January 22, 2026
WRDA 2024 Updates to ER 1130-2-500 Volunteers and Partnerships Chapters 8-11 and 14
The attached memo signed by Director of Operations and Regulatory, Mr. Hill provides updated guidance for Sections 1112 and 1153 of WRDA 2024. Section 1112 authorizes USACE to recognize volunteers' service through awards. Section 1153 authorizes USACE to enter into Challenge Cost Sharing Cooperative Management (CCSCMA) agreements with private nonprofit entities to collect and retain user fees for the use of developed recreation sites and facilities and reinvest collected fees at the site where collected.

The previous authority provided by Section 1155 of WRDA 2016 only allowed CCSCMAs with nonfederal public entities. WRDA 2024 also allows partners in jointly managed areas to fully use the R1S reservation service. This expanded authority will assist USACE in meeting one of the goals established in the attached "FY 26 NRM Strategic Staffing and Operation Plan" to implement Cooperative Joint Management at 25 PSAs during FY26.

This update to the Partnership and Volunteer Programs is effective immediately and supersedes Chapters 8-11 and 14 in the 10 April 2025 version of ER 1130-2-500. These changes will be incorporated into ER 1130-2-500, "Project Operations - Partners and Support" when revised and published.

For more information, please contact Heather Burke, National Partnership Program Manager at heather.d.burke@usace.army.mil.

Jeff
Jeffrey F. Krause
Chief, Natural Resources Management

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