Posted on August 2, 2021
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a Natural Resources Management Strategic Plan that provides a framework for the future of the USACE Natural Resources Management (NRM) program. The plan ensures wise management of public access to USACE lands and waters in a manner that protects all project purposes and mission areas through responsible outdoor recreation, environmental conservation and land use management while partnering with communities to serve the American people.
USACE averages more than 262 million visits annually to its more than 400 lake and river projects in 43 states. These projects provide a diverse range of recreational opportunities for people of all ages along with significant economic benefits to surrounding communities and the nation. Visitors to USACE projects spent approximately $12.7 billion and supported 210,000 jobs in 2019. In addition to recreation, USACE projects protect, preserve and restore significant ecological and cultural resources on 12 million acres of lands and waters nationwide while balancing land use activities.
The 2021-2031 NRM Strategic Plan provides field managers with a roadmap for the next decade of natural resources management within the USACE Recreation and Environmental Stewardship programs.
The plan identifies four main strategic priorities:
- Workforce – Build and cultivate a world-class team equipped to deliver high-quality solutions.
- Communication – Effectively communicate the Natural Resources Management mission to enhance understanding, support and appreciation of the program by internal and external audiences.
- Resourcing – Apply consistently informed decision-making practices, adaptive approaches and efficient use of available resources to deliver a quality Natural Resources Management program.
- Program Delivery – Support and deliver innovations that sustain the Natural Resources Management program to meet current demands and future challenges.
The plan encompasses all NRM programs and activities. Its goals and strategic priorities consider economic, social, environmental, financial and utilization trends as well as examine existing program capabilities and limitations to ensure the plan is adaptable, responsive and able to be implemented across the NRM program both geographically and functionally. Stakeholders and partners will be engaged throughout implementation of the plan.
“We are proud of the long history of recreation services and environmental stewardship that USACE has provided the public. In order to continue to provide these services as a world class organization, we have developed a plan that builds on the strengths of our program and provides a focused vision for the future.” said Thomas P. Smith, chief, Operations & Regulatory Community of Practice, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
For more information on the NRM Strategic Plan, visit https://corpslakes.erdc.dren.mil/employees/nrmstrategicplan/index.cfm
