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

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

• 04/30/25 HQUSACE Electronic Publication Notification - ER 1130-2-500 (Revised)
  The updated ER 1130-2-500 Partners and Support (a multi-functional O&M ER) was recently published, with an effective date of 10 April 2025. This version replaces the Dec 1996 ER and EP, combining them into one document and updating former policy, as needed.

  The file can be found online here: https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portal s/76/Publications/EngineerRegulations/ER%201130-2- 500_FINAL%2013Mar2025.pdf

  This ER stablishes the policy for the management of operation and maintenance activities of 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 related projects.

  Changes to the programs directly related to NRM are summarized in one page attachment and include the following:

  • Chapter 5: Sign Standards Program for CW Projects
  • Chapter 7: Energy Program (formerly Ch 8)
  • Chapter 8: Cooperating Associations Program (formerly Ch 9)
  • Chapter 9: Volunteer Program (formerly Ch 10)
  • Chapter 10: Contributions Program (formerly Ch 11)
  • Chapter 11: Challenge Partnerships Program (formerly Ch 12, titled Challenge Cost-sharing Program)
  • Chapter 12: CW Housing Program
  • Chapter 13: Aquatic Plant Control Program
  • Chapter 14: Challenge Cost-Sharing Cooperative Management Agreements

  Thank you to all who provided input throughout the last few years to finalize this policy and get it published!

  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

• 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.