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The process of evaluating and granting permits for dredge and fill materials in navigable waters of the United States is becoming more complex each year. In addition, valuable information and experience are lost when employees leave or retire. The U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (USA-CERL) has investigated potential computer-based methods for addressing these issues for the Regulatory Branch, Operations and Readiness Division, Directorate of Civil Works, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CECW-OR) . This report discusses the development of an electronic mail and bulletin board system for the Regulatory Branch. It also assesses the feasibility of supplementing this system with more computing power, in the form of an expert system, and more storage, in the form of video data retrieval technology. The bulletin board system is already in place and is being used. Both expansion options were found to be desirable and feasible, and a prototype expert system was developed. Appendices document the features used to select an expert system shell, and the prototype expert system. USA-CERL ADP Report N-88-11, User Manual for the Regulatory Communication and Knowledge Base System, provides instructions for the bulletin board and electronic mail system.

This report provides user instructions for the Regulatory Communication and Knowledge Base System, and electronic mail and bulletin board system. It was developed for regulatory personnel in Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (HQUSACE) offices and in Corps division and district offices. The system enhances the opportunities for communication among persons and agencies involved in issuing permits for dredge and fill materials in navigable waters of the United States. As submissions to the bulletin board accumulate, they will comprise a knowledge base of resources, suggestions, advice, lessons learned, etc. In this way the bulletin board can compensate to some extent for the experience and knowledge lost when persons leave or retire. The system uses the dial-up computer services of Dialcom, Inc. With the electronic mail functions, users can send, read, and file messages. Keywords: Dredging, Regulations, Electronic mail, Bulletin boards, Expert systems, User manuals., See also Rept. no. CERL-TR-N-88/10.