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Program > RECOVER > BEAM
RECOVER:
Benefits Evaluation Analysis Methodology (BEAM)
BEAM is an effort to unify and standardize ecological benefit quantification for the CERP, and to minimize inconsistency due to the lack of a standardized protocol. The methodology is based on the best available science, while recognizing the needs of planners and policy makers to apply science to project decision-making. The methodology is flexible and can accommodate changes in scientific understanding surrounding current conceptual ecological models and new or revised performance metrics.
Like other habitat unit approaches, BEAM relies on a quality component that describes the health or suitability of an area for a specific environmental structure or function and a quantity component that describes the acreage associated with that structure or function. The product of these two components is termed a habitat unit (HU) and typically represents an acre of optimal environment (as the target condition). BEAM will offer:
- a standardized framework for developing quality and quantity indices and
- a set of models for each geographic subregion based on the system wide performance measures. Once BEAM has been certified, each Project Delivery Team (PDT) can begin with BEAM and tailor it to their project as needed.
BEAM FAQ’s
Does my project have to use BEAM?
BEAM is a draft. It is being reviewed by SAD and HQ. Until it has been certified, projects are not required to use it (although you can if you want to). Because it is pre-decisional, it is not posted on this website. If you are a PDT member and would like more information, please contact Cheryl.A.Buckingham@usace.army.mil.
My project has completed its analysis of benefits. Do we have to do it over?
Projects that have completed their evaluation of benefits will not have to go back and do it over.
Will RECOVER do our benefits analysis for us or will they help?
PDT’s are still responsible for doing their benefits analysis. In the future, we propose a standing team of experienced people to facilitate teams in their efforts. RECOVER plans to have a representative or two on this team.
What is wrong with what PDT’s have been doing?
Nothing is wrong with what PDT’s have been doing but they have had to undergo criticism of both their methods and the results of their methods at the same time. If BEAM can standardize the methods of quantifying project benefits, projects can focus on the results of their analyses and leave the criticism of the methods to the BEAM team to address. In addition, BEAM ultimately aspires to link the projects to each other so that each project can be seen as an integral part of CERP as a whole and the critical interrelationships between projects can be measured. This is a tall order and will take some time to accomplish. The BEAM team welcomes ideas from project members and the public.
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