The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, this week held its Change of Command Ceremony at the Bay Model Visitor Center in Sausalito.

Lt. Col. Laurence M. Farrell, district commander since 2008, relinquished his command and passed the district flag to Brig. Gen. Scott F. �Rock� Donahue, commander, Corps South Pacific Division. Brig. Gen. Donahue will, in turn, present the command, symbolized by the flag, to the incoming district commander, Lt. Col. Torrey A. DiCiro.

The ceremony is a change in leadership for the San Francisco District that has a large impact on the 7 million Californians living in the district. The San Francisco District is responsible for civil works projects that help build communities� economic strength in an environmentally-sustainable way throughout the 40,000 sq mi of its jurisdiction, which includes the entire San Francisco Bay Area.

District projects protect and restore river and harbor navigation; reduce flood damage; protect the shore and coastline; safeguard the water supply; conduct eco-system, including wetland, restoration; protect wildlife; and provide major recreation lakes and forest.

The majority of the district�s projects are in partnership with local, state and federal agencies.

Partners and stakeholders planning to attend the Change of Command Ceremony include the Port of San Francisco, Port of Oakland, Port of Stockton, Port of Redwood City, San Mateo County Harbor District, Sonoma County Water Agency, Bay Conservation Development Commission, Office of U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey, Dry Creek Rancheria Pomo Indians, East Bay Municipal Utility District, California Dept of Fish and Game, SF Bar Pilots, County of Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Harbor, Yerba Buena E&C, Inc., The Dutra Group, City of West Sacramento, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Winzler & Kelly, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and Walter Yep, Inc.

In addition, the district responds with emergency operations for natural disasters, regulates development affecting waterways and wetlands, and provides engineering and construction support to other agencies. The San Francisco District employs over 375 people, supporting approximately 1,000 permanent, higher-wage jobs in the region while contributing over $200 million to the regional economy.