Challenge Partnership Program - Policy & Procedures

Engineer Regulations

• ER 1130-2-500, dated 10 April 2025
  Project Operations - Partners and Support (Work Management Policies)
  This regulation establishes the policy for the management of operation and maintenance activities of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) personnel performing civil works functions related to flood control, navigation, dredging, hydroelectric power generation, environmental stewardship, and recreation services at water resource, waterway, and other USACE projects.
  • Chapter 11, Challenge Partnerships, Challenge Partnerships, updated 20 Jan 2026

Public Law Regulation

• WRDA 2024, Section 1153, Challenge Cost-Sharing Program for the Management of Recreational Facilities
  Authorizes the use of challenge cost-sharing cooperative management agreements with non- Federal public and private non-profit entities to collect and retain user fees for the use of developed recreation sites and facilities, whether developed or constructed by that entity or the Department of the Army, and reinvest collected fees at the project at which the fees are collected. Section 1153 further authorized participating public entities to use any visitor reservation service that the Secretary of the Army has provided for by contract or interagency agreement.

• 33 USC 2328, WRDA 1992, Challenge Cost-Sharing Program for the Management of Recreational Facilities, Section 225, October 31, 1992
  

  Section 225 of this law authorized the Secretary of the Army to enter into cooperative agreements with non-Federal public and private entities to provide for operation and/or management and development of recreation facilities and natural resources at water resource development projects where such facilities are being maintained at full Federal expense.

  This also authorized the Secretary of the Army to accept contributions of funds, materials, and services from non-Federal public and private entities. If your cooperating association wants to contribute funds to the Corps, refer to the Contributions Program section of the Gateway.

Memos

• 01/22/26 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

Other Guidance/Policy

• CECC-G Bulletin No. 02-12, Challenge Partnership Program

• CECC-G Bulletin No. 02-16, Acceptance of Non-Federal Funds for Work at Recreation Facilities

• Memorandum on Section 1112, Services of Volunteers, and Section 1153, Challenge Cost-Sharing Program for the Management of Recreation Facilities, of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024

• Partner-Funded Personnel Challenge Partnership agreement template (Word version)

• Partner-Funded Personnel Policy Memo and Challenge Partnership agreement modified template

• Signature approval levels for Contributions

Item is restricted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CAC required. Document will open in a new window.