The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has two primary programs that make the agency’s technical expertise available to support local communities. Each USACE Technical Assistance program has its own specialization and requirements, but they are all geared towards assisting states, U.S. territories, Native American Tribes (Tribal Nations), and communities to identify planning-level solutions to address water resource problems. Technical assistance can range from modeling and analysis to planning and initial designs”. However, detailed design or construction of water resource projects cannot be completed under these programs. USACE primarily provides technical assistance through its Floodplain Management Services (FPMS) program and Planning Assistance to States and Tribal Nations (PAS) program, under which USACE staff are funded to conduct technical analysis and services. Some USACE districts or regions may have additional programs and authorities specific to their area.

To find your local USACE district to find out more about FPMS, PAS, and other potential Technical Assistance resources, please visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Locations.

The FPMS program, first authorized in Section 206 of the Flood Control Act of 1960, addresses the need for those who live and work in floodplains to know about flood hazards and the actions they can take to reduce property damage and prevent the loss of life caused by flooding. Through the FPMS program, USACE provides information on flood hazards to local interests, state agencies, and other federal agencies to guide development of the floodplains and flood-prone areas of the United States.  

The program’s objective is to foster public understanding of the options for dealing with flood hazards and promote prudent use and management of the Nation’s floodplains and flood-prone areas. The FPMS program provides a full range of technical services and planning guidance that is needed to support effective floodplain and flood risk management. FPMS funds USACE staff to conduct technical analysis and provide support to local, regional, state, Tribal, and other non-federal governmental partners at 100% federal cost. These partners may voluntarily contribute additional funds to accomplish more. FPMS is not a grant program. The FPMS program may also be used to provide assistance to federal agency partners and private individuals on a cost-reimbursable basis. FPMS efforts do not directly lead to detailed design or construction projects; implementation is the non-federal partner’s responsibility.

Learn more about USACE's floodplain management services.

The PAS program is authorized by Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-251), as amended, and provides for cost-shared partnering between USACE and states, local governments, other non-federal entities, Tribal Nations, U.S. territories, and nonprofit organizations to develop planning-level solutions on a wide variety of water resource issues.

Through the PAS program, USACE can provide technical assistance or comprehensive water resource planning expertise for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related land resources. Typical studies are only conducted at a planning level of detail, and they do not include detailed design for project construction. Examples of types of studies that can be conducted under the program include, but is not limited to:

• Flood risk management
• Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling
• Water supply/demand
• Water conservation
• Water quality
• Environmental/conservation
• Wetlands evaluation/restoration
• Coastal zone protection
• Stormwater management

Learn more about USACE's planning assistance.