OMAHA, Neb. -- On Feb. 23, 2026, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle announced a major initiative, “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork,” for the Army’s Civil Works program.
“Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will provide greater focus on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) core Civil Works missions, while minimizing non-core programs, direct funding to priority water resources projects that will provide the greatest benefits to the nation, shorten permitting timelines, and reduce or eliminate extraneous regulations and paperwork that slow UACE’s delivery of Civil Works projects and programs.
“President Trump has empowered his administration to work with lightspeed efficiency to make our government deliver more for all Americans. The Army Civil Works’ ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ initiative will enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deliver critical projects and programs for the nation more efficiently, sooner, and at less cost than the current ways of doing business,” said Telle. “This will eliminate bureaucratic delays and provide fast, clear decisions needed to save lives and empower our economy.”
“Continuous Army transformation is about rapidly delivering war winning capabilities to the Army today, not years in the future. But that’s not all; we’re also transforming at home, too,” said Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll. “I’m incredibly proud of the ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ (BINP) transformation initiative the Army Civil Works and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams recently unveiled. BINP will build and strengthen American infrastructure across our nation, increasing resiliency and providing tangible, long-lasting value for the American people.”
“Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” will enable USACE district commanders around the nation to execute the Civil Works projects and programs that benefit the nation. USACE commanders will be empowered to take informed risks in advancing critical water resources projects and programs to completion faster and at less cost. The policy changes will also bring greater transparency and accountability for the program to the American public, project partners and sponsors, industry, and the elected leaders who make the annual funding decisions for the Civil Works program.
The plan consists of 27 initiatives grouped under five categories:
- Maximizing the Ability to Deliver National Infrastructure
- Cutting Red Tape
- Focus on Efficiency
- Transparency & Accountability
- Prioritization
The initiatives do not affect USACE execution of its emergency response support to natural and manmade disasters.
“The U.S. Army’s Civil Works program has been an invaluable cornerstone for more than 200 years. ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ will return USACE to a focus on its core missions and ensure the enterprise continues to be the most trusted national resource delivering water resources solutions,” added Telle. “This is only possible with President Trump’s leadership that has enabled our team to maximize our ability to deliver national infrastructure and cut red tape for the American people.”
USACE Omaha District highlights potential for improved delivery across flood risk management and hydropower missions
Within the Omaha District, this initiative supports the continued delivery of critical infrastructure projects that strengthen communities, enhance resilience, and support national priorities across the region.
Key efforts include the Pipestem Dam and Lake project in North Dakota, the Missouri River Levee R562 Repair, and ongoing work with the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe through the Tribal Partnership Program (TPP) Phases 1 and 2. These projects highlight the district’s commitment to collaboration with Tribal, state, and local partners while delivering sustainable water resources solutions.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, resilient infrastructure in partnership with the communities we serve. Projects like Pipestem, the R562 program, and our ongoing work with the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe demonstrate how strong collaboration with stakeholders and industry enables the Omaha District to support national priorities while providing lasting benefits at the local level,” said Col. Robert J. Newbauer, commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District.
The Omaha District’s Civil Works program spans a diverse portfolio of missions, including flood risk management, environmental stewardship, and infrastructure development. The “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative will enable the district to deliver these projects more efficiently, strengthen partnerships with industry, and better serve the public through timely, effective solutions.
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