VICKSBURG, Miss. – – Researchers from eight U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Districts have been selected for the 2024 session of the Engineer Research and Development Center University (ERDC-U).
Aaron Damrill, a Supervisory Biologist with the USACE Detroit District, has been chosen as a participant for this detail program, now in its ninth year.
ERDC-U Program Lead Antisa Webb, who also serves as Chief of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT), Technology, Knowledge and Outreach (TKO) Division and program co-sponsor, announced the 2024 selectees.
“ERDC-U facilitates collaborations between participants from USACE Divisions and Districts and mentors from relevant laboratories, engaging in six-month research projects aimed at developing technical solutions that benefit their workplaces, the Corps and the nation,” Webb said.
Brett Boyle, who serves as Damrill’s Commander at the Detroit District, praised his selection for ERDC-U.
“Aaron’s 20 years of experience in natural resources, combined with his deep understanding of the Corps of Engineers and expert technical skills, have made him a key asset in advancing wetlands missions and addressing complex regulatory issues. Based on Aaron’s technical knowledge, dedication, initiative, and leadership ability the Detroit District is confident that he will be an asset to ERDC in this developmental opportunity.”
While working with subject-matter experts from ERDC’s seven laboratories, participants will focus on real-world solutions and develop leadership skills to take back to their home organizations.
Damrill serves as a Section Chief for the Michiana Section located in South Bend, Indiana, where he manages all aspects of project initiation and planning for the Project Delivery Process. He oversees the USACE Regulatory under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers Harbor Act.
His responsibilities include supervising permit programs, conducting jurisdictional determinations, and ensuring compliance with regulations, while also directing a team of six Project Managers and one Biological Technician.
Additionally, he serves as the main point of contact for various stakeholders, provides project updates to senior leaders, and teaches national-level courses on wetland delineation and hydric soil identification.
Given his extensive experience and skills, he is certain that he can greatly advance the objectives of USACE and ERDC.
He joined fellow selectees during their orientation session February 27-29, 2024, on the Vicksburg, Mississippi, campus, where they met their mentors and discussed planned projects.
Damrill was mentored by Principal Investigator, Dr. Jacob Berkowitz from the Environmental Lab (EL), and Research Scientist, Kevin Philley from the EL. The EL, one of the four laboratories on the Vicksburg campus, was highlighted during the orientation tours.
The Buffalo and New York Corps Districts need an accurate method for assessing wetland conditions across New York to effectively manage wetland resources under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This assessment tool is crucial for predicting project impacts, supporting alternatives analysis, determining mitigation needs, and evaluating restoration success.
To address this, the Districts have requested ERDC to develop a science-based and defensible methodology. This tool will help manage wetlands more effectively and provide a consistent approach for Section 404 administration.
Wetlands offer significant ecological benefits, including habitat for important species, flood risk reduction, and improved water quality. Enhancing wetland management through improved assessment methods will yield both environmental and community benefits.
The next steps involve Damrill’s continued work on wetland characterization in New York and assisting ERDC with developing conceptual models for the assessment. The model will be tested in the field to ensure its accuracy and applicability. The final assessment method will be published by ERDC, accompanied by training for District staff and interactions with partner organizations and the public.
This effort follows established guidelines for developing and refining wetland rapid assessment methods, with the final tool expected to be completed and published in FY26.
The resulting science-based decision support tool will aid both the District and the public in wetland management.
The program is co-sponsored by ERDC’s Directorate of Human Capital (DHC) through an application process for the March through August session. Program funding is split between the selectees’ Division or District for choice of labor costs or travel with the other funded by ERDC.
Upon completion of ERDC-U, Damrill, along with the seven other selectees, will attend a graduation ceremony on September 10 at the Vicksburg, Mississippi, campus. During the ceremony, Damrill will present his extensive research efforts and results from his project titled “Developing a Comprehensive New York Wetland Assessment.”
Applications will open in October for the 2025 ERDC-U session. For information on ERDC-U and applications, visit: https://wiki.erdc.dren.mil/ERDC_University