Last updated: 29 August 2019

Notice: Per the 13 August 2019 e-mail from the Director of Civil Works, the Headquarters Chief of Planning and Policy will determine the readiness to release the proposed Report of the Chief of Engineers, accompanied by the final feasibility report and NEPA document, for State and Agency and final NEPA reviews, as required by the Flood Control Act of 1944, as amended (33 U.S.C. 701-1). This decision will be made without convening a Civil Works Review Board (CWRB). If your study is approaching completion of the final report and transmittal to Headquarters, the requirements of the MSC final report package are unchanged by the elimination of the CWRB. Please refer to the 2 May 2014 DCG-CEO memorandum, Civil Works Review Board Expectations and Guidance, for additional information on Washington-level processing of the final report package prior to release for State and Agency and final NEPA reviews.



The submittal of the complete final report package to HQUSACE initiates a series of Washington-level actions that would ideally culminate in the authorization of the recommended project. Final decision documents recommending the authorization of new projects and/or modification of existing projects must be transmitted to HQUSACE for review and approval prior to the execution of design agreements or project partnership agreements (PPAs), and the subsequent obligation and expenditure of funds for design or construction.

Upon receiving the MSC submittal materials (ER 1105-2-100, Appendix H, Exhibit H-7), the policy and legal compliance review team will briefly assess the compliance of the materials with previous guidance and the decision log to identify any obvious concerns that may warrant delaying the release for state and agency review.

The Headquarters Chief of Planning and Policy will approve release of the final decision and NEPA documents and the proposed Report of the Chief of Engineers for state and agency review and final NEPA review.

In those situations where the Headquarters Chief of Planning and Policy provides a contingent approval and identifies additional work or clarifications that are needed prior to releasing the report for state and agency review, the District will address the concerns and make any necessary changes to the report and submittal materials.

Resources

• Memorandum: Civil Works Review Board Expectations and Guidance (2 May 2014)
• Memorandum: Further Advancing Project Delivery Efficiency and Effectiveness of USACE Civil Works (21 June 2017)
  The subject memo was signed by Mr. James Dalton, Director of Civil Works, outlining his intent to operationalize risk-informed decision making at all levels, reduce redundancies and delegate authority to the most practical and appropriate level to meet the objective of advancing project delivery efficiency and effectiveness across USACE Civil Works. Guidance on CWRB replacement processes will be forthcoming.