On December 19, 2024, the Army Corps of Engineers issued a final rule establishing the Corps' Agency Specific Procedures (ASPs) to implement the Principles, Requirements, and Guidelines for Federal Investments in Water Resources. 89 Fed. Reg. 103992 (Dec. 19, 2024) The ASPs provide a framework for the Corps to use in the planning process for projects, plans, and programs. Climate change is to be considered in much of the Corps’ planning processes.
The final rule requires the Army Corps of Engineers to consider a wide range of climate change-related issues in assessing federal investments in water resources. For example, the Corps must identify and account for climate change, and its accompanying uncertainties, “in all stages of the planning process.” “Analysis of climate change impacts shall reflect the best available actionable science,” and must consider “impacts such as inland and coastal climate change impacts on flood and drought hazards using the most up-to-date science, policies, and tools available.” In addition, the final rule requires the Corps to “ensure climate resilience and adaptation are incorporated and considered throughout the planning process and across alternatives.” (33 C.F.R. § 234.7(f))