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<br />., <br /> <br />ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAMS <br /> <br />8i.~ <br />.~;~<~ <br /> <br />. "Ecosystem" is a term used to describe the interactions of plants and animalg with their physical <br />environment and among t/lp.m""lves. Ecosystem restoration then, is the process of restoring these interactions <br />to a once more productive state. <br /> <br />An ecosystem approach to a water resources development project attempts to define sustainable <br />alternatives for the interactions of people and the environment in which they live. This approach adopts a <br />number of established ecological concepts and principles, combined in a manner for addressing human- <br />environmenlal interactions: . Such an approach attempts to address many environmenlal relationships across <br />varying aerial, biological and organizational scales, as compared to more traditional approaches of looking at <br />individual projects and slngIe components of a plan or a single species. Ecosystem restoration initiatiyes will . <br />address components of ecosystem structure and function. This approach provides a more comprehensive ' <br />means for addreSsing the problems associated with disturbed and degraded ecological resources. . Ecosystem <br />restoration initiatives will often be driven by place- or region.based obje9tives.' . <br /> <br />Restoration efforts msy address: (I) degradation of ecological resources. caused by Corps projects; <br />(2) degradation DOt caused by Corps projects but best addressed by modification of the structure .(lr operations; <br />or, (3) objectives requiring measures involving the Corpsplal'ning and engineering expertise; (e.g. this msy <br />include, but is not 1iJiIited to, modifications in hydrology or hydraulics to achieve restoration objectives). <br />These last efforts do not require linkage to a Corps project, and, will usually require specific authorization for <br />implementation. . <br /> <br />For broad ecosystemIwatershed studies, the Corps should participate with other Federal, . Tribal, State <br />and local partDers to better articulate eeo-restoration problems and opportunities in a region, for the purpose <br />of evaluating altematives and m.king recommendations regarding potential solutions. The Corps msy or may <br />notbe the implementing agency for the recommendations resulting from these efforts. <br /> <br />r~1~ <br />l'1tilf( <br />-'>;;;....;. <br /> <br />. , <br />There are several ways in which the Corps may become involved with ecosystem restoration. Corps <br />involvement in the quality of environmenlal resources is broadly supported by. the (I) FiSh and Wlldlife <br />Coordination Act'of 1958, as amended, (2) Federal Water Project Recreation Act. of 1965, asameDlied, (3) <br />National EnvironinenlalPolicyAct of 1969,8samended, (4) Coaslai ZoDeMapagelDllnt Act of J972,as . <br />amended, (5) Water Pollution control Act of 1972, as amended, (6)&dangered Species Act of 1973, as . <br />amended, (7) Water Resource Development Acts of 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1992 and (8) Coastal Wetlands <br />planning, Protection and Restoration Act of 1990 (Title m ofP.L. 101-646). <br /> <br />Participation in planning efforts may be supported either lhrougb existing broad authorities (e.g., basin <br />study authorities, See 216 re-study), or through specific study resolutions. Corps implementation will require <br />specific authorization for projects not implemented under either Section 1135 of the Water Resources <br />Development Act of 1986, as amended, or 204 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1992. The <br />. following pages provide additional information on the section 1135 and section 204 programs: <br /> <br />16 <br />