Environmental Stewardship

Mission Statement

The Army Corps of Engineers is the steward of the lands and waters at Corps water resources projects. Its Natural Resource Management Mission is to manage and conserve those natural resources, consistent with ecosystem management principles, while providing quality public outdoor recreation experiences to serve the needs of present and future generations.

In all aspects of natural and cultural resources management, the Corps promotes awareness of environmental values and adheres to sound environmental stewardship, protection, compliance and restoration practices.

The Corps manages for long-term public access to, and use of, the natural resources in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies as well as the private sector.

The Corps integrates the management of diverse natural resource components such as fish, wildlife, forests, wetlands, grasslands, soil, air, and water with the provision of public recreation opportunities. The Corps conserves natural resources and provides public recreation opportunities that contribute to the quality of American life.

Environmental Stewardship includes both passive and proactive management to sustain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity and conserve natural resources such that Corps lands and waters are left in a condition equal to or better than their condition when acquired so that natural and cultural resources are available to serve the needs of present and future generations.

Programs and activities related to environmental stewardship and the management of natural resources shall be implemented and consistent with the Natural Resource Management Mission and the following program objectives: (1) manage natural resources on Corps of Engineers administered land and water in accordance with ecosystem management principles, to ensure their continued availability, (2) provide a safe and healthful environment for project visitors.

Our team of natural resource specialists are committed to managing and improving the 14,632 acres of public lands entrusted to the Russellville Site Office.

Dardanelle Lake is divided into 20 compartments based on similar management objectives and topography. A compartment is the basic operation, record keeping, and management unit of the project. Compartments are permanently defined and coincide with permanent features where possible. In some cases, compartments have been further subdivided into management units to aid in the management of the compartments. Field practices include prescribed burns, timber stand improvement sales, reforestation, agriculture and grazing leases, and monitoring and survey of endangered species.