Levee Safety Activities within USACE and on a National Level (National Levee Safety Act of 2007 as Amended by WRRDA 2014, Section 3016)

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1 Levee Safety Activities within USACE and on a National Level (National Levee Safety Act of 2007 as Amended by WRRDA 2014, Section 3016) James C. Dalton, PE Chief, Engineering and Construction, and Dam and Levee Safety Officer Eric C. Halpin, PE Special Assistant for Dam and Levee Safety US Army Corps of Engineers October 2014 US Army Corps of Engineers

2 Agenda Discussion of the USACE Levee Safety Activities: Mr. James Dalton, PE Chief of Engineering and Construction and Dam and Levee Safety Officer Discussion of WRRDA and the National Levee Safety Act Eric Halpin, PE, Special Assistant for Dam and Levee Safety

3 USACE Levee Safety Program Implementing the Risk Framework Answer the Basic Questions: ~80% completed Tell the Story: ~40% completed Today Build Shared Solutions: <1% completed Condition Inventory Periodic Inspections Context Risk Assessments Communication Action Advise Plan Path Forward - Initiated Initiated in 2010 Planned for

4 Major Elements of USACE Levee Safety Program LEVEE ACTIVITY PURPOSE RESULTS OR FINDINGS FREQUENCY COST (IN $1000S) PRIMARY COST DRIVERS ROUTINE INSPECTION Verify operation and maintenance activities Identify visual defects A rating for operations and maintenance: Acceptable; Minimally Acceptable; Or Unacceptable Annual Per levee $3-$30 System length; Number of features like pump stations; Number of deficiencies; Accessibility to inspect; Travel time to levee PERIODIC INSPECTION Verify operation and maintenance activities Identify visual defects Evaluation operational adequacy Perform design criteria review A rating for operations and maintenance Comprehensive report Every 5 years Per levee $75-$100 System length; Compiling existing information; Number of features like pump stations; Number of deficiencies; Report compilation RISK SCREENING Determine relative risk classification to inform priorities of next actions Identification of risk drivers and recommended actions Every 5 years or as needed due to changed condition Per levee $30 Compiling existing information; Number of features like pump stations; Number of deficiencies; Review and communication process Assess how the levee will perform RISK during a wide range of flood ASSESSMENTS events, including associated US Army Corps consequences of Engineers to inform decisions to manage flood risks Verification of risk drivers and determine risk reduction actions 4 As needed, prioritized by screening results and risk Per levee $250 - $700 Number of potential failure modes; Expert elicitation Review and communication process

5 Risk Communication Launch Launch the cultural shift to begin talking about levees in a risk context Basic starting framework Levee System Summary Promotes sponsor engagement as a priority Recognizes implementation will need to be phased FEMA coordination is a requirement Anticipate starting Fall

6 WRDA 2007 as Amended by WRRDA 2014 Section 3016 LEVEE SAFETY ACT

7 Familiar?

8 We Build Infrastructure People Follow Infrastructure Risks are Transformed and Increase We have a Special Responsibility To Manage these Risks and That s what the Dam and Levee Safety Programs do.

9 Bottom Line Up Front Section 3016, Levee Safety Initiative (WRDA 2014) Comprehensive Legislation that Embraces Most of the Report to Congress on a National Levee Safety Program (2009) by Amending WRDA 2007 Represents Next Generation of a National Safety Program ( ) Important Relationship to the National Dam Safety Program and USACE Safety Programs

10 BUILDING STRONG

11 Building a National Program - Complimentary Authorities and Activities with Agency Program

12 What s Different Incentivizes Alignment and Interdependency of Organizations and Program Elements Shared Between Corps and FEMA True Advisory Committee Broad Scope of Authority: Levees, Flood Risk Management, Risk Communications, Repair R&D, Interagency Committee, and NFIP Not Mentioned

13 Members of Committee on Levee Safety 2 Representatives from Private Sector 2 Representatives of Local Regional Agencies 8 Representatives of State Levee Safety Programs 2 Representatives of Tribal Programs 2 Non-Voting BUILDING STRONG Members USACE and FEMA

14 Committee on Levee Safety Primarily Non-Federal membership and leadership: independence Short Term: use NCLS members Long Term: re-nominate all members Includes Standing Committees May be paid a stipend Primarily advisory and review in nature

15 BUILDING STRONG

16 Reporting Requirements Feasibility and Advisability of a Joint National Dam and Levee Safety Program Report on Liability Associated with Levee Activities Report on State of Levees in USA Alignment of Federal Programs (via Comptroller General)

17 Other WRRDA 2014 Requirements Implementing Guidance Prepared for: Section1007, Expediting 408 Reviews Section 2013, Vegetation Review Section 3014, Levee Certification

18 Questions Thank You!

19 WRRDA 2014, Section 3016 National Levee Initiative THE CHARGE FROM CONGRESS

20 Ensure that human lives and property that are protected by new and existing levees are safe

21 Encourage the use of appropriate engineering policies, procedures, and technical practices

22 Develop and support public education and awareness projects to increase public acceptance and support of levee safety programs

23 Build public awareness of the residual risks associated with living in levee protected areas

24 Develop technical assistance materials, seminars, and guidelines to improve the security of levees of the United States

25 Encourage the establishment of effective State and Tribal levee safety programs

26 WRRDA 2014, Section 3016 National Levee Initiative THE MAJOR ELEMENTS OF THE LEGISLATION

27 WRDA 2014 Section 3016 Implementation Guidance OVERVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT REQUIREMENTS

28 Technical Assistance To promote Levee Safety To assist States, communities and owners in standing up programs To assist same in managing risks Incentivizes development of levee safety programs

29 Inventory and Review Inventory for National Levee Database Review : Inspection Screening level risk assessment and LSAC Intent is to build safety program capacity in states Key input to state programs and rehab funding

30 Levee Safety Guidelines Develop comprehensive set of guidelines and standards: Voluntary Cover wide range of levee issues/types Coordinated with all levels Considers a hazard potential classification (LSAC) Issued for public comment

31 State &Tribal Levee Safety Program Guidelines issued by Corps Minimum Program Requirements Linkages to Other elements of WRDA FEMA authorized to provide financial assistance and implement performance metrics

32 Levee Rehab Program Limited in $$ authority, expansive in scope $30M/year, cost shared Geared to flood risk, not existing levees Hard linkages to floodplain management, National Flood Insurance Program, and Hazard Mitigation Plans