Civil Works Policy Guidebook.indd - Chicago District - U.S. Army

Introduction
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of the world’s largest public engineering, design, and construction management
agencies. Congress assigned the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this civil works responsibility.
The Corps Civil Works water resources program began in 1824 when Congress provided funds for improving river navigation.
Since then, the Corps has been involved in providing navigation improvements for commerce, national security
needs, and recreation; managing risks and reducing damages from riverine flooding, and restoring degraded ecosystems.,
reducing flood damage, and restoring ecosystems. Along with these primary missions, the Corps restores and protects the
coastal shores from storms and erosion, generates hydropower, cooperates in developing water supplies in connection
with other projects, and is one of the Nation’s largest providers of outdoor recreation opportunities.
The seven major mission areas of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program are:
• Navigation
• Flood Risk Management
• Ecosystem Restoration
• Coastal Storm Damage Reduction
• Hydropower
• Water Supply
• Recreation
Additionally, the Civil Works Program includes an important regulatory mission where we regulate construction in navigable
waters including the deposition of dredged and fill material in the waters and wetlands of the United States. The Civil
Works Program also includes disaster preparedness response and recovery missions.
If your community, regional or state government agency is seeking a partner to address a water resource problem within
any of our mission areas listed above, please contact our office. Additionally, non-government organizations can partner
on ecosystem restoration projects. For a sample letter please direct your request to:
Susanne J. Davis
Chief Planning Branch
Office: (312) 846-5580
susanne.j.davis@usace.army.mil
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