Army launches initiative to accelerate infrastructure projects
Key Points
- Assistant Secretary Adam R. Telle launched the “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative to streamline U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operations.
- The plan includes 27 initiatives to cut red tape, shorten permitting timelines, and prioritize core water resources projects.
- The USACE Vicksburg District expects the shift to accelerate critical flood risk management and inland navigation along the Mississippi River.
WASHINGTON — Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a sweeping initiative Tuesday titled “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” designed to strip away bureaucratic layers and expedite the delivery of critical water resource projects across the nation.
The program marks a fundamental shift in how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) operates, refocusing the agency on its core missions while minimizing non-core programs. By reducing extraneous regulations and shortening permitting timelines, the initiative aims to deliver infrastructure faster and at a lower cost to taxpayers.
“President Trump has empowered his administration to work with lightspeed efficiency to make our government deliver more for all Americans,” Telle said. He noted that the policy will eliminate delays, providing the “fast, clear decisions needed to save lives and empower our economy.”
The transformation strategy is built upon 27 specific initiatives categorized into five pillars: maximizing infrastructure delivery, cutting red tape, increasing efficiency, ensuring transparency, and prioritizing high-impact projects. Army officials emphasized that these changes will not affect the Corps’ ability to provide emergency response during natural or manmade disasters.
Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll praised the move as a vital component of the Army’s domestic transformation. He stated the initiative would provide “tangible, long-lasting value” by increasing the resiliency of American infrastructure.
The impact is expected to be felt immediately in regions like the Vicksburg District, which oversees 68,000 square miles across Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. District officials highlighted that the initiative will sharpen their ability to manage inland navigation and flood risk, particularly regarding the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project.
The Vicksburg District serves as a strategic hub for the nation’s transportation network, housing dredging fleets and supporting large maritime industries. Under the new guidelines, district commanders are empowered to take informed risks to advance projects.
“Our focus is on delivering results,” said Col. Jeremiah Gipson, Commander of the USACE Vicksburg District. He noted that the shift would allow his team to be better stewards of taxpayer dollars while protecting communities and agricultural lands throughout the Mississippi Valley.
By removing the “paperwork” barriers, the Army expects to see a significant jump in the efficiency of its regulatory programs, which Telle believes will restore the USACE as the nation’s most trusted resource for water solutions.
