Federal Project Planning & Programming
Taylor Engineering has gained a thorough understanding of the federal process through experience — including plan formulation, design, geotechnical investigations, permitting, limited construction observation, monitoring, and economic elements — with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) shore protection, environmental restoration, and navigation studies and projects.
The federal project process includes pre-authorization documents (Reconnaissance Study and Feasibility Study), post-authorization documents (General Reevaluation, Limited Reevaluation, Section 934, Design Documentation and Engineering Documentation Reports, Section 1135, and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA] Documentation), related studies, and other technical reports.
Our staff includes four former USACE Jacksonville Chiefs of the Engineering Coastal Design Section, Engineering Hydraulics Design Section, Water Resources Engineering Branch, and Regulatory and Construction Operations Division. In their capacity as senior advisors, they help us navigate projects through the challenging federal process. Please visit our project gallery to view a variety of our federal project planning and NEPA documentation projects. A few project examples include
Jupiter/Carlin Segment Section 934 Study
The Section 934 study intends to determine whether future nourishments of the Jupiter/Carlin segment of the federally authorized Palm Beach County Shore Protection Project still warrants federal participation and meets environmental standards. Project requires updating project economics and environmental conditions. Located immediately downdrift of Jupiter Inlet, the beach experiences chronic erosion that reduces storm damage protection to upland condominiums and public parks.
Leading-edge Solutions
- Helped develop large-structure damage functions for use within Beach-fx to produce realistic storm damage estimates
- Initiated frequent communication with USACE and client to ensure study meets current federal policy guidance
Ft. Pierce Beach Limited Reevaluation Report
In spite of periodic beach nourishment, the northernmost 2,000 feet of the federal shore protection project, located immediately downdrift of Ft. Pierce Inlet, experiences chronic erosion due to inlet effects. To include provisions for jetty and inlet impacts on project performance, Taylor Engineering developed a Limited Reevaluation Report, approved by the USACE.
Leading-edge Solutions
- Reduced local sponsor cost share
- Reduced renourishment interval from seven to two years
St. Lucie County South Beaches Environmental Impact Statement
The USACE selected Taylor Engineering to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), required to satisfy federal agency obligations under NEPA. The EIS supported a USACE regulatory decision regarding beach and dune restoration in south St. Lucie County, Florida. Important environmental considerations included the proposed project’s impacts to hardbottom, marine turtles, and essential fish habitat, as well as other issues.
Leading-edge Solutions
- Worked effectively with USACE and the project’s local sponsor (and the sponsor’s consultant) and condensed project schedules
- Added upland borrow areas as a sand source alternative to provide the local sponsor with greatest flexibility
- Solicited public input to form project alternative