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Social Sciences Portal

 
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  • Study Tools and Milestone Read Aheads
    • Vertical Team Alignment Memorandum (VTAM) Template
      Template to be used to develop the Vertical Team Alignment Memorandum (VTAM) for MSC Commander signature, as required by the 7 May 2025 Memorandum "Feasibility Study Vertical Team Alignment and Command Validation."
    • Mega Study Quarterly Update Template
      Quarterly update template for use by project delivery teams working on mega studies, as defined in the 15 October 2021 Interim Guidance for Civil Works Mega Studies Memo.
    • Study Issue Checklists Overview
      This document provides an overview of the available Study Issue Checklists, which include issues that may require vertical team coordination – preferably, early in the study process and prior to the milestone for which the checklist is required. It is recommended that the PDT review these checklists at the start of the study and periodically revisit them during the study, versus reviewing and filling them out just prior to the milestone.
    • Pre-AMM Checklist
      This document provides a Pre-Alternatives Milestone Meeting (AMM) Checklist for a particular study. The checklist covers General Issues, Economics, Real Estate, Environmental, and cultural Resources. There are a total of 66 checklist items across these categories, and the checklist must be signed by the District Planning Chief and the DQC Lead.
    • Pre-TSP and Final Report Checklist
      This document provides a Pre-Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) Milestone Meeting and Pre-Final Feasibility Report Package Checklist for a particular study. The checklist covers General Issues, Economics, Cost Engineering, Real Estate, Environmental, and Cultural Resources. There are a total of 93 checklist items across these categories, and the checklist must be signed by the District Planning Chief and the DQC Lead.
    • Navigation Pre-TSP Checklist
      This document provides a pre- TSP checklist for Navigation studies (inland or harbor).
    • FRM Pre-TSP Checklist
      This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for FRM studies.
    • CSRM Pre-TSP Checklist
      This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for CSRM studies.
    • AER Pre- TSP Checklist
      This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for AER studies.
    • Separable Recreation Pre-TSP Checklist
      This document provides a pre-TSP checklist for studies with a separable Recreation component.
    • Climate Preparedness and Resilience Community of Practice (CPR CoP) Climate Assessment Agency Technical Review (ATR) and Policy and Legal Compliance Review (P&LCR) Standards of Practice
      This document summarizes review requirements and best practices for both Climate Preparedness and Resilience (CPR) Agency Technical Review and Policy and Legal Compliance Review.
    • Templat e for Record of Environmental Consideration, Documentation for Categorical Exclusion (CE) under NEPA Corps Castle
      This template is for use in development of the Memorandum for Record (MFR) of environmental consideration and documentation for Categorical Exclusion under NEPA.
    • Design Maturity Determination for Costs Certification Form Corps Castle
      The District Chief of Engineering is responsible for the technical content and engineering sufficiency for all engineering products produced by the command. As such, they are expected to complete and sign this form, after having performed the Management Control Evaluation per Engineer Regulation (ER) 1110-2-1150, Engineering and Design for Civil Works Projects, Appendix H, Internal Management Control Review Checklist.
    • CAP Federal Interest Determination Questionnaire Corps Castle
      This questionnaire is for USACE staff only and serves as the template for completing the Federal Interest Determination for Continuing Authorities Program projects.

  • OMB-Approved Planning and Operations Public Surveys Process
      This IWR website outlines the process for seeking OMB approval for planning and operations public surveys. The clearance process takes a minimum of 6 months and may take as long as a year.

  • Communication Planning Tool Corps Castle
      The Communication and Public Affairs Strategic Steering (COMPASS) Committee, in coordination with other Communities of Practice, updated the ES-28000 Communication Planning Process into an Integrated Communication Process to be used by all USACE Communities of Practice, projects, and programs.

  • Director's and Chief's Report Templates
    • Instructions for Chief's Report Templates, June 2024
      This document provides an overview of the available Chief's Report Templates which cover the following project purposes: Ecosystem Restoration, Commercial Navigation, Flood Risk Management, and Coastal Storm Risk Management. The purpose of these templates is to aid in drafting these documents; however, Headquarters retains all final review and approval of both the language and substance used in the final document.
    • CSRM with Periodic Nourishment Chief's Report Template
      Chief's Report template with instructions for costal storm risk management recommendations for projects that include beach nourishment. The June 2024 template update includes updated language regarding the authority being used to conduct PED. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing.
    • Commercial Navigation Chief's Report Template
      Chief's Report template with instructions for deep draft navigation recommendations for projects. The June 2024 template update includes updated language regarding the authority being used to conduct PED. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing.
    • FRM Chief's Report Template
      Chief's Report template with instructions for flood risk management recommendations for projects. These recommendations include outlining the recommended plan, naming the authority under which the recommendations can be carried out, and outlining the project costs and benefits. The June 2024 template update includes updated language regarding the authority being used to conduct PED. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing.
    • AER Chief's Report Template
      Chief's Report template with instructions for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration recommendations for projects. The June 2024 template update includes updated language regarding the authority being used to conduct PED. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing.
    • CSRM without Periodic Nourishment Chief's Report Template
      Chief's Report template with instructions for coastal storm risk management projects recommendations for projects that do not include beach nourishment. The June 2024 template update includes updated language regarding the authority being used to conduct PED. Please ensure you are using the current template when preparing a Chief's Report for routing.
    • Instructions for Director's Memos/Reports
      General Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a report (other than for Water Reallocation) to the ASA(CW) for review, concurrence, and budget support that does not require additional Congressional authorization. This is generally required projects authorized by Congress without a previously approved decision document and/or implementation of the project first requires a determination by the Secretary.
    • Director's Memo/Report Template - General
      General Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a report (other than for Water Reallocation) to the ASA(CW) for review, concurrence, and budget support that does not require additional Congressional authorization. This is generally required projects authorized by Congress without a previously approved decision document and/or implementation of the project first requires a determination by the Secretary.
    • Director's Memo/Report Template - Water Reallocation/Impacts to FRM
      Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a Water Reallocation Report to the ASA(CW) for approval. Approval is needed if the reallocation will negatively impact flood risk management benefits. This template is not appropriate for use if the reallocation will require Congressional authorization.
    • Director's Memo/Report Template - Water Reallocation/No Impacts to FRM
      Director's Memo/Report template for use when transmitting a Water Reallocation Report to the ASA(CW) for situational awareness. This memo is used for reallocation reports where the reallocation does not impact flood risk management benefits, and thus approval from the ASA(CW) is not required. This template is not appropriate for use if the reallocation will require Congressional authorization.
    • Director's Memo/Report Template - 902 Increase
      Director's Memo/Report template for use when an increase to a project's Section 902 limit is required.

  • Document of Review Findings (DORF) & Policy Guidance Memorandum (PGM) Templates
    • DORF Template
      Template for a Documentation of Review Findings (DORF). It covers policy compliance review findings, as well as the review history for a project and policy review comments.
    • Example DORF Transmittal Memo
      Template for a brief memo that transmits the documentation of policy compliance review finings for the subject study and provides point(s) of contact.
    • PGM Template
      Template for a Policy Guidance Memorandum (PGM). It covers the final review and draft review comments on the draft and final report.
    • Example PGM Transmittal Memo for DRAFT Report
      Template for a brief memo that transmits the policy and legal compliance review findings for a PGM on a particular study. It briefly identifies concerns and a general timeline for discussing a path forward to resolve the named issues, and provides point(s) of contact.
    • Example PGM Transmittal Memo for FINAL Report
      Template for a brief memo that transmits the policy and legal compliance review findings for a PGM on a particular study. It indicates if there are unresolved comments from the draft report, identifies new comments, states if a team needs to meet to discuss resolving any outstanding concerns before the final report is approved, and provides point(s) of contact.

  • Nonstructural Project Planning and Implementation Templates
    • Nonstructural Implementation Plan Template for Elevations
      Enclosure 1 to the memorandum, Guidance for Nonstructural Project Planning and Implementation, signed by the Deputy Commanding General of Civil and Emergency Operations. A nonstructural implementation plan will be included in the draft and final feasibility report for each type of nonstructural measure (elevation, dry floodproofing, wet floodproofing, acquisition, relocation, etc.). USACE Headquarters is developing specific implementation plan templates for other types of nonstructural measures that will be released when complete.
    • Perpetual Restrictive Easement for Residential (Elevation/Basement In-Fill) - Example Language
      Enclosure 5 to the memorandum, Guidance for Nonstructural Project Planning and Implementation, signed by the Deputy Commanding General of Civil and Emergency Operations. Enclosure 5 provides example language to be used for a perpetual restrictive easement for a residential structure (elevation/basement in-fill).
    • Model Participation Agreement for Nonstructural Projects (Traditional Contracting Methods)
      Enclosure 6 to the memorandum, Guidance for Nonstructural Project Planning and Implementation, signed by the Deputy Commanding General of Civil and Emergency Operations. This model agreement template is for nonstructural projects wherein construction of nonstructural measures is performed through traditional contracting methods whereby USACE contracts with the design, bid, and build contractor. If a different project delivery method is used, this agreement will need modifications for appropriate language.
    • Sample Deed Restriction for Nonstructural Projects
      Enclosure 7 to the memorandum, Guidance for Nonstructural Project Planning and Implementation, signed by the Deputy Commanding General of Civil and Emergency Operations. This sample serves as a guide for non-federal interests (NFI) who acquire real estate interests for nonstructural projects. The NFI is not required to utilize this model, but the language contained in the model, such as the perpetual easement estate and the restrictions to run with the land, must be included in the deed executed by the NFI. Districts should ensure this deed and easement language are compliant with the laws and regulations of the state in which the instrument will be recorded.

  • Policy and Legal Compliance Review Manager Roles and Responsibilities
      This document provides a general guide on the specific roles and responsibilities of the Policy and Legal Compliance Review Manager throughout the duration of the feasibility study, including the completion of the Chief's Report or Director's Memo/Report. This version of the document updates/consolidates the Review Manager standard operating procedures and vertical team responsibility documents, and includes attachments on the State and Agency Review process and report log-in procedures.

  • Project Reports

  • Recommended Outline for Section 404(b)(l) Evaluation
      This outline provides guidance in preparing Clean Water Act Section 404(b)(l) evaluations under the 40 CFR Part 230 - Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines for Specification of Disposal Sites for Dredged or Fill Material (Guidelines). The Guidelines apply to USACE civil works projects that include any discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. The outline should be used in conjunction with the Guidelines and are considered flexible. Each evaluation should be tailored to fit project-specific characteristics.

  • Review Tools and Templates
      This Toolbox page provides resources for project delivery teams related to study reviews, including review guidance, review plans, District Quality Control, Agency Technical Review, Independent External Peer Review, Policy and Legal Compliance Review, review tools and processes, and review training and best practices.

  • USACE NEPA Decision Document Templates
    • National Environmental Policy Act Decision Documents Memo
      This ASA(CW) memorandum requires USACE to adopt the use of consistent templates for Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Records of Decision (ROD) NEPA decision documents. Use of the templates will allow for consistent and predictable documentation for projects. Any requested modification of the template FONSI or ROD for a project will be coordinated with the Deputy ASA for Project Planning and Review and staff, with final approval by the ASA(CW), prior to submittal.
    • Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Template
      This Word document is the required template to prepare a feasibility study Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). HQUSACE Office of Water Policy Review and Office of Counsel need to be consulted on when it is appropriate to deviate from the required template language. Additional language to meet project specific needs may be added.
    • Record of Decision (ROD) Template
      This Word document is the required template to prepare a feasibility study Record of Decision (ROD). HQUSACE Office of Water Policy Review and Office of Counsel need to be consulted on when it is appropriate to deviate from the required template language. Additional language to meet project specific needs may be added.

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Updated: July 2025