Corps of Engineers’ Portland District highlights potential for improved support for one of the nation’s largest civil works program
WASHINGTON – Today, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program.
“Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow USACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.
“President Trump has empowered his administration to work with lightspeed efficiency to make our government deliver more for all Americans. The Army Civil Works’ ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deliver critical projects and programs for the nation more efficiently, sooner, and at less cost than the current ways of doing business,” said Telle. “This will eliminate bureaucratic delays and provide fast, clear decisions needed to save lives and empower our economy.”
“Continuous Army transformation is about rapidly delivering war winning capabilities to the Army today, not years in the future. But that’s not all; we’re also transforming at home, too,” said Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll. “I’m incredibly proud of the ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ (BINP) transformation initiative the Army Civil Works and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams recently unveiled. BINP will build and strengthen American infrastructure across our nation, increasing resiliency and providing tangible, long-lasting value for the American people.”
“Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will enable USACE district commanders around the nation to execute the Civil Works projects and programs that benefit the nation. USACE commanders will be empowered to take informed risks in advancing critical water resources projects and programs to completion faster and at less cost. The policy changes will also bring greater transparency and accountability for the program to the American public, project partners and sponsors, industry, and the elected leaders who make the annual funding decisions for the Civil Works program.
The plan consists of 27 initiatives grouped under five categories:
- Maximizing the Ability to Deliver National Infrastructure
- Cutting Red Tape
- Focus on Efficiency
- Transparency & Accountability
- Prioritization
The initiatives do not affect USACE execution of its emergency response support to natural and manmade disasters.
“The U.S. Army’s Civil Works program has been an invaluable cornerstone for more than 200 years. ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ will return USACE to a focus on its core missions and ensure the enterprise continues to be the most trusted national resource delivering water resources solutions,” added Telle. “This is only possible with President Trump’s leadership that has enabled our team to maximize our ability to deliver national infrastructure and cut red tape for the American people.”
The “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative will directly enhance the Portland District’s ability to deliver tangible results on its core missions for the Pacific Northwest. For example, this initiative will help:
- Prioritize hydropower modernization projects, such as the critical John Day Dam Turbine Replacement and Generator Rewind, ensuring the long-term reliability of renewable energy for the region.
- Streamline the regulatory process for proposed energy infrastructure, providing clear and timely decisions on permits, such as the Cascade Renewable Transmission project.
- Improve navigation on the lower Columbia River through approval of turning basin improvements, and implementation of dredged material management plan, which will increase shipping safety and efficiency for a nationally significant waterway that supports billions in commerce.
“Managing our regional hydropower and navigation systems is a vital part of supporting the economic and operational needs of the Pacific Northwest and the nation,” said Portland District Commander Col. Dale Caswell. “This initiative gives us the tools to be more efficient across all our mission areas. We’re focused on working with our partners at the federal and state levels to cut red tape and deliver these critical projects to the public we serve.”
The Portland District is one of the largest Civil Works districts in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, overseeing a diverse mission portfolio critical to the region and the nation. The district operates and maintains the lower Columbia River’s inland waterways and the Willamette and Rogue valley’s system of 15 dams. Combined, these projects provide navigation, flood risk management, hydropower, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. The district’s work underpins a regional economy heavily reliant on river commerce and energy production.
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