The Power of WaterA Regional Perspective on

Water Resource Challenges and Opportunities

Lester S. DixonDirector of Programs, South Atlantic Division

US Army Corps of Engineers

US Army Corps of Engineers

USACE mission is to provide quality, responsive engineering services to the nation, in four broad mission areas:

• Water resource infrastructure • Environmental management & ecosystem restoration

• Response to natural and manmade disasters

• Engineering and technical services to the Army, DoD and other Federal agencies.

What Are the Demands for Water What Are the Demands for Water in the Southeast?in the Southeast?

Wetlands/In-stream FlowWetlands/In-stream Flow

RecreationRecreation

Water SupplyWater Supply

Flood ControlFlood Control

HydroelectricHydroelectricPowerPowerNavigationNavigation

Trends in the Southeast

• Unprecedented growth in population• Significant change in the landscape (primarily urban

sprawl)• Growing and conflicting demands for water• Interstate water conflicts• Water quality degradation• Habitat loss and fragmentation• Endangered and threatened species conflicts• Growing public focus on “quality of life” issues

Principal Water-Related

Challenges

• Water quantity and conflicting demands

• Water and wastewater infrastructure

• Water quality degradation

• Institutional fragmentation

• Creating a “win-win” mindset among diverse stakeholders

QualityQuantity

Timing Distribution

Four Dimensions of Water

Solutions

• Embrace a more comprehensive, multi-dimensional watershed approach

• Develop and empower regionally/locally-based watershed resource teams

• Develop innovative strategies to finance water planning and infrastructure solutions

• Establish processes to promote earlier, more effective, more inclusive dialogue on specific water resource issues

8

Promotes collaboration and leveraging among Federal, state and local agencies and non-government interests

Balances economic, environmental, & quality of life objectives

Provides a flexible & adaptable “framework” for solutions Focuses on holistic strategies and solutions without

preoccupation as to who implements them Aligns and integrates existing water resource projects and

management activities to address changing needs Encompasses a broader geographic scale and system-

wide perspective Recognizes interdependencies among natural and human

variables

What is a Watershed Approach?

Encouraging Signs

• Technological advances in large, complex system analysis• Emergence of active locally-based watershed organizations • New partnership initiatives among government agencies,

conservation organizations, and corporate America • Emergence of state-wide comprehensive watershed planning

and state initiatives to create regional authorities to address water and related issues

• Multi-state collaboration on natural resource-based initiatives• Federal family cooperation • Federal endorsement of a comprehensive watershed

approach to planning and resource management

What the Corps is Doing to Position for Future

Challenges

Our Strategic Plan

Focus the talents and energy of the Corps of Engineers on comprehensive, sustainable and integrated solutions to the Nation’s water resources and related challenges through collaboration with stakeholders (regions, States, local entities, other Federal Entities, etc.) playing a leadership or support role as appropriate.

Positioning for Future Challenges

Our Environmental Operating Principles (EOP)

New Guidance• Planning Civil Works Projects under the EOP• Civil Works Review Board (CWRB)• Model Improvement & Certification• Peer Review Protocols• Collaborative Planning

Questions?