U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Review Guide for Operations (ERGO) Cycle I Assessment. Reports Analysis.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is pro-active in responsible environmental management of its operations, which include navigation locks, dams, hydroelectric power plants, dredges, campgrounds, marinas, oil and gas well drilling facilities, forests, and grazing lands. A comprehensive system, Environmental Review Guide for Operations ERGO, was developed to achieve, maintain, and monitor compliance with environmental laws and regulations. ERGO provides managers with an accurate picture of compliance levels and corrective action required as well as providing guidance for wise stewardship. Cycle I of ERGO established a baseline for future environmental compliance assessments. Reports generated during Cycle I were analyzed to evaluate the assessment process, identify strengths and weaknesses, comment on productivity, and suggest improvements for succeeding ERGO Cycles. A method was devised to evaluate finding write-ups, rating of findings, corrective actions, and report content. This study identified specifics, magnitude, and universality of problems. These problems can be addressed by organizational policy, revised guidance, commitment to tracking corrective actions, and specific training to improve future ERGO cycles. Analytic methods used for ERGO Cycle I have potential for broader application to other organizations seeking insight into their programs.