As the nation’s environmental engineer, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages one of the largest federal environmental missions: restoring degraded ecosystems; constructing sustainable facilities; regulating waterways; managing natural resources; cleaning up contaminated sites from past military activities; and researching and developing technologies to protect the nation’s environment and enhance quality of life.

The Great Lakes & Ohio River Division works to restore degraded ecosystem structure, function and dynamic processes to a more natural condition through large-scale ecosystem restoration projects across both watersheds.

• 1.3 million acres of land and water
• 16,671 miles of shoreline
• 4 state fish hatcheries
• 43 state wildlife management areas
• 3 Federal fish hatcheries
• 1 Federal Refuge
• 18,559 acres of mitigation lands

• 13 endangered species federally listed

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reaffirmed commitment to the environment by formalizing a set of "Environmental Operating Principles" applicable to all its decision-making and programs.

These principles foster unity of purpose on environmental issues and ensure employees consider conservation, environmental preservation and restoration in all Corps activities.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is one of 16 federal agencies participating in this initiative to protect and restore the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was started in 2010 and has already made major strides in cleaning up Areas of Concern, stopping the spread of invasive species, and restoring fish and wildlife habitat throughout the Great Lakes watershed. 

Through the GLRI, the Corps of Engineers plans, designs, and constructs restoration projects in collaboration with states and other non-federal partners. With the first three years of GLRI funds, the Corps has started or completed construction of 20 restoration projects in four of the five GLRI focus areas.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has a number of programs that are being used to support the protection, restoration, and development of water resources in the Great Lakes.

These programs include Fishery & Ecosystem Restoration, Remedial Action Plans, and the Tributary Model program.