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Planning Community Toolbox
USACE Castle
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Categories
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Agreements
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Civil Works Budget
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Delegations
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Risk-Informed Decision Making and Planning Support Tools
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Planning Models
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Software
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Collaboration and Productivity Tools
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Report Writing and Communication
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Templates and Checklists
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Planning Data Sets and Mapping Resources

 
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • 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 29 July 2022 Memorandum "Vertical Team Alignment Memorandum Guidance."
    • 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.
    • Feasibility Study Vertical Team Coordination: Key HQ and MSC Tasks
      This document summarizes the key Vertical Team and Headquarters tasks associated with feasibility study coordination, review, milestone meetings, report approval, and processing the final report package in preparation for a signed Chief’s Report or Director’s Report. It includes tasks delegated to the MSCs from Headquarters associated with policy and legal review and milestone decision making. It does not include tasks/activities such as District Quality Control, Quality Assurance, technical reviews, etc.

  • 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 Template
      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.
    • AER Chief's Report Template
      Chief's Report template with instructions for Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration recommendations for projects.
    • Commercial Navigation Chief's Report Template
      Chief's Report template with instructions for deep draft navigation recommendations for projects.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.

  • 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 or Director's Report.

  • Project Reports

  • 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.

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

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Updated: September 2022