Eric Cavazza and Brian Bradley, PA DEP, "An Analysis of PAs Accelerated Response Program- Pennsylvania's Alternative to the Federal Office of Surface Mining's (OSM) Emergency Program"

An Analysis of Pennsylvania’s Accelerated Response Program

Pennsylvania’s Alternative to the Federal Office of Surface Mining’s (OSM) Emergency Program

Eric E. Cavazza, P.E.and

Brian Bradley, P.G.

June 27, 2014

Background

October 2010:

The Federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) ceased implementing the Federal Emergency Program to address suddenly occurring, high-priority, abandoned mine land (AML) problems in Pennsylvania.

History of OSM Emergency Program in PA

Since the inception of the federally funded AML Program in Pennsylvania around 1980, OSM has administered the OSM Emergency Program from the Appalachian Regional Office in Pittsburgh (Bituminous Region) and its satellite Office in Wilkes-Barre (Anthracite Region).

PA Coal Fields and BAMR District Boundaries

Background

In response to the cessation of the Emergency Program by OSM, Pennsylvania chose not to request delegation of the Emergency Program from OSM but rather chose to set up an Accelerated Response Program to address the AML problems traditionally dealt with by OSM.

Accelerated Response Program

Unlike traditional OSM Emergency Projects, accelerated response projects require submission of a formal written request from Pennsylvania to OSM for an Authorization to Proceed (ATP).

ARP Project Example – Green Street Subsidence, North Belle Vernon Borough, Westmoreland County

SubsidenceDamage to

Home

ARP Project Example – Green Street Subsidence, North Belle Vernon Borough, Westmoreland County

ProjectConstruction

Post Construction

Post Construction

• Official Start Date: December 11, 2012• Contract Completion Date: January 9, 2013 • Project Cost: $135,262.50 (Final) • Project Area: 0.2 Acres• Description: Stabilized residential properties by

injecting 300 CY of pre-mixed commercially available sand/cement grout material into the mine voids through boreholes

Program Analysis - OSM Emergency Program vs. ARP

• PA’s Accelerated Response Program (ARP) has been up and running since October of 2010

• An analysis of the first three full years of implementation of the ARP was completed

• An analysis of the last six years of the OSM Emergency Program was also completed

• The two programs were then compared and contrasted

Analysis and Comparison of Programs

• Numbers and Types of Projects• Geographic Location of Projects• NEPA Compliance and ATPs• In-House vs. Contracted Projects• Project Costs and Manpower• Project Construction Timeframes• Program Implementation Summary

Total Number of Inquiry Investigations and Rate of Accelerated Response Projects

  Federal Fiscal Year

  2011 2012 2013

  Inquiries ARP Rate Inquiries ARP Rate Inquiries ARP Rate

Anthracite District

332 49 14.8% 205 21 10.2% 216 18 8.3%

Bituminous District

387 49 12.7% 394 29 7.4% 421 53 12.6%

Totals: 719 98 13.6% 599 50 8.3% 637 71 11.1%

Average per year: 73 Projects

OSM Emergency Projects in PA (FY05-FY10)

Fiscal Year Bituminous Anthracite Total

2005 99 67 166

2006 39 77 116

2007 73 66 139

2008 67 48 115

2009 81 36 117

2010 69 46 115

Totals 428 340 768

Average per year: 128 Projects

Number and Types of ARP Projects

Federal Fiscal Year

BAMR ARP Sites

SubsidenceMine

DrainageMine Gas

FiresLand Slide

Mine Opening

2011 98 81 2 1 2 6 6

2012 50 45 1 1 1 0 2

2013 71 61 2 0 2 3 3

Totals 219 187 5 2 5 9 11

Percent 85% 2% 1% 2% 4% 5%

Number and Types of OSM Emergencies

Federal Fiscal Year

OSMEmergencies

SubsidenceMine

DrainageMine Gas Fires Land

SlideMine

Opening

2005 166 123 8 10 8 3 14

2006 116 96 2 3 3 0 12

2007 139 112 7 6 3 2 9

2008 115 96 4 2 1 4 8

2009 117 93 7 5 5 1 6

2010 115 86 5 4 2 1 17

Totals 768 606 33 30 22 11 66

Percent 79% 4% 4% 3% 1% 9%

Comparison of AML Problem Types -OSM Emergency Program

vs. PA ARP Program

AML Problem Type

Program Subsidence Mine

Drainage Mine Gas

Fires Land Slide

Mine Opening

OSM Emergency 79% 4% 4% 3% 1% 9%

PA-DEP ARP 85% 2% 1% 2% 4% 5%

ARP Projects in PA by Month

AML Emergencies by Month in PA

ARP Projects - Anthracite Region

OSM Emergency Projects – Anthracite Region

Example ARP Project – Plymouth Borough, Luzerne County (Anthracite District)

ARP Construction

Project Summary

Response Timeline:Notification Received: September 12, 2011

ATP Requested: September 14, 2011ATP Issued: September 14, 2011

Construction Started: September 29, 2011Construction Completed: October 20, 2011Construction Duration: 21 Calendar DaysReclamation Method: ContractProject Cost: $85,812

ARP Projects - Bituminous Region

OSM Emergency Projects - Bituminous Region

Example ARP Project – Bausman Street Subsidence City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Small Hole Large Hole

ARP Construction

Project Summary

Response Timeline:Notification Received: May 22, 2012

ATP Requested: May 23, 2012ATP Issued: May 24, 2012

Construction Started: May 24, 2012Construction Completed: May 30, 2012Construction Duration: 6 Calendar DaysReclamation Method: In-House Construction Crew

with rental equipment Project Cost: $25,961.52

Significant Differences between PA’s ARP and the OSM Emergency Program

• ARP Projects require an Authorization to proceed (ATP) and full NEPA Compliance prior to construction

• PA has two in-house construction crews capable of responding and completing necessary reclamation for small ARP projects

Time in Days from Notification to Request of ATPPA-BAMR ARP Projects (FY2011 - FY2013)

TimeNo. of

Projects PercentCumulative

Percent

Same Day 15 6.8% 6.8%1 - 3 Days 51 23.3% 30.1%4 - 7 Days 49 22.4% 52.5%8 -14 Days 42 19.2% 71.7%15 - 21 Days 18 8.2% 79.9%22 - 30 Days 10 4.6% 84.5%31 - 60 Days 10 4.6% 89.0%61 - 200 Days 5 2.3% 91.3%No Data/Not Required 19 8.7% 100.0%

Totals 219    Typical ATP Request Times

Average Request Time 12.0 DaysMedian Request Time 7 Days

Time in Days for OSM to Review and Issue ATPPA-BAMR ARP Projects (FY2011 - FY2013)

TimeNo. of

Projects PercentCumulative

Percent

Same Day 76 34.7% 34.7%1 - 3 Days 93 42.5% 77.2%4 - 7 Days 24 11.0% 88.1%8 -14 Days 3 1.4% 89.5%15 - 21 Days 1 0.5% 90.0%22 - 30 Days 0 0.0% 90.0%31 - 60 Days 1 0.5% 90.4%61 - 200 Days 1 0.5% 90.9%No Data/Not Required 20 9.1% 100.0%

Totals 219    Typical ATP Times

Average Review Time 2.7 DaysMedian Review Time 1 Days

Reclamation Method used to Complete ARP Projects

Reclamation Method

AnthraciteDistrict

BituminousDistrict

Statewide Percent

In-house Crews 52 105 157 71.7%

Contracted 30 25 55 25.1%

By Others 6 1 7 3.2%

Totals: 88 131 219

Anthracite In-House Project Example – Project AD860X, Hazle Township, Luzerne County

Mine Subsidence Cavehole inParking Lot

March 16, 2011

Anthracite In-House Project Example – Project AD860X, Hazle Township, Luzerne County

ProjectConstruction

Anthracite In-House Project Example – Project AD860X, Hazle Township, Luzerne County

ReclaimedMine Subsidence

Cavehole inParking Lot

March 25, 2011

Project Details

• Notification and Investigation: March 16, 2011• Opening under pavement measuring 11 feet in

diameter and 13 feet in depth• In-House Construction Crew (AD Crew)

completed the backfilling and remediation on March 25, 2011 (Completed in 9 calendar days)

• The void was backfilled with 44 tons of R-5 Rock and 19 cubic yards of Grout

• Project cost: $3,186.37

Costs to Complete ARP Projects by Region (FY2011 - FY2013)

 Anthracite

DistrictBituminous

DistrictStatewide

Cost Percent

In-house Crews $107,047 $247,278 $354,325 7.3%

Contracted $1,506,160 $3,005,645 $4,511,805 92.7%Totals: $1,613,207 $3,252,923 $4,866,130

Average Annual Construction Cost: $1,622,043

Total Construction Cost of OSM Emergency Projects in PA

Fiscal Year Bituminous Anthracite Total

2005 $ 2,068,914 $ 821,235 $ 2,890,149

2006* $ 786,795 $ 12,561,256 $ 13,348,051

2007 $ 1,254,882 $ 1,125,471 $ 2,380,353

2008 $ 1,795,353 $ 1,234,078 $ 3,029,431

2009 $ 1,427,739 $ 500,881 $ 1,928,620

2010 $ 1,286,236 $ 381,033 $ 1,667,269

Totals $ 8,619,919 $ 16,623,954 $ 25,243,873

*Includes $11,415,001 for the Dolph Mine Fire Control Project

Average Annual Construction Cost: $2,304,821

ARP Construction Cost Rangeand Typical Project Costs

ARP Project Costs(FY2011 – FY2013)

Cost Range No. of Projects> $100,000 11

$50,000 - $100,000 15$25,000 - $50,000 10$10,000 - $25,000 15$5,000 - $10,000 11

Contracts < $5,000 150Total 212Typical Project Values

Average Project Cost* $23,062Median Project Cost* $1,679*- Excluding projects completed by others

Analysis of Emergency Project Costs

Contract Range No. of ProjectsContracts > $100,000* 33

$50,000 - $100,000 26$25,000 - $50,000 53$10,000 - $25,000 94$5,000 - $10,000 53

Contracts < $5,000 509Total 768

* - Includes Dolph Colliery Mine Fire Control ProjectTypical Project Values

Average Project Cost** $18,840Median Project Cost** $2,000

**- Excluding the Dolph Colliery Mine Fire Control Project and projects completed by others or with no cost information

Manpower Resources Required Implementing the Program (FTEs)

Fiscal Year

Total ARPHours

Full Time Equivalents

(FTE)

Salary and Fringe Benefit Costs

2011 10,292 5.72 $ 445,224

2012 10,176 5.65 $ 397,740

2013 7,884 4.38 $ 340,793

Totals: 28,352 5.25 $ 1,183,757

Staff Effort shown as Bi-weekly Full Time Equivalents(Federal Fiscal Years FY2011 – FY2013)

10/8/2

010

11/5/2

010

12/3/2

010

12/31/2

010

1/28/2

011

2/25/2

011

3/25/2

011

4/22/2

011

5/20/2

011

6/17/2

011

7/15/2

011

8/12/2

011

9/9/2

011

10/7/2

011

11/4/2

011

12/2/2

011

12/30/2

011

1/27/2

012

2/24/2

012

3/23/2

012

4/20/2

012

5/18/2

012

6/15/2

012

7/13/2

012

8/10/2

012

9/7/2

012

10/5/2

012

11/2/2

012

11/30/2

012

12/28/2

012

1/25/2

013

2/22/2

013

3/22/2

013

4/19/2

013

5/17/2

013

6/14/2

013

7/12/2

013

8/9/2

013

9/6/2

0130.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0ARP Bi-weekly Work Effort as FTE

Biweekly FTE

Average FTE

Full

Tim

e Eq

uiva

lent

s

Total, 3-year, manpower and construction costs to implement the Program

Cost Percent

In-house Construction Cost $ 354,325 5.9%

Contract Cost $ 4,511,805 74.6%

Salary and Benefit cost $ 1,183,757 19.6%

Total Cost: $ 6,049,887

Average cost based on 219 ARP Projects: $ 27,625.05

Bituminous In-House Project Example – Project BD3168ARBP, South Park Township, Allegheny County

Mine Subsidence Cavehole in

Residential Yard

July 16, 2013

Bituminous In-House Project Example – Project BD3168ARBP, South Park Township, Allegheny County

ProjectConstruction

Bituminous In-House Project Example – Project BD3168ARBP, South Park Township, Allegheny County

ReclaimedMine Subsidence

Cavehole inResidential Yard

September 4, 2013

Project Details

• Notification and Investigation: July 16, 2013• Bell-shape opening in yard area measuring 15

feet in diameter (max) and 15 feet deep• In-House Construction Crew (BD Crew)

completed the backfilling and remediation on August 9, 2013 (Completed in 24 calendar days)

• The void was backfilled with 49 tons of stone and the yard area was restored and planted

• Project cost: $3,111.99

Time in Days from Notification to Initiation of ConstructionPA-BAMR ARP Projects (FY2011 - FY2013)

TimeNo. of

ProjectsPercent

Cumulative Percent

0 - 3 Days 21 9.6% 9.6%4 - 7 Days 19 8.7% 18.3%8 -14 Days 43 19.6% 37.9%15 - 21 Days 33 15.1% 53.0%22 - 30 Days 31 14.2% 67.1%31 - 60 Days 34 15.5% 82.6%61 - 90 Days 13 5.9% 88.6%91 - 120 Days 6 2.7% 91.3%121 - 180 Days 7 3.2% 94.5%> 181 Days* 5 2.3% 96.8%No Data (by others) 7 3.2% 100.0%

Totals: 219 100.0%Typical Response Times

Average Response Time* 39.4 DaysMedian Response Time 21.5 Days* - Includes 2 Projects > 365 Days

Days from Notification to Initiation of ConstructionOSM Emergency Projects (FY2005 - FY2010)

TimeNo. of

ProjectsPercent

Cumulative Percent

0 - 3 Days 52 6.8% 6.8%4 - 7 Days 97 12.6% 19.4%8 -14 Days 154 20.1% 39.5%15 - 21 Days 103 13.4% 52.9%22 - 30 Days 83 10.8% 63.7%31 - 60 Days 119 15.5% 79.2%61 - 90 Days 57 7.4% 86.6%91 - 120 Days 35 4.6% 91.1%121 - 180 Days 27 3.5% 94.7%> 181 Days* 22 2.9% 97.5%Addressed by Others 19 2.5% 100.0%Totals 768 100%  

Typical Response TimesAverage Response Time* 39 DaysMedian Response Time 20 Days* - Includes 3 Projects > 365 Days

Time in Days from Notification to Completion of ConstructionPA-BAMR ARP Projects (FY2011 - FY2013)

TimeNo. of

ProjectsPercent

Cumulative Percent

0 - 7 Days 17 7.8% 7.8%8 -14 Days 31 14.2% 21.9%15 - 21 Days 28 12.8% 34.7%22 - 30 Days 28 12.8% 47.5%31 - 60 Days 55 25.1% 72.6%61 - 90 Days 13 5.9% 78.5%91 - 120 Days 12 5.5% 84.0%121 - 180 Days 13 5.9% 90.0%181 - 365 Days 11 5.0% 95.0%> 365 Days 4 1.8% 96.8%By Others 7 3.2% 100.0%

Totals 219 100.0%  Typical Completion Times

Average Completion Time 61.3 DaysMedian Completion Time 31 Days

Days from Notification to Completion of Project ConstructionOSM Emergency Projects (FY2005 - FY2010)

Time No. of Projects Percent Cumulative

Percent

0 - 7 Days 0 0.0% 0.0%8 -14 Days 5 0.7% 0.7%15 - 21 Days 21 2.7% 3.4%22 - 30 Days 26 3.4% 6.8%31 - 60 Days 154 20.1% 26.8%61 - 90 Days 107 13.9% 40.8%91 - 120 Days 97 12.6% 53.4%121 - 180 Days 77 10.0% 63.4%181 - 365 Days 111 14.5% 77.9%> 365 Days* 56 7.3% 85.2%No Data or By Others 114 14.8% 100.0%Totals 768 100%  

Typical Completion TimesAverage Completion Time* 148 DaysMedian Completion Time 94 Days* - Includes 10 Projects > 730 Days (2 years)

Selected Comparison of OSM Emergency Program to PA ARP Program

Program MetricOSM

Emergency PA-BAMR

ARP

Average Annual Number of Projects 128 73

Average Project Construction Cost $18,840 $23,062

Median Project Construction Cost $2,000 $1,679

Percent of Projects with Cost < $5,000 66.3% 70.8%

Average Annual Construction Expenditures(Excludes OSM’s Dolph Project at $11.4M)

$2,304,821 $1,622,043

Average Total Days to Initiate Construction 39 39.4

Median Total Days to Initiate Construction 20 21.5

Percent of projects Initiated in 60 days or less 79.2% 82.6%

Average Total Days to Complete Construction 148 61.3

Median Total Days to Complete Construction 94 31

Percent of projects Completed in 60 days or less 26.8% 72.6%

ARP Program Implementation Summary

• Set up ARP Program with no additional staff• Absorbed total costs (staff and project

costs) with regular Title IV Grant funds• Utilized existing in-house construction

crews to expedite response• Developed accelerated contracting

procedures and construction management protocols for ARPs

Simpson Refuse Pile Fire (Jan. 2014)Fell Township, Lackawanna County

• 2014 turning out to be a non-typical year• Over $2.8 million in ARP contracts

(October 1, 2013 – June 20, 2014)

Simpson Refuse Pile Fire – Construction

Lackawanna River

Water Supply Pump

Borehole forMonitoringTemperatures

FireSuppressionSurfactant

Water Supply Hose Line

Simpson Refuse Pile Fire Summary

Response Timeline:Notification Received: December 15, 2013

ATP Requested: December 24, 2013ATP Issued: January 3, 2014

Construction Started: January 20, 2014Construction Completed: May 28, 2014Construction Duration: 129 Calendar DaysReclamation Method: ContractProject Cost: $2,213,477.80

Extinguished Simpson Refuse Pile Fire (06/05/14)

Acknowledgements

The presenters would like to acknowledge and thank Rick Balogh and his staff of the Office of Surface Mining, Appalachian Regional Office, for their cooperation and assistance in providing information regarding the OSM Emergency Projects completed in Pennsylvania for federal fiscal years FY2005 – FY2010.

Questions?Contact Information:

[email protected] 814-472-1800

[email protected]

717-783-2267