• National Public Lands Day: Cleanup Volunteers needed at Savannah River Lakes

    SAVANNAH, Ga. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, is set to celebrate National Public Lands Day at Hartwell, Richard B. Russell, and J. Strom Thurmond Lakes Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, and need volunteers to help cleanup.
  • Fort Peck fall release reductions delayed

    Planned release reductions from Fort Peck Dam will be delayed until the end of September, due to the ongoing drought and recent extremely dry weather in eastern Montana.
  • FEST Provides the Forward Face of USACE

    In the military, deploying to different locations around the world can be and are an everyday occurrence.
  • Evaluation of a Prototype Integrated Pavement Screed for Screeding Asphalt or Concrete Crater Repairs

    Abstract: Finishing, or screeding, the hot mix asphalt or rapid-setting concrete surface of a crater repair is important for rapid airfield damage recovery (RADR) since it determines the aircraft ride surface quality. The objective of RADR repairs is to expediently produce a flush repair, defined as ±0.75 in. of the surrounding pavement surface, with minimal logistical and personnel burden. Multiple screeds were previously evaluated; the most recent project proposed a prototype design of a telehandler-operated integrated screed for both small and large repairs using asphalt or concrete. This project’s objective was to finalize the prototype design and fabricate and test the prototype RADR screed. The prototype RADR screed was successful for small repairs (8.5×8.5 ft). Large repairs (30×30 ft) were generally successful with modest repair quality criteria (RQC) issues being the only notable deficiencies. Large concrete repair RQC issues were attributed to plastic formwork movement, and large asphalt repair RQC issues were attributed to compaction issues or improper roll-down factors. Methods to mitigate these factors were investigated but should be further evaluated. Overall, the RADR screed was successful from technical perspectives but, functionally, is 600-800 lb overweight. Weight reduction should be considered before entering production.
  • Microbial Dynamics of a Fluidized Bed Bioreactor Treating Perchlorate in Groundwater

    Abstract: Optimization of operation and performance of the groundwater treatment system regarding perchlorate removal at Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant (LHAAP) is dependent on specific conditions within the reactor and the larger groundwater treatment process. This study evaluated the microbial community compositions within the plant during periods of adequate perchlorate degradation, sub-adequate perchlorate degradation, and non-operating conditions. Factors affecting the performance of the LHAAP ground water treatment system (GWTS) perchlorate de-grading fluidized bed reactor (FBR) are identified and discussed. Isolation of the FBR from naturally occurring microbial populations in the groundwater was the most significant factor reducing system effectiveness. The microbial population within the FBR is highly susceptible to system upsets, which leads to declining diversity within the reactor. As designed, the system operates for extended periods without the desired perchlorate removal without intervention such as a seed inoculant. A range of modifications and the operation of the system are identified to increase the effectiveness of perchlorate removal at LHAAP.
  • Informing the Community Engagement Framework for Natural and Nature-based Projects: An Annotated Review of Leading Stakeholder and Community Engagement Practices

    Abstract: In its infrastructure development work, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) engages and collaborates with numerous local, state, and national stakeholders. Projects incorporating innovative approaches, such as beneficial use (BU) of dredged materials and other natural and nature-based features (NNBF), are often not well-understood by stakeholders, including those at the community level. This often results in conflicts and project delays. By sponsoring the development of a Community Engagement Framework, the Dredging Operations and Environmental Research (DOER) program hopes to systematically improve how project teams design, conduct, and measure effective community engagement on infrastructure projects. The purpose of this focused Review was to assesses leading stakeholder and community engagement practices that reflect the state of practice of stakeholder engagement within USACE, and by other leading organizations in the US and internationally, to inform development of the Community Engagement Framework. While the resulting Framework will be particularly well-suited for community engagement on projects incorporating BU and other NNBF, it will be applicable to a broad range of USACE Civil Works’ initiatives where effective stakeholder engagement is critical to project success. The assessment showed the practice of stakeholder engagement has evolved significantly over the past 30 years, with much more focus today on ensuring that engagement processes are purposeful, meaningful, collaborative, and inclusive - reflecting stakeholders’ desire to participate in co-creating sustainable solutions that produce environmental, economic, and social benefits. This, and other key findings, are informing development of the Community Engagement Framework which is scalable and adaptable to a broad range of projects across the USACE missions.
  • Commander emphasizes to graduates that leadership is a team sport

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Sept. 15, 2022) – A dozen employees with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District graduated yesterday from the second level of the Leadership Development Program during a ceremony at the district headquarters.
  • District awards contract for phase three development of Zorinsky Lake maintenance corridor

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District Contracting Division recently awarded a $479,740 contract on behalf of the Missouri River Project Office to create a maintenance corridor along the northern portion of the federal property line at Zorinsky Lake in Omaha between 189th Avenue and 167th Street.
  • USACE Vicksburg District clarifies new velvet deer season does not apply at its projects

    VICKSBURG, Miss. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District would like to remind visitors to Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, and Grenada Lakes that the new velvet deer season in the state of Mississippi does not apply to USACE lands.
  • Major features of Louisville VA Medical Center project lay down foundations for future work

    After 10 months of construction on the site of the Louisville VA Medical Center, area residents are starting to see the beginnings of the facility rise out of the ground. Much of this year has been spent on various earthwork preparations, but great strides have been made in several foundation-laying portions of the project over the last several months.