August 17, 2016
Final Volunteer Program Implementation Guidance WRRDA 2014 1047(d)
Enclosed is the signed Implementation Guidance for Section 1047 (d) Services of Volunteers, of the Water Resources and Reform Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014, Public Law 113-121. This revised ER and EP 1130-2-500 Chapter 10 in Ref. 2.c includes some significant changes that have been identified over time. Therefore, I recommend that all employees engaged in any way with the volunteer program be provided a copy and read it carefully. It is very important that changes in policy, procedures, and processes be implemented as soon as possible at all levels. This has been thoroughly vetted with HQ Office of Council, Army General Counsel, and the ASA(CW). Also, please provide copies to other staff that have work associated with the volunteer program, including your Office of Counsel, Contracting, PAO, and any others if it has not been provided through their chain.

The purpose of the memorandum is to provide implementation guidance for Section 1047(d) of WRRDA 2014. Section 1047(d), "Services of Volunteers," amended Chapter IV of title I of Public Law 98-63 (33 U.S.C § 569c) to expand the definition of "incidental expenses" to include expenses relating to uniforms, transportation, lodging, and the subsistence of volunteers. In addition to the WRRDA amendments, other changes in policy were made to update the ER/EP.

This memorandum supersedes and replaces the ER and EP 1130-2-500 Chapter 10 in Ref. 2.c. No other chapters of ER & EP 1130-2-500 are affected by this policy memorandum and all other chapters remain in effect. These policy changes to the Volunteer Program are effective immediately and will be incorporated in the referenced ER and EP when they are revised.

District Commanders may accept the services of volunteers and provide for their incidental expenses, including expenses relating to uniforms, transportation, lodging, and the subsistence of those volunteers, to carry out any USACE activity, except policy making or law/regulatory enforcement, as authorized under 33 U.S.C. § 569c. This guidance is not applicable to the use of civilian prison labor from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, or from state or county correctional systems.

In order to communicate the changes and respond to field questions, Heather Burke is setting up webinars as follows:

If there is need for additional webinars, she will schedule them. Also, PowerPoints will be posted on the Gateway for anyone that misses that training.

Thanks to all who worked so hard to take this guidance over the finish line. Mary

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