Army announces 'Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork' initiative

By USACE Public AffairsFebruary 23, 2026

Picayune Strand Restoration Project 2026
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PICAYUNE STRAND, Fla. (Jan. 29, 2026) – Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, addresses the audience during the Picayune Strand Restoration Project ribbon-cutting ceremony. Telle was among several keynote speakers celebrating the completion of three pump stations.

The Picayune Strand Restoration Project is restoring more than 55,000 acres of land. Restoration benefits are being observed in rehydrated areas, including the reestablishment of native plant communities and the return of animals such as wood storks and the endangered Florida panther. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army Photo by Brigida I. Sanchez)
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Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle and Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) tour Pine Flat Lake and Dam
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle and Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) toured our Pine Flat Lake and Dam facility, near Fresno, California, Jan. 16, 2026. They were joined by Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly, USACE deputy commanding general for civil and emergency operations, USACE Sacramento District leaders, and regional partners to learn about facility operations and discuss the potential for increasing water storage to help operators manage future flood risk and water supply needs for California’s Central Valley. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Joseph Bruton) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON — Today, 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’ 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 USACE’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 Dan 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 man-made 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.