Planning Assistance to States (PAS) Program

Water, an essential resource to the Nation, represents complexities that encompass environmental, social, cultural, legal, and economic concerns. As such, water resources often require varying degrees of planning solutions. The PAS program facilitates the US Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) mission in assisting a State or a group of States on an array of water resource planning. Authorized by Section 22 of WRDA 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1962d-16). The PAS program helps states, local government, non-Federal entities, and Federally Recognized Tribes plan for water resource developments, utilization, and conservation. Flexible in scope, PAS studies can build on existing data to develop the basis for local planning decisions. PAS efforts can also address information gaps to help communities better define problems and opportunities. The length of PAS studies depends on the scope. Some studies can be completed in a few months, while others may require 12 months or more. In some cases, multi-phased studies can be completed over the course of 2 years, subject to the availability of Federal funds. Because USACE is not authorized to design or construct under this program, plan implementation may be carried out by the non-Federal partner. PAS programs are funded annually by Congress and are 50-50 cost shared with the study partner.

There are two types of efforts available through the PAS program: Comprehensive Plans and Technical Assistance Programs.

Comprehensive Plans

Comprehensive Planning is a type of study available through the PAS program to plan for the development, utilization, and conservation of water and related resources such as drainage basins, watersheds, or ecosystems. Comprehensive plans can extend across state boundaries if the States or partners agree. These studies support opportunities such as flood risk management, water supply and conservation, ecosystem restoration, water quality, hydropower, streambank stabilization, navigation improvement, aquatic habitat restoration, and cultural resources preservation.

Funds in excess of the 50-50 cost share may be voluntarily contributed by the non-Federal partner. The non-Federal cost share for preparing a state comprehensive water resource plan may be provided by funds through the provision of services, materials, supplies, or other in-kind services.

Technical Assistance

The purpose of Technical Assistance (TA) programs is to leverage resources in a constrained environment to address diverse water resource issues. TA offers a variety of hydrologic, economic, or environmental data and analysis, state hazard mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery related to changing hydrologic conditions, climate change, long-term sustainability, and resilience. This allows USACE to provide deliverables to sponsors, empowering them to make risk-informed decisions for their communities.  

TA activities are cost shared with the study partner, and funds in excess may be voluntarily contributed by the non-Federal partner. The cost share for TA must be provided by funds (not in-kind work).

PAS investigations begin after a state, regional, local government, or Native American Indian tribe requests Corps of Engineers assistance under the program.

How to Request Assistance

Request for assistance must be in the form of a letter that includes the location and problem to be investigated, submitted by a state, local government agency, or Federally recognized Native American Indian tribes to the district’s point of contact, which can be found below.  A nonprofit organization must provide a letter from the affected local government consenting to the provision of Section 22(a) assistance to the nonprofit entity working with the State. To explore more about PAS, visit Corps Planning: Planning Assistance to States Fact Sheet. To view a sample request letter, navigate to Sample Request Letter for Planning Assistance to States.

Floodplain Management Services (FPMS)

The FPMS program is authorized by Section 206 of the 1960 Flood Control Act, as amended, and provides information on flood hazards to guide floodplain development by advising, recommending, educating, informing, and providing technical support. FPMS efforts might include a variety of data development, public outreach, planning guidance, information dissemination in the form of guides, pamphlets, or supporting studies, or national flood insurance program support (on a reimbursable basis). The purposes are to foster public understanding of the options available to address flood hazards and promote prudent use and management of the Nation’s floodplains. The FPMS program addresses the needs of people who live in floodplains by helping them understand flood hazards and actions they can take to reduce property damage and prevent the loss of life.

Technical services and planning guidance under the FPMS program are provided to state, regional, and local governments without charge, within program funding limits, and generally last 12-24 months. FPMS services are conducted completely at the federal expense, however, FPMS services for federal agencies and private persons are on a cost-recovery or fee basis.

FPMS Study highlight: Camden County, October 2021.
 

How to Request Assistance

Request for assistance should be in the form of a letter that includes the location and nature of the problem to be investigated. The request should be submitted by a state, local government agency, or Federally recognized Native American Indian tribe to the district’s point of contact, which can be found below. See this Sample Request Letter for Flood Plain Management Services Assistance for more information.