22 Apr 2013

Going Green: Army Corps unveils new master plan for oyster recovery

Since the turn of the 20th century, oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay have declined dramatically, largely due to disease, overharvesting, loss of habitat, and degraded water quality. With the State of Maryland placing increased emphasis on restoring the Chesapeake Bay, oyster restoration remains paramount in improving the Bay's vitality.

15 Apr 2013

Going Green: Corps prescribed fire program helps double butterfly population

EUGENE, Ore. -- The population of endangered Fender's blue butterflies has doubled at Fern Ridge Reservoir since last year, according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey. The Corps' 2012 estimate of 3,769 Fender's blue butterflies at 11 sites near the reservoir west of Eugene, Ore., is the species' largest known population and continues a trend of positive population growth since it was first detected on Corps lands in 1998.

11 Apr 2013

Going Green: Rare mushrooms discovered after prescribed burn

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers botanists discovered a new site for the rare Pruitt's Amanita mushroom at Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene, Ore., recently. Soils and botany student intern Leanna Van Slambrook spotted some white mushrooms popping out of the charred, soggy ground on the southwest side of the reservoir after a prescribed burn and remembered that a rare Amanita had been found after a burn a few years back.

4 Apr 2013

Restoring salmon to an urban park

Crystal Springs Creek is one of thousands of small streams flowing through the Pacific Northwest. Most provide ideal habitat for fish, but this creek has not supported fish passage for about 40 years.

3 Apr 2013

LA District continues innovative partnership

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District has helped develop a strong partnership at Alamo Dam and along the Bill Williams River to continue sustaining our nation’s economic and water resources. Through the collaboration, known as the Bill Williams River Corridor Steering Committee, with other government agencies and partners, the Corps ensured the flows from Alamo Dam maximized taxpayer dollars by maintaining a high level of sustainability for a variety of communities.

3 Apr 2013

Going Green: USACE LA District continues innovative partnership

LAKE HAVASU, Ariz. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District has helped develop a strong partnership at Alamo Dam and along the Bill Williams River to continue sustaining our nation's economic and water resources. "Originally, the dam's functions were flood control, water conservation and recreation," said Rene Vermeeren, the LA District's chief of Hydrology/Hydraulics Branch.

2 Apr 2013

Corps of Engineers helps build 'green' military base for the future

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District is helping build a military base for the future at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., one of several U.S. Army pilot installations selected to be net zero energy and net zero waste by 2020. Net zero means the installation will create as much energy as it uses, and reuse and recover all of its waste products. The district is nearing completion on the second of four solar microgrid projects at the installation.

2 Apr 2013

Army Corps of Engineers helps build 'green' military installation of future

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-- Army and sustainability? Using those two words in the same sentence several years ago would have probably been considered the punch line to a joke. But today, a military base that is both environmentally friendly and meets the needs of warfighters, is quickly becoming a reality.

29 Mar 2013

Going Green: Corps hydropower is clean, reliable, efficient, flexible, renewable and sustainable

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- In the Pacific Northwest, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers produces significant hydroelectric power for the nation at its dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers. Hydroelectric power is clean, reliable, efficient, flexible, renewable and sustainable. The Corps of Engineers is the Nation's largest producer of hydropower, and one of the largest in the world.

29 Mar 2013

Going Green: Protecting our Great Lakes from the invasive Asian carp

"Working with our partners to protect our national treasures, our Great Lakes, from aquatic nuisance species is critical," said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Chicago District Commander Col. Frederic A. Drummond Jr. "The Corps mission is about sustaining our water resources, sustaining our communities and sustaining our nation's economic resources."