents the state of the practice in risk-informed planning for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Planning Community of Practice. It is a continuation of the original Planning Manual, published by the USACE Institute for Water Resources in 1996.
- Environmental Evaluation and Compliance within the SMART Planning Framework
  This paper provides a general overview of how the environmental evaluation and compliance process fits into the SMART Planning framework. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) milestones are emphasized. More guidance to follow that is specific to the Endangered Species Act and other agency coordination milestones.
- Feasibility Study Milestone Tools & Frameworks
  Feasibility milestone presentation frameworks are available on the PCoP SharePoint and provide a starting point for study PDTs preparing for feasibility study milestone meetings.
- Scoping Guide for Civil Works Planning Studies
  This guide highlights some of the key procedures, processes, and guidance that a study team should use during the initial scoping phase of a study, which is generally the first 90 to 120 days from the execution of the Feasibility Cost Share Agreement (FCSA). It especially highlights best practices for collaboration during initial scoping, which is critical for a study's success during this fast-paced timeframe when the foundation of the study is being developed. It also outlines best practices for confirming, refining, and adjusting the scope throughout the study. The guide does not discuss the process required in law for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping.
Guidance
- Economic and Environmental Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies, 1983
  These guidelines have been developed to guide the formulation and evaluation studies of the major Federal water resources development agencies in accordance with Section 103 of the Water Resources Planning Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1962a-2)
- Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100: Planning Guidance Notebook
  The Planning Guidance Notebook provides the overall direction by which the Corps of Engineers civil works projects are formulated, evaluated, and selected for overall implementation. ER 1105-2-100, the Planning Guidance Notebook will be superseded by several different pieces of new guidance. This December 2023 version of the ER contains the elements of the Planning Guidance Notebook that are still in effect (Chapter 4 and Appendices C, D, E and G).
- Planning Guidance Letter 97-10: Shortening the Planning Process
  This letter implements new procedures and requirements for shortening planning studies.
Training
- Planning Core Curriculum Training (PROSPECT)

Corps Castle Item is restricted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CAC required. Document will open in a new window.