Comprehensive Plans provide a vision for addressing water resources challenges in the context of developing, utilizing, and conserving the water and related resources within drainage basins, watersheds, and their ecosystems. Comprehensive planning typically covers a large geographic area and a long-term planning horizon. Provided both entities (i.e., States, Tribes, local and regional governments) agree, comprehensive plans can extend across jurisdictional, municipal, Tribal, and State boundaries.
Typical water resources problems and opportunities addressed in comprehensive water resource plans can include flood risk management, water supply, water conservation, environmental restoration, water quality, hydropower, erosion, navigation, fish and wildlife, cultural resources, and environmental resources.
Comprehensive planning activities through the Planning Assistance to States program require that the Corps and the study partner share the cost of the effort—with 50 percent paid for by the Corps and 50 percent paid for by the partner. Voluntarily contributed funds in excess of cost share may be provided by the non-federal partner. The non-federal cost share for preparing a water resources Comprehensive Plan may be provided either by direct funds or by in-kind support—for example, by providing labor, services, materials, supplies, or other in-kind services—the value of which can go towards meeting the cost-share requirement. For federally recognized Tribes and U.S. Territories, local cost-sharing requirements are waived up to $665,000 (2023, adjusted annually for inflation). This typically means that for large projects, the federal government would pay 100% of the project costs up to $665,000; and the Tribe or U.S. Territory would cost share any amounts greater than $665,000.
Limitations: Implementation of the Comprehensive Plans is the responsibility of the State, Tribe, or Territory. Furthermore, Planning Assistance to States studies cannot include detailed design for project construction.
Examples of past studies and activities completed under Planning Assistance to States include:
- Watershed planning
- Flood risk management
- Surface and groundwater quality
- Environmental Conservation and Restoration
- Water supply and demand
- Wetland delineations
- Stream assessments
- GIS mapping