Overview.  Section 111 of the 1968 River and Harbor Act provides authority for the Corps of Engineers to develop and construct projects for prevention or mitigation of damages caused by Federal navigation work. This applies to both publicly and privately owned shores located along the coastal shorelines of the United States. Each project is limited to a federal cost of not more than $10.0 million.

How to Request Assistance.  The Corps can initiate an investigation of a prospective mitigation of damages project upon receipt of a request from a sponsoring agency empowered under state law to provide the required local cooperation. See sample letters requesting a study.

Limitations of Authority.  This authority may not be used to construct works for prevention or mitigation of shore damage caused by riverbank erosion or vessel-generated wave wash, nor may it be used to prevent or mitigate shore damage caused by non-federal navigaiton projects.

Criteria for a Favorable Recommendation.  A recommendation to construct a project to prevent or mitigate shore damage attributable to a federal navigation project may be considered when both of the following conditions exist:

• The navigation project has been determined to be the cause of the damage, and abandonment of the navigation project is not the most viable solution.
• Analysis based on sound engineering and economic principles clearly demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed work.

Cost Sharing.  Construction Requirements for federal cost sharing are as follows:

• If the work recommended is confined to mitigation work where erosion was totally caused by the federal navigation works, costs are shared in the same manner as the project causing the problem.
• If the work recommended is a combination of mitigation and restoration of beaches eroded due to other causes, mitigation work will be shared in the same manner as the project causing the erosion or shoaling and the remaining work will be 100 percent local, unless it qualifies as a Federal beach erosion control project.

How to request assistance is below:

Download Sample Letter of Intent (Microsoft Word Format)

(LETTERHEAD OF LOCAL SPONSOR)

Ms. Kim Garvey

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Savannah District

100 W. Oglethorpe Avenue

Savannah, GA 31401

Dear Ms. Garvey:

This letter is to seek the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under (Reference the authority under which assistance is requested and identify the type and location of the problem.)

(Briefly describe your perception of the nature and severity of the problem.)

(Briefly describe the known issues which would affect the acceptability of any recommended solutions, from the perspective of municipal and local governments, and/or the public.)

We are aware as local sponsor that we will assume costs for lands, easements, right-of-way, relocations and disposal areas (LERRD) and/or assume costs to demonstrate ownership of such.  We also will assume responsibility for any operation and maintenance of the project. Your consideration of this request will be appreciated.  Please contact (name, address, telephone, etc.) for further coordination.

Sincerely,

AGENCY OFFICIAL