Colonel (Promotable) Mark Toy accepted Command of the South Pacific Division from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chief, Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, during a ceremony at the Bay Model in Sausalito, Calif., June 30, 2014. COL. (P) Toy assumed command from Brig. Gen. C. David Turner, who is taking command of the South Atlantic Division.
COL. (P) Toy previously served as is the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He brings with him knowledge gained from over 27 years of Army service. After accepting the Corps of Engineers flag symbolizing the change of command, COL. (P) Toy spoke about returning to SPD and that taking care of people is our highest priority.
“‘Building Strong and Taking Care of People!’ is our new motto in South Pacific Division,” said Toy. “Whether it is Supporting National Security, Transforming Civil Works, Reducing Disaster Risk or Preparing for Tomorrow, either for our partners, stakeholders, and sponsors, or for our magnificently talented USACE Soldiers and Department of Army Civilians.”
Established in 1888, South Pacific Division is one of the Corps’ nine regions nationwide. Four operating Districts, headquartered in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Albuquerque, provide federal and military engineering support in California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and in parts of Colorado, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming and Texas. The civil works program is oriented around major watersheds in the region and leverages federal resources for navigation, flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration. Major river basins include the Sacramento, San Joaquin, Santa Ana, Colorado and Rio Grande, which are governed by complex water rights. Water resources are vital to agriculture, urban development, natural ecosystems, and Tribal interests, and recreation. There are more than 300 threatened and endangered species in the region. We issue regulatory permits under the Clean Water Act for development occurring in the nation’s waters and wetlands, balancing environmental stewardship with the need for economic and urban growth. The Corps works in partnership with other federal agencies, state governments and local communities on collaborative solutions to these complex water resource issues.