Major General Michael Walsh requested that Army Corps District Commanders consider selectively expanding life jacket mandatory-wear policy at targeted locations within their divisions.

In 2008, the Army Corps of Engineers began a study of life jacket wear mandates at a small group of test lakes. The Corps has issued a report on its findings. The study allows commanders to analyze statistics and focus attention on areas with high boating fatality rates.

The Corps has a strategic campaign plan for reducing water fatalities by 50 percent by the end of fiscal year 2014.