The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers's (USACE) goal is to develop practical, nationally consistent, legally justifiable, and cost effective measures, both structural and nonstructural, to reduce vulnerabilities and improve the resilience of our water resources infrastructure impacted by climate change. We are taking a collaborative approach that embodies a new attitude to partnering between agencies. This collaboration takes advantage of our different perspectives and expertise so that our progress on adaptation reflects the best available and actionable science. But in turn, we are working to help guide the science to better meet our needs and the needs of other land and water resources agencies. We are taking a phased approach that allows us to identify uncertainties, whether in climate projections or in systems responses, so that we begin adaptation in areas where uncertainties are relatively smaller and the risk of adverse or unintended consequences is lower. We are developing and implementing plans, policies, and infrastructure adaptation in parallel, rather than sequentially, so that adaptation begins soonest for projects that are most vulnerable. We are pilot-­‐testing adaptation methods, sharing lessons learned within and outside the Corps, and refining our adaptation based on the new knowledge. Working within a risk-­‐informed framework that considers all of the challenges facing us will enable USACE to implement integrated water resources management solutions to the impacts of climate change.

This USACE Climate Change Adaptation Plan provides the information requested by the Council on Environmental Quality in their Implementing Instructions for Federal Agency Climate Change Adaptation issued on 4 March 2011. An overarching policy statement about climate change is presented. Answers to the guiding questions posed by the Implementing Instructions about climate change impacts to USACE strategic missions and goals support a high-­‐level vulnerability analysis.

But this report also provides details on current USACE adaptation planning and implementation progress. We believe that the scope, collaboration, and resources applied to climate change adaptation planning, demonstrate the importance USACE has placed on this critical challenge to the long-­‐term sustainability of our mission, operations, programs and projects that oversee and administer public water resources and associated infrastructure in every state, as well as several international river basins, and support military operations worldwide that promote peace and stability.