U.S Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region “Steady In The Storm” ERFO Process Jo Ann Clark - Refuge Roads/ERFO Coordinator

U.S Fish & Wildlife Service Southeast Region

“Steady In The Storm”

ERFO Process Jo Ann Clark - Refuge Roads/ERFO Coordinator

Joe Girot – Refuge Roads/ERFO Engineer

R4 ERFO PresentationR4 ERFO Presentation

Steps to educating refuges

Experiences with refuges

Pros and Cons about what worked

R4 ways to streamline ERFO process

ERFO Education ERFO Education First Step: Explaining ERFO to refuges

DocumentationReimbursement processClose-out procedures

Second Step: Education processE-mail with instructionsERFO manuals On-site training process

ERFO Education cont.ERFO Education cont.

Third Step: DocumentationEmphasis on picturesDamage Survey Reports (DSR)Utilizing EFLHD ERFO teams

Fourth Step: Close Out ProcessFinal Inspection

Notification ProcessNotification Process

Refuges call/e-mail FWS ERFO Personnel Regional Office:

Assess damages Coordinate with EFLHDRegional Office submits Notice of Intent

Letter (NOI)

Limited Funding AvailibilityLimited Funding Availibility

Limited Refuge System funds Usually request a special appropriation

What is Eligible? (A common question)Public roads Public BridgesDesignated National Trails

When Disaster StrikesWhen Disaster Strikes

Initiate Emergency Repairs

Restore essential traffic

Protect remaining facilities

Prevent additional damage

ERFO Emergency ERFO Emergency RepairsRepairs

Action taken within 2 months of accessibility to damaged site:

Developed Incident Management Teams

Used limited Refuges funds

Opened roads to Public

Documented damages pictorially

When Disaster StrikesWhen Disaster Strikes

Maintain eligibility for reimbursementKeep records (material costs) time sheets (labor costs)equipment hoursTAKE PICTURES!!!

ERFO Permanent RepairsERFO Permanent Repairs

Action taken within 2 years of accessibility to damaged site:Used Refuge Roads funds:

Conduct scoping trips Begin project design

ERFO damages over $500K Request EFLHD assistance

Close Out ProcessClose Out Process

R4 Future Improvements to ERFO ProcessR4 Future Improvements to ERFO Process

Utilizing SAMMS to capture damages

Develop R4 Web page

Documentation Examples

ERFO “Quick Reference” Link

ERFO Training for Refuge Staff

Provided by EFLHD

DSR ExampleDSR Example

Questions and Answers