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Environmental Operating Principles

Background

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Environmental Operating Principles (EOPs) were developed to ensure that USACE missions include totally integrated sustainable environmental practices. The EOPs provided corporate direction to ensure the workforce recognizes USACE's role in, and responsibility for, sustainable use, stewardship, and restoration of natural resources across the nation and, through the international reach of its support missions.

Since the Environmental Operating Principles were introduced in 2002 they have instilled environmental stewardship across business practices from recycling and reduced energy use at USACE and customer facilities to a fuller consideration of the environmental impacts of USACE actions and meaningful collaboration within the larger environmental community.

The re-energized Environmental Operating Principles are:

  • Foster sustainability as a way of life throughout the organization.
  • Proactively consider environmental consequences of all USACE activities and act accordingly.
  • Create mutually supporting economic and environmentally sustainable solutions.
  • Continue to meet our corporate responsibility and accountability under the law for activities undertaken by USACE, which may impact human and natural environments.
  • Consider the environment in employing a risk management and systems approach throughout the life cycles of projects and programs.
  • Leverage scientific, economic and social knowledge to understand the environmental context and effects of USACE actions in a collaborative manner.
  • Employ an open, transparent process that respects views of individuals and groups interested in USACE activities.

The concepts embedded in the original EOPs remain vital to the success of USACE and its missions. However, as the nation's resource challenges and priorities have evolved, USACE has responded by close examination and refinement of work processes and operating practices. This self-examination includes how USACE considers environmental issues in all aspects of the corporate enterprise. In particular, the strong emphasis on sustainability must be translated into everyday actions that have an effect on the environmental conditions of today, as well as the uncertainties and risks of the future. These challenges are complex, ranging from global trends such as increasing and competing demands for water and energy, climate and sea level change, and declining biodiversity; to localized manifestations of these issues in extreme weather events, the spread of invasive species, and demographic shifts. Accordingly, USACE is re-invigorating commitment to the Environmental Operating Principles in light of this changing context.

The Environmental Operating Principles relate to the human environment and apply to all aspects of business and operations. They apply across Military Programs, Civil Works, Research and Development, and across USACE. The EOPs require a recognition and acceptance of individual responsibility from senior leaders to the newest team members. Re-committing to these principles and environmental stewardship will lead to more efficient and effective solutions, and will enable USACE to further leverage resources through collaboration. This is essential for successful integrated resources management, restoration of the environment and sustainable and energy efficient approaches to all USACE mission areas. It is also an essential component of USACE's risk management approach in decision making, allowing the organization to offset uncertainty by building flexibility into the management and construction of infrastructure.